2012 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Athletes Who Should Go Sooner

 With the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine underway, the emphasis is now solely on the draft.

Teams can make or break their 2012-2013 season with what they do on draft day, and some teams will get players that fall farther than they should.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

There is nothing that can happen at the combine that can change Indianapolis’ mind. Luck No. 1.

2. $$ Cleveland Browns (2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

With Cleveland trading up, the Browns get the quarterback they want and the Rams get to capitalize on the RGIII hype.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Minnesota will get the left tackle they need so desperately need in star Matt Kalil.

4. $$ St. Louis Rams (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Sam Bradford will get a weapon in Justin Blackmon that could save him from all the pressure with an effective short-passing game.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

With the duo of Trent Richardson and LeGarrette Blount, the Buccaneers would have one of the most dangerous running back tandems in the NFL.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

With Mike Shanahan livid for not being able to sign any significant free agent and missing out on Robert Griffin III, he will hastily take Tannehill and regret it for years to come.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Jacksonville Jaguars finally get a first-round pick right with LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. Not only is he a potentially great cornerback, he is also a stellar return man.

With Jacksonville needing help in every facet of the game, Claiborne would be a dual-threat player that could turn the fortunes of the team around.

I have him as the fourth-best player available in the draft, but if he falls to Jacksonville, it is the perfect place for a kid that can make any defensive scheme work for him.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10)*: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

The Ron Rivera defensive overhaul of the Panthers begins with Quinton Coples and his pass rush.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

No matter who is under center come Week 1, the Dolphins need Riley Reiff to protect them.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

While I have him ranked lower, Upshaw is a good fit as an outsider backer in the Bills 3-4 defense.

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

With a need a defensive end, the Seahawks grab a beast in Devon Still.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)*: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

With a need at linebacker, Luke Kuechly is too good to pass over for Kansas City.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Another case of whoever is under center just needs some help. Martin looks like he could be that franchise left tackle.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

With a stellar performance so far in the combine, if Stanford guard David DeCastro falls to the Cowboys here, they will be loaded.

DeCastro is built to be a guard in the NFL and has the strength and versatility to do anything Dallas needs from him. It’s that versatility that could get him snagged earlier.

If Dallas does draft DeCastro, that will sign the end of Jerry Jones accepting any excuses from Tony Rom or the non-existent run game.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Philadelphia Eagles need a tall wideout for the red zone and Andy Reid will go big with Michael Floyd.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

The New York Jets have lacked a stellar pass rush over the last season and a half, but those problems go away if they draft South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Melvin Ingram.

Ingram is versatile enough to play the tough position of defensive end in the 3-4 schemes Rex Ryan runs, while still being athletic enough to drop into coverage.

As much as this would be the perfect fit, the combine will show the teams just how truly physically gifted Ingram is and he could go as high as No. 7 to the Carolina Panthers.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

While a little red flag is something Cincinnati would ignore regardless, Kirkpatrick is too talented to pass up.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

San Diego’s non-existent pass rush gets a charge with Nick Perry. Get it?

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

While I still have him here for now, Peter Konz hasn’t looked great in the combine and could be dropping fast.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

I am holding off on my pure enthusiasm on Brockers until after his combine workout. If he kills it the way he should, he is a top-10 pick.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Another player that could benefit from the combine, if his speed and size are as presented. He is a climber on the draft boards.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

What happens to Alshon Jeffery is completely up to him. If he is 100 percent behind his workout, the interest will climb. If it’s lackluster, his position on the board will drop.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

While cornerback is a serious need, the need to protect Matthew Stafford is much greater. Lions fans, meet Mike Adams.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Already looking good at the combine, Glenn could be on the rise as well. Pittsburgh would be lucky to have the star fall this far.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

John Fox loves defensive tackles and he gets himself a stellar one in Fletcher Cox.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

If Wade Phillips gets Mark Barron and retains Mario Williams, it’s over because that defense is stacked.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Bill Belichick loves him some Florida Gators. Even ex-Gators.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

With the worst ranked pass defense in the NFL, Green Bay has no choice but take Alfonzo Dennard.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

If he can be tamed, this could be the most dangerous player in the draft.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Nothing says mismatch like a deep threat with a short-throwing quarterback. The 49ers better not make this pick.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Mohamed Sanu runs routes well. Enough said.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

With the possible departure of defensive staples, Zach Brown would add to an already potent pass rush.

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL Scouting Combine

$$ - Potential trade

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