2012 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Talents Who Will Be Overlooked

The first round of the 2012 NFL Draft will be void of a few very talented players.

Such is the essence of the draft. Depending on team needs, trades, injuries or falling stocks, some very good players will be left out of the first round.

It happens every year, somebody endures the epic slide out of the first round.

Who's it going to be this year?

Here's my latest mock draft with a segment for some notable players left out:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Surprise...

2. TRADE Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Been picking this trade for a long while now. The 'Skins need to make it happen.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil has been a stud at the combine. Easily the best lineman in a long time.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Browns need to make a splash, T-Rich can be one of the best.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Shutdown corner to a defense that desperately needs him.

6. St. Louis Rams: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Based off this tweet from Bleacher Report's NFL Draft lead writer Matt Miller:

"

We've been told 31 teams will interview Michael Brockers at the #NFLCombine and a team with a top 5 pick says they "have to get him."

"

I am speculating that the Rams will trade back and take Brockers, who has the talent to be the best defensive player in the draft.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon is a great possession receiver and has the chance to be very good on a Jacksonville team that really needs the help.

8. Miami Dolphins: Nick Perry, DE, USC

Perry will make moving back to the 4-3 worthwhile. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery could be the best deep threat in this draft, especially with a quarterback like Cam Newton potentially throwing to him.

10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram has been very impressive and is in great shape. Could be a steal.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Chiefs need a quick lineman with good feet. Reiff is the man for the job.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Courtney Upshaw, LB/DE, Alabama

Projecting Upshaw to dominate as a very fast 4-3 defensive end in Seattle.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Cordy Glenn, OG/OT, Georgia

Glenn jumped up a long ways with a great showing at the combine.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Easily a top 10 talent that Dallas will be glad to take a chance on.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

Quick linebacker that will be a huge improvement at the position.

16. New York Jets:  David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Second best overall player in the draft in my opinion. DeCastro will be a staple for the Jets for years.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Bengals need help at corner and are getting a good deal here.

18. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Farthest down I've had Martin, but the Chargers will gladly stop his slide.

19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Had Mike Adams here, but he hasn't impressed at the combine. I see Floyd being a huge addition for this offense.

20. Tennessee Titans: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Titans desperately need a defensive end, so they'll take a shot here.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright across from A.J. Green makes this offense very dangerous.

22. Cleveland Browns: Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma

No wideouts on the board worth reaching for, so the Browns will go with a need.

23. Detroit Lions: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams has too much potential for Detroit to pass up on.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe will settle in at nose tackle for a long time.

25. Denver Broncos: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Huge addition that will help Tim Tebow and the offense.

26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Underrated player that will blossom across from Andre Johnson.

27. New England Patriots (via Saints): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Worthy could become a best in time, especially in this system.

28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, LB, Illinois

Mercilus will be a sack specialist on a team that needs help across from Clay Matthews.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Ravens will eventually need Konz to be their center.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

The 49ers need to give Alex Smith a few more weapons.

31. New England Patriots: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Their problems in the secondary will be patched up with this pick.

32: New York Giants: Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

The Giants have the luxury of drafting a wanted player here that can really be a stud in the future. 

Who Didn't Make The Cut?

Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Hightower is a borderline first-round linebacker that will probably fall a bit because of his size. It's tough to tell if he projects inside or outside at linebacker, and that hesitation alone will probably cause teams to go with a more defined pick. 

Mark Barron, S, Alabama

A sports hernia really set Barron's stock back, and I don't think he'll be able to bounce back into the first. 

Chris Polk, RB, Washington

I really like Polk as a running back, and if he can get his speed up to par with his size he could be great in the NFL. Unfortunately he slips in this mock because of team needs. He's also a much safer pick in the second round. 

Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Burfict has a ton of physical potential, but he also has a ton of character concerns. I don't think that's going to bode well for his first round hopes.