2012 NFL Mock Draft: Alshon Jeffery and Prospects Teams Should Avoid at All Cost

We are getting closer to having all eyes on the 2012 NFL draft. As the NFL scouting combine comes to a close, let’s look ahead to some of the prospects in the 2012 class.

There are several “can’t-miss prospects”, and some players teams must avoid at their selection. This list contains players that teams must avoid.

Those players that must be avoided will have (*) by their selection.

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

It doesn’t matter if Peyton Manning will play in the NFL or not. Andrew Luck of Stanford is the best player in the draft and will be drafted No. 1.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

I’ve been saying Justin Blackmon at this position for weeks now. St. Louis needs a wide receiver if Sam Bradford is going to be its franchise quarterback.

Give him a weapon he can work with.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)

Morris Claiborne is the best cornerback talent in the 2012 NFL draft. He’s going to be a multiple time Pro Bowler.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)

Colt McCoy wasn’t the answer for the Cleveland Browns, even before his concussion injury. Robert Griffin III is the real deal and should be considered heavily at this pick if he’s still on the board.

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

Trent Richardson is the perfect combination of power and speed. Tampa Bay needs to select the best running back in the draft with its No. 5 selection.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Matt Kalil, OT (USC)

Washington picking a lineman with its first selection probably won’t excite too many Redskins fans, but USC’s Matt Kalil is going to be a fantastic player in the NFL.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

Cornerback is an issue in Jacksonville. With the No. 7 pick, the Jaguars should select Dre Kirkpatrick from Alabama. He was one of the best players on the best team in college football. Makes sense.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10; subject to coin-flip with Miami): Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

Devon Still is a beast in the middle of the defense. He takes up a lot of space, opening holes for his linebackers. Carolina would be wise to solidify the center of its defense.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10; subject to coin-flip with Carolina): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)

Riley Reiff will be the selection of the Dolphins with this pick. They need help in many areas, but offensive line is always a priority in football. Also, if Peyton Manning does come to Miami he will have protection.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina) *

I would avoid Quinton Coples in the NFL Draft. Obviously he has immense talent, but I don’t like the character issues he brings.

It’s not just the fact of him making poor decisions off the field, but it has more to do with his lackluster effort level, at times, last season.

Buffalo's defense was atrocious this season; it was 28th against the rush and 19th against the pass.

Adding Coples will probably be in the Bills’ plans, but there is definitely a risk/reward outcome at the end of the day.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9; subject to coin-flip with Seattle): Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

Jonathan Martin is one of the best offensive linemen in this draft class. Kansas City has a nice group of young, defensive players. Adding an offensive lineman would be a good move with this pick.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9; subject to coin-flip with Kansas City): Ryan Tannehill, QB (Texas A&M)

Winning in the NFL nowadays takes having a franchise quarterback. Whether or not Ryan Tannehill has what it takes will be determined, but I see the Seahawks trying to make it work.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, OLB (Alabama)

Courtney Upshaw of the Alabama Crimson Tide would be a great selection for the Cardinals. They need to get younger on defense.

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

Tony Romo is a legit, top-10 quarterback in the NFL. He needs to be protected. Stanford’s David DeCastro protected Andrew Luck; he knows a thing or two about protecting assets.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB (Boston College)

Philadelphia needs help with its linebacker unit. Luke Kuechly would be a great fit for the Eagles.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Mark Barron, SS (Alabama)

Mark Barron played at one of the most physical defensive schools in the country—Alabama. He knows how to play with a great defense. New York struggled a little bit on that side of the ball last year, so adding Barron is ideal.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from 8-8 Oakland): Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)

Cincinnati is a team to watch out for in upcoming years. It has young talent all across the board, so having two picks in the top-25 will bring in even more talent.

Alfonzo Dennard is one of the better corners in the draft. The Bengals should use one of their selections on him.

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

San Diego has a good offense, but its defense lacked tremendously last season. Nick Perry would be a solid addition because of his ability to disrupt offenses.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

Michael Floyd is 6’3” and ran a 4.42 40 at the NFL scouting combine on Sunday. He’s the real deal. Chicago would jump on the opportunity if Floyd was still available.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Melvin Ingram, OLB (South Carolina)

Tennessee needs to get more talented on the defensive side of the ball. Drafting Melvin Ingram would help immensely.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Peter Konz, C (Wisconsin)

All franchise quarterbacks need dominant offensive linemen. Peter Konz would bring a staple to Cincinnati for years to come.

22. Cleveland Browns (from 10-6 Atlanta): Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor) *

I would be weary of drafting Kendall Wright because of the quarterback he played with. But what if Griffin and Wright had a chance to play together in the NFL?

There’s a chance that could happen. 

But, if he doesn’t go to Cleveland, I don’t think he is worth a selection this high. He’s a good player, but not No. 1 worthy.

His success comes from playing with Griffin. Playing with a quarterback in a system like Baylor will provide inflated statistics.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)

Detroit finally made the postseason last year but it wasn’t because of its defense. The Lions need help on that side of the ball, especially at corner. Janoris Jenkins has issues of his own off the field, but he would be a good gamble.

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

Pittsburgh is one of the youngest offensive teams in the NFL. The Steelers have a franchise quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger, but little-to-zero help on the offensive line.

They will draft Cordy Glenn to solidify their needs.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)

Poe is one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL draft. He would instantly help the Broncos on their defensive line.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Texans already have a dynamic defensive line, but adding Fletcher Cox would make them even better.

27. New England Patriots (from 13-3 New Orleans): Andre Branch, DE (Clemson)

The Patriots need to improve their defense with their two first-round picks. Adding Andre Branch would boost the defensive line.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)

Green Bay has the offense to compete for titles, but it's its defense that is holding it back. 

Whitney Mercilus would give the Packers another option on the defensive side.

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

Vontaze Burfict and the Baltimore Ravens have an opportunity to become a perfect fit. With character issues, Burfict would join a veteran group of defensive players. Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Ed Reed will provide clarity for the youngster in his first years in the NFL.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina) *

Alex Smith proved to be the 49ers quarterback of the future. Many were harsh on his abilities to lead the 49ers, including me, but he played well when it mattered most.

He needs weapons to surround him, and that’s where Alshon Jeffery becomes an option.

Jeffery has tools to be a great receiver in the NFL, but I’m questionable about his ability to perform at a high level in the league. There were times at South Carolina where he didn’t show up to the field. A major reason why he was a no-show was his inability to separate from cornerbacks.

That sounds like a real issue heading towards the draft. 

31. New England Patriots (9-7): Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

New England had one of the worst passing defenses in NFL history last season. It burned the Patriots when it mattered most during the Super Bowl. They need to get help for their secondary. Stephon Gilmore would be a solid pick late in the first round.

32. New York Giants (13-3): Chase Minnifield, CB (Virginia)

New York could use this pick to grab another tight end, but I think it might lean toward its secondary. Chase Minnifield will be the final pick in the first round.