2012 NFL Mock Draft: How the Combine Reshaped the First Round

If NFL teams put a lot of stock into how players perform at the combine, then the 2012 NFL Draft's first round is going to look drastically different than what we have been projecting before workouts.

It all depends on a teams philosophy and how much they believe the combine should weigh into the whole process of scouting and evaluating a player.

Believe you me, there have been a few guys that showed up to the combine and really impressed, and I wouldn't be surprised to see their names jumping up draft boards.

There have also been more than a few players that have been disappointing though.

How has the NFL combine reshaped the first round of the draft? 

Bleacher Report's NFL Draft lead writer Matt Miller and I have been in Indiana all week for the combine and have been able to talk to a lot of people and hear a lot of chatter.

There's a ton of buzz around certain players, while others may be wishing for a re-do

Based off what I've been hearing and seeing with my own two eyes, here's my latest mock:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

I'm not explaining this one anymore.

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

Been consistent with this trade.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil looked incredible at the combine. The Rams may think long and hard about drafting him before trading out.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

I've heard rumblings here that Richardson may be the best running back coming out in a long time.

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

This is a consistent pick throughout most mock drafts, and it makes sense.

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

Matt Miller send out this Tweet on Saturday, and it was a huge factor in this pick.

"

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."

"

My speculation here is that the Rams may feel they can trade out of No. 2 and get a guy like Brockers, who measures out at 6'5'', 322 pounds. He has the ability to be the best defensive player in this draft, and we've seen how getting an elite defensive lineman can really help a team rebuild.

I think Jeff Fisher is feeling pretty bold in his first draft as head coach of the Rams, and this pick has the potential to pay huge dividends.

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

The Jags will be ecstatic that Blackmon fell to them.

8. Miami Dolphins: Nick Perry, DE, USC

Perry is a great pick, especially with the switch to the 4-3.

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

Jeffery showed up to the combine at a very impressive 216 pounds, which flies directly in the face of irresponsible rumors that stated he was out of shape and overweight.

Many had him falling on their boards because of those rumors, but he's back where he belongs as he proved his critics wrong.

He has the potential to be the next great deep threat in the NFL, especially with a quarterback like Cam Newton throwing to him.

10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, LB/DE, Alabama

Upshaw may project better as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but I think he can be very dangerous and effective at 4-3 defensive end. He's quick, strong, and should cause havoc off the edge.

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

Solid pick here that fills a big need.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram is extremely athletic and can make this young Seattle defense very good.

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

Glenn may have helped himself the most out of any player at the combine. He's 6'5'', 348 pounds and plays with very quick feet and good hands. He's also very versatile, being that he can play either guard or tackle.

This makes him a very intriguing pick, but then he went out and ran an unofficial 4.96 in the 40-yard dash.

He's a big and fast player, and he jumped up from a guy going in the 20's to 13 in my mock.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro is the perfect prospect, and the Cowboys need the help on their line. He'll be a player for a very long time.

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

Philadelphia really needs help at linebacker, so Brown makes a lot of sense.

16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Jets need to help Mark Sanchez out, so this pick will be extremely valuable.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins is a guy with some off-field issues, but the Bengals will love to fill this need with a player of his talent.

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

The Chargers need the help on the line, and Martin is very solid.

19. Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

I've had left tackle Mike Adams here, but his combine showing was unimpressive. That will be enough for the Bears to look away from him, and look at Wright, who will give Jay Cutler a true deep threat.

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

The Titans need an end, so Coples is worth the risk here.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Lamar Miller ran very fast at the combine, and in my opinion he solidified this pick.

22. Cleveland Browns: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Browns need the help on defense, and Kirkpatrick could be a steal here.

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

Adams has a ton of potential and he is huge. The Lions want to solidifiy their offensive line, so this is a good pick for them.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe fits their scheme, can be very effective.

25. Denver Broncos: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

Polk looked athletic and fast at the combine. If there were questions about whether or not he was a first rounder before coming to Indiana, I think he answered them.

He's big, fast and is a great down-hill runner. Putting him in a backfield with Tim Tebow could really make the Broncos offense dangerous.

26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Sanu can develop into a very dangerous second option for Matt Schaub.

27. New England Patriots (via Saints): Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma

Fleming is a somewhat underrated player, but he can really excel with the Patriots.

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

Mercilus is a sack machine, and he's going to really cause havoc on Green Bay's defense.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Here's the Ravens center of the future.

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

Randle may be a bit of a stretch, but the 49ers need to give Alex Smith a down-field threat.

31. New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Worthy is extremely talented and has a great motor. I think he will be dangerous with the Patriots.

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

The Giants will fill a need here with Allen, and they have the luxury to do so.