2012 NFL Mock Draft: Combine Failures Who Are Skidding Down Boards

The 2012 NFL Combine is almost completed, and we now have a better perspective on both the athletic ability of participants and how scouts feel about their numbers.

Unfortunately for a few prospects, the results weren't good. While some boosted their draft stock with impressive performances, others skidded down draft boards with disappointing outings.

I'll highlight a few combine failures in this week's first-round mock draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Robert Griffin III blew scouts away at the combine, but his performance won't be enough to move ahead of Luck.

Luck didn't throw at the combine, but he ran a solid 4.59 in the 40-yard dash, the same as Cam Newton last year.

2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Rams will likely trade away this pick, and with RG3 tearing up the Combine, they should have plenty of suitors.

If they keep the pick, Kalil is the logical choice. He put up great numbers across the board, solidifying his status as the top offensive lineman in the draft.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Vikings have multiple needs and might be better off landing more draft picks.

If they do keep the pick, I like Claiborne here. The Vikings have one of the NFL's worst secondaries, and Claiborne is a shutdown corner. With his size, speed, balance and instincts, he should be a Pro Bowl regular over the next decade.

Cornerbacks have yet to perform physical drills at the combine, but I'm expecting Claiborne to put up strong numbers.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson had a minor knee surgery recently, so he isn't participating in physical drills at the combine.

However, the powerful running back doesn't have anything left to prove. He's a violent runner with great instincts. He would be a perfect replacement for the highly disappointing Peyton Hillis.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bucs need to upgrade their secondary. Luckily, they have several good options.

If Minnesota trades its pick, Claiborne should still be available. If he isn't, Kirkpatrick is a great consolation prize.

He's got elite speed, size and balance. I'm expecting good numbers from him Tuesday when the defensive backs run their drills.

6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

There's no way RG3 falls to No. 6, but I think the Redskins will do whatever it takes to bring him to the nation's capital.

Griffin III posted an insane 4.38 in the 40-yard dash, joining Michael Vick as the only quarterbacks to run a sub-4.4.

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

Blackmon didn't participate in the 40-yard dash, but he did enough at OSU to guarantee a top 10 selection.

The Jaguars desperately need some weapons for young quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Blackmon is the best available.

8. Miami Dolphins: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples is a physical freak, so he should destroy his drills on Monday. He's the most talented defensive prospect in this class.

If his work ethic ever catches up to his talent, he'll be a dominant force in the NFL.

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Like Coples, Brockers is an absolute animal. He's a disruptive force in the middle of the line and should impress at the combine.

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

The Bills are very interested in Whitney Mercilus of Illinois, but Upshaw is a proven product. He didn't get many headlines last season, but he was a major part of Alabama's championship defense.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

The Chiefs could use another linebacker to pair with Derrick Johnson, and Kuechly is the best available at this point.

He's a tackling machine with unparalleled instincts. Last season, he racked up double-digit tackles in 11 of 12 games, including his ridiculous 23-tackle performance against Duke in September.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Seahawks need to bolster their D-line, and with Coples off the board, Perry is the best available. He should tear it up in combine drills on Monday.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals have multiple needs, but offensive line is the most glaring.

Martin was dominant last season, keeping all the speedy Pac-12 defensive ends off of Andrew Luck.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Cowboys secondary is awful, and Barron is the best defensive back available. He's a versatile safety who excels in both run and pass coverage.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

Burfict is a violent tackler who should post some insane numbers in his drills on Monday.

The Eagles have all the talent in the world. If they add Burfict to their depleted linebacker corps, they may finally reach their full potential.

16. New York Jets: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Hightower has every tool necessary to be a top-notch linebacker at the next level. He has good speed and strength, and he can play both run and pass.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins might be the most talented defensive back in this class, but his off-field issues will cause him to drop. He'd be a major steal at No. 17.

18. San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff suffered a major setback at the draft, after measuring just 33.25 inches in arm length. This is a key measurement for offensive linemen, as it correlates directly to pass protection.

He will still be a good player at the next level, but he's no longer a top 10 pick.

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

Jay Cutler needs more weapons, and Floyd would be a great fit. He's a big-time playmaker and one of the best deep threats in this class.

Floyd impressed at the combine by running a 4.42 40-yard dash.

20. Tennessee Titans: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Titans desperately need to put more pressure on the quarterback, and Mercilus is the best pass-rusher available at this point.  

He only had one good year at Illinois, but I expect him to be an above-average starter at the next level.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

The Bengals could use an upgrade at running back, and I'd like to see them package their two first-round picks to move up and draft Trent Richardson.

If they don't, DeCastro is a great option to help solidify the offensive line. He posted some solid numbers at the combine, finishing second in the bench press with 34 reps.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright didn't blow people away in the 40-yard dash as I expected, but his time of 4.45 is still pretty damn good. He'll be one of the league's best deep threats if he can get some consistency from his quarterback.

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

Adams was one of the major disappointments at the combine, putting up a measly 19 reps in the bench press.

Still, the Lions need some better protection for Matthew Stafford, and Adams is the best option at this point.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still is capable of being a dominant force for an already scary Pittsburgh defense. He's got great strength, mobility and instincts.

25. Denver Broncos: Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State

John Elway is practically begging for someone to challenge Tim Tebow, and Osweiler has the most potential of the second-tier quarterbacks in this draft.

His height was a concern, but his 6'6" measurement is much more promising than his 6'8" listing in college.

26. Houston Texans: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery's stock took a major hit after he chose not to run the 40. His speed is a big concern right now, and he didn't exactly disprove the negative perception about his running ability.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The Patriots have plenty of options with their two late picks, but I expect them to beef up their defensive line. Adding the 6'3", 310-pound Worthy would do just that.

28. Green Bay Packers: Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

The Packers secondary might be the worst in the league. Smith is the best defensive back available at this point, so I expect Green Bay to pick him up.   

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Ravens could look at a linebacker here, but with the top ones off the board, they'd be smart to find a replacement for Matt Birk.

Konz is the best center in the draft.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Kelechi Osemele, G, Iowa State

Guards Adam Snyder and Chilo Rachal are headed for free agency, so the 49ers will need to find a cheap, effective replacement.

Osemele has major potential and could end up being the best interior offensive lineman from this class.

31. New England Patriots: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox is a force on the defensive line, and the Patriots need a disruptive force in the middle. This is a great fit for both parties.

32. New York Giants: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller posted a scorching time in the 40, running it in a blistering 4.38 seconds.

Running back isn't a major need for the defending champs, but Brandon Jacobs is getting awfully expensive and Ahmad Bradshaw isn't capable of shouldering the load himself.

Miller is the logical solution in New York.