2012 NFL Mock Draft: Combine Freaks Who Leapt into First Round

The NFL combine gives players one last shot to prove to scouts that they are the real deal, and at this year's event, plenty of players have made some big statements to be considered for a first round selection.

The talent is deep in this draft, so there are going to be a lot of great selections outside of the first round, but players know that is where the most money is that. That being said, a push into being a first-round pick is a huge boost to any of these players, so they must prove themselves at the combine.

The following is an updated mock draft following the first two days of the combine.

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

With Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck pretty much being a shoo-in to land with the Colts, he probably didn't even need to participate in this year's combine. Luck did a fine job, as he recorded a 4.67 in the 40, along with a 36" vertical and a 10'4" broad jump. Speed drills were definitely not Luck's strong suit, but he still will most definitely go No. 1.

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

With a lingering hamstring injury, Cowboys wide receiver Blackmon did not participate in the combine. While he certainly ran the risk of falling in the draft, his playmaking ability is just too strong. In the end, the Rams just won't be able to pas up a talent like this.

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

Trojans OT Kalil had a nice combine, as he stood out amongst all of his offensive lineman counterparts. He recorded the second highest 40 time in his group, with a 4.99. Not that it really matters, but it certainly proves that he is standing in good shape heading into the draft. The Vikings need as many athletic pieces on the line to protect QB Christian Ponder in 2012 as possible, so Kalil stands to be the logical choice.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)

Richardson did not participate in the combine, but the former Crimson Tide back seems to be a perfect fit for the Browns' potential hole at running back. With Peyton Hillis likely hitting the road, Richardson could come in right away and take the reigns.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)

Defensive backs haven't had their combine day yet, but Tigers shutdown corner Claiborne is still the best DB in this draft. The Buccaneers will be looking to add some youth to their depth in this position, so there is no better place to start than adding this elite back.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)

RGIII has dropped on the board, but not because of his combine results. This is because Browns seem to have a greater need at running back, although the Bears' Heisman Trophy-winning QB will be hard to pass on.

With the highest 40 amongst quarterbacks, 4.41, Griffin definitely made a case for why he is the best available quarterback in this draft. If he can fall to No. 6, the Redskins will not just have themselves a steal, but also their franchise quarterback for the future.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

With defensive players still waiting in the wings, Tar Heels stud DE Coples has yet to hit the combine. Still, this is an athletic freak who can propel the Jaguars defense to a whole other level. If they pass on Coples, they had better have a good plan in place.

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

Reiff didn't have an amazing combine, but he is still one of the best offensive tackles in this draft following his stellar season with the Hawkeyes. While the Dolphins may consider a quarterback here—pending any offseason moves—the team will likely focus on improving their offensive line.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

With question marks on both side of the ball, the Panthers' biggest needs lie in the defense—especially the line. With a talented player like Brockers still on the board, the Panthers will have a hard time passing up on the Tigers' DT at this spot.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)

With defense being the biggest need for this team heading in 2012, taking a linebacker like the Crimson Tide stud in Upshaw seems like a perfect pick for the Bills. Upshaw had a strong performance in this year's title game, and pending a strong workout, he could solidify his spot as the top linebacker in this class.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Luke Kuechly (MLB)

The Chiefs will be looking to fill many different holes this offseason, but standing at No. 11 in the draft, the team will be hard-pressed to pass on a linebacker as strong as Kuechly. The Golden Eagles' star is a very vintage-looking linebacker, and could be an instant starter for this team in 2012.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

The Seahawks' biggest need is quarterback, no question about it. The problem is, are any worth it at this spot in the draft?

From the looks of it, not really. While the team could look to trade down to draft a quarterback, it could likely take one in the second round. With Ingram still on the board, the team will be able to insert a play-making defensive end that can help disrupt the backfield of any opponent in 2012 and beyond.

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

Cardinal offensive tackle Martin did not partake in yesterday's drills, but he is still considered one of the top at his position in this year's draft. The Cardinals already have solid players at many positions that have nice availability at this spot in the draft, but no hole can be filled better than taking a potential elite offensive tackle.

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

DeCastro took the combine by storm, and he solidified himself as a Top-15 pick in this year's draft. He had a poor 40-yard dash time in 5.43, but he made up for that with 34 reps in the bench press, as well as great times in the cone and shuttle drills.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

The Eagles need some help all around, and they may even score another first-round pick if they end up trading wide receiver DeSean Jackson. For now, though, one position that won't hurt to add is defensive tackle, and the best man on the board at this position is Still. The Nittany Lions DT will be a solid addition to this potentially strong defense, and should help increase their presence in the backfield.

16. New York Jets (8-8):  Justin Anderson, T (Georgia)

Anderson had a very strong outing at this year's combine, scoring 32 reps at the bench press, as well as having a 101' broad jump and a 4.99 20-yard shuttle time. Anderson may be lucky to land this high, but with tackle being a major need, he can get a serious jump in the draft with the Jets' need at tackle. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals, from Oakland (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)

Glenn was right up the middle in results in pretty much every test at this year's combine, but he still stands to be one of the best offensive guards in the draft. The Bengals don't have a ton of needs, but one place where they can improve is on the offensive line. Adding a guy like Glenn will give QB Andy Dalton much more time, as well as opening up holes for the running game.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Donald Stephenson, T (Oklahoma)

At this year's combine, Sooners tackle Stephenson came out of nowhere to impress scouts as potentially the top tackle in this draft.

He recorded the best 40 time amongst offensive lineman, having a 4.94 time. He also had the best vertical leap with a 35.5, as well as the farthest broad jump with a 9'6" leap.

It is clear that Stephenson is making strides to climb the board, and it looks as if he will find himself being drafted right dab in the middle of this year's draft. The Chargers have a lot of needs, but one position they will likely want to fill with a solid pick is tackle, so Stephenson is a no-brainer.

While it likely would have bee n a risk before, it is clear that Stephenson has the athleticism to be an elite tackle in this league.

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

At 6'3" and 229 lbs, Fighting Irish wide receiver Floyd had many worried that he may not be able to look as athletic as people had hoped. Well, he proved critics wrong by recording a 40 time of 4.47. With a time like that, considering his size, Floyd is a steal for the Bears at this point in the draft. They certainly need a strong receiver to complement Jay Cutler, and this is definitely the guy they need.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Adam Gettis, G (Iowa)

Hawkeyes' guard Adam Gettis really shined at this year's combine. While many didn't see him as being one of the top guards, he came through big when it mattered most.

His 5.00 40-time was the third best among offensive lineman, and it was the best amongst guards. He also had a nice vertical leap in 31.5 as well as a solid broad jump that went 9'4".

The Titans need to beef up their line for the 2012 season, and landing a guy like Gettis will only boost their team's protection for whoever they decide will be taking snaps under center.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Mark Barron, S (Alabama)

With the Bengals still needing a stud in their secondary, Crimson Tide safety Mark Barron seems like a great fit for this young team. He is a great defender, and can certainly help stop the strong passing attacks within the division. Barron may climb up the board following his combine results, but for now, he would be a great selection for the Bengals.

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

The Browns will need to continue to build their offense, and there's no better option at this spot in the draft than Bears wide receiver Wright. He had solid results at the combine, and while he didn't come in as fast as many had projected, his 2011 season of 108 receptions for over 1,600 yards should be a big enough selling point.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): David Molk, C (Michigan)

The needs for the Lions isn't a very long list, but the addition of a center would only improve this team from the solid turn around it had this past season.

Wolverines center David Molk fits the bill quite well, and he came through huge in the drill that mattered most—the bench press.

Molk recorded 41 reps, which was seven more than DeCastro posted. Strength is definitely a must at this postion, and Molk proved that he has the ability to hold off penetrating defenders.

The Lions may not want to really take a center at this spot in the draft, but considering their needs, a player like Molk is too good to be true.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)

The defensive line of the Steelers is only getting older and older, so adding a guy like Tigers DT Poe will help boost the depth of this team's defense for 2012 an beyond. Poe has been rising up the boards following his solid results, and could continue to climb with even greater numbers at the combine.

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

The Broncos have a few needs to address, but one place where coach John Fox will likely want to improve is on the defensive line. Adding a DT like the Bulldogs' Cox will continue to grow the strength of this defense, making them quite terrifying in the winnable AFC West.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Travis Benjamin, WR (Miami)

After having great results at the combine, Hurricanes' elusive receiver Travis Benjamin may be sneaking into the first round.

He recorded a tying fastest 40 time amongst wide receivers, with 4.36. While the Texans do already have threats in the passing game with Andre Johnson and Arian Foster, assuming the re-sign him, the team could really solidify this passing attack by adding quick receiver in Benjamin to the other side of the field.

Of course, his stock will still be in question heading into the draft, but he made a convincing statement with the results he had at the combine.

27. New England Patriots (13-3): Jerel Worthy, DT (MSU)

The Patriots have a few needs, but coach Bill Belichick will be looking to improve his team's defense at the 2012 NFL draft. Clearly, they are getting old, so it is time to replenish the depth. Adding a defensive tackle like Worthy out of MSU would be a solid pick, but certainly it will remain to be seen how the rest of the field will fare at the combine.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Lamar Miller, RB (Miami)

The Packers have two big needs in this draft: their secondary and running back.

After how Hurricanes back Miller performed at the combine, it will be hard for the team to pass him up.

Miller recorded the highest 40 time in 4.40, while also looking solid in the vertical leaps and catching drills. That last part is key to the Packers, as they are clearly a pass-first team.

They could use though the speed and elusiveness that Miller posses, and a talent like that could make a dangerous team even more ridiculous.

The Packers will have their share of picks, but if the defensive backs fail to impress tomorrow, Miller may end up being their guy.

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

It will remain to be seen how Burfict does at tomorrow's combine, but the former Sun Devils was once a Top-10 pick who has fallen deep due to his behavioral issues. The Ravens, with veteran linebacker Ray Lewis already in place, could find their successor to the longtime face of the franchise. It will be a risk, but it will come with a huge reward.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Stephen Hill, WR (Georgia Tech)

Out of nowhere, Yellow Jackets wide receiver Stephen Hill stole the show at the 2012 combine. And you know what, he may be the biggest steal in this draft.

At 6'4" and 215 lbs, Hill is a beast of a man, but he also looked extremely good. He recorded the other high 40 time with a 4.36, and also made strides in the vertical leap with a 39.5 and the broad jump with a 133" leap.

What was most impressive was his catching ability, as he was running down deep passes in the drills, making sure he didn't let a ball get past him.

The 49ers clearly need a strong wide receiver to add to their team, and if Hill even lasts this long in the draft, they could really improve this offense dramatically for 2012 and many more years to come.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Andre Branch, LB (Clemson)

Defense will remain to be the name of the game for the Patriots, and Clemson Tigers' linebacker Andre Branch will be a nice addition to Belichick's linebacker corps for next season. Branch is a very athletic and big linebacker, and he can really disrupt the backfield. The Patriots need to get younger, and this is a good place to start.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Michael Egnew, TE (Missouri)

Despite winning the Super Bowl, the Giants have one glaring hole on offense. That would be the tight end position, and they could close that gap by adding Tigers' tight end Egnew.

At this year's combine, Egnew really came through huge as many of his fellow tight ends didn't show up as strong. He recorded a 40 time of 4.62, while having a vertical of 36 and a broad jump of 10'11"—both of which led the group.

The Giants really need an athletic tight end, and it looks as if Egnew could be that guy. The team will have their pick, as no other tight ends seem to be a first round pick for any of these teams.

Jeff Chase is a Featured Columnist for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona State football.
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