2012 NFL Mock Draft: Elite Playmakers on Brink of Top-10 Status

With the NFL combine over for another year, we now have some added knowledge of what collegiate studs are truly ready for prime time. Some of them made huge leaps into the realm of the top 10. 

What we have here is a mock draft with most of the combine taken into account, but a great deal of the over zealous reaction is omitted, save one instance. 

We cannot stress how badly Vontaze Burfict performed, and he has since dropped out of the first round. Other than that, things are fairly status quo, with added intrigue near the top where we highlight some players that are solid top-10 picks and others that are flirting with that recognition. 

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

This is as close to a lock as you get.   

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Robert Griffin III, Baylor, QB

Trade Alert. St. Louis has come out as stating they will deal their second-overall pick and we see the Washington Redskins as the likely destination. That means the Rams would slide down the board and still get their superstar receiver.  

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

Matt Kalil is the real deal when it comes to leading the offensive line with size and talent. This is a stalwart that can't be undersold. 

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

Despite the injury, I still say Trent Richardson goes in the first round. If the Browns can't take RG3, they will surely not pass up on Richardson. 

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

The Bucs need a big time playmaker on the corners and somebody to bring some grit to the defense. Well, they get exactly what they need here.  

6. Washington Redskins (5-10): Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State, WR

The Rams pick the best player on the board and the receiver they have been craving for two seasons. 

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

There aren't many great pass rushers in this draft, and Coples comes with his fair share of baggage. The questions on his consistency and passion should be well behind him, and I am close to making him a lock. 

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

Big and bad are two things that go hand in hand when you describe this beast. He is everything the Panthers need and will be a stud going forward. 

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

I liked him a couple months ago, and I still like him today. He gives a good, sound consistent effort and will be a true find for the Dolphins.   

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Luke Kuechly, Boston College, LB

TOP 10 ALERT

We come to our first player that has been moving all over draft boards. Well, we can finally situate Luke Kuechly in the first round after a dynamite combine performance. 

There were questions about his speed and size, but those should now all be extinguished. The class is thin at linebacker, so Kuechly stands to make out like a bandit on draft day. 

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Devon Still, Penn State, DE

A pass rusher that comes with a little baggage regarding his motor, but he continues to get better with each season. He should be a lock for the Top 20.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Jonathan Martin, Stanford, OT

Martin is an adept run-blocker and should get the Chiefs offense running and gunning, which is far better than what it's been.  

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, CB

TOP 10 ALERT

Sitting where I once had Vontaze Burfict is Dre Kirkpatrick, a corner that continues to challenge Morris Claiborne for bragging rights. 

He does have a drug charge that was dismissed and accounted for, so I don't see any reason his draft stock shouldn't continue to creep up until draft day. 

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, OLB

Upshaw plays like he is out to prove something, which is exactly what this franchise needs. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Zach Brown, North Carolina, LB

Brown is all over the place, even after the combine. I still say that a thin linebacker class will have him in the first round. Yes, he is raw, but he is also damn talented. 

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

The Jets need a player like Barron to add depth on the bck end. He is a strong safety that allows more versatility on defense.  

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via 8-7 Oakland Raiders): Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama, CB

TOP 10 Alert

Oh, yeah. I am ready to say Jenkins could threaten the top 10 by the time this is all over. He has had troubles with the law but was very candid in interviews and that goes a long way. 

I still say he is a lock for the first round and can only go up from here. His athletic ability is hard to discount. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): David DeCastro, Stanford, G

DeCastro gives Philip Rivers and the Chargers an insurance plan that last year's offensive line malaise never happens again.  

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

He did exactly what he needed to do to make his spot as a mid-first-round pick a comfortable one. He was fast in the 40-yard dash with a a 4.42. That should be enough to make him an instant hit.   

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Cordy Glenn, Georgia, G

He has a huge frame and has a knack for staying in front of you. Great footwork and a giant build are all good things. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, Miami, RB

He was fast enough to secure a spot in the biggest of draft dances. The Bengals will love his speed and ability to get to the next level on his runs. 

22. Cleveland Browns (via 9-6 Atlanta Falcons): Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M, QB

The Browns may miss out on Robert Griffin III, but that doesn't mean they should leave the first round without getting something for their troubles. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska, CB

Denard slipped a little for me in how awkward he was in back peddle drills. There is still some work that needs to be done here.  

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Zebrie Sanders, Florida State, OT

I still like him for the first round and love him for the Steelers, who could use a big body on the offensive line. He is as dependable as they come and will only get better. 

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Harrison Smith, Notre Dame, Safety

Here is my favorite of the draft. Smith came out of nowhere to show that he not only has speed and power, but can also infuse a team with versatility. 

Smith looked like a cornerback out there but can also play safety. This is a player that surprised me on how good he looked at there and I see a first-round selection in his future.  

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Dontari Poe, Memphis, DT

There was no bigger or better competitor at the combine. Poe had a sub-5 second 40-yard dash time and put up 44 reps on the bench press. Good luck stopping him if you are an offensive lineman. 

27. New England Patriots (via 12-3 New Orleans Saints): Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Mercilus finally put it all together last season, and will only get better at the next level. He has the size and speed to affect every last part of the defense. He has a great work ethic and should be a prized asset come draft day. 

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, DE/DT

Fletcher Cox flew under the radar for sometime, but that is all over now. He had a great combine and solidified his status as a first-round pick. 

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Kendall Wright, Baylor, WR

I still say the Ravens need a star receiver that can fly downfield, or at least one more. Wright will be breaking off ridiculous receptions in the NFL shortly.  

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Jared Crick, Nebraska, DE

I like Crick's versatility. He did enough at the combine to get some love from a few teams that need someone to get to the quarterback. 

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State, S

He sat out the combine with a knee injury, but should be ready to go shortly. I still have him erring on the right side of the first and second-round break. 

32. New York Giants (9-7): Andre Branch, Clemson, DE

Branch had a solid combine and showed that he can handle his body well and switch direction on a dime. He is fast and strong, two things that will go a long way at the next level.  

Follow @gabezal