2012 NFL Mock Draft: How Each Player's Stock Is Sitting After the Combine

The 2012 NFL Scouting Combine and the NFL draft pictures are beginning to become more clear.

At this point, the focus has shifted away from Andrew Luck and onto Robert Griffin III. It's no longer the Luck sweepstakes, but the RG3 sweepstakes.

So who will end up with the Heisman winner? It's all but a given he will be picked at No. 2, but a number of teams could select him.

The draft goes beyond the two quarterbacks, though. There are 30 more first-round picks, and all will be discussed here.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

This pick is done. There is no more discussion, there is no debate and there is no controversy. Andrew Luck will be the No. 1 overall pick, and he should be.

Luck is the best quarterback prospect in a long time. The 6'4", 234-pounder is a terrific athlete with impressive physical ability and mental prowess. 

At Stanford, Luck was already running an NFL offense. Luck would choose between three plays at the line of scrimmage based on what he saw from the defense. Most NFL quarterbacks don't even do that.

It's almost impossible to imagine someone filling Peyton Manning's shoes. He was the NFL's best for so long. How could anyone replace him?

Luck may be able to do it.

2. Cleveland Browns (from St. Louis): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The question here isn't the pick, but the team.

Robert Griffin will be the second pick of the draft, but the Rams could trade the pick to a plethora of teams.

The Browns have the most ammo, though.

No team can compete with Cleveland's arsenal of picks. The Browns have two 2012 first-round picks, which is more valuable than a first-rounder in 2011 and 2012. So Cleveland gets the pick and their franchise quarterback.

After a  decent rookie season, Colt McCoy was dreadful in 2011. The Browns' lack of offensive talent didn't help matters, but McCoy failed to succeed at the simplest of things, like reading a defense or throwing a five-yard slant.

Robert Griffin may not be a perfect fit in Pat Shurmur's West Coast offense, but he is talented enough to play in any scheme. After weighing in at 6'2", 223 pounds, Griffin's injury concerns aren't nearly as serious.

However, Griffin is track-star fast and throws a terrific deep ball. Physically, Griffin is good enough to be a superstar, and he's incredibly smart as well. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

After having Charlie Johnson at left tackle, the Vikings are missing Bryant McKinnie. Minnesota's offensive line is awful, and the team needs a left tackle to protect Christian Ponder.

Kalil is the best left tackle prospect since Jake Long in 2008. The USC product is athletic and possesses the length to keep defenders at bay.

At 6'7", 306 pounds, Kalil could stand to gain weight, but he is a terrific athlete and has the frame to bulk up. Though there are some concerns about Kalil's motor, he is an outstanding talent worthy of the No. 3 pick.

The Vikings do need help at wide receiver, and Justin Blackmon could possibly be an option.

4. St. Louis Rams (from Cleveland): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

St. Louis has one of the NFL's worst defenses. The Rams especially lack talent in the secondary, and they desperately need a shutdown cornerback.

Fortunately, Morris Claiborne is worth of a top-five selection. The LSU star is a great athlete who exercises outstanding technique in coverage.

At 5'11", 188 pounds, Claiborne has good length but could stand to bulk up. Regardless, Claiborne is a terrific player who may actually be a better cornerback than former teammate Patrick Peterson was a year ago.

The Rams' wide receivers are dreadful, and the team could easily take Justin Blackmon here. Claiborne is the better player, though.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Though the Buccaneers have plenty of wide receivers, none of them are particularly good. Mike Williams disappointed in 2011, and no one else has stepped up as a No. 1 option.

Justin Blackmon may be a questionable pick here in some analysts' eyes, but he will probably be picked in this range. The 6'1", 207-pound Oklahoma State star isn't especially fast, but he is quick and powerful after the catch.

Blackmon's lack of deep-threat ability is his biggest issue. Because he isn't overly tall or fast, Blackmon isn't great at stretching the field and is better utilized underneath.

Tampa Bay could opt for the better player in Trent Richardson, and if he's available, Morris Claiborne seems like an easy pick.

6. Washington Redskins: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

There aren't any great options for the Redskins here. Above all else, Washington needs a quarterback, but there simply aren't any more quarterbacks worth such a high pick.

So, the Redskins select the best player available, Trent Richardson. Richardson is an incredible running back prospect and is the best to enter the draft since Adrian Peterson in 2007.

A 5'9", 228-pound bowling ball, Richardson is a power back with speed. The Alabama star is an excellent receiver and possesses some shiftiness to go along with his strength.

A trade back would make a ton of sense for the Redskins here, and they could target Ryan Tannehill a little further down.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Aaron Kampman has played in a total of 17 games over the past three years. His 7.5 sacks don't exactly inspire confidence, and no other Jacksonville defensive ends have with their stats either.

Quinton Coples is a perfect fit. The 6'6", 284-pounder is an athletic freak with the size to dominate against the run. Jacksonville loves run-defending defensive ends, and Coples is definitely a fit.

Though he is an unbelievable athlete, Coples doesn't have a great first step. This, along with his hot-and-cold motor, limited his production in 2011, and he is not a sure bet as a pass rusher. However, his upside is alluring.

The Jaguars could easily opt for Nick Perry instead of Coples, and Dre Kirkpatrick is a tempting option too. Don't rule out a dark horse like Kendall Wright either.

8. Miami Dolphins: Nick Perry, DE, USC

Miami is likely switching to a 4-3 defense and needs to add a pass rusher. Cameron Wake is set at right end, but the Dolphins need another pass rusher to play opposite the star.

After a terrific Combine, Nick Perry is on the rise. The 6'3", 271-pounder ran an unofficial 4.5 40-yard dash and benched 225 pounds 35 times. 

Obviously Perry is a terrific athlete, but he isn't as great of a player. Though the USC product has a good first step, he needs to improve his pass rush moves, and he isn't overly flexible off the edge.

The Dolphins are searching for a quarterback, and if they don't add one in free agency, the team could take Ryan Tannehill here. Riley Reiff is an option at right tackle too.

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

With Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy, the Panthers aren't in bad shape at defensive end. Defensive tackle, on the other hand, is an entirely different story. Carolina has maybe the worst defensive tackle unit in the NFL.

Michael Brockers isn't an elite defensive tackle prospect, but he isn't really a reach here either. The LSU star can do everything on the field—rush the passer, play the run and penetrate.

At 6'5", 322 pounds, Brockers has perfect size and possesses the athleticism to dominate in the NFL. Few defensive tackles have more upside.

Carolina could select a different defensive tackle in Dontari Poe or Fletcher Cox, but the position makes the most sense.

10. Buffalo Bills: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

As much as Buffalo's offense struggled late in the year, its defense was still the team's biggest issue. The Bills' pass rush was especially awful.

Whitney Mercilus is a reach here. There's no denying that. But NFL teams seem to like him, and his insane college production will push up his value.

The 6'4", 261-pounder is a good athlete with an excellent first step, but he doesn't have much for pass rush moves. He also needs to add strength and improve against the run.

If Stevie Johnson leaves, Buffalo will likely be looking for a wide receiver, and Alshon Jeffery is an interesting option here.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Kansas City's nose tackle situation is dependent upon a sixth-round pick—Jerrell Powe. Even at 11, Dontari Poe is a potential steal.

A 6'4", 346-pound freak, Dontari Poe ran the 40-yard dash in an unofficial 4.87 seconds. So yeah, he' s pretty impressive physically. Poe is talented enough to be gone by now, and he could easily be Carolina's pick in the top 10.

Men with Poe's size simply should not move like he does. The Memphis star has the physical ability of Shaun Rogers and could develop into an elite player.

The Chiefs also need a right tackle, and Riley Reiff or Mike Adams could be appealing here.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

If it weren't for the quarterback position, Seattle would be a pretty good team. Unfortunately, both Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst are awful.

The Seahawks like a mobile quarterback, and Ryan Tannehill fits the bill perfectly. A former wide receiver, Tannehill weighs in at 6'4", 221 pounds and can run or throw.

The Texas A&M star possesses a rocket arm as well. He needs to work on his accuracy and decision-making, but that's to be expected given his lack of experience.

The Seahawks could reach for a pass-rusher or select Luke Kuechly here. Even Fletcher Cox could be an option.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Arizona's dreadful offensive line is no secret. Levi Brown is one of the game's worst left tackles, and he probably shouldn't even be starting on the right side.

Mike Adams was a top recruit out of high school and underachieved prior to his senior season. As a senior, however, Adams finally played up to his talent and dominated.

At 6'7", 323 pounds, Adams has terrific size and is a fantastic athlete. The Ohio State product definitely possesses the ability to protect the blind side, and he has the most upside of any draft-eligible tackle not named Matt Kalil. 

The Cardinals are also in need of a pass rusher, and they could select Alabama's Courtney Upshaw to fill that void.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Dallas's defense needs work at many positions, and defensive back is perhaps the weakest of the units. Mike Jenkins is, at best, inconsistent, and, at worst, downright awful.

Dre Kirkpatrick has the talent of a top-10 pick, and he could easily be gone by now. The 6'2", 186-pounder is a terrific athlete and could develop into a star.

Kirkpatrick's biggest problem is that he's rarely played in anything but press coverage. We know he can play physically at the line, but we don't know how well he can run downfield with wideouts.

The Cowboys could use help at outside linebacker and defensive end. Fletcher Cox and Courtney Upshaw could be difficult to pass on.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

In 2011, Philadelphia's defense as a whole was atrocious, and the team needs to upgrade in the front seven. Jim Washburn utilizes penetrating defensive tackles, and Fletcher Cox fits that profile perfectly.

Cox isn't being talked about as a top-10 pick yet, but he's the type of player teams fall in love with. The 6'4", 298-pounder is incredibly explosive and penetrates the backfield with ease. 

At the Scouting Combine, Cox demonstrated just how athletic he is, running a 4.79 40-yard dash. He also put up 30 reps of 225 pounds in a dominating performance.

The Eagles' biggest need is probably at linebacker, and Luke Kuechly is extremely appealing here.

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

There have obviously been issues between Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes, Plaxico Burress's time in New York seems to be over and the Jets are looking at wideouts.

If it weren't for injury and off-the-field issues, Michael Floyd may be a top-10 pick. The 6'3", 220-pounder possesses fantastic catching ability and is a well-above-average athlete.

On the field, Floyd doesn't offer many negatives. The problems are his multiple arrests and injuries. He's certainly a high-risk prospect, but like many risky players, he's also high-reward.

New York also needs a pass rusher, and Courtney Upshaw is a fantastic value at this point. It's a tough decision between Floyd and Upshaw.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Though Cincinnati doesn't have a glaring hole at guard, the team could afford to upgrade, and David DeCastro is an outstanding value here. 

A junior guard, DeCastro is the best interior-line prospect to come along in years and could even be a top-10 selection. At 6'5", 316 pounds, DeCastro has perfect size and is a phenomenal athlete.

DeCastro is capable of power-blocking or pulling and picking up linebackers in space. Few offensive linemen are more versatile, and DeCastro is elite in literally every aspect of the game.

The Bengals could add another offensive playmaker here by selecting Kendall Wright, and the team desperately needs defensive backs.

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

Marcus McNeill has struggled with injuries and could be on his way out of San Diego. Midseason pickup Jared Gaither is a free agent, and he too could be gone this offseason.

A former tight end, Riley Reiff is an excellent athlete and projects as a solid player in the NFL. At 6'6", 313 pounds, Reiff isn't particularly big, but he has the frame to add weight.

There are some concerns about whether Reiff can play left tackle, but San Diego could use help on either side. Reiff offers the Chargers a viable option at tackle, something they desperately need.

San Diego also needs a pass rusher and Courtney Upshaw is a terrific value here.

19. Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Roy Williams experiment failed, and Chicago has no other options at wide receiver. The Bears have done their best to avoid any early-round commitment at the position, but it's time to give in.

Kendall Wright is a fast, quick wideout with huge playmaking ability. Though he measures in at just 5'10", 196 pounds, Wright has great upside and could develop into a Jeremy Maclin-esque player.

Wright is a fantastic fit opposite of Little and could immediately start. It's not likely that Wright will ever be an elite player, but he can be a No. 1 wide receiver. There is no reason why Wright shouldn't develop into at least a solid player.

Chicago could also look at defensive end or offensive line here.

20. Tennessee Titans: Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

Tennessee's defense was good in 2011, but it's pass rush was dreadful. Derrick Morgan doesn't look like a future superstar, and the team would be wise to add a defensive end this offseason.

Courtney Upshaw played outside linebacker in Alabama's 3-4 scheme, but he can easily move to defensive end. The 272-pounder is stout against the run and offers decent pass-rushing ability.

Though Upshaw will never be a star, he should be solid for a number of years. He has no huge weaknesses in his game and can start immediately.

The Titans also need to upgrade along the interior offensive line, and Cordy Glenn is still available. 

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

This pick almost seems like too much of a stereotype, but it makes sense on many levels.

The Bengals obviously have a history of drafting "troubled" players and Janoris Jenkins certainly fits that bill.

After losing Jonathan Joseph in free agency to the Houston Texans, Cincinnati has a glaring hole at cornerback. While Leon Hall is an excellent player, he recently tore his Achilles tendon and is just one of two cornerbacks.

Jenkins was a great player at Florida prior to being kicked off the team for multiple off-the-field problems. Now at North Alabama, Jenkins has continued to excel and is definitely a first-round value on the field.

22. St. Louis Rams (from Cleveland): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

St. Louis's most obvious need is probably at wide receiver. After already adding a star cornerback, the team turns to offense and adds a potential superstar.

Prior to the 2011 season, Alshon Jeffery was seen as a top-five pick. Jeffery looked fat during the season, but he lost weight and weighed in at 6'3", 216 pounds during the Scouting Combine.

Jeffery's potential is still through the roof though. The South Carolina star is incredibly smooth and actually has the most upside of any wide receiver in the draft. Jeffery is risky, but his NFL team could walk away with a steal.

The Rams could still be looking to upgrade the offensive line, and Jonathan Martin or Cordy Glenn might be a fit.

23. Detroit Lions: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Detroit added several linebackers last offseason, but none of them played all that well, and the team is looking to upgrade once again. The Lions have a talented defensive line in place, and a solid linebacking unit could give the team a terrific front seven.

At 6'3", 242 pounds, Luke Kuechly is a terrific athlete who excels in coverage. Few linebackers are more instinctive, and Kuechly is a true leader in the middle of any defense.

Kuechly may never be an elite player, but he is almost guaranteed to be solid. The Boston College linebacker is one of the safest prospects to enter the draft in years.

The Lions could turn to more of a playmaking linebacker in Zach Brown, and the team still needs help at cornerback and offensive tackle.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Now 37 years old, James Farrior is a bit past his prime. Former Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison is also aging, and his days as a Steeler are numbered.

Fortunately, Dont'a Hightower can play either linebacker position. The 6'2", 265-pounder is a good athlete with some pass rushing ability. 

Hightower played along the inside in Alabama's 3-4 defense but blitzed off the edge on passing downs. Dick LeBeau values versatility, and Hightower could excel at either linebacker position.

Pittsburgh's offensive line is always in need of help, and Cordy Glenn is an excellent schematic fit.

25. Denver Broncos: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Brian Dawkins may be done as a Bronco, and the team doesn't have many other options at safety. Though Denver has some talented defenders, they still have many holes to fill in order to become a good unit.

Though he is probably a pure strong safety, Mark Barron is actually a good value here. A hernia could make Barron fall, but he's still a good value nonetheless. 

At 6'1", 213 pounds, Barron is somewhat athletically limited. However, he is strong and is physical against the run. Versatility is usually key at safety, but Barron may be an exception.

The Broncos may look to add a cornerback instead of safety, and Stephon Gilmore is an option. Defensive tackle Devon Still would also fill a need.

26. Houston Texans: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Star wide receiver Andre Johnson is hurt increasingly often, and Houston essentially needs a No. 1 wideout for when Johnson is not on the field. Right now, the Texans don't even have a good No. 2 target.

Stephen Hill shocked everyone at the Scouting Combine by measuring in at 6'4", 215 pounds and running a 4.30 40-yard dash. These numbers make Hill one of the best combine performers ever.

The Georgia Tech wideout is definitely still raw, but his physical ability is rare. Houston can afford to wait and develop a potential star, and Hill is exactly that.

Houston doesn't have many other needs, but a team can never have to many cornerbacks, and Stephon Gilmore is still on the board.

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

New England's defense is bad, and its worst unit is its secondary. The Patriots are so awful at cornerback that a wide receiver—Julian Edelman—was playing cornerback for much of the year.

Stephon Gilmore isn't exceptional at anything, but he's good at everything. The 6'0" 190-pounder is a good athlete capable of playing in zone coverage—a must in New England.

Gilmore has the talent to develop into an excellent player, but he was inconsistent throughout his college career. In one game, Gilmore would look like a star. In another, a mid-round pick.

As much as the Patriots need cornerback help, they also have huge holes along the defensive line. Devon Still could play in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme for New England. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina

Only Green Bay's defense limited its 2011 season. The Packers obviously have a terrific offense, but the team needs defensive line help and another pass-rusher to play across from Clay Matthews.

Melvin Ingram showed up at the Scouting Combine weighing 263 pounds, down from 275 at the Senior Bowl. Regardless, Ingram is a terrific athlete with the ability to play in coverage.

Ingram will probably never be a star, but he will contribute in many ways. He is solid against the run, and his ability to move around is immeasurable. 

The Packers are also looking to upgrade at defensive end, and Devon Still is a potential star.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Boston College

Matt Birk is a free agent, and at 35 years old, he could easily be retiring. Even if Birk does stick around, he isn't anything special, and Ben Grubbs might be leaving in free agency. To put it simply, the Ravens need interior line help.

Peter Konz is a powerful, intelligent player who could play guard or center. The Wisconsin product may never become a Nick Mangold-esque player, but he should at least be solid for many years.

Over the years, Ozzie Newsome has shown a tendency to address the offensive line. Baltimore's line is a key aspect to its success, and they can't afford to let it fall apart in one offseason.

Baltimore is going to need Ray Lewis's replacement sooner or later, and Zach Brown is an outstanding value here. Brown isn't a perfect fit in a 3-4 scheme, but he could make it work behind the Ravens' massive defensive line.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

San Francisco's offensive line isn't bad by any means, but it isn't perfect either. However, this is more of a value pick, and the 49ers have few enough needs that they can afford it.

Cordy Glenn is as athletic of an offensive lineman as there is. The 6'6", 346-pounder ran a 4.96 40-yard dash and put up 31 reps of 225 pounds. Impressive, to say the least.

Though he played left tackle as a senior, Glenn will play guard in the NFL. The Georgia lineman is somewhat athletically limited there, but his power will make him a first-round pick.

Ideally, San Francisco would add a wide receiver, but unfortunately, there isn't a good value there. The team could reach for Rueben Randle or Mohamed Sanu, though.

31. New England Patriots: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

A few years ago, the Patriots had an outstanding defensive line with Richard Seymour, Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork all dominating. Now, New England has just one solid lineman in Wilfork and need to upgrade at the other positions.

Bill Belichick is still experimenting with different defensive schemes, and Devon Still can play in a 4-3 or 3-4. At 6'5", 303 pounds, Still has the size Belichick looks for in his defensive linemen.

Still is an excellent athlete who has underachieved in the past. However, Still broke out somewhat in 2011 and flashed his talent. The Penn State lineman is still raw, but he has the potential to dominate in the NFL.

New England also desperately needs to add a pass rusher, and Vinny Curry fits Belichick's profile. Peter Konz is also a great fit seeing as Dan Koppen and Dan Connolly are both free agents. 

32. New York Giants: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Long-time right tackle Kareem McKenzie is a free agent, and William Beatty is not a viable replacement. David Diehl isn't exactly a great left tackle either.

At this point, Jonathan Martin is a bit of a steal. Some feel he is a top-15 pick, and Andrew Luck's left tackle can play four positions along the offensive line.

At 6'5", 310 pounds, Martin lacks power. His best attribute is his athletic ability, but he isn't great there either. But at the end of the first round, Martin is an excellent addition.

With Aaron Ross probably leaving in free agency, the Giants might also look at cornerback. The team's injury-riddled 2011 season showed how important depth is there.