2012 NFL Mock Draft: The Most Impressive Wide Receiver Prospects

A small group of wide receivers matched their impressive 2011 seasons with outstanding performances at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine. These guys have a rare combination of possession receiver size, burner speed and elite athletic ability. 

After watching these prospects tear up the gridiron this past fall, I marveled at their efforts in Indy over the weekend.

Michael Floyd 

Floyd is one of the most decorated wide receivers in Notre Dame history. His 37 touchdowns are a school record. At 6'3'' and 220 pounds, he was a nightmare to cover and made plays in a variety of ways for the Golden Domers over the years. 

At the combine, he ran an official 4.47 and put up a respectable 16 reps on the bench press. Floyd was fluid in the on-field drills and put his soft hands on display. 

After Justin Blackmon sat out of the 40-yard dash, and Kendall Wright ran slower than many expected, could Floyd be the first wide receiver taken on April 26?

I'd be shocked if he gets out of the top 20.

Stephen Hill

Many had Hill has the biggest winner at this year's combine, and he was certainly one of them. There's much intrigue surrounding Hill because he comes from Georgia Tech, which runs an extremely run-heavy offense. 

At 6'4'' and 215 pounds, Hill ran a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash and his huge hands snatched footballs out of the air with ease in the on-field portion. 

He only caught 28 passes in 2011 but averaged 29.3 yards per catch with five touchdowns. 

Hill's a pure downfield threat that will be given a second and third look by scouts, head coaches and general managers over the next two months. 

Mohamed Sanu

No, Sanu didn't blow anyone away with his 4.67 40 time, but he came in at a chiseled 6'2'' and 211 pounds. His upper body was clearly more built than any other receiver and he displayed his quick burst in the on-field drills. 

This backed up a tremendous 2011 season from the Scarlet Knight star. 

Sanu grabbed 115 passes for 1,206 yards with seven touchdowns and demonstrated his abilities as a well-rounded wideout. He can beat you deep, make plays on short drag routes and run crisp routes that allow him to be a good chain-mover, as well. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft (March 1, Post-Combine Update)

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. Washington Redskins (trade with St. Louis Rams): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

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

6. St. Louis Rams (trade with Washington Redskins): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame  

8. Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DL, LSU

10. Buffalo Bills: Nick Perry, DE, Southern California 

11. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama 

16. New York Jets: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

19. Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina 

20. Tennessee Titans: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

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

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State  

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor 

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

28. Green Bay Packers: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech 

31. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

32. New York Giants, Kelechi Osemele, OL, Iowa State

Follow @ChrisTrapasso