2012 NFL Mock Draft: Most Likely Candidates to Drop a First-Round Stunner

Every year there are one or two players that are taken way too high or slip down the board way too low, and the 2012 NFL draft is sure to feature the same dramatics.

It's just the nature of the draft, and some would say that's what makes it so great.

If a team trades out or makes a bold pick that nobody saw coming it can drastically change the way the board falls.

Which players are rising and falling in my latest mock draft?

Check out the first round and see:

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

I'm running out of ways to announce this.

2. TRADE Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

By now it's rather obvious Minnesota wants to trade, and the 'Skins are desperate to get a quarterback.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil could easily go to No. 2 if the Rams felt like staying. That being said, it appears as if they want to go. The Vikings will gladly take a franchise left tackle.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Some would say that taking a running back this high is risky, but I completely disagree. Richardson is easily the best running back to come out in years, some would say since Marshall Faulk.

He's going to play a huge role in Cleveland's offense and should really help Colt McCoy out in the backfield. Expect Richardson to be dominant as a runner, but also be great as a pass-catcher.

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

Claiborne can be shut-down, which I expect him to be.

6. St. Louis Rams: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Rams have to be feeling pretty good about moving back, getting some extra picks and then taking a guy like Brockers.

He's physically gifted and has the ability to be the best defensive player in this draft.

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

If Blackmon plays up to his potential, he's going to be a huge addition for Blaine Gabbert.

8. Miami Dolphins: Nick Perry, DE, USC

Perry is extremely athletic and should fit very nicely into Miami's new 4-3 system. He's going to be a versatile weapon coming off the edge for the Dolphins.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe has really jumped up my board after the combine, and he's back to where many expected him to be earlier in the mock season. He ran a blazing fast 40-time, sub five seconds, and considering the fact that he's 6'3'', 346, makes him very dangerous.

10. Buffalo Bills: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples is a guy that I personally don't think should be here, but he's going to get drafted high because of his name and the hype surrounding his potential.

There are concerns regarding his motivation, which I'm not sure will be answered, and he has a very high potential to be a bust.

11. Kansas City Chiefs:   David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Decastro is the second best overall player on the board, in my opinion, so the Chiefs are going to have to pick him up here. Again, some question the value of a guard so high, but DeCastro is literally the perfect prospect.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram is very athletic and will be a huge part of this defense.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Cordy Glenn, OG/OT, Georgia

Perhaps the hype around Glenn's 40-time will subside, but for now he's really jumped up my board.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

This could be a very controversial pick, for many, considering Jenkins' off-field issues. That being said, many scouts will tell you that Jenkins is a top-15 talent.

The Cowboys need a corner, and I don't see Jerry Jones being scared away by these character issues.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Many people would have Michael Floyd here, especially after his combine, but I have to stick with my board.

Jeffery has the ability to be a true deep threat wide receiver, and he showed up looking very good at the combine. I think the Eagles will take the shot on him here.

Something that the recent franchise tag on DeSean Jackson will sway the Eagles away from taking a WR, but I have a feeling they won't want to pass up on Jeffery.

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

Floyd really impressed people with his 40 time at the combine, and he was already one of the better receivers in the draft. He may jump up ahead of Jeffery, but for now I have him going to the Jets.

They desperately need to get Mark Sanchez some help, so this is a good pick.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bengals need this pick to shore up their defense. It's a good gamble.

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

The Chargers will be ecstatic about the fact that Reiff fell to them. He's a top-15 talent.

19. Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Don't worry about Wright's 40 time. He's still blazing fast.

20. Tennessee Titans: Courtney Upshaw, LB/DE, Alabama

This is the first time I've had Upshaw this low, but I think the rising stocks of some other players have played into this.

He's going to be a steal for the Titans.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller showed great quickness and is a good down-hill runner. He will be much appreciated.

22. Cleveland Browns: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

This is the first time I've had Hill in the first round, mainly because of his 40 time. He does fit a big need for this offense though, and the way the board falls here makes sense.

23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore is a very talented corner that is a bit underrated. With Mike Adams looking like something of a reach, the Lions will look to fix their secondary.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

The Steelers need to start rebuilding at linebacker, which makes Hightower a very interesting and versatile option for the future.

25. Denver Broncos: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

Polk is a bowling ball, down-hill, momentum runner. When he picks up speed he's very dangerous.

26. Houston Texans: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

I've been mocking this for a while now. Texans really need a wideout to put across from Andre Johnson.

27. New England Patriots (via Saints): Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma

If the Patriots don't move out of this spot, expect them to address defense.

28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, LB, Illinois

This is an excellent pick for a defense that needs a pass rusher across from Clay Matthews.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Center of the future for the Ravens.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

The needs for the 49ers are mainly at corner and receiver in the first round. Randle gives them the best value.

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

Cox is an incredible value for the Patriots, and they can work him into their system wherever they want.

32: New York Giants: Orson Charles, TE, Georgia

Charles looked really good at the combine and probably worked himself up into this spot.