2012 NFL Mock Draft: Stars Sure to Come out of the First Round

Every player selected in the first round of the NFL draft hopes to one day be a star player. Even more than that, teams stake their reputation on it.

When teams miss on a player it gets ugly rather quick for both parties involved, but that is simply the way things work.

Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, and even the best prospects can quickly turn into the biggest busts.

Here are a few players in this year's class that will be stars.

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

There simply is no mistaking it, Andrew Luck is the best player in this draft and arguably the best prospect in a long, long time.

He won't only be a star, he'll be a superstar. The question is how long will it take for the Colts to give him some help.

2. *Cleveland Browns (4-12): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

*Trade - Browns send No. 4, No. 22 and others for Rams No. 2

As talented as RG3 is, he's still a hit-or-miss prospect. He is a quarterback first, athlete second, but the life of the dual-threat quarterback in the NFL has not produced championship-caliber play.

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

Kalil will be very good immediately and could be elite if he adds a bit more muscle. He has the frame to fill out and still keep his athleticism, but he's not the same type of prospect that Jake Long or Joe Thomas were.

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

*Trade

This is the ideal scenario for the Rams, and Blackmon will be a star in this league. He's not the biggest or the fastest player on the field, but he could be arguably the best football player in a few years.

He makes big plays out of quick passes and plays with ridiculous determination. That type of grit and talent helps players find, and make, success in the NFL. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Crimson Tide running back isn't being talked about much right now, but he's the best we've seen since Adrian Peterson joined the league in 2007.

Richardson's combination of size, speed, athleticism, balance and overall talent are a rarity and he'll be as good as he wants to be.

In Tampa he'll have a chance to contribute for Greg Schiano immediately.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Taking Tannehill in the top 10 is a risk, but he has a ton of talent and upside and could be a star.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Claiborne doesn't have elite speed or size like his former teammate Patrick Peterson, but he's a better overall cover man and has similar ball skills.

He'll help in the return game immediately and while all young corners get picked on, he's talented enough to shake it off and become a true star in this league.

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

If Reiff goes to Miami he'll play right tackle and they don't typically get a lot of fanfare. That said, he could be very good for a very long time.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Elite potential with massive bust factor.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

He could be great or he could be mediocre. Still not sure where Ingram fits best at the next level.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The BC linebacker will step on the field immediately and make an impact in any defense.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The BCS National Championship Game MVP isn't as athletically gifted as most expected, but he's an NFL-ready prospect who could be a pass-rushing force for a long time.

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

Like Reiff, it is hard to say whether or not Martin will be a true star, but he could be very, very good.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

If DeCastro winds up in Dallas, and the Cowboys start running the ball with force, a lot of that will immediately be attributed to his talents.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The talk of the combine won't rack up stats, but the Eagles can only hope he plays the Vince Wilfork does. Poe played in a 4-3 in college so it wouldn't be shocking to see a 4-3 team take a chance on him.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Like DeCastro, the Jets need to get their ground game going again and Glenn is an immediate help for that. He could be great for a long time.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

If Kirkpatrick ever develops true ball skills he could become one of the league's best thanks to his combination of size and speed.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

As with most of the Chargers' draft picks in recent years, Perry is a boom-or-bust player with no guarantee of producing.

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

Notre Dame's most prolific receiver will be a star wherever he goes in the NFL.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

"Star" may never be a word used for Barron, but he'll be a solid starter for a long time from day one.

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

The Bengals need themselves a running back and Miller, who has great speed and talent, could be star early.

22. *St. Louis Rams (via ATL 10-6): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox won't light up the stat sheet, but he'll be a major boost to a Rams defense that would love to have his versatility on its line.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins has the potential to be an Asante Samuel-like star, but he has to sort out his off-the-field issues first.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

We haven't talked about Hightower too much, but he's capable of coming into a team like Pittsburgh or Baltimore and being an immediate starter.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Plugging the run is one thing the Broncos still need a lot of help with, and Still is the best on the board and provides great value.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright will have an opportunity to shine opposite Andre Johnson immediately, but he'll only be as good as he lets himself be. He still has a lot to learn.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Nothing sure-fire out of redshirt sophomore, but Brockers has elite potential.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard may never be a star, but he'll be a solid all-around player in a system that prides itself on physical play.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

There is a lot to like to like about Adams but he doesn't come without flaws. How he overcomes them will determine his NFL career.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Like Wright, Jeffery will only be as good as he'll let himself be. He has, not only star potential, but elite potential.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

Smith is a solid all around playmaker with better than expected athleticism. The Pats can win with players like him.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

The Clemson tight end will have a chance to be a major star with Eli Manning throwing him balls and defenses too busy with Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz.