2012 NFL Mock Draft: Risky Picks Teams Will Make

With the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine out of the way and free agency next on the list, it’s time to start putting the puzzle that we call the NFL Draft together.

This season’s draft has many players that are deemed as risks, but the best players will be taken no matter how much baggage they come with.

1.  Indianapolis Colts – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

With the increasing health of Peyton Manning, the No. 1 pick may have been clouded a bit.

2.  Cleveland Browns – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis Rams)

Robert Griffin III will not live up to the hype that he is coming into the NFL with. Bad trade for the Browns but excellent move by the Rams trading out of the No. 2 spot.

3.  Minnesota Vikings – Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Minnesota Vikings need to protect their long-term investments by protecting them with Matt Kalil.

4.  St. Louis Rams – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (via trade with Cleveland Browns)

While Justin Blackmon isn’t as good as most scouts make him out to be, he will be a nice fit for the Rams and a good toy for Sam Bradford.

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

Morris Claiborne is the best cornerback in this draft with an added gift for returning the ball when needed. He's a great pick for a team that needs help in the secondary.

6. Washington Redskins – Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Whoever the Redskins have under center, they need to protect him with a left tackle like Riley Reiff.

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars – Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Michael Brockers has steadily climbed since the end of the season, and his combine workout only cemented his top-10 pick status.

8.  Carolina Panthers – Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

While Coples is going to be a stellar player in the NFL, he will need time to learn the schemes and bulk up; he will have an impact, but it will take some time.

9.  Miami Dolphins – Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Just like the Redskins, the Miami Dolphins need offensive linemen no matter who is under center. Jonathan Martin is a no-brainer.

10.  Buffalo Bills – Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Buffalo bills need for a pass rusher will result in a bit of a reach for a player that isn't the best fit for their schemes. Upshaw will be effective in some sets but will not play every down until he learns the system.

11.  Kansas City Chiefs – Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The duo of Jamaal Charles and Trent Richardson is amazing.

12.  Seattle Seahawks – Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

With a dire need in the secondary, Pete Carroll knows what he is getting by selecting an Alabama graduate.

13.  Arizona Cardinals – Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Arizona Cardinals have so many needs, but if Alshon Jeffery falls this far, I don’t think the Cardinals have the self restraint to stay away.

14.  Dallas Cowboys – Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The need for a middle linebacker is solved by the selection of Luke Kuechly.

15.  Philadelphia Eagles – Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

If Melvin Ingram falls to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 15, the NFC East can say hello to this year’s division champions.

16.  New York Jets – Nick Perry, OLB, USC

The much needed pass rushing and blitzing abilities of Nick Perry will have Rex Ryan jumping for joy.

17.  Cincinnati Bengals – Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Despite having an amazing combine training session, it was the interview process that scared many teams away from former Florida Gators cornerback Janoris Jenkins.

With four children and previous drug-related arrests, Jenkins comes into the NFL with as much baggage as a young player possibly could have.

As much as some teams think character flaws outweigh on-field talents, teams like the Cincinnati Bengals have made a living off taking risks on troubled stars. Janoris Jenkins will be the latest.

18.  San Diego Chargers – David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Given more time, Philip Rivers would have a fantastic season. That’s where David DeCastro comes in.

19.  Chicago Bears – Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Bears will take Mike Adams or the best offensive lineman available. As long as he protects Jay Cutler, he is an improvement.

20.  Tennessee Titans – Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

After a stellar combine, the rising star will end up learning the ropes in the defense-heavy Titans system.

21.  Cincinnati Bengals – Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Say goodbye Cedric Benson and hello Lamar Miller.

22.  Cleveland Browns – Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

After selecting Robert Griffin III with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, the Browns will take their one remaining pick in the next two drafts and select oft-injured Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd.

While Floyd is definitely one of the best wide receivers in the draft, taking him to supplement an already bad quarterback is a suicide move for the Browns future. They’re hedging their bets on two uncertainties.

If they do take Floyd here, their offense will be better than it was, but Cleveland will never be better than 8-8 with that duo of draft picks.

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

While Gilmore isn’t the sexiest pick, he fits the Lions' secondary needs perfectly.

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers – Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

With a serious need on the offensive line, big Cordy Glenn could be Ben Roethlisberger’s knight in shining armor.

25.  Denver Broncos – Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

While the Broncos have given their starting QB Tim Tebow their vote of confidence, it was a veiled attempt to keep the PR circus going while the Denver Broncos organization figures out how to get rid of him.

They can start that process by drafting his eventual replacement in Texas A&M star Ryan Tannehill. This is the definition of reach and a bad choice all around.

If Tebow isn’t the long-term answer, they need to move on and move up in the draft to ensure they are comfortable with the man under center going forward.

26.  Houston Texans – Mark Barron, S, Alabama

If Houston can lock up Mario Williams and draft Mark Barron, Houston’s defense would be unstoppable.

27.  New England Patriots – Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Patriots will try to turn the raw Devon Still into the new Vince Wilfork.

28.  Green Bay Packers – Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

While I think he has plenty of room to improve, he will be one of the stars of a porous Green bay defense.

29.  Baltimore Ravens – Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Ravens need to do a better job blocking for Ray Rice and protecting for Joe Flacco. Peter Konz will be a huge help in that effort.

30.  San Francisco 49ers – Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The 49ers are in love with Wright, but I still think this is a bad fit.

31.  New England Patriots – Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Sanu is a system receiver that was built for the Patriots short, precise route-running offense.

32.  New York Giants – Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

It almost seems unfair that the Super Bowl Champs get a player with as much talent as Dont’a Hightower.

Check back for more on the National Football League as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NFL Page to get your fill of all things football.

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