2012 NFL Mock Draft: Vontaze Burfict and Troubled Stars Whose Stock Is Dropping

Attitude and character are an important part of what NFL teams look for when drafting players. The way a player responds to adversity or carries himself on and off the field is just as important as performing well in game action. 

Every year there are players that come out who had their share of problems in college and must prove themselves to scouts, evaluators and front office executives before teams feel comfortable to pick them. 

Here is a look at the latest mock draft with a special emphasis on players whose questionable character is pushing them down draft boards. 

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

No problems with Luck. He is a lock to be the No. 1 pick. 

2. Cleveland Browns (via STL 2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Unless the Redskins can pull a rabbit out of their hats, the Browns are going to do everything in their power to make sure they land RG3. His character and work ethic are as high as any player in this draft. 

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

No one will appreciate the dedication and effort that Kalil shows on the field more than Christian Ponder. 

4. St. Louis Rams (via CLE 4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

This trade works out perfectly for the Rams, who are able to fill their biggest offensive hole with a stand-up player and get more picks to fill other needs with impact talent. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

When you find a shutdown cornerback at the No. 5 pick, you take him without asking questions. 

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

Tannehill is in no way the sixth-best prospect in this draft, nor worthy of being taken in the top 10. However, desperation and need tend to do crazy things to a franchise. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

A new coaching regime will want to bring a new philosophy. The first order of business has to be finding playmakers on the outside that can help the development of Blaine Gabbert. 

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

Offensive line is not a sexy position to draft, but Reiff's hard work and passion for the game will be a positive influence on an improving Dolphins team. 

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers is a beast masquerading as a human. He will be an impact defensive tackle right away with his combination of size, speed and knowledge of the game. 

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

For now, Upshaw remains in the top 10. He had a great college career with one of the best defensive programs in the country. This would seem to make him a logical fit for the defensively challenged Bills. 

The problem with Upshaw is that his body of work doesn't tell the whole story. He doesn't have the explosiveness and burst off the line that you want to see from a top pick. 

It's possible that his stock could push him way down from his perch right now. Since the Bills are desperate, they still take him here. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): David DeCastro, G, Stanford

The Chiefs need to get stronger on the line to help their running game get back to where it was in 2010. 

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still does have some injury history that has to be monitored, but on tape he looks like a stellar addition to Pete Carroll's defense. 

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

This is one of those surprise picks that no one sees coming. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt goes for the best player available, regardless of position. Richardson has more upside than Beanie Wells. 

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Another Alabama star being taken, but Kirkpatrick have some off-field baggage that could easily push him down the draft board. 

He was arrested in January for possession of marijuana, but those charges were eventually dropped. That will help him some, though some executives could focus on the fact that he was in a situation like that. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Kuechly's attitude on the field and leadership skills make him an ideal fit for the Eagles, who need a defensive leader and an impact linebacker. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): Jonathan Martin, G, Stanford

Martin is the kind of physical player the Jets need to get back their swagger after a lackluster season. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

No player in this draft is going to be as scrutinized for his off-field exploits as much as Jenkins. He has a laundry list of incidents to choose from, which is why he enters the draft as a starter at North Alabama. 

Jenkins was dismissed from Florida due to his problems, but he was a model citizen at North Alabama. He is doing everything he can to convince teams he is on the straight and narrow. 

The Bengals love to take a chance on players with baggage, so Jenkins would seem to be an ideal fit for them with the 17th pick. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

Glenn is as safe as any pick in this draft, and the Chargers need to make upgrades on the offensive line. 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz made a great impression at the combine with a great workout and presentation during the interview process. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples has shown a desire to do whatever it takes for the team. The Titans can only hope that he makes it to them in the draft. 

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

After taking a risk with their first pick, the Bengals will play it safe with Miller. He can take over for Cedric Benson right away and give the team better production. 

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Robert Griffin III will be joined in Cleveland by the best big-play receiver in college football last season. Hill electrified at the combine with a great 40-yard time and impressed with his maturity in the interview process. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams' stock is dropping fast, but the Lions need an offensive lineman to give Matthew Stafford protection.

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

Hightower has the athleticism to go in the top-half of the first round, but he has had some knee injuries in the past that will force teams to be cautious when deciding what to do with him. 

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

No team needs more help in the middle of the defensive line than the Broncos. 

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

Wright is not the burner teams were hoping he would be, but he has a knack for finding an open spot on the field to make big plays. 

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard showed great leadership skills during his time at Nebraska. He will help New England's depleted secondary immediately. 

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Nick Perry, LB, USC

The Packers need immediate help at the linebacker position. Perry's athleticism is a perfect fit for this 3-4 defense. 

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

No player in this draft has seen his stock tumble as much as Burfict. His film from college is impressive, and the raw athleticism makes you think of what could be. 

The problem is Burfict doesn't always give all he can on the field, his work ethic is questionable and his lackluster effort at the NFL Scouting Combine are pushing him down to the bottom of the first round. 

The Ravens have the luxury of adding Burfict to a linebacker corps that includes Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs. They are two of the most respected players in the NFL. They can mentor Burfict before he takes over a starting role in 2013. 

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

Randle has the talent to be a No. 1 receiver, but he has to understand that he is not going to get the ball every single play. 

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Another addition to their secondary, Barron is not the most athletic safety in the world but he knows how to hit. 

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

Allen is the best tight end on the board. He gives maximum effort on every single play and provides Eli Manning with another option in the red zone. 

*Browns trade No. 4 and No. 37 selection to St. Louis for No. 2 pick in this scenario.

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