2012 NFL Mock Draft: Risky Players with Major Upside

The 2012 NFL Draft will be here soon, and a number of teams are scrambling to get a head start and limit the risks they will have to take by scoring top free agents.

However, others are going to get burned in the offseason and are going to have to attempt to hit a home run by taking a chance on a player who has a ton of upside and a chance to immediately contribute out of college.

Let’s take a look at some of the teams that have a chance of scoring huge on a high-risk draft pick.

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

There is absolutely no risk in taking Andrew Luck No. 1 overall. He’s as sure a thing as there could possibly be.

2. *Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Washington trades up here with St. Louis to land the Heisman winner who should become a franchise QB.

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

This tackle is going to anchor the Vikings line for a long, long time and is the safest OL prospect.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is a complete player and the rare RB worth a top-five pick.

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

The Bucs will not pass up the best defensive prospect in the draft.

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

The Rams would love to land Blackmon, one of the best receivers to come out of school in a while.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Jacksonville needs to take a risk on Coples, who has the size and strength to be an incredible pass rusher and all around defensive beast in the NFL.

However, his production in college was limited and he needs to improve his motor and technique to excel.  

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

This pick is just plain stupid and risky. It’s not worth it, but Miami is desperate to land someone to place under center.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram can play 3-4 or 4-3 DE and immediately helps a struggling Carolina defense.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Great value pick for a player who promises to be a solid tackle in Buffalo.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe absolutely lit up the combine and went from a fringe first-rounder up to No. 11. He could go even higher on draft day.

His incredible athleticism and size make him an extremely intriguing DT prospect, but he’s got to prove he isn’t just a workout warrior.

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

Upshaw is an elite DE prospect and fills one of Seattle’s biggest needs.

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

Martin protected Andrew Luck in college and will help keep Kevin Kolb safe in the desert.

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

Best interior lineman in the draft helps the Cowboys get back to the ground game and keep the pass rush away.

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

Kuechly is the highest-rated linebacker prospect in the class and will not fall further than Philly.

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

Glenn will help the Jets establish a ground game once again.

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

Kirkpatrick’s “character issues” should not be a problem in the NFL. He was arrested on a minor misdemeanor, and his upside far exceeds the risk at No. 17.

The ‘Bama corner is a top-10 talent and will be an elite cornerback at the next level.  

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

Perry had a great combine and likely will excel at attacking the QB for San Diego.

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

The Bears desperately needed a wideout last season, and Floyd could become the No. 1 receiver quickly.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox can play anywhere on the line, making him a first-round prospect who should have a fruitful career.

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

Miller is an athletic, speedy back who will help ease the loss of Cedric Benson.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

This young man helped make RGIII a Heisman winner and superstar. He could help Colt McCoy look good too.

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

Jenkins has crazy potential but toiled away at North Alabama last season after being removed by Will Muschamp from the Florida Gator program.

He immediately helps the Lions’ secondary compete in a QB-heavy NFC North.  

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

Hightower is a hard-hitting monster who fits right in with the Steelers.

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

Still was the best DT prospect in the class until Poe destroyed everyone at the combine, but he’s still going to be a great lineman.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron is the best safety in the class and helps a steadily-improving Houston secondary get even better.

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

Brockers is a young player with lots of promise and is certainly worth taking a stab at this late in the first round.

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

Denard’s physicality is a perfect mesh with Green Bay’s hard-hitting attitude.

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

Solid OT prospect who falls because of a terrible combine.

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

Could not create separation in college and has shown no potential to do it at the next level.

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

Anyone could help the Patriots' secondary.

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

Luxury pick for the Super Bowl champs.

*Projected Trade