2012 NFL Mock Draft: College Stars Whose Games Won't Translate

With the 2012 NFL scouting combine over and the draft just around the corner, it’s time to break down the mock draft to find the players that won’t translate well to the NFL.

While there are some serious NFL stars in this draft, there are some serious NCAA talents that will be nothing but busts in the big time.

1.  Indianapolis Colts —Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Even with Peyton Manning improving, the Indianapolis Colts must take Andrew Luck at No. 1.

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

Robert Griffin III is rated as high as Andrew Luck on several draft boards, but his talent will not translate well to the NFL; especially on a terrible team like Cleveland.

3.  Minnesota Vikings—Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Christian Ponder will look to future franchise left tackle Matt Kalil for protection for a long time.

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

As much as scouts have been salivating over Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon since last season, his combine performance proves that he isn’t nearly as good as he was made out to be.

There is no doubting that he will be a solid player in the NFL, but he doesn’t have the speed to be a serious outside threat. At best, Blackmon will be like Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin.

While this is far too high for my liking, I can get behind this pick because not only will the Rams fill a position of need, the other picks they traded for to get out of the No. 2 spot will more than make up for Blackmon’s mediocrity.

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

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need help in their secondary, so taking Morris Claiborne here is an absolute no-brainer.

6. Washington Redskins—Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Washington Redskins have a huge question mark under center, but if they don’t get Robert Griffin via trade, they will pick Riley Reiff to protect whoever ends up as QB.

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars—Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The rebirth in Jacksonville starts on the defensive line with raw defensive tackle Michael Brockers.

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

Quinton Coples is surrounded by some serious questions, but Ron Rivera knows how to get the most out of his players. Just ask Cam Newton.

9.  Miami Dolphins—Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Miami Dolphins are in the same position as the Washington Redskins. They have serious questions at QB, but taking an offensive lineman is never a bad idea to protect whoever is under center.

10.  Buffalo Bills —Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

While the Buffalo Bills will get the pass rush they need from Upshaw, his inability to shed blocks will keep him off the field for running plays.

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

Add Trent Richardson to a star like Jamaal Charles, and Kansas City has a seriously dynamic running back duo.

12.  Seattle Seahawks—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Seahawks need all the help they can get in the secondary, so taking Dre Kirkpatrick is a no-brainer for Pete Carroll.

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

With needs at offensive lineman and linebacker, the Arizona Cardinals will take…wide receiver Alshon Jeffery?

With a star like Larry Fitzgerald on one side, Jeffery would help spread the defense, but he would not live up to the hype himself. Fitzgerald’s numbers would increase, but with a real lack of elite quarterback play, Jeffery would get buried.

The Cardinals have so many bigger needs than a wide receiver, so I hope they do not make this pick. I could see them trading back if Jeffery does fall this far.

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

With a need to stop the run, the Dallas Cowboys have to take linebacker Luke Kuechly.

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

Melvin Ingram could be the star of this draft if he finds the right system. He finds that system in Philadelphia as a possible defensive tackle.

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

The New York Jets find their desperately needed pass rush by taking USC standout Nick Perry.

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

All you need to know is that a trouble-making cornerback gets drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals; it’s like a bad joke.

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

Philip Rivers needs to be upright to help save Norv Turner’s job. David DeCastro will help stand Rivers up.

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

With Mike Martz's offense out and a stellar offensive lineman in Mike Adams in, the hope is that Jay Cutler will have a chance to breathe in the pocket.

20.  Tennessee Titans—Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

The Tennessee Titans need a pass rush. They will find their man with outside linebacker Zach Brown.

21.  Cincinnati Bengals—Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

If the Bengals let Cedric Benson walk, they take Lamar Miller right here.

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

Not only have injuries plagued the career of Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd, his reputation has scared many teams off his trail.

The idea that the Cleveland Browns could be the team that trades up for Robert Griffin III as well is incredibly bad for the future of the franchise.

With Cleveland's future hinged on two of the more questionable players in the entire draft, the Browns are really taking their future by the throat and going all-in.

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

The Detroit Lions need help in the secondary, and Stephon Gilmore is the best answer at this spot.

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers—Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

The Pittsburgh Steelers need to protect Ben Roethlisberger by drafting big offensive lineman Cordy Glenn.

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

The Broncos will be trying to draft the eventual replacement for their new PR guy, Tim Tebow.

26.  Houston Texans—Mark Barron, S, Alabama

If the Houston Texans can re-sign Mario Williams and draft safety Mark Barron, they would have the best defense in the NFL.

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

With Devon Still looking very raw at the combine, he will fall in the draft to a team that will turn him into the next Vince Wilfork.

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

With the 32nd-ranked pass defense in the NFL, the Packers know the pass attack starts down low with defensive ends like Whitney Mercilus.

29.  Baltimore Ravens—Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Baltimore Ravens need an offensive lineman that can play against the pass and run effectively. Peter Konz will be the best available at this point.

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

The San Francisco 49ers have a QB that can’t handle his current weapons, and they want to give him another. Bad idea!

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

The Patriots need another stellar route-running wide receiver. Sanu is perfect for their system.

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

It’s almost not fair that a team that just won the Super Bowl gets a player as talented as Dont’a Hightower to fill a major need.

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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