2012 NFL Mock Draft: Players Who Come with Major Injury Risk

The NFL draft is the perfect time for teams to infuse their roster with youthful talent, but it is also a gamble filled with potential landmines. 

The NFL combine is behind us and the myriad of pro days and important NFL dates lay ahead. Here we will break down the draft and include some health highlights as they were. 

Here are the players that come into the draft with durability issues and immense potential for injury. You can never question the talent, but you have to wonder if these following players will ever be able to skirt fate which seems to be against them. 

Here is the 2012 NFL draft with injury risks highlighted. 

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

Peyton Manning has said his heartfelt goodbyes. Now it's time to welcome Andrew Luck as the presumptive future of the organization. 

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Robert Griffin III, Baylor, QB

The Rams say they will trade their pick, and we assume it will be to the Redskins for our purposes here. RG3 would go to Washington, and as you will see, the Rams get what they need as well.  

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

He continues to get little love in the amid Luck and Robert Griffin III hype, but he may be just as valuable going forward. 

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

Injury Risk 

I have to place Richardson with the label after minor knee surgery prevented him from attending the combine. As CBS Sports reports, it will also keep him from Alabama's pro day. 

I say he will be just fine as can be seen by the Browns getting him fourth overall. If they swing and miss on RG3, Richardson is the playmaker they crave. 

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

The Bucs could use a number of things, but I really like them getting a strong corner that can actually infuse the defense with some grit.   

6. Washington Redskins (5-10): Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State, WR

The Rams finally get a star receiver to go along with their star quarterback. 

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

He has his fair share of question marks, but he provides a solution to the pass rush and depth to the Jaguars front. 

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

I still like Reiff and continue to hold the Dolphins biggest need as protection if they can't indeed steal quarterback help. If they do pry Peyton Manning away, the need is only greater.  

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

Brockers didn't exactly kill the combine, but such is the problem with the workout. It ignores the production of a player that had 54 tackles, including 10 for loss and two sacks.  

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Luke Kuechly, Boston College, LB

 Awesome combine means Kuechly will win the day in a draft class that is thin at linebacker. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Jonathan Martin, Stanford, OT

Martin comes in with great footwork and amazing run blocking. He will be a vital asset to the offense. 

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Melvin Ingram, South Carolina, DE

The Seahawks get a player that plays every single down with the same passion. He will never take a down off and that has translated to a rise on draft boards.  

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, CB

The Cardinals need a great many things but are getting thin on the corners this offseason. Kirkpatrick is nearly as gifted and prized as Morris Claiborne, a great find. 

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, OLB

I love Upshaw for the Cowboys. He plays with a chip on his shoulders which may hopefully rub off on the team. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Zach Brown, North Carolina, LB

The Eagles were awful against the run last year. I like Brown to plug up those holes with speed and determination.  

16. New York Jets (8-8): Mark Barron, Alabama, S

The Jets may have a tough defense, but this in spite of depth and versatility. Mark Barron allows for both to be answered.  

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via 8-7 Oakland Raiders): Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama, CB

Character issues will surround him for the immediate future, but you can't deny how talented this young an is, and could be the defensive steal of the draft. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): David DeCastro, Stanford, G

I have had DeCastro in the first round from the start, and have seen no reason not to keep him here. The Chargers get depth and protection for Philip Rivers who had a shaky line in 2011.  

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

The Bears interest me because they can go a number of ways. I don't see how they pass up on a phenomenal talent like Floyd.    

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Cordy Glenn, Georgia, G

Glenn is a big man that stays in front of you with speed and excellent footwork. He is still getting used to tackle and will only get better. 

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

Injury Risk

I love Miller and his breakaway quickness. He went into the combine with questions on his overall top speed which have now been quieted.

If we are talking injury risks, Miller is one of them. He played most of the season with a shoulder injury. However, he is doing just fine through the draft process. 

22. Cleveland Browns (via 9-6 Atlanta Falcons): Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M, QB

Injury Risk  

We have the Redskins getting RG3 which leaves the Browns looking for their real long-term answer under center. Ryan Tannehill continues to get first-round love despite being unable to perform because of his broken foot he suffered in January.

While the foot will heel, the fact that he started only 19 games will not. He will need a season of grooming which may make the Browns a perfect fit. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska, CB

Dennard was unable to lockup first-round hype due to shaky backpedal drills at the combine. I continue to hold that he is a great corner that will make a fine addition. His stock will rise once again. 

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

James Farrior is gone which makes this a vital need going into next season. Hightower would bring youth and promise to the defense. 

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Harrison Smith, Notre Dame, Safety

Smith looked amazing at the combine and showed the ability to fit in as a corner or safety. I would be willing to gamble his stock continues to rise into the realm of first-round lock.   

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Dontari Poe, Memphis, DT

This big man can move like no other. He laid down a 4.98 40-yard dash and managed 44 bench press reps. He is unstoppable 

27. New England Patriots (via 12-3 New Orleans Saints): Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

He has a great work ethic and will be an amazing asset going into next season. He finally put it all together last season and will only get better.  

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, DE/DT

Fletcher Cox was the best kept secret until a solid combine. He is the kind of player Packers' scouts target for the long haul.  

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Kendall Wright, Baylor, WR

I have the Ravens as still needing a burner that can get down field. Wright would come in as one of the fastest receivers in the business. 

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Devon Still, Penn State, DT

His motor continues to be questioned at every turn. He is slipping from first-round status on many boards, but I just can't overlook the talent. He is the best player at the time. 

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State, S

Injury Risk

He sat out the combine with a minor knee injury. He is supposed to be ready to go shortly, and that is when he will prove he is first-round material.  

32. New York Giants (9-7): Andre Branch, Clemson, DE

The combine was good to Branch and his hopes of being called before the second-round. He handles his body well and switches direction with ease.  

Follow @gabezal