2012 NFL Mock Draft: Late-First Round Steals That Deserve to Be Picked in Top 10

On team's "trash" is another team's "treasure" in the NFL draft. Some elite college football stars are bound to fall farther down the draft than they should, simply because there are only so many spots in the top 10 and so many needs that GMs feel must be filled before opting for the best player available.

The case will be no different in 2012, which should give rise to more than a few high-value picks in the later stages of the first round.

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

It's official: Peyton Manning's out, Andrew Luck's in. Any questions?

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

Less official: Peyton doesn't want to play in Washington, so the Redskins will sell their soul to the Rams for RGIII.

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

Hush, Christian Ponder, don't say a word. Vikings gonna buy you a Matt Kalil...

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

No RGIII? No problem! The Browns desperately need an upgrade at running back anyway.

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

Ronde Barber's old. Aqib Talib's got issues. Enter Mo Claiborne.

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

The Rams will pull a Hannah Montana here—they'll get the best of both worlds by trading the No. 2 pick for a bounty of assets and still wind up with Justin Blackmon.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

The Jags could consider Quinton Coples here, but figure to opt instead for Melvin Ingram, a known quantity whose attitude and consistency jive more closely with GM Gene Smith's philosophy.

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

I'm assuming the Fins will wind up with either Peyton Manning or Matt Flynn via free agency and use this pick to upgrade at right tackle.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples has the size, speed and talent to be the next Julius Peppers. Whether he has the consistent motor to follow in the footsteps of the former Panthers All-Pro remains to be seen.

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

Chan Gailey gets what Chan Gailey wants, and Chan Gailey wants a pass-rusher.

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

Dontari Poe is a beast of an athlete in the middle, where the Chiefs could use another big, physical body on their defensive line.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

If Manning goes to Miami, then Flynn figures to fit right in with Seattle, thereby allowing Pete Carroll to solidify his defense with a tackling machine like Luke Kuechly.

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

The Cards will need a new left tackle if/when the contentious contract talks between the team and Levi Brown come to a disappointing conclusion.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Okay, so maybe the No. 14 pick doesn't qualify as "late first round" per se, but Janoris Jenkins is plenty talented enough to be a top-10 pick. The one-time Florida Gator is a speed demon with tremendous technique and the agility to be a shutdown cover corner.

Jenkins' draft stock, though, has been and will continue to be weighed down by his considerable baggage, namely a series of drug-related arrests and problems within his family.

The Cowboys, though, are so desperate for an upgrade in their secondary that they'll overlook Jenkins' personal issues and make him their top pick.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers will give the Eagles some much-needed depth for their defensive line rotation.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Nick Perry, DE, USC

Nick Perry looked like a top-10 talent at the NFL Combine but will likely drop a bit because:

A) He's still a bit raw

B) This particular draft class is rather loaded with quality pass-rushers, particularly at the top.

Not that the Jets will mind Perry dropping into their lap. Rex Ryan could certainly use a good excuse to not call blitzes as often as he has since taking over with Gang Green.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

What's that you say? Dre Kirkpatrick is a talented "knucklehead" who fills a need at corner?

Where do the Bengals sign?

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

Yeah, sooo...about Bob Sanders...that didn't work out so well, did it?

It's okay, Bolts. Mark Barron is here to soothe your pain.

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

What better way for the Bears to fill their need at wide receiver than with a Midwestern kid like Michael Floyd?

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

The Titans will need to upgrade their pass rush, especially with three of their defensive ends set to hit free agency. Whitney Mercilus has the name and the game to be of service to them.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

David DeCastro may not be your prototypical Bengals head case, but he's a terrific guard nonetheless and Cincy could certainly use a helping hand up front.

22. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Ryan Tannehill can thank Matt Barkley and Landry Jones for his consideration as a top-10 talent...and Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn for his drop into the latter half of the first round.

That should put him within range of the Cleveland Browns, who will be in search of a quarterback after swinging (and missing) on Robert Griffin III. Tannehill wasn't able to strut his stuff at the combine, on account of a foot injury, but he comes equipped with loads of athletic ability left over from his days as a wide receiver. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Never fear, Matthew Stafford! Help is on the way, and his name is Cordy Glenn.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Age and the salary cap are catching up to the Steelers, particularly on defense, where James Farrior became the latest casualty of the team's financial purge. He'll be missed, but less so once Dont'a Hightower works his way into the mix.

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

Fletcher Cox should cure what ails the Broncos up front on defense—that is, their inability to get a consistent push on the interior of the line.

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

This year's stock of wide receivers is as good as we've seen in some time, which is great for teams that need pass-catchers but not so spectacular for guys like Kendall Wright. The Baylor product didn't exactly shine at the combine, but luckily, he has plenty of top-quality tape to back up his pro potential.

Surely the Texans are familiar with Wright's work, seeing as how he played his college ball "up the road" in Waco. Losing Andre Johnson for as long as they did last year exposed the Texans' deficiencies at wideout, to which the speedy Wright would be an elegant solution, to say the least.

27. New England Patriots (13-3): Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

Does Andre Branch play defense? Yes.

Is he good at rushing the passer? Yes.

Welcome to the Pats, Andre!

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Remember that whole problem the Packers had with their defensive line after Cullen Jenkins skipped town? Yeah, Jerel Worthy should fix that.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Matt Birk is a jolly good fellow, but he's not long for the job in Baltimore. Peter Konz should make for an excellent long-term replacement.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Whether or not Michael Crabtree ever truly pans out will be irrelevant once the Niners get their hands on the blazingly speedy Stephen Hill.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The thing about the Patriots needing defensive help still applies, and Devon Still's pretty darn good on that side of the ball.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Losing two tight ends to injury added a tinge of bitterness to the Giants' sweet victory in Super Bowl XLVI. Coby Fleener should help to take the sting out of the position for Big Blue.

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