2012 NFL Mock Draft: A Closer Look at Risers and Fallers

Today's mock draft examines the first round through the lens of risers and fallers. With the all-star games, combine, and the first week of pro days done (not to mention our second draft prospect arrest), the board remains fluid.

1. Indianapolis Colts, QB Andrew Luck, Stanford

HOLDING STEADY: Still the one.

2. Washington Redskins (from St. Louis Rams), QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor

RISER: Griffin's interviews and workout at the combine cinched that he is the second best prospect in the draft and worthy of a trade-up.

3. Minnesota Vikings, OT Matt Kalil, USC

RISER: While Kalil isn't moving up on boards, his combine cemented his status as an elite prospect.

4. Cleveland Browns, CB Morris Claiborne, LSU

HOLDING STEADY: Claiborne, like Luck, has remained squarely in the elite prospect tier.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

HOLDING STEADY: Despite minor knee surgery and a missed combine, Richardson has to be a top consideration for the Bucs. If he falls on draft day, it's only because of the relative value and depth of his position.

6. St. Louis Rams, WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

HOLDING STEADY: However, there is an opening for Blackmon to fall if he runs poorly at his pro day after skipping the 40 at the combine. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars, WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

RISER: Floyd's combine established him as the elite size/speed WR prospect in this class.

8. Miami Dolphins, DE/OLB Melvin Ingram, South Carolina

RISER: Ingram's overall athleticism and versatility has put him at the top of a lot of pass-rusher lists. Ryan Tannehill is a strong possibility here if the Dolphins miss on Peyton Manning and don't pursue Matt Flynn in free agency.

9. Carolina Panthers, DT Dontari Poe, Memphis

RISER: Poe's combine numbers will be talked about for a long time. They profile an athlete of rare size and athleticism.

10. Buffalo Bills, DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina

FALLER: Coples may be lucky to go this high. Questions about the UNC program and his effort during his senior year weigh down his stock even though he has the frame and athleticism of a top five pick.

11. Kansas City Chiefs, QB Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

HOLDING STEADY: Well, that is if you believe that he was a top 15 pick all along. He is.

12. Seattle Seahawks, LB Luke Kuechly, Boston College

RISER: Kuechly answered any questions about his athleticism with a blistering combine performance.

13. Arizona Cardinals, OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford

HOLDING STEADY: Martin is the second-best left tackle prospect in the draft. Riley Reiff might be a better overall offensive line prospect, but his ability to stay at left tackle is not as sure as Martin's.

14. Dallas Cowboys, OG David DeCastro, Stanford

HOLDING STEADY: Like Richardson, DeCastro is the clear elite prospect at his position, so any draft day slide would be due to the relative value and depth at guard this year.

15. Philadelphia Eagles, CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

FALLER: Kirkpatrick's arrest went away, but National Football Post's Dan Pompei reported that Kirkpatrick's interviews at the combine did not go well. The strong possibility of an Asante Samuel trade makes CB in play for the Eagles.

16. New York Jets, OL Riley Reiff, Iowa

FALLER: Reiff is a high floor prospect, but like his teammate Bryan Bulaga, he might not project well at left tackle. Reiff would be a huge upgrade from Wayne Hunter at RT.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders), OG Cordy Glenn, Georgia

RISER: Glenn is an ultra-athletic behemoth who projects at multiple spots on the line. He has moved into the top 20 on a lot of boards.

18. San Diego Chargers, DT Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State

RISER: Cox's versatility and elite athleticism at his position could get him drafted a lot higher than this. The Chargers would be happy to add him to their front seven. 

19. Chicago Bears, WR Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech

RISER: Hill has had one of the steepest rises of any prospect since running a sub 4.4 40 at the combine in a 6'4" 215-pound frame.

20. Tennessee Titans, DE/OLB Whitney Mercilus, Illinois

RISER: Mercilus has moved well in space during workouts, showing versatility and athleticism that suggests he isn't a one-year wonder.

21. Cincinnati Bengals, CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

RISER: Gilmore's combine confirmed that he is one of the truly elite athletes at CB in this class. His aggressive style will fit right in the young Bengals defense.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons), WR Kendall Wright, Baylor

FALLER: Wright plays much faster than his 4.61 combine 40 time, but the time still represents a missed opportunity to push into the top 10 of the draft.

23. Detroit Lions, SS Mark Barron, Alabama

FALLER: Barron has the benefit of being the clear best safety in the draft, but his inability to work out due to double hernia surgery may make it hard for a team to commit in the top 20.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers, OG Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin

RISER: Zeitler hasn't done anything in particular to push his stock up, but he is the kind of high floor blue-chip prospect playoff teams love to add in the late first.

25. Denver Broncos, C Peter Konz, Wisconsin

HOLDING STEADY: That is despite an ankle injury that is keeping him from working out. Konz is the elite center prospect in this draft and he could play guard too.

26. Houston Texans, DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

FALLER: The Texans have the luxury of taking best player available for the first time in their history. Upshaw hasn't flashed in the draft season, and his decision to sit out the Alabama pro day with knee tendonitis isn't helping his stock.

27. New England Patriots, DT Michael Brockers, LSU

FALLER: Brockers visited the Carolina Panthers (per his agent Albert Elias), who are picking ninth, so maybe I'm off base here, but he did not look like a top 20 pick at the combine, and he doesn't on film either.

28. Green Bay Packers, DE/OLB Nick Perry, USC

 RISER: Perry's combine number affirmed his outstanding athleticism and ability to play rush OLB in a 3-4.

29. Baltimore Ravens, OT Mike Adams, Ohio State

FALLER: Adams had a poor combine. His first round value is based more on his projection at left tackle than his film.

30. San Francisco 49ers, CB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama

FALLER: Jenkins' many character questions are eroding the value of his first-round level tape in his previous incarnation at Florida. The 49ers would love to go wide receiver here, but any names available would be a reach. They're looking like a great trade-down candidate.

31. New England Patriots, DE/OLB Andre Branch, Clemson

RISER: Branch is looking like a borderline top tier pass rusher with 3-4 OLB potential.

32. New York Giants, TE Dwayne Allen, Clemson

RISER: The two other contenders for top TE on the board are either hurt or on the police blotter. Allen had a nice pro day, and his blocking skills will appeal to the Giants.