2012 NFL Mock Draft: Potential Risky First-Rounders Who Could Slip into Round 2

Other than a potential first-rounder slipping into the second round, there are other more surprises that the 2012 NFL draft will likely have in store.

After all, isn't the draft an inexact science? Because if not, then every first-round pick would be a Hall-of-Famer. That said, here are a few projected first-rounders who may drop into Round 2.

Ryan Tannehill: QB, Texas A&M

According to Gil Brandt of NFL.com, Ryan Tannehill did not participate at Texas A&M's pro day.

So to this point in the NFL draft process, scouts have yet to see Tannehill workout. The last time anyone got a chance to see Tannehill's abilities came against the Northwestern Wildcats in the Meineke Car Care Bowl in late December.

Tannehill, according to the Washington Post, missed the Senior Bowl and the NFL combine due to injury, however, is currently an expected top-20 selection. Because of those injury concerns and limited time under center, it would not be surprising if Tannehill dropped into the second-round.

He has roughly a year-and-a-half experience at quarterback, after coming in as a receiver. The Aggies also didn't run a consistent pro-style offense, so it'll be interesting to see how Tannehill can set himself up from under center more often.

Andre Branch: DE, Clemson

Last season, Clemson's Andre Branch may have recorded 10.5 sacks and 85 tackles, but he wasn't as overly dominant as he could have been.

For starters, Clemson's offense averaged 33.6 points per game, but the defense allowed 29.3 points per game. In other words, because the Tigers were in so many offensively-dominated games, Branch had many more opportunities to get sacks and tackles.

Now, he's still not slipping past Round 2 as Branch does have good versatility with size and potential burst at the snap. He's just a little too inconsistent at applying pressure and has a lot of work to do in beating double-teams.

In the NFL he'll fit better as a third-down pass-rushing specialist. But, until he develops more quick reaction skills in defending the run as well as overall consistency, Branch won't get to contribute nearly as much.

Lamar Miller: RB, Miami (Fla.)

This isn't so much about Miller being an overrated selection as it is his inexperience heading into pro football. Right now Miller has pro potential and being that's he'll go in Round 1 or 2, we can expect him to contribute a decent amount as a rookie.

However, Miller has just one legit college season under his belt (2011) with the Hurricanes. There, Miller compiled 1,272 rushing yards and scored nine touchdowns, while also returning seven kickoffs for 162 yards.

In 2010, Miller only gained 646 yards and scored six touchdowns, but he did account for 214 yards on eight kickoff returns, including one touchdown. So, he'll likely begin as a kick and/or punt returner, however, would have had a much better shot entering as a starting running back in 2013. 

Miller is coming out as a redshirt sophomore, so the experience and proven consistency remains to be seen. Had Lamar played one more season in college, there was Heisman Trophy and top-10 selection potential.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Nick Perry, DE (USC)
2. Washington Redskins: (From STL): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	18. San Diego Chargers: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	20. Tennessee Titans: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
6. St. Louis Rams (From WAS): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)	22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Detroit Lions: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	25. Denver Broncos: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Fletcher Cox, DT (Mississippi State)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Melvin Ingram, LB (South Carolina)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, WR (Georgia Tech)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	31. New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
16. New York Jets: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)	32. New York Giants: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)

John Rozum on Twitter.