2012 NFL Mock Draft: Prospects Who Will Be First-Year Pro Bowlers

It’s always an accomplishment when a young player makes his first Pro Bowl. It’s a badge of honor that proves he is recognized amongst players, coaches and fans of the game.

What’s even more impressive is when a rookie finds himself in Honolulu.

That is a great sign for teams that they have an impact player on their hands that will contribute for years to come and make his mark on the NFL.

Keep reading to find out which rookies are going to be getting lei’d in Hawaii this year. 

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

The new Colts QB has some huge shoes to fill, but Indianapolis has a solid history of turning young prospects into talented NFL players in a hurry.

Look for Luck to make his first Pro Bowl appearance, win the Rookie of the Year Award and much more in 2012-13.

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

RGIII is going to have it tougher than Luck and his initiation to the NFL in the NFC East is going to be rough. He’ll be a good pro, but not a first-year Pro Bowler.

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

If Adrian Peterson stays healthy and Christian Ponder makes a leap, it’s not a stretch to say this elite tackle will be in Hawaii.

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

The ‘Bama RB is an elite player and promises to be one of the best RBs to leave college in a long time. Rare player for his position worth a top-five pick.

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

Claiborne is the best available defender in the 2012 class.

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

Great value for his services here and it’s extremely possible he ends up in Honolulu. The Rams are one of the more complete teams, at least offensively, that are picking this high in the draft.

Sam Bradford could easily have a great year and Blackmon would be the beneficiary.

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

Athletic freak who is a huge risk at No. 7.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Miami is desperate for a QB after failing to land Peyton Manning, St. Louis’ draft pick and Matt Flynn.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram did well at the combine and in interviews, making him a potential top-10 pick.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is going to be a franchise OT for the foreseeable future.

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

If Poe impresses on an NFL field like he did the combine, he’s a sure-fire Pro Bowler in his rookie year.

This guy has the size, speed and intangibles to be a game-changing player for years to come. 

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

‘Bama’s pass-rusher will find a home in the top half of the first round.

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

Immediately makes the Cardinals running game better and helps keep Kevin Kolb healthy.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Best interior lineman in the class.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Despite an excellent draft and killer season at BC, Kuechly is the first MLB taken at No. 15.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Glenn’s big body will help Rex Ryan and the Jets get back to their running roots.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick will be a solid player and has top-five talent. His arrest was stupid but he’s a young man and will be just fine.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Perry is an athletic freak with many question marks. Still worth a shot.

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

Another weapon for Jay Cutler and the Chicago offense would never hurt.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox’s potential and versatility have him inside the top-20.

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

Big-play potential is something the Bengals love, and Miller oozes with it.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Did Wright make RGIII look good or vice versa?

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz will step in right away and help out the Lions line.

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

Hightower is a perfect fit, both physically and mentally, for the Pittsburgh defense.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still is the most NFL-ready DT in the class and will not fall further.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Perfect fit for a defense still building their secondary.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers' potential makes him worth a risk here, and possibly even higher in the first round.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore is a late riser who has upside, size and speed.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins has elite talent but off-field problems that seem to keep mounting.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery has yet to prove he can create separation at any level.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

Solid combine performance puts this young man on the cusp of the first day.

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

Giants could use a TE as a luxury pick.

*Rams trade No. 2 overall pick to Redskins for 2012, 2013, 2014 first-round picks and 2012 second-round pick.