2012 NFL Mock Draft: Quinton Coples and Stars with Biggest Bust Potential

They are called the boom-or-bust prospects.

They have the talent to be first-rounders in the NFL draft, but dark, dark things lie beneath the surface.

Every year, NFL teams must decide whether they want to gamble on a potential star or go the safer route. The San Francisco 49ers gambled on Aldon Smith last year, who was largely deemed too raw to make a great impact right away. All Smith did was collect 14 sacks in his rookie season as the 49ers went on to the NFC Championship Game.

However, for every Aldon Smith, there's a bust who hurts a franchise. Sometimes a prospect lacks character, sometimes he never adjusts to the game and sometimes he's simply not athletic or strong enough to make it in the big and bad NFL.

Here's my latest 2012 NFL mock draft, complete with prospects who have the biggest bust potential (in italics).

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Peyton Manning's off to Denver and the Colts need a QB of the future. Nothing like a once-in-a-generation quarterback prospect to get back on track.

2. Washington Redskins (via STL): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

When the Redskins traded the No. 6 overall pick, two future first-rounders and a second-rounder to the St. Louis Rams for the No. 2 overall pick, we all knew what they were thinking: RG3. Griffin could be a special player, with the poise, accuracy and arm strength to excel from the pocket and the legs to do damage on the ground.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Matt Kalil isn't as good a prospect as Joe Thomas was, but he's close, and he figures to be a franchise tackle for years to come. Young QB Christian Ponder could use someone like Kalil.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

With Peyton Hillis gone, it's time for the Browns to find a running back. Trent Richardson has the speed, power, agility, patience and vision to be a superstar in the NFL.  

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Morris Claiborne, with his great coverage skills, is undoubtedly the best cornerback prospect in the draft. With Ronde Barber aging and Aqib Talib unreliable, the Buccaneers need Claiborne. 

6. St. Louis Rams (via WA): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Rams just scored a touchdown. They got multiple draft picks and can still potentially grab the No. 1 receiver in the draft. Justin Blackmon's strength, leaping ability and ability after the catch could make him a star in the NFL.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Quinton Coples will probably be get drafted early this year, but that would be a mistake (I'll detail further when we get to that road). Melvin Ingram is a dynamic pass-rusher and he's more consistent than Coples.

8. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins have needs all over the place, but grabbing a solid tackle would be a good start. Riley Reiff is the second-best tackle prospect in the draft and he's extremely consistent. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Dontari Poe was a first-round prospect before the combine. Then the combine came and he absolutely dominated. He could easily land in the Top 10 and I think the Panthers take him to help them in the interior. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Bills need a pass-rusher first and foremost, and Courtney Upshaw was special for the Crimson Tide last season. He's a strong, physical, instinctive player with a bulldog mentality. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Jonathan Martin has slipped a bit after the combine, but he still projects as a solid starter in the NFL given his technique, consistency and makeup. The Chiefs need help at tackle.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Most mock drafts have Coples going to Jacksonville, but I'm still amazed at the hype this kid generates. Yes, he's exceptionally athletic and versatile, but he took downs off at North Carolina and looked downright lazy at times. Not to mention, he didn't do too well in interviews at the combine. The Seahawks will take him, given they need help rushing the passer, but I don't even grade Coples as a first-round prospect. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

The Cardinals need help desperately on the offensive line and Cordy Glenn could provide that for them. He has great size and strength and his technique is impressive.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

I like Stephon Gilmore here, given his returning ability, but I'm thinking Dre Kirkpatrick will go earlier. Kirkpatrick is a physical player who won't be intimidated at the next level and he has great length to go up and bat down balls.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

There were some concerns about Kuechly's size, but he showed up at the combine at more than 240 pounds and simply dominated drills. The Eagles need some serious help stuffing the middle of the field and Kuechly would be a good fit. 

16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Jets need another receiver for Mark Sanchez and Michael Floyd is a strong leaper with good hands and big-play ability.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): David DeCastro, G, Stanford

David DeCastro is a better offensive lineman than Jonathan Martin and Cordy Glenn, but he drops this far because he's a guard, and not an offensive tackle. The Bengals need to beef up their offensive line and DeCastro has the smarts and toughness to be a good one for years to come.

18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

The Chargers need help rushing the passer, especially with Peyton Manning going to Denver, and Whitney Mercilus could be a terror at the next level. He's an outstanding athlete with great closing speed.

19. Chicago Bears: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Given the way Jay Cutler has been battered around in Chicago (both physically and emotionally), the nice thing for the Bears to do would be to give him some protection. Mike Adams is athletic, long and works well to the second level.

20. Tennessee Titans: Nick Perry, DE, USC

As one of the most underrated prospects in the draft class, Nick Perry could be a huge surprise for the Titans. He's a born pass-rusher: quick, agile, powerful and explosive. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Bengals need someone opposite Leon Hall. Stephon Gilmore is a physical player who hits hard against the run. He also has the size and athletic ability to translate nicely to the NFL. 

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

There was some concern about Kendall Wright's 40-yard dash time at the combine, but the fact of the matter is this kid flies during the game. He has DeSean Jackson-like athleticism and would greatly help the Browns.

23. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Lions' defense improved overall last season, but their secondary got lit up by Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs. They need a big-time player and Janoris Jenkins has the skill set to be a Top-10 player. It's worth noting that, despite Jenkins' character concerns, he scored high marks during team interviews at the combine. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

The Steelers need to start looking at finding their inside linebacker of the future, and Dont'a Hightower has the strength and size to clog the middle and envelop ball carriers. 

25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Michael Brockers was dominant at LSU, but he showed up overweight at the combine and didn't do well in drills. He's a boom-or-bust prospect. Generally when someone shows up lackadaisical right before the draft, I go with the latter. If he does live up to his potential, though, he would be a solid addition to free up the Broncos' pass-rushers. 

26. Houston Texans: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Alshon Jeffery showed up chiseled at the combine, which laid to rest concerns about his weight. He's not an elite athlete, which will scare some teams away, but I look at Jeffery's intense demeanor and ball skills and I see a guy who will surprise people in the NFL. 

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

Kendall Reyes is a versatile player who can play at multiple spots on the line, and he has the length and closing speed to be a solid starter in the pros. He's also an extremely smart player.

28. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson

Andrew Branch is a solid pass-rusher who has the motor and athleticism to bring it together. He's a good fit in a 3-4 scheme as an outside linebacker.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Matt Birk will need a replacement at center when his time is done in Baltimore, and Peter Konz is a legit first-round prospect. He's an extremely smart player who figures to learn the pro game quickly. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech

With their receiving corps locked up after the signing of Mario Manningham, the 49ers should look at cornerback. They need depth at the position and No. 2 corner Tarell Brown is suspect. Jayron Hosley is a competitor with the ball skills and speed to match. I like him in San Francisco. 

31. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Mark Barron may not fall this far, but if he does the Patriots will snatch him up. They need someone adept at patrolling the field and Barron is a vicious hitter with great instincts and awareness. 

32. New York Giants: Amini Silatolu, G, Midwestern State (Texas)

Amini Silatolu played quick and explosive at Midwestern State and is an anchor in pass protection and in the run game. He has a tenacious and nasty demeanor that will make him a good fit protecting Eli Manning in the NFC East. 

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