2012 NFL Mock Draft: Justin Blackmon and Best Bets to Overshadow Andrew Luck

For the first time in a long time, there is a player in the NFL draft that is without question the consensus first pick.

Andrew Luck has all of the tools both mentally and physically to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. However, what if the expectations are too high? What if he can’t handle the pressure? We’ve never seen how Luck reacts to adversity because he’s never endured it before. How will he respond?

Bottom line is Luck isn’t a sure thing the way you think he is, especially in the first two or so years. There are a handful of incredibly talented players that have the ability to eclipse Luck.

As we go through the latest mock, I’ll focus on the players that have the ability to outshine Luck and be the faces of the 2012 draft class.  

(Best bets in italics)

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The pressure is extremely high for Luck and it’s going to be very interesting to see how he handles the media once the Colts endure their first four-game losing streak.

2. Washington Redskins (via trade with St. Louis): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins gave up a small fortune to land RGIII and the pressure will be comparable to what Luck endures.

With insane speed and arm strength he has the tools to be the next Cam Newton, or possibly be even better. He has a great slot receiver in Pierre Garcon to help him get over his sometimes shaky moments in the pocket and has one of the better tight ends in the league with Fred Davis.

If both RGIII and Luck have comparable records after Year 1, Griffin III will have the leg up because his brand of ball is much more exciting than Luck's.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is a strong player that is as polished as it gets for a lineman coming out of college, but there is no way a lineman can overshadow a QB, RB or WR.

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Browns had quite possibly the worst group of receivers in the entire NFL last year, and landing a talent like Blackmon is essential with this pick.

Blackmon’s senior season in college (121 receptions, 1522 yards, 18 TDs) was one of the greatest in the past 10 years. This guy would have likely caught 50 receptions in the NFL last year.

My pick for Offensive Rookie of the Year has incredible hands to go along with breakaway speed and a 6’1’’ and 215-pound frame. You can pencil him in for 1,000 yards his rookie season.

There is no doubt Blackmon will be a star right off the bat.

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

Few corners are better in man coverage as Claiborne has the ability to stay with the speedsters while also being able to jam bigger receivers at the line.

The only room for improvement is in his tackling form.

6. St. Louis Rams (via trade with Washington): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples recorded a total of 7.5 sacks for North Carolina in 2011, but two of those came against James Madison. When push comes to shove I think Coples folds and his lack of consistent effort would be enough to scare me away.

However, the Rams need to go with a pass-rusher here and Coples has a very high ceiling.    

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Jags love to draft D-linemen in Round 1, and this year will be no different. Brockers can help shore up a defense that was gashed up the middle in the run game last season. 

8. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The team that should be the leaders in the clubhouse to land Tim Tebow has to beef up the protection in front of him.

Reiff has outstanding footwork and at 6’6’’ and 313 pounds and is one of the best pound-for-pound athletes in the entire draft.

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe was the combine king and has been one of the big talking points for draft nuts in the past month. With the buzz surrounding Poe, the Conference USA standout has now achieved top-10 status.

Unfortunately for Poe, a defensive tackle will not be overtaking Luck in terms of popularity.

Ever.

10. Buffalo Bills: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Bills are still struggling to sack the quarterback despite nabbing Marcell Dareus last year, and landing a guy with the burst and flexibility of Perry would be the best bet for Buffalo.

The 6’3’’, 271-pound end ran an outstanding 4.50 40-yard dash at the combine and was one of the standouts in the bench press competition. He has tremendous quickness off the snap and has the ability to register double-digit sacks in his rookie season.

Perry is leaping up the board and is now a potential Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Chiefs addressed the tackle position by landing Eric Winston and now it’s time to shore up left guard.

DeCastro is one of the best to come along in a very long time and can be a big part of the team for a very long time.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

It’s the versatility of Upshaw that makes him so valuable.

Upshaw is terrific against the run and also has the experience of dropping back into coverage and will not have to make the transition most 3-4 outside linebackers are forced to.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Beanie Wells who?

With the knee issues bubbling up of late, Richardson’s stock has been plummeting. So when he drops all the way down No. 13, the Cardinals have no choice but to nab him.

Richardson is the most powerful back to come out of college since Adrian Peterson. Toss in breakaway speed, two championships and the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and you have one dangerous player.

He is a strong fantasy threat from day one and is going to make the highlight reel most weeks this season. If Arizona wins, Richardson can become a star.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Cowboys have historically overlooked character issues with guys that can have a big-time impact on their team right away.

Jenkins fits the mold in both cases.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina

One of the most versatile defenders in the draft plays with a lot of power and can rush the passer from a variety of different spots.

Ingram needs to be ready to go for an Eagles team that has to win in 2012.

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

Floyd, who stands at 6’3’’ and 225 pounds, has incredible polish for a 22-year-old that possesses outstanding body control and hands. There isn’t a major weakness in his game.

Landing with a team like the Jets would further the already ultra-popular receiver to new heights. If he can outshine Blackmon, Floyd has the potential to be the top wide receiver—and even offensive player—in the entire class.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller is a speed demon that wowed the scouts at the combine and is now a sure-fire first-round selection.

If the Bengals decide to not spend money in free agency (despite being $40 million under the cap), then nabbing a back with fresh legs like Miller is a great selection.

18. San Diego Chargers: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

With Vincent Jackson gone for good, the Chargers are going to reach for a receiver at No. 18.

Wright is the product of playing with RGIII in college and is one of the most likely busts in the entire first round. His lack of speed was exposed at the combine, as was his shaky route-running ability.

Buyer beware.

19. Chicago Bears: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

It’s a position of need and Kirkpatrick is the best available because of his outstanding press coverage. The upside on Kirkpatrick is tremendous.

20. Tennessee Titans: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The tackling machine in college has a limited ceiling, but his impeccable form and outstanding hustle are hard to replicate.

The Titans can fit him into their system instantly.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Glenn is a perfect fit for the zone run-blocking team of the Bengals and has the size (6’6’’, 345 pounds) to fit in on one of the biggest O-lines in the NFL.

22. Cleveland Browns: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Tannehill has "bust" draped all over him.

He has questionable mechanics (especially in the footwork department) that will take a ton of time to fix. He doesn’t always step into his throws, which can lead to inaccurate passes that are susceptible to getting picked off.

I don’t see the former wide receiver having even an average NFL career.

23. Detroit Lions: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

Barron fills a need and brings even more nastiness and toughness to a team that is quickly becoming one of the roughest in the league.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

This is the best fit in the draft (no surprise it’s the Steelers).

Still played his college ball in the Keystone State and is the ideal replacement for Casey Hampton, who is on his last legs.

25. Denver Broncos: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Ever heard of the Wu-Tang song “Protect Ya Neck”?

That’s what the Broncos have to do with Peyton Manning, and landing a talent like Martin this far back in the first round would be huge.

It will certainly make their new QB happy.

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

With little depth behind Andre Johnson, the Texans would be best served to land what is possibly the most talented wideout in the entire draft.

While he certainly needs to work on the mental aspect of the game (cue his ejection in the last game of his career), Jeffery can go up in the air and catch anything thrown remotely in his area.

As long as Jeffery stays focused throughout the season, he has the ability to be a standout on a team that looks to be one of the best in the league.

His star power is certainly capable overshadowing a struggling Luck.

27. New England Patriots: Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma

Fleming has the size and strength to play right away. That is the main prerequisite for New England a year after reaching the Super Bowl.

28. Green Bay Packers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.

The Packers were smashed up the middle last year and landing Cox this far back would be a steal. Cox is a space-eater that can consume running backs trying to run through the trenches.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Matt Birk is very close to retiring and Konz can play right off the bat if needed.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard had a tremendous collegiate career and enters the NFL with more experience than most of his peers.

The 49ers don’t need much help now that they’ve shored up the receiving corps, but adding depth to corner certainly will help.   

31. New England Patriots: Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia

Another guy that is a proven player in a major conference that can help right away.

32. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams has come on strong of late and his 6’7’’, 323-pound frame is rare enough, but combined with quick feet you have a prospect that can be a major factor for a decade.

As long as he stays low and doesn’t get toppled over with his huge frame, Adams has a long career ahead of him. 

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