2012 NFL Mock Draft: Combine Studs Who Will Shine in NFL

Whether or not you think the NFL Combine should have as much worth as it does, it really does affect the draft.

Combine stars see their stock rise immensely while combine failures drop into the second or third round.

Sometimes management is right about judging the combine and sometimes it is wrong, that's just how it is.

Here's a look at a complete first-round mock draft with a closer look at studs who will see their combine success transfer to the NFL.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts are in complete (and I mean complete) rebuild mode. What other way to start that than with the best quarterback prospect since, well, Peyton Manning. He worked out kind of well.  

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins didn't move up to this spot for anyone else but RGIII, who would be the No. 1 pick most other years.

His combine proved that.

Griffin absolutely dominated the combine, as his blazing 40-speed of 4.41 was easily the best of any quarterback.

Combine his speed with the fact that he completed 72 percent of his passes last year and has the ability to throw an accurate, long deep-ball, and you have a ridiculous dual-threat on your hands.

Washington has been searching for an elite quarterback for a long time, and they finally have one with RGIII. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Charlie Johnson is one of the worst left tackles in the league, and Matt Kalil is the best left tackle prospect. This is a done deal.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Many people don't like drafting a running back this high, but the Browns desperately need offensive weapons and the running back position is suddenly open.

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

The Bucs have upgraded the wide receiver and offensive line positions via free agency, so the secondary is next. Claiborne is easily the best corner prospect and will immediately step in for Ronde Barber.

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

The Rams lost Brandon Lloyd to New England, so QB Sam Bradford definitely needs a new weapon. Justin Blackmon, the draft's safest bet at WR, is that weapon.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Jags have upgraded at wide receiver (Laurent Robinson), but defensive end Matt Roth is still on the market. They did, however, re-sign Jeremy Mincey.

Still, I wouldn't be surprised to see Jacksonville grab another pass rusher in Coples, who has scary athleticism. He just needs to keep his head right. 

8. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Dolphins were worst in the league in sacks-allowed percentage last year, and they will want to protect new QB David Garrard. Reiff is the best available tackle.

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers still has a ways to go before he hits his full potential, but he can still immediately step in and improve Carolina's porous run defense.

10. Buffalo Bills: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Bills' first priority was defensive end, but Mario Williams sort of filled that hole. 

That leaves the Bills needing a playmaker, and while Floyd seems a little high here, Buffalo will go for it.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

I originally had the Chiefs taking Jonathan Martin, but the signing of Eric Winston changes that. Instead, the Chiefs will go with Poe, whose value has been rising ever since his amazing combine performance.

Poe is a ridiculous 6'5", 350 pounds, but he still managed to run a 4.98 40-yard dash, which is just amazing.

Combine his strength (44 reps) and speed, and you have a defensive tackle who will constantly need to be double-teamed on the line.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Seahawks missed out on the Mario Williams sweepstakes, but they've filled their other needs and can now go after a pass rusher off the edge.

That means Nick Perry, who also has seen a stock increase after his amazing combine, will be the selection here.

Perry, who is a linebacker/defensive end hybrid, has the size, speed and strength to be an absolute menace as a 4-3 end for Seattle.

He's a bit raw, but he showed at the combine that his physical tools should override that. Perry ran the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds, had a vertical of 38.5 inches and had a broad jump of 10'4".

That's amazing athleticism considering Perry is 6'3" and 271 pounds. He will step in and cause havoc from Day 1.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cardinals offensive line is quite bad, and they'll want to protect Kevin Kolb, whose option they just picked up.

However, with Kalil and Reily Reiff both gone, don't be surprised to see the Cards taking the big tackle from Stanford to bolster that shoddy line.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Cowboys just signed Dan Connor, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them go after Kuechly, whose ridiculous tackle numbers in college make him one of the safest picks around.

He also proved during the combine that he has more athleticism than people thought, too.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama 

The Eagles struggled against the run all year, and Hightower led Alabama's top-ranked defense in 2011. He'll instantly improve this "D."

16. New York Jets: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The big-play receiver has put to rest the doubts about him being overweight and slow, and he could immediately replace Plaxico Burress as a red-zone threat.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The signing of Jason Allen means the Bengals likely won't draft a corner in Round 1, so they'll improve the offensive line with DeCastro, the best guard in the draft.

18. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina

The versatile Ingram is the perfect OLB/DE in San Diego's 3-4 defense.

19. Chicago Bears: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

After scooping up Brandon Marshall, the Bears' biggest need is now on the offensive line. Cordy Glenn is easily the best available lineman.

20. Tennessee Titans: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Titans lost Cortland Finnegan to free agency, so Jenkins, who has the ability to be a top corner in this league, makes sense.

Jenkins has character concerns, but this could pan out as a steal.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Cedric Benson is on the free-agency market. The Bengals might fill his spot with Michael Bush or BenJarvus Green-Ellis, but Miller, an explosive back, would make for a nice change of pace player. He could start if necessary, too.

22. Cleveland Browns: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

The Browns need tons of help on offense, so pairing the speedy Hill with Trent Richardson in the first round makes sense.

Greg Little has potential, but he's more of an underneath receiver. Hill, who recorded the fastest 40-time of all receivers, is more of a downfield threat. 

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Teams threw the ball a ton against Detroit, so the Lions really need to improve the secondary. Kirkpatrick, like most Alabama defensive players, is ready to step in and be successful.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Steelers need help on both lines, and Adams is the best available player.

25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Broncos could go a number of different ways here, but after improving the offense with Peyton Manning, they'll go to the other side of the ball.

Cox is the best available pick here.

26. Houston Texans: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Texans lost Mario Williams to free agency, but the NCAA's sack leader should help ease the pain.

27. New England Patriots: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Patriots have made some splashes in free agency but still need some playmakers on defense. Upshaw will improve their pass rush. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Vinny Curry, DE/LB, Marshall

Curry played defensive end in college, but he has terrific speed, so he'll fit Green Bay's 3-4 scheme perfectly.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The Ravens already have some nice threats on the outside in Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith, but Sanu provides the perfect underneath option for Joe Flacco. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Kelechi Osemele, G, Iowa

The Niners signed Randy Moss and Mario Manningham, so they won't take a wide receiver here.

Instead, they'll improve the offensive line with Osemele, who has seen his stock continually improve in the last month.

31. New England Patriots: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still has the versatility to play in a 3-4 or 4-3 and would immediately bolster New England's defensive line, which gave up 4.5 yards per carry in 2011.

32. New York Giants: Orson Charles, TE, Georgia

Big, athletic tight ends are becoming the new trend in the NFL, and Charles is just that.

The Giants don't have a ton of needs, and they did sign Martellus Bennett at tight end, but Charles gives them yet another big-play weapon.