2012 NFL Mock Draft: Star Prospects on the Decline

Something happens between the last game an NFL prospect plays and the draft in late April.

He's poked and prodded, timed and measured, interviewed and tested. Front office folks watch hours upon hours of tape, talk to coaches and evaluate how that player might fill a need or fit in a scheme.

The goal, of course, is to judge how a player will translate to the next level. Sometimes that player's success at the college level can't be trusted. Sometimes his lack of success can hide a wealth of potential.

It's how some players shoot up into the first round and how others once highly regarded slink down the board.

On this mock, we're interested in the latter. Let's take a look at which star prospects are finding themselves slipping and sliding down the first round.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

I've heard some people say they'd take Robert Griffin III over Luck. Not me. Luck has Peyton Manning potential, and RGIII's ceiling is as a slightly-better version of Donovan McNabb.

Which of those two would you rather have?

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

That said, I'd still be thrilled to land RGIII—even if he cost a small fortune to trade up for.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

I think this is as much of a lock as the first two—the Vikings really need a left tackle, and Kalil is a stud.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Might be a bit high to go running back, but I think the Browns are happy to select the best player still on the board at a position of need. Richardson will sell tickets.

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

Eric Wright was brought in via free agency, but he doesn't have the shutdown capabilities of Claiborne.

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

Blackmon may not be as good as the hype, but he's still very good. Sam Bradford will be pleased with this pick.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Even with the addition of Laurent Robinson in free agency, wide receiver is still a huge need to be filled. The Jags will reach a bit but still land a solid, productive receiver in Floyd.

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M 

And we officially have this year's Christian Ponder.

9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

I've had them making this pick for at least a month now. Maybe it's the North Carolina to Carolina, Julius Peppers-type connection. Or maybe it's because he is a stud.

Yeah, that's it.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Well, we know they don't need a defensive lineman now. Reiff fills a big need.

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

Poe has shot up the board and fills a huge, gaping need at nose tackle for the Chiefs.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

He isn't Mario Williams, but he isn't exactly chopped liver, either.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford 

Somebody needs to protect Peyton Manning—er, Kevin Kolb—this year. That man is Martin.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Cowboys would be thrilled if DeCastro fell to them here.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Some people have Brockers in the top 10. Others have dropped him after a lackluster performance at the combine.

I don't think he'll get past Philadelphia at No. 15. With top-10 talent, Brockers will drop slightly. But the Eagles could use a more dynamic option at defensive tackle next to Cullen Jenkins, and Brockers will not only provide that but can make an impact immediately for a team looking to make a run at the Super Bowl.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, USC

The perfect fit off the edge for the J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama **

I've seen Kirkpatrick slip out of the first round in some mocks, and I just don't get it. In my opinion, Kirkpatrick is the second best corner on the board, but it nonetheless seems that he is dropping.

Still, I don't think he'll get past the Bengals, who will be quite happy to pair him with Leon Hall.

18. San Diego Chargers: Nick Perry, OLB, USC  

The Chargers very much need a rusher opposite Shaun Phillips in the 3-4. Perry is crazy athletic and will fit into San Diego's scheme quite nicely.

19. Chicago Bears:  Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

With the top crop of pass rushers off the board, the Bears look to pair the speedy Wright with the bigger Brandon Marshall and open up the offense for Jay Cutler.

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

See you later, Cortland Finnegan. We've got Janoris Jenkins to take your place now.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina    

Is there a player that inspires more debate than Alshon Jeffery?

Some feel he is a second-round talent. Others think he could be the best wide receiver available. I tend to fall closer to the latter perception, which makes his drop to the 21st pick a bit of a surprise.

Can you imagine him and A.J. Green paired together? They'd be a frightening pair for defensive coordinators to deal with.

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

Trent Richardson and Stephen Hill—I might become an honorary Browns fan. These two should be fun to watch.

23. Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Lions need to improve the line. They start at center.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson 

Thompson has the capability to play nose tackle, a position the team very badly needs to fortify with some youth.

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State 

Denver needs to improve the interior of their line, and the playmaking lineman from Penn State will do just that.

26. Houston Texans: Luke Kuechly, MLB, Boston College 

With the trade of DeMeco Ryans to the Eagles, Kuechly will step in and make an instant impact for the Texans' already-excellent defense.

27. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois ***

Mercilus provides a much-needed infusion of talent to the outside linebacker position in New England's defense. He'll be an excellent edge rusher for the team.

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

The Packers shouldn't even think about drafting an offensive player here. Defense must be the priority for the Pack.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The Ravens need help on the line, namely at guard. Glenn is their guy.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Depth at corner is always a plus, especially in a passing league. And Gilmore could potentially shift to safety if he doesn't work out at corner.

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

The Patriots weren't very good against the pass last season. Fleming will help.

32. New York Giants: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

Zach Brown has ridiculous athletic ability, probably top-10 pick athletic ability.  He ran a 4.5 40-yard-dash and had a 33.5-inch vertical leap. He plays fast, is adept at shaking blocks and can cover tight ends given his speed.

He's a solid tackler and can play sideline-to-sideline or attack gaps.

So why might he slip out of the first round?

Well, the concern seems to be that he could be a guy prone to lapses of playing outside of the scheme, and his mental makeup in general seems to be a concern. Consistency could be an issue.

The Giants are in a position to take a chance on him, and I think he fills a big need for the team. It's a good match.

* The Redskins traded the sixth pick in the first round, along with their second-round pick this year and first-round picks in 2013 and 2014, to St. Louis for the second overall pick.

** From Oakland in the Carson Palmer trade.

*** From New Orleans in last year's Mark Ingram trade.

Hit me up on Twitter—I've tweeted from Lehigh's campus before. Seriously.