2012 NFL Mock Draft: 4 Most Overvalued Prospects in First Round

Prospects get overvalued in any sport's draft. This is especially the case in the NFL and we will see it come to fruition in the 2012 NFL Draft.

We will see teams reach in the first round to secure players who organizations believe can fill particular roles. 

Here are four players that will be overvalued in the first round of the NFL Draft. You can find those players with a (*) beside their school.

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

Andrew Luck will be the No. 1 pick in the draft and there shouldn’t even be consideration for Griffin. I like Griffin, but Luck is more of a sure thing in my estimation.

You can’t miss with the No. 1 pick—it just can’t happen. Go the “safer” route and pick Luck, Indianapolis. 

2. Washington Redskins (From 2-14 St. Louis Rams) Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)

Despite my thinking that Luck is more of a sure thing, Griffin’s upside is obviously through the roof. He’s not just a dual-threat quarterback, he’s a guy who can complete a high percentage of passes and deliver from the pocket.

Washington was smart to trade up to get a potential franchise quarterback. 

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)

Morris Claiborne is the best cornerback in the 2012 class. His length and athletic ability can make up for whatever he lacks in coverage.

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

Now that Cleveland is out of the Robert Griffin III sweepstakes, taking the best running back in the class is the next logical thing.

I don’t believe Colt McCoy is the quarterback of the future and I never once thought he was. However, giving him an exciting running back would help take the pressure off his arm. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Matt Kalil, OT (USC)

Matt Kalil is going to be a Pro Bowl player in the NFL. Obviously Morris Claiborne would be a great pick if he’s still left on the board, but I don’t see it happening, so Tampa Bay should help their young quarterback out by giving him an offensive tackle that will be great for years to come. 

6. St. Louis Rams (from 5-11 Washington Redskins): Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

Blackmon is a great fit for the St. Louis Rams.

Moving down, adding picks and still being able to get the guy you want? Sounds like a good draft to me. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

Jacksonville needs to upgrade its secondary through the NFL Draft. Dre Kirkpatrick would be a solid selection with this pick. 

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

Ryan Tannehill continues to move up draft boards, especially now that the Miami Dolphins lost out on multiple quarterbacks this offseason. 

But No. 8? That is a reach. 

With no Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn, adding a quarterback in the draft is the ideal situation for the Dolphins. 

Where else is Miami going to go with this selection? This looks like the obvious choice given their ineptitude at the position, but this is mighty high. 

9.  Carolina Panthers (6-10): Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year would add a solid addition on the defensive side of the ball for Carolina. They are dominant offensively but struggle defensively. Sounds like a good fit.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

Buffalo's defense was awful last season. They were 28th against the rush and 19th against the pass.

Quinton Coples’ ability to rush the quarterback opposite Mario Williams would give the Bills one of the best tandems in the league.

Against Tom Brady, getting pressure with the front four is how you find success. The Giants are your specific example of that. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)

Reiff is arguably the second-best offensive tackle in the draft class. Kansas City is young on offense and defense, but the offensive line is always an area that could be improved.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford 

Now that Seattle signed a quarterback (Matt Flynn), it’s time to give him solid protection on the line.

Martin is one of the best offensive tackles in the class and with Riley Reiff being drafted a pick before No. 12, Martin would be the next best option for the Seahawks. 

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, OLB (Alabama)

Arizona needs help in multiple areas. Adding a linebacker would be a solid addition for the Cardinals.

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

Dallas should upgrade its offensive line issues. Tony Romo was being chased around constantly last season. DeCastro with the 14th pick would be an ideal selection for the Cowboys. 

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

Kuechly is one of the best run-defenders in college football. He recorded 191 tackles last season and he is the only two-time consensus All-American selection to come from Boston College. 

Philadelphia wasn’t solid in the middle of its defense last season. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Jets struggled defensively last season. Melvin Ingram can do a variety of things in different defenses that could help teams. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from 8-8 Oakland): Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska) *

Cincinnati has two picks in the 2012 top 25, and they should use one pick on a cornerback prospect. Alfonzo Dennard will be an overvalued pick for one reason: Cincinnati will fill a hole in its roster with a guy that could go in the latter stages of the first round.

The Bengals could also choose Janoris Jenkins, but I think they’ll pass given his off-the-field issues. Cincinnati is trying to get away from that era. Dennard is a good player, but I think that they will reach with this pick. 

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

San Diego needs to address its defensive line. With the offense set with Philip Rivers, adding pieces to the defensive puzzle would be the smart idea.

Nick Perry is an underrated prospect that could potentially get this high in the first round.

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

If Michael Floyd is still available, the Bears could add his fantastic upside to Brandon Marshall, giving the Bears options on the outside for Jay Cutler.

It’s about time. 

Jay Cutler hasn't had a true weapon in his years with Chicago. He could have two if the Bears could add Floyd. 

Floyd caught 100 passes for 1,147 yards and 10 touchdowns in his senior season at Notre Dame.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Tennessee has its quarterback of the future in Jake Locker, running back in Chris Johnson and other pieces that will help in the future. Adding a defensive tackle to the mix that could dominate games could potentially change the entire defense. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Peter Konz, C (Wisconsin)

Andy Dalton will be the quarterback for several years in Cincinnati. Having a center to tandem with would make him feel extremely comfortable down the road. 

22. Cleveland Browns (from 10-6 Atlanta): Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor) *

What Kendall Wright did for Baylor will earn him a first-round selection in the draft. However, I don’t think he’s worth this selection if the Browns decide to go this way.

He’s overvalued at this pick because he did benefit from Robert Griffin III and he is a simple speed receiver; he’s not No. 1 quality. 

When you select a wide receiver or running back in the first round, you expect that player to be the go-to option in the future.

Wright screams slot receiver in my mind and that’s not worth a first-round selection. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)

I’ve had Detroit taking Jenkins from the get-go and I’m not going off that selection. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis) 

Pittsburgh has addressed its defensive line in the past few drafts. Casey Hampton dominated in the middle for the Steelers for several years. Poe could be that type of player.  

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Maybe this is a stretch, but if anybody can make a player live up to their potential, it's Peyton Manning. Alshon Jeffery struggled with press coverage in college, so maybe he won’t even be at this spot, but his potential is certainly there. 

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Andre Branch, DE (Clemson) *

Now that Mario Williams isn’t on the Texans anymore, Houston will be looking to fill his void. Andre Branch is a solid player but isn’t comparable with Williams’ overall ability.

We will see a Houston team look to fill a role by overvaluing Branch with the 26th selection. This will be a difficult position to fill given how great Williams was in his tenure.

It's going to be nearly impossible for Branch to do the same kinds of things Williams did for the Texans. 

27. New England Patriots (from 13-3 New Orleans): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

New England was awful on defense last season. They need loads of help. 

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

Green Bay has the offense to compete for championships, but its defense was lacking this season.

Stephon Gilmore would give them another option outside.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Mohamed Sanu, WR (Rutgers)

Baltimore taking Sanu at this pick would be a good idea. This is a team that is in desperate need of an upgrade for that position.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Cordy Glenn, G (Georgia)

San Francisco is going to compete for the Super Bowl once again this season even if Peyton Manning isn’t under center. Their defense is that good.

The offense, however, will be the focal point of the team because they have running backs, wide receivers and tight ends to get the job done. It’s going to come down to the quarterback position.

Giving the quarterback help by adding an offensive lineman would be the smart move with this pick.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Chase Minnifield, CB (Virginia)

One of the worst pass defenses in NFL history.

That’s all you need to know about the Patriots’ defense.

32. New York Giants (9-7): David Wilson, RB, (Virginia Tech)

New York won the Super Bowl with virtually no running game. David Wilson is one of the best backs in the class, so adding him with the 32nd pick would be a good addition.