2012 NFL Mock Draft: Grading Every First-Round Prospect

Grading prospects ahead of the NFL Draft is certainly no easy task. That is why the draft is considered an inexact science, and it is also why scouts and other front office personnel are compensated so handsomely.

Despite such uncertainty, it doesn't stop pundits and fans alike from analyzing players in the long and tiresome build toward the draft. While there are some players that the consensus is right about, there are others that completely outperform or under-perform depending upon how they were ranked during the draft process.

Along with a full, first-round mock draft, here are grades and analysis for each prospect projected to be taken in the opening round.

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

There aren't any guarantees with Luck, but when you take into account his on-field performances and workouts, it's tough to consider him anything less than the perfect heir to Peyton Manning.

2. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via STL) - Grade: A

While there is always some question about how a spread quarterback will transition to the NFL, Griffin has the speed, arm strength and accuracy to turn the Redskins around.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC - Grade: A

There is no question that Kalil is the best offensive lineman in the draft and he has the most potential to boot, as he excels in both run and pass blocking.

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

I'm not a big fan of taking running backs this early, but Richardson is head and shoulders above the rest at the position and seems like a sure thing to be an impact player at the next level.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU - Grade: A

The cornerback position has become increasingly important as the league has evolved into a pass-first endeavor, and Claiborne has the tools to be the next lock-down corner in the mold of Darrelle Revis.

6. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (via WAS) - Grade: A

No wide receiver has been more productive than Blackmon in the college game over the past two seasons, and while that doesn't always translate to the next level, he has the size, speed and physicality to excel.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC - Grade: A-

Coples has all the ability in the world to dominate in any defensive system, but inconsistency keeps him from earning a flat "A" in this instance.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa - Grade: A-

There aren't many safer picks in the draft than Reiff as he is a rugged offensive tackle who is going to give it his all on every play and often outworks the opposition.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU - Grade: B+

No defensive tackle in the draft has the same combination of size and speed as Brockers, so he will be coveted, but he only produced one year at the collegiate level and could be a flash in the pan.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame - Grade: B+

The tall, strong and speedy Floyd has the skill set needed to be a big-time wide receiver in the NFL, but he has had some off-field issues and will need to improve his attitude moving forward.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford - Grade: A-

Just like his quarterback at Stanford, Andrew Luck, Martin is a very steady player and it is difficult to see him failing in the NFL.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina - Grade: B+

There are so many pass-rushers likely to go in the first round that are rated similarly, but I give Ingram a slight nod over most in terms of being a 4-3 end thanks to his size and speed.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College - Grade: A-

Kuechly is far from the most explosive or exciting player in the draft, but he gets the job done as an inside linebacker and is the type of player anyone would want anchoring their defense.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama - Grade: A-

In terms of talent, Kirkpatrick should be well within the top 10 as a cornerback, but like many players, his off-field problems make him a risky pick when compared with Morris Claiborne.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama - Grade: B+

Barron is the best safety in the draft, and it isn't even close, but he is far from a stud like Eric Berry or LaRon Landry who we have seen go in the top 10 in recent years.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama - Grade: B

Upshaw received a huge boost in value after his strong performance in the National Championship Game against LSU and while he can be a good pass-rusher at the next level, he has never been elite.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor - Grade: B

As far as speed receivers go, Wright is the best in the draft, but he played a lot of sand-lot ball with Robert Griffin III as his quarterback and will need to develop as a route runner.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford - Grade: B+

Taking a guard in the first round is rarely thrilling, but DeCastro is certainly the best in the draft and he will solidify somebody's offensive line.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin - Grade: B

One of the most unheralded, but most important positions in football is center and Konz is the only center in this draft who looks to have Pro-Bowl potential.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Nick Perry, DE, USC - Grade: B

Perry is another in a long line of talented pass-rushers in this draft and while he has the size and athleticism to be a good one, he was too inconsistent in college to trust as an anchor.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama - Grade: B+

If not for an arrest that led to his dismissal from the University of Florida, Jenkins could very well be considered the best cornerback in the draft and a top-five selection.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State - Grade: C+

There is a huge drop off from Jonathan Martin to Mike Adams, and then another from Adams to the next offensive tackle, so he figures to be a bit overvalued on draft day.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska - Grade: C

There is a noticeable drop in talent at the cornerback position after Janoris Jenkins, but since the Lions need a corner so desperately, they're likely to reach for Dennard.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis - Grade: B+

Poe opened a lot of eyes at the combine by running a sub-five-second 40 at almost 350 lbs., and he would be a perfect fit as the Steelers' nose tackle.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford - Grade: B-

There are three starting-caliber tight ends in the draft and Fleener has the best combination of size, speed and production amongst them.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina - Grade: C

Prior to the season Jeffery was considered either the best or second-best receiver in the class, but a horrible statistical season and a failure to gain separation makes me very wary of him.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois - Grade: B

There isn't much difference between a player like Melvin Ingram and Mercilus, so for the Patriots to get him this late in the first round is a major score.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Devon Still, DL, Penn State - Grade: B+

Still has been passed in the defensive tackle pecking order by Michael Brockers and Dontari Poe, but I find him to be just as good and believe he will be a great playmaker at the next level.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama - Grade: B

The linebacker position is pretty light at the top in this draft, but Hightower is one of the best and can be a solid outside or middle linebacker in a 4-3 defense.

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

Glenn was extremely impressive at the combine and would be a perfect selection for the 49ers, as they need to strengthen the right side of the offensive line.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State - Grade: C+

Although Cox promises to be a nice fit in a 3-4 defense at the next level, I have a hard time seeing him becoming anything more than a solid rotational guy.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson - Grade: B-

Allen may very well be the most athletic tight end in the draft and while he doesn't possess the full package like Fleener, he should ultimately have a good career.