2012 NFL Mock Draft: High-Ceiling Players Who Will Develop into Stars

Upside, projection and ceiling are three of the most popular terms to use when talking about prospects in the NFL draft. They are so common because that is what we are using to tell the world what these players will become. 

Obviously not all of these players are going to reach their ceiling, so we just have to figure out who will become the best of the bunch. 

Here is a look at our latest mock draft with a special emphasis on the players who will reach their ceiling. 

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

For nearly two years, Luck has been the name that everyone has focused on. He shocked the world by returning to Stanford last season, but now he is ready to take his talents to the NFL. 

The Colts may be saying that they don't know what they are going to do with the No. 1 pick. That's called posturing, because Luck is NFL-ready right now and has more uspide than anyone else in this draft. 

No player in this year's class is going to match Luck's performance on the field. He will be a superstar the second he takes the field. 

2. Washington Redskins (via STL 2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Griffin has turned heads with his outstanding workouts and instincts on the field as well as off. The Redskins haven't had a true franchise quarterback in nearly 60 years. That will change when the 2012 season starts. 

His height may have some concerned, but no one is really complaining about Drew Brees or Michael Vick right now. Griffin has a lot of work to do before he reaches their level, but he has that kind of potential. 

Given his enthusiasm and knowledge of the game, there is no reason to think Griffin won't be a star very soon. 

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

Kalil may not play a sexy position, but he is going to be an All-Pro for a long time. 

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

Given the volatile nature of running backs, Richardson has a lot of work ahead of him if he wants to be a superstar. 

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

Claiborne's physical style and ability to read quarterbacks should make him at least a good starting cornerback. The Buccaneers will hope for a lot more than that when they use the No. 5 pick on him. 

Given his knack for making big plays at the right time, there is little chance that Claiborne doesn't reach his full potential. 

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

Any concerns about Blackmon's speed were alleviated when he ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash. He will have to prove he can handle himself against physical cornerbacks in the NFL. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd will be a great option for the Jaguars, but they need to find a quarterback who can get him the ball so he can reach his ceiling. 

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

Tannehill has all the measurables you want from a quarterback. However, he doesn't have a strong mindset—at least right now—to succeed in the NFL. 

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

With the Panthers desperate for help in the middle of the defensive line, Poe's performance in college and at the NFL Scouting Combine has made him into a star already. 

To be successful as a defensive tackle in today's NFL, you must get after the quarterback and stop the run. 

Poe is going to be a game-changer for this franchise. Don't be shocked to see them in the playoffs next year. 

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

There is no edge-rusher in this class with Coples' upside. Unfortunately, inconsistent play in college have hurt his stock. He can be a star, but he has to prove he is not the player he was last year. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly looks more like a solid linebacker who can lead a defense and make an occasional Pro Bowl than a star. 

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

Despite having a successful college career, Upshaw has to improve his tackling skills and ability to stop the run in order to reach his full potential. 

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

A versatile offensive lineman, DeCastro is the perfect choice for the Cardinals. 

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Cowboys have been searching for help in the secondary for years. Barron doesn't fill their biggest need at cornerback, but he does have the ability to change a game at the safety position. 

He will bring an intensity and physical presence to the secondary that the Cowboys haven't had for a long time. 

Even if he doesn't become the coverage safety the team needs, wide receivers will have to keep an eye out for him thanks to his ability to knock a helmet off. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Another productive offseason for the Eagles will fill their two biggest needs. They already got DeMeco Ryans to play linebacker, and Brockers will give them that presence in the middle they have been looking for. 

16. New York Jets (8-8): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Worthy needs to succeed for the Jets to become the team they used to be. He is not an elite prospect, but does give Rex Ryan some more swagger on defense. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Despite not being the best offensive lineman in the draft, Glenn is a significant upgrade for the Bengals. He will help Andy Dalton and BenJarvus Green-Ellis take the next step in their development. 

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Considering the problems that San Diego had in pass-protection, Reiff would be a steal. He has the size, speed and athleticism to play anywhere on the offensive line. 

In addition to that, his skill as a run-blocker is a nice wrinkle to add to the Chargers offense. Philip Rivers is great, but they have to focus on becoming two-dimensional. 

Reiff gives them exactly what they need, and he is going to be a fixture on the line for the next decade. 

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Hill has elite speed and size. He needs to prove that he can run routes and adjust to an NFL scheme after playing in the spread option offense at Georgia Tech. 

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Ingram is strictly a pass-rusher, but since he does that so well, there is little doubt that he will have a long career. Whether he turns into a star or not depends on his ability to improve his all-around skills. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

A slow-rising prospect, Gilmore doesn't have the talent to become a star. Instead, he will be a really good cornerback who can start for a playoff team. Given the age of the current Bengals players in the secondary, Gilmore is a huge upgrade. 

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox uses his bulk to stop the run, which is perfect for the Browns. He needs to work on breaking through the line and getting after the quarterback. 

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Jonathan Martin, OG, Stanford

Martin will give Matthew Stafford the protection he needs to become even more lethal. The Lions offense is going to be scary in 2012. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams is a huge reach here, but the Steelers are desperate for help on the offensive line. 

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

Peyton Manning needs a tight end in order to run the offense how he wants. He always had one at Indianapolis, but the Broncos need a big upgrade if they want to keep their new quarterback happy. 

Fleener is a matchup nightmare at 6'6", 240 pounds. He is going to step into this offense right away and catch at least seven touchdowns. 

He has the size and speed that this new generation of tight ends need to succeed. He is going to make a lot of Pro Bowl appearances. 

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright seems more like a possession receiver after running a 4.6 40-yard dash. He might be able to overcome that with precise route running and great hands, but right now I have my doubts. 

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Hightower has that versatility Bill Belichick loves, with the ability to play linebacker or defensive end in the 3-4 scheme. 

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska

Like Kuechly, David doesn't look like a star-in-the-making at the linebacker position. He has good speed and will go after the ball, which helps him make up for a lack of athleticism. 

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz is one of those players that just seems to fit what the Ravens want to do. He is going to be a more-than-capable replacement for Matt Birk. 

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard doesn't have a high ceiling, but his floor is considerably higher than most cornerbacks in this draft. He reads the quarterback well and has very good instincts, which help him make up for less than ideal speed. 

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Patriots will get another potentially dominant pass-rusher, though Perry's inconsistent performance in college makes the odds of him being elite in the NFL very long. 

32. New York Giants (9-7): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

On talent alone, Jenkins has star potential. He has great speed, understands how to read the quarterback, gets tremendous breaks on the ball and isn't afraid to play physical against bigger receivers. 

If we have to look at the off-field problems, there is a chance that Jenkins doesn't reach his ceiling. 

Considering his perfect behavior at North Alabama and strong showing at the scouting combine, make us a little more optimistic. 

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