2012 NFL Mock Draft: Overhyped Busts Plaguing First Round

Some guys seem bust-proof. Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Trent Richardson seem like surefire studs.

Other guys seem as though they could be slightly over- or undervalued but are generally being accurately projected.

And then there are those players who have "bust" written all over them. This article is interested in those guys.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

I'm not sure why they aren't negotiating his contract yet.

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

Don't listen to Donovan McNabb's sorry grapes—Griffin will be a good Redskin, even if it is despite the Shanahans.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Maybe a team (cough, cough, the Dolphins, cough) trade up here to ensure the Browns don't take Ryan Tannehill with the fourth pick. If not, the pick will be Kalil.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

This pick could go so many ways, but I think Richardson is the best player on the board and a great fit for Cleveland.

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

Eric Wright and Claiborne will be a nice starting pair for the Bucs next season.

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

The Rams trade down and still end up with the player they may have wanted all along. Nicely done, St. Louis.

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

Yes, this is a stretch if you aren't familiar with Jacksonville's receivers. If you are, then this makes sense.

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

I'm always wary of drafting guys who are described as "developing quarterbacks," especially those with only 19 career stars.

That lack of game experience from the converted wide receiver makes me think he'll be taken too high, early expectations will be unrealistic and he won't be provided the proper environment to grow and flourish.

Tannehill plus the Miami Dolphins organization equals major bust potential.

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

The Panthers keep the defensive end from North Carolina in the area.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills haven't ever replaced Jason Peters after he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. They fix that with Reiff.

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

Poe was a superman at the NFL Scouting Combine, lifting an astonishing 44 reps on the bench press and running a sub-5.0 in the 40-yard-dash.

However, was Poe ever the sort of dominant force at Memphis that his massive frame and surprising athleticism suggest he could be at the NFL level? Not really. He may simply be realizing his own potential, or he may be a huge—literally and figuratively—bust.

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

I've seen Seattle going after linebacker Luke Kuechly here, but I think it'll look to improve its pass rush instead.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford 

Levi Brown is out at left tackle. You're up, Jonathan Martin.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

One of the better guard prospects in years will nicely fit a glaring need for the Cowboys.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Eagles should be looking to add players who can make an instant impact. Brockers is that type of player.

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

Great fit, great player, great pick, if I do say so myself.

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

I think Kirkpatrick is a great value for the Bengals here.

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

Perry is crazy athletic and might end up going higher than this. He'll be scary coming off the edge in San Diego's 3-4.

19. Chicago Bears:  Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright and Brandon Marshall will turn the Bears wide receiver corps from a weakness to a strength.

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

Character issues, character issues, character issues. The talent is there, but will Jenkins be able to handle the many temptations of pro football? Will he be able to keep himself out of trouble?

Will a year at North Alabama rather than Florida have regressed his game at all?

Jenkins is a huge boom-or-bust pick. I fear it will be closer to bust.

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

A.J. Green and Alshon Jeffery together—good luck, NFL defenses. You'll need it.

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

Yes, his size, speed and hands have impressed, and he certainly proved his value as a deep threat at Georgia Tech.

However, how will he hold up in a more traditional passing offense, one not based solely off play action? How will run intermediate routes or hold up going over the middle? Can he beat NFL jams?

Hill may end up being a very expensive one-trick pony at the next level. If that's the case, he doesn't belong in the first round.

23. Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Lions select everyone's favorite position: the center. Sexy.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson 

This could also be Alabama's Dont'a Hightower, but I think the Steelers add a much-needed infusion of youth to the interior of the defensive line.

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

Peyton Manning will take care of the offense. Improving the interior of the defensive line should be the next priority.

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

With the trade of DeMeco Ryans to the Eagles, Kuechly is just what the doctor ordered for an already stellar Houston defense.

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

The Pats need a solid 3-4 edge-rusher. They get one with Mercilus.

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

I don't care who they pick, I just know it better be defense.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

After failing to lure Evan Mathis away from Philadelphia, the Ravens will fill a need at guard with Glenn.

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

If corner doesn't work out, Gilmore looks like he has the body type to play safety as well.

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

I don't know if people realize this, but the Patriots pass defense was dreadful last year. Fleming will help.

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

Brown is a risky but crazy-athletic player with a lot of upside. Tom Coughlin and a veteran locker room will keep him focused.

* 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.

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