2012 NFL Mock Draft: Offensive Studs Guaranteed to Fail in Rookie Season

Offensive players who struggle in their first year in the NFL doesn't mean they will never pan out. It simply means that they will have a rougher transition from college.

With the 2012 NFL draft around the corner, let's take a look at some offensive players who will struggle in their rookie season.

Those players can be found with a (*) beside what school they are from.

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

Andrew Luck is the real deal. I don't see Indianapolis going a different route with this pick; I see the Colts staying with the game plan.

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

Washington made the correct move by trading up to potentially get Robert Griffin III from Baylor. Any time you can get a franchise quarterback, teams should do whatever it takes to seal the deal.

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

While I still think Morris Claiborne would be a great fit at No. 3, Matt Kalil would also be a solid addition. He's one of the best offensive lineman in the draft and he will succeed even in his first season.

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

I love Alabama's Trent Richardson. This guy is an absolute monster. Cleveland could go the route of a quarterback, but I think drafting a franchise running back would be a wise decision.

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

Morris Claiborne is going to be a special player in the NFL. His athletic ability makes up for any lapses in his coverage. Tampa Bay will love to see Claiborne with the No. 5 pick.

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

Sam Bradford needs to have a legitimate, youthful weapon to work with. Bradford has been up and down in his career, so it's paramount to give him a weapon to work with to see how good he can be.

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

Jacksonville needs to add defensive depth, especially at the corner back position. With Claiborne off the table, Dre Kirkpatrick looks like the obvious selection.

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

Miami will be looking to draft a quarterback in the NFL draft. At least they should.

Losing out on Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn should force the Dolphins to find a quarterback in the draft. Ryan Tannehill has impressed scouts, and I see No. 8 being a perfect spot for him to land.

Despite impressing scouts, picking him at No. 8 is a reach.

Teams will always reach on quarterbacks because only franchise quarterbacks seem to win Super Bowls nowadays.

Quarterbacks tend to struggle in their first year anyway, but who does Miami have for Tannehill to throw to? They traded away their best receiver in Brandon Marshall.

Tannehill will struggle in his first season, but I wouldn't be shocked if he had a solid career.

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

Carolina has a need on the defensive line. Dontari Poe or Devon Still will be this selection, but I have Still going to the Panthers.

The reason is because of what conference he played in. Playing at Memphis and Penn State are two completely different monsters.

Still has the more impressive collegiate career, so I see him going to the Panthers early.

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

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

Adding Mario Williams in free agency and Quinton Coples in the NFL draft would give the Bills a great shot of competing against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

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

Riley Reiff will have a great NFL career. Kansas City adding him with the No. 11 pick would be an ideal selection.

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

Matt Flynn will be the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks in 2012 barring injury. He will need protection from his offensive linemen to succeed.

Jonathan Martin would be a solid selection to solidify the offensive line.

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

Courtney Upshaw played a major role in the Crimson Tide winning the BCS National Championship. He would bring that winning mentality to a position that Arizona needs filled.

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

Tony Romo was consistently chased around the backfield last season. Despite that, he still put up solid numbers.

He needs quality offensive linemen, though. David DeCastro would be an ideal fit with this selection.

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

Philadelphia needs to address its interior defense.

Luke Kuechly is one of the best run-defenders in college football. He recorded 191 tackles last season for Boston College.

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

Melvin Ingram to the New York Jets with the No. 17 pick would be a solid option. New York had what they would call a "down" season in 2011.

Adding a defensive lineman would give them another option.

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

I'm feeling a reach with the No. 17 pick for Cincinnati. Alfonzo Dennard should have a solid NFL career but maybe he isn't deserving to go No. 17.

Cincinnati could take Janoris Jenkins, but I think they want to stay away from players with off-the-field issues coming out of college. That era is attempting to get out of the system of the Bengals organization.

Hence why I think a reach will happen with this pick.

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

San Diego has a solid offense but they lack defensively. Nick Perry has the makings of becoming a solid pass-rusher in the NFL.

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

Notre Dame's Michael Floyd may or may not be available with the No. 17 pick. If he is, Chicago should jump on the opportunity to land the potential star receiver.

Jay Cutler hasn't had the best weapons in Chicago. Brandon Marshall and Floyd would give him two options on the outside.

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

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)

Tennessee has its quarterback of the future in Jake Locker, running back in Chris Johnson and other pieces that will help in the future.

Defensively, however, is where they lack talent. Dontari Poe could change that.

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

Peter Konz could give Andy Dalton a reliable center to work with for years to come. Why not provide help for your franchise quarterback? It makes sense.

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

If Cleveland passes on Justin Blackmon, I see them taking a receiver in the first round. Colt McCoy isn't a franchise quarterback in the league, in my opinion, but we won't know for sure if he doesn't have weapons around him.

Richardson with the fourth pick and WR Kendall Wright with the 22nd pick would make sense.

However, I don't see Wright being that No. 1 receiving option in the league. He benefited greatly from Robert Griffin III and is more of a slot receiver.

Seeing how I don't believe in McCoy, don't believe in the Browns ability to draft quality performers and don't believe Wright is a true No.1 receiver, I don't see this working out for the Browns in Wright's first season.

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

Detroit needs to add depth at the cornerback position. They gave up 480 yards and six touchdowns to a backup last year.

Janoris Jenkins will be welcomed with open arms.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

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

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

Drafting Alshon Jeffery this high may be a stretch, but Peyton Manning needs potential weapons. If anybody can turn Jeffery into a star receiver, bringing out his best potential, it's Manning, right?

I don't think so.

Jeffery is a project type of player that I don't think is capable of playing well in his first season. He could potentially become solid in his second and third years, but I don't see him developing enough chemistry with Manning to be successful.

He will have to give Manning a reason to trust him. Jeffery's lack of separation from defenders will hurt him in his first season.

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

No Mario Williams equals a draft selection to fill his position. Andre Branch would be an intriguing selection with this pick.

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

Mark Barron would provide a solid option for New England later in the first round.

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

Green Bay should add help to its defense. Stephon Gilmore would be an ideal selection with this pick.

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

Joe Flacco needs wide receiver weapons. Lee Evans proved to be a bust for the Ravens, especially after his drop against the New England Patriots.

Mohamed Sanu would give the Ravens an option on the perimeter.

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

San Francisco is loading up offensively this season. Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and Brandon Jacobs' addition tell you that the 49ers are willing to address its weakest deficiency.

Giving Alex Smith a talented guard up front would give him the best possible chance to succeed. Drafting Cordy Glenn makes sense for the 49ers.

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

New England's defense was awful last season. They need help in the secondary.

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

Brandon Jacobs is in San Francisco and the Giants struggle to run the ball. It's time to get younger and more talented by selecting David Wilson from Virginia Tech.