2012 NFL Mock Draft: Underrated Seniors Sure to Make an Impact

With the 2012 NFL Draft just a few weeks away, it’s time for the mock draft season to really get started. This time around, we’ll analyze the seniors sure to make an impact.

The biggest senior impact makers will be italicized.

1.  Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

With RGIII turning down a workout, Andrew Luck is undoubtedly the No. 1 overall pick.

2.  Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis Rams)

Washington didn’t trade up to take anyone but Robert Griffin III.

3.  Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Minnesota gets the franchise left tackle they will need to be relevant.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

With Peyton Hillis gone, Trent Richardson will be the long-term answer for Cleveland.

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

Ronde Barber signed a one-year deal, so Morris Claiborne will have on-the-job training from one of the best. Perfect pick for Tampa Bay.

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (via trade with Washington Redskins)

Taking Justin Blackmon will give young QB Sam Bradford a real weapon that could bail him out of trouble.

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

While Brockers is still very raw, the LSU defensive tackle could end up being the most decorated player in this draft.

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

Miami missed out on Matt Flynn and Peyton Manning, so they will be forced to take Ryan Tannehill. I hope Dolphins fans like punting.

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

With a serious need at defensive end an in the pass-rush attack, drafting Quinton Coples will be the second dramatic pick that will pay off for Ron Rivera.

10.  Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

With Mario Williams causing havoc in the opposition's pass game, the Bills need to draft Dre Kirkpatrick to take advantage of the mistakes made by the other team’s QB.

11.  Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Matt Cassel will get the protection he desperately needs to be good.

12.  Seattle Seahawks: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

With the team’s offense starting to take shape, the Seahawks need more of a pass-rushing threat from the linebacker spot. That’s where Upshaw comes in.

13.  Arizona Cardinals: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Arizona has a very weak run defense, so taking Luke Kuechly at No. 13 should be a no-brainer in a draft with very little depth at middle linebacker.

14.  Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

With another first-round pick being used on an offensive lineman, there will be no excuses from Tony Romo or the Cowboys this season.

15.  Philadelphia Eagles: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

With Jason Peters gone for an extended amount of time with a ruptured Achilles, Riley Reiff is the right answer for Michael Vick’s front side.

16.  New York Jets: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

To be a success in the NFL, you don’t just have to be a supremely gifted athlete, you have to find the right team and the right role on that team.

When South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Melvin Ingram hits New York Jets training camp, the world will know he has found the right home for his style.

With unreal versatility and on-field intelligence second to none, Ingram will become the ultimate X-factor for the defense and the equivalent of what Tim Tebow will be on offense.

17.  Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

While the Cincinnati Bengal have never come out and said that they like to select troubled stars, they are widely known for their willingness to overlook character flaws at times.

When they select former Florida Gator and North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins with the No. 17 first pick of the first round, they will be playing right into the stereotyping.

Despite the laughs we will get, the Bengals will be getting the best pure cornerback in the draft and arguably a top-five pick if it weren’t for off-field issues.

18.  San Diego Chargers: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

With Vincent Jackson out of the picture, Philip Rivers will get a new toy in Alshon Jeffery.

19.  Chicago Bears: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Jay Cutler had a problem staying healthy last season, but Mike Adams will try to solve that problem.

20.  Tennessee Titans: Nick Perry, OLB, USC

The non-existent pass rush in Tennessee will get a serious shot in the arm with Nick Perry attacking from the outside linebacker spot.

21.  Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Cedric Benson’s departure means Lamar Miller is the future of the Bengals' running game.

22.  Cleveland Browns: Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Another team in dire need of a pass rush will get the stellar abilities of UNC star Zach Brown.

23.  Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

With a secondary that can only be described as porous, Detroit will take the safest cornerback left on the market in Stephon Gilmore.

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

The need for an offensive lineman in Pittsburgh will be filled by huge Georgia Bulldogs star tackle Cordy Glenn.

25.  Denver Broncos: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Peyton Manning wants a toy.

26.  Houston Texans: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

With Mark Barron being the best safety in this draft, the fact that he could fall this far is hard to believe. If he truly does, the Texans will not be able to pass up the opportunity.

27.  New England Patriots: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

While many experts had Penn State star defensive tackle as a top-10 pick coming into this season, his stock has fallen way off.

Draft experts have him falling all the way into the latter third of the first round and possibly even the second round. That will be flat-out false.

If for some reason Still should be out there when the New England Patriots pick, they will find the next Vince Wilfork, but now he will have a chip on his shoulder.

28.  Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

The Green Bay Packers will find the defensive end who will complement Clay Matthews perfectly.

29.  Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The flimsy Ravens offensive line will find its anchor in center Peter Konz.

30.  San Francisco 49ers: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Alex Smith will never utilize Kendall Wright, but the 49ers are dead-set to convince the world that he is a good QB. Worst pick of the draft.

31.  New England Patriots: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The best route-running wide receiver coming out in 2012, Mohamed Sanu will be Tom Brady’s No. 2 option behind Welker and Gronkowski.

32.  New York Giants: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

With a serious need at middle linebacker, the Super Bowl champs will get a perfect fit.

Check back for more on the National Football League as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NFL Page to get your fill of all things football.

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