2012 NFL Mock Draft: Highly-Touted Talents Sure to Underwhelm

As much as NFL front offices research for this event, there will be a number of first-round draft picks who will be disappointing professionals.

These players have some form of fatal flaw that will be exposed once they move on to the next level.

Here is a first-round mock draft, with extra emphasis on the prospects who will underachieve.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

There is no question that Andrew Luck will be the No. 1 overall pick and most likely a starter from day one. 

While he might struggle initially, he is smart enough to make adjustments to the NFL and have a successful career.

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

Robert Griffin III will attempt to change a culture of losing in the nation's capital, and he is just the person to do it. His combination of speed and throwing accuracy will help him have a solid career.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

There is talk of the Vikings trading this pick, but it is unlikely there are any buyers willing to pay the high-price to move up. Kalil will provide solid protection for Christian Ponder in Minnesota.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Trent Richardson is one of the best playmakers to come into the draft in a few years, and that is exactly what the Browns need for their stagnant offense. His combination of size, speed and agility is just too good to pass up.

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

Tampa Bay has a lot of needs, but the young offense should be fine growing together. Morris Claiborne is a very skilled cornerback who can transform a defense. Even if he does not play much in his rookie year, he will have an impact sooner rather than later.

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

Justin Blackmon seems like the logical fit for a team with a need at receiver, but he will likely disappoint fans during his career.

It is easy to be impressed by the extremely productive career that Blackmon had at Oklahoma State, but the numbers will not necessarily translate to the NFL.

The problem is that he is not special at any aspect of the position.

He has good hands, but not great. He does not have elite speed, and has simply average height for a receiver.

Most of the receiver's success in college came from taking advantage of the spread offense; something he will not be able to do in the NFL.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

There is a wide range of opinions on Jeffery, but a team will certainly take a chance on him early. He has all of the tools you look for in a receiver, and has the best body control in the class.

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

In a normal year, Ryan Tannehill would be a second- or third-round pick. 

He has only one full year at quarterback and, while there is talent, is too much of a risk to select this high.

Miami is desperate for a quarterback after missing the chance to sign free agents Peyton Manning, Matt Flynn and even Alex Smith.

Tannehill has great athleticism, but that will only get him so far in the NFL. It will not be long until it is apparent he is not the answer for the Dolphins.

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

Coples is a very versatile player, and that will be useful for any type of defense.

He has lined up at defensive tackle and defensive end in college, and he has also worked out for scouts at outside linebacker in a 3-4 system.

Unfortunately, questions about his work ethic on the field have followed him throughout his college career.

North Carolina had a bit of a disappointing season, and Coples' stats suffered as well.

If he cannot get ready to play for a bad team, the Panthers will not be happy about his performance.

10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Bills were toward the bottom of the league in sacks last year, but Melvin Ingram will immediately help fix that. He has great technique that allows him to beat most tackles to the quarterback, and he could be a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Kansas City has the pieces on offense to succeed, but the players could not stay healthy. At full-strength, the Chiefs will need to add only some offensive line help to have an above average offensive unit.

12. Seattle Seahawks: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

As good as Marshawn Lynch was last season, the Seahawks could not run with any consistency due to the poor offensive line. DeCastro will start from day one and will immediately be one of the best run-blockers in the league.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

A run of offensive linemen will conclude with the Cardinals selecting Jonathan Martin. Tackle was the biggest weakness from last season, and this should help improve the offense.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The only pro day Jason Garrett attended was at Alabama, and a perfect fit would be Dre Kirkpatrick. His size helps him be one of the few players who can stay with some of the bigger receivers in the league.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

The Eagles are set on the defensive line and in the defensive backfield, but are very weak at linebacker. Kuechly solves this problem and will easily total over 100 tackles every year that he is healthy.

16. New York Jets: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Michael Floyd helps bring youth to an aging receiving corps, and he could become a very solid playmaker for Mark Sanchez (or Tim Tebow).

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Although BenJarvus Green-Ellis brings some experience to the backfield, Lamar Miller would be a perfect compliment with his elite speed and agility. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

San Diego needs some youth at linebacker, and Upshaw fits the scheme perfectly. He is a talented 3-4 outside linebacker who can get to the quarterback with his strong blitzing ability.

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

The Bears need someone to protect their star players to avoid another injury-plagued year, and Mike Adams will be the best available at this point.

Unfortunately, the big tackle is rated this highly based on potential rather than ability.

At 6'7", he has the size to be dominant, but never developed the technique that will be necessary to hold off the better defensive ends in the NFL.

There is little chance he sticks as blindside left tackle for too long.

20. Tennessee Titans: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

A lot of people questioned Chris Johnson for having a terrible year, but the offensive line was as much to blame. Although they signed Steve Hutchinson to a three-year deal, Glenn is versatile and can be used pretty much anywhere on the line. 

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

Janoris Jenkins has his problems, but there is no denying his ability to shut down opposing receivers. Cincinnati has taken chances on troubled players in the past, and it often has worked out. Jenkins should be no different.

22. Cleveland Browns: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

If the Browns can add Trent Richardson and Kendall Wright to the offense, it will completely change the dynamic of the team.

The offense needs team speed, and Wright is one of the best downfield threats available.

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

Most of the playoff teams from last season need to improve their pass defense, and the Lions are no different. Gilmore is the best cornerback available, with great strength to keep receivers from getting downfield.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers has good size for the position, and could be the first defensive tackle taken in the draft.

However, Dontari Poe and Fletcher Cox show a more well-rounded game and are likely to have more productive careers.

His length allows him to take on blockers for other teammates, but he does not have the technique to get to the backfield and make plays on his own.

The LSU product needs to land in the right defensive system with playmakers around him to be successful.

25. Denver Broncos: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Denver is building a good, young defense to compliment Peyton Manning, and Poe will be the next big step. His speed is truly unbelievable for his size, and he will be able to disrupt a lot a plays in the backfield.

26. Houston Texans: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Hill did not get too much of a chance to prove himself during the season on a run-heavy offense, but the combine opened a lot of eyes across the league. He could be a project, but the payoff should be great down the line.

27. New England Patriots: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

There are few positions safe on defense for New England, and Dont'a Hightower is the best player available. He does not only have great skill, but is a very smart player who can quarterback complex schemes for Bill Belichick.

28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, OLB, USC

The Packers struggled to defend the pass last season, but that was mostly due to the team's inability to get to the opposing quarterback. Nick Perry should take some pressure off Clay Matthews and the pair will cause nightmares for coordinators. 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Even after a surprisingly good rookie year by Torrey Smith, the Ravens still need more receiving targets. Fleener was Andrew Luck's most consistent target at Stanford, and could be a great outlet for Joe Flacco.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

His statistics do not tell the story of Rueben Randle, as he has great speed in the open field. The 49ers do not have an immediate need at wide receiver after signing Randy Moss and Mario Manningham in free agency, but Randle represents a better long-term option.

31. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Mercilus has to prove he is more than a one-year wonder at Illinois, but the Patriots would like to find out. The defensive end could keep pressure off the young secondary by shortening opposing quarterbacks' time in the pocket.

32. New York Giants: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The David Baas experiment had mixed results, but the Super Bowl champs should take the opportunity to solidify the offensive line with top center Peter Konz. He could instantly help the inconsistent running game while keeping together a veteran line.