2012 NFL Draft: How Will Each 1st-Round Prospect's Career Pan Out?

It's hard to project how each prospect's career will work out. Some may turn out to be Tom Brady, where they are drafted late and become a top player. Others may be drafted in the top 10 and just can't seem to play to their potential.

Sometimes it's about skill, and other times it's about circumstance. If a player is drafted into the right system, he may have a better chance of succeeding and becoming a Pro Bowler for years to come—maybe even a Hall of Famer.

Let's take a look at what the future may hold for each of the top prospects.

Andrew Luck

Few quarterbacks have been as highly regarded as Andrew Luck in the last 30 years.

He provokes comparisons to Peyton Manning, oddly enough the player he will probably be replacing. 

Luck has all the tools to succeed at quarterback in the NFL and shouldn't have any problem adjusting to the physicality and speed of the game.

He will be a consistent invite to Hawaii and will have a chance to win more than one Super Bowl if the team is managed correctly. 

He has Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion written all over him. He also has the potential to cement his face in Canton in the future.

Robert Griffin III

Any other year, Robert Griffin III would have been the clear-cut No. 1 pick in the draft.

However, this isn't any other year, with Andrew Luck coming out.

Nonetheless, RGIII equally has all the tools needed to succeed at the next level.

He will most likely be selected at No. 2 to the Washington Redskins, which would give him a better opportunity to succeed right away, as opposed to Luck's situation in Indianapolis.

Griffin also has Super Bowl champion and Pro Bowler written all over him, and it wouldn't surprise me if he also gives a speech in Canton in the future. I wonder what socks he would wear that day.

We may be looking at the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Matt Kalil

The best offensive line prospect since possibly Jake Long, Matt Kalil will be a solid wall for (possibly) the Minnesota Vikings. 

There are not many things wrong with Kalil, and I see him being a consistent attendee in Hawaii even as a rookie.

He will be one of the most dominant offensive linemen in the game in a few years and will help protect his team's quarterback for years to come.

Trent Richardson

Not many running backs are taken in the first round anymore.

However, Trent Richardson is not just any running back. 

Possibly the best prospect at the position, he has all the potential that can entice any team to invest a top pick on him.

He doesn't lack speed, power or ability and will be part of a team's backfield for many years.

Barring any injuries, Richardson will also be making constant trips to Hawaii. I doubt he will make them as early as the top three picks, but he will get there not too far into the future.

If he has at least an average offensive line, we could hear Adrian Peterson comparisons in his first couple years in the league.

Morris Claiborne

In today's NFL, offenses have become aerial.

This increases the need for coverage safeties and lock-down cornerbacks.

Morris Claiborne is without a doubt the top player at the position in this draft. For now.

While I see Claiborne having a solid NFL career, I don't see him being a shutdown corner like his former teammate Patrick Peterson has the chance of being.

He will make any defense better but will not be a top-five cornerback in the future.

Claiborne will sneak into a couple Pro Bowls and be a key contributor to his team.

Justin Blackmon

The top-rated wide receiver on most scout boards, Justin Blackmon appears to have all the tools needed to succeed at the position at the next level. 

His playing style and size are reminiscent of Michel Crabtree, but Blackmon plays with more passion and attitude.

I don't think he will have put up Calvin Johnson-like numbers or have a rookie season like A.J. Green's, but Blackmon can be a very good player in the NFL.

I think he will make his fair share of Pro Bowls but won't be an elite, top-five receiver in the league.

Quinton Coples

Quinton Coples will go in the top 10 mostly because of his potential.

Every scout has credited his high ceiling and how much room he has for improvement, which is scary considering how good he already is.

However, he does tend to have motivation issues.

If he gets coached up, he can be a top pass-rusher for many years. If he gets drafted into the wrong system, we might be staring at the second coming of Vernon Gholston.

I think Coples will be a serviceable player for his team, but I just don't see his career taking off or him being a dominant pass-rusher. He might have a good season and make a Pro Bowl one year, but other than that, he will be a solid pass-rusher.

Ryan Tannehill

Ah, the effects of over-drafting for a quarterback.

Many have Tannehill locked in as the No. 8 pick to the Dolphins, and some even have him going as high as No. 4 to the Browns.

Tannehill does have potential to be a very good quarterback, but teams can't draft him on potential alone.

He does have the physical tools to succeed, but he needs a lot of work to be an NFL quarterback.

Given that wherever he gets drafted the team won't throw him into the fire right away, I see Tannehill being a Joe Flacco type of player—someone who can help his team have a chance to win the Super Bowl and be considered a Pro Bowler.

Dontari Poe

Dontari Poe may have been the player that most benefited from his combine performance.

Running a sub-five-second 40-yard dash can open anyone's eyes.

Poe is a big body that is projected as a nose tackle at the next level.

He has the ability to plug the holes and chase the quarterback when he eludes the pocket.

I see Poe as a good nose tackle that will help any defense, but won't be a Vince Wilfork-like player. He will be solid, but nothing too special.

Riley Reiff

Riley Reiff is the second-best offensive lineman on many scouts' boards.

He has good posture and good mechanics that will allow him to succeed at the next level.

Reiff will be a solid starting tackle that might make a couple Pro Bowls, but he won't be at the same level as Matt Kalil.

No matter where he plays, a team will surely be glad to have him.

David DeCastro

David DeCastro comes into the draft as the most dominating guard by a wide margin.

Nobody even touches DeCastro at the position.

He will be the most dominant interior lineman in a few years at the NFL level.

He will help open up running lanes and will rarely give up a sack. 

The Pro Bowl will be a constant for him, and he may be remembered as one of the best interior linemen in the last few years.

Melvin Ingram

Melvin Ingram went from being a serviceable starter at South Carolina in his junior year to a superstar in his senior year.

Ingram has all the tools needed from a pass-rusher at the NFL.

Even though he doesn't posses the length that we have grown accustomed to with pass-rushers, Ingram's high motor and pass-rushing ability will erase any questions about his size.

I believe Ingram will be a Pro Bowler for years to come and will be a defensive leader for any team.

We may also be looking at the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Jonathan Martin

While not at the level of Matt Kalil, I think Jonathan Martin is a better prospect than Riley Reiff.

Martin has the size and strength needed to be an elite tackle in the NFL. 

Like Kalil, he will be a constant Pro Bowler and will help protect a quarterback's blindside for years to come.

Dre Kirkpatrick

Dre Kirkpatrick comes into the draft as the second-best cornerback on many scouts' boards.

He played for a national-championship defense in a system that translates well to the NFL.

He has the size, speed and strength needed to be successful at the next level.

However, I think he is going to struggle being a top cornerback and will be a solid starter instead.

He has all the potential to be a superstar, but if his work ethic isn't there, he will struggle mightily. 

Luke Kuechly

At the start of the college football season, there were four inside linebackers that could've been first-round picks (Kuechly, Manti Te'o, Dont'a Hightower, Vontaze Burfict).

Not many would've thought Kuechly would be the first to go of this group. 

Kuechly was a tackling machine for Boston College and won the Butkus award as college football's best linebacker.

This doesn't mean his success at the college level will translate well at the NFL level.

Kuechly will be a starter for an NFL, team but nothing more. I doubt that he will be a top linebacker or a Pro Bowler.

He will make all the necessary plays but won't stand out as a playmaker.

Courtney Upshaw

Courtney Upshaw is part of the tweener group with Melvin Ingram.

He can put his hand on the dirt or stand up.

He's one of the top pass-rushers in the draft.

He comes from Nick Saban's NFL-caliber defense at Alabama, and I don't see him having trouble adjusting to the NFL game.

Pass-rushing is his biggest strength, but he has to work some on dropping into coverage.

Although I don't think he will have the same success as Ingram, Upshaw has the potential to be a Pro Bowler as early as his sophomore year in the league.

Stephon Gilmore

Not too many people had Stephon Gilmore as the second-best cornerback in the draft.

After his impressive combine and Pro Day, where he got to display his incredible athleticism, Gilmore skyrocketed up the charts.

He is a physical corner who will have absolutely no problem playing press coverage and will be an asset at stopping the run.

He can rush the quarterback and has the size to match up with the biggest receivers in the league. He does need to drastically improve his coverage skills, however. 

Gilmore is an intriguing prospect, and his success depends on how well he is developed. He has the potential to be great but can also be a bust if not handled properly.

All in all, I think Gilmore will have a solid career as a starter.

Michael Floyd

While Floyd is not considered to be at the same level as Justin Blackmon, he is without a doubt one of the top receivers in the draft.

He is projected to go anywhere from 10-20 and will improve the receiving corps of any team that drafts him.

He has ideal size and speed and will be a great red-zone target.

Although I doubt Floyd will be a top-five receiver in the league, he will be one of the tougher receivers to defend and will ultimately make his fair share of Pro Bowls.

Nick Perry

Nick Perry wasn't talked about too much during the college football regular season.

This may have been because USC wasn't eligible for a bowl game or because people would rather talk about USC's high-powered offense.

Perry has the prototypical size to play either defensive end or outside linebacker.

He wasn't a standout player at USC, but he was a quality starter. He is not as polished as Melvin Ingram in the pass-rushing department but can improve with time.

For some reason when I look at Nick Perry, I think of Derrick Morgan. Morgan was a top prospect who was drafted by the Titans a few years ago, but he just hasn't panned out. If Perry can get into the right system he can be successful, but I see bust potential in him.

Cordy Glenn

Cordy Glenn is a massive offensive lineman who can play either offensive tackle or guard.

He has the footwork that can help him be successful at tackle as well as the strength needed to be a guard. 

Glenn really helped his stock at the Senior Bowl, when he went up against Melvin Ingram and Quinton Coples and dominated most of the drills.

He also had a strong showing at the combine, which solidified his first-round potential.

Glenn will not be anything special in the NFL. He will be a good starter for some 10 years, but I don't see him reaching the level of a Jake Long or Joe Thomas.

Michael Brockers

Michael Brockers played for one of the top defenses in the country at LSU.

He was the main man in the middle and rarely gave up any big running plays.

He has a body that translates well to the NFL, but we have seen a few LSU defensive linemen who have struggled.

Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson were highly regarded prospects and, although they are solid, they haven't lived up to their potential.

I think Brockers will follow in their footsteps and be a contributor to an NFL team, but nothing more.

Lamar Miller

Like I said in the Trent Richardson slide, not many teams are willing to draft a running back in the first round nowadays.

The game has changed to a more aerial attack, and running backs have seen their stock decrease.

Lamar Miller will be a key contributor to any NFL team.

His downfield speed is as good, if not better, than Trent Richardson's, and his ability to find a hole is elite. He is somewhat raw since he only played two seasons at Miami but has all the potential in the world. He can also catch the ball out of the backfield.

I think Miller will be a top-10 running back in a few years. He won't reach Adrian Peterson or Chris Johnson levels, but he will be at a Frank Gore level. 

Kendall Wright

This is a strong class of wide receivers, but I don't think Kendall Wright fits in that class.

He played with one of the most accurate college quarterbacks of all-time in a system where the main focus was on passing. 

He does have great speed and good hands, but I think he will be overmatched by bigger and faster cornerbacks in the NFL.

The Big 12 is not known for its defenses, and I think that may have propelled Wright to climb up many people's boards.

I don't think Wright will live up the potential of a first-round pick. Ted Ginn Jr. comes to mind when I think of Wright, and I think he will be headed down that same path.

Janoris Jenkins

Janoris Jenkins may have been the first cornerback taken if he was still at Florida.

His overall skills are above anyone else's in this draft, but his stock has dropped for numerous off-field issues.

Jenkins can cover just about anyone and will have no problem translating his skills to the NFL.

His man and zone coverage are above anyone else's, and if he can go somewhere where he will stay out of trouble, he has the ability of owning his own island and becoming a constant Pro Bowler.

Dont'a Hightower

Another prospect from Nick Saban's defense at Alabama.

Dont'a Hightower was the heart and soul of Alabama's national-championship defense and will have no problem translating his leadership skills to the next level.

Hightower might be Ray Lewis' heir if he drops that far, but any team that picks him will have a Pro Bowl-caliber linebacker for years to come.

He has the typical NFL body and will hardly miss a tackle. He can rush the passer as well as drop back into coverage.

He will follow in the footsteps of Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis as one of the league's best linebackers in just a few years.  

Fletcher Cox

Coming from an SEC defense, it's not too hard to make a transition to the NFL game.

Fletcher Cox is incredibly athletic, but I see him struggling somewhat to make it as an impact player at the next level.

He has good size to be a defensive tackle, but I think he will be overpowered by bigger and faster offensive linemen.

He will struggle to find a comfortable spot, and I see him becoming a contributing player but nothing more.

Stephen Hill

Stephen Hill has bust written all over him.

Coming from a run-oriented offense at Georgia Tech, Hill was asked to do very little and may struggle to succeed in the NFL.

His straight-line speed is like no other, but other than that, he has nothing.

When matched up against fast, strong defensive backs, Hill will struggle to make anything happen. He may become a good slot receiver, but he won't be effective as a team's No. 1 option.

Whitney Mercilus

Another one of those players who can play defensive end or outside linebacker.

Whitney Mercilus doesn't have the pedigree that Melvin Ingram or Courtney Upshaw possess, but he will be a very good pass-rusher.

He is not as highly regarded as his teammate Corey Liuget was last year, but Mercilus will be a key contributor to a playoff-caliber defense.

He will help the pass rush in a big way and will find a way to sneak into a couple Pro Bowls.

Mark Barron

Mark Barron is really the only safety with star potential in this draft.

He is another product of Alabama's defense that will make a team very happy.

Barron is always around the ball and is capable of making a game-changing play at any time.

He is not afraid to go in the box and make a tackle and has the ability to cover tight ends. 

Barron will be a Pro Bowler for many years to come and will be a star player at the position. 

Alshon Jeffery

Not too many people are high on Alshon Jeffery.

There were questions about his speed, and he ran a 4.5 40-yard dash.

There were questions about his weight, and he weighed in at 216 pounds at his Pro Day.

Still, people don't like what they see.

I think Alshon Jeffery has the potential to be the best receiver out of this draft. He has massive hands that allow him to very rarely drop a ball and has the size to be one of the best red-zone targets in the league. 

Jeffery reminds me a lot about Brandon Marshall. They are both physical receivers who are willing to go down the middle and take the big hit, and they can both accumulate yards after the catch. I think Jeffery will be a Pro Bowler for many years and a top-five wide receiver.

Devon Still

Devon Still has been up and down on many scouts draft boards.

He wasn't too flashy while at Penn St. but has the potential to be a quality defensive lineman in the NFL.

There's nothing that really jumps out at you when looking at Still.

He tends to do everything well but nothing great. This will allow him to be a solid contributor that will always make the necessary plays.

He won't, however, be going to the Pro Bowl too often.

Coby Fleener

Coby Fleener has catapulted himself to be the top tight end prospect in this draft.

He slowly climbed up draft boards and now finds himself as a first-round prospect.

Fleener is mainly a receiving tight end who will instantly help any team in need at the position.

He needs work on his blocking technique to be an every-down tight end, but his receiving skills are top-notch.

He will follow in the footsteps of Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Jermichael Finley and all the other top-tier tight ends. Fleer will be a Pro Bowler in no time.