2012 NFL Mock Draft: The Latest Stock Watch for Every First-Round Prospect

The month of April is finally upon football fans, and the eagerly anticipated day in New York, where fans find out who will be donning their colors next season, is almost here.

Along the journey to draft day, prospects go through the inevitable roller coaster of where and when they may be picked. Players' stocks rise and fall more frequently than those listed on NASDAQ, in many cases.

Using the most recent draft supplied by Bleacher Report's draft expert Matt Miller, here are the current stock situations for every prospect in the first round.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The fact that Andrew Luck's stock is not "up" has nothing to do with a decline in popularity for the Stanford signal-caller, but rather an indication that his stock has hit the ceiling and cannot reach any higher. Nobody is second guessing Luck as a sure-fire franchise quarterback, but the man behind him is simply gaining momentum.

 

That man is Robert Griffin III, who cannot help but be impressive. Much like the backup quarterback is the most popular player in town, such is the quarterback who some are calling prospect "1B" compared to Luck's "1A" in the draft.

 

It's possible that all of this buzz swelling around RGIII is simply trying to help the Colts convince Luck to take a slightly more favorable contract by creating the illusion that they would pass on him at No. 1 in favor of Griffin. However, the truth is that the Colts cut Peyton Manning to draft Andrew Luck, and that is still the plan no matter what.

 

Stock Watch: Stationary

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

Robert Griffin III is doing exactly what he needs to be doing to ensure that he is the second player taken in the NFL draft and even trying to scare some into making him the first overall selection. His physical ability and immense talents show extremely well on the practice field.

Griffin has all the makings of a future star in the NFL, just like Andrew Luck, but some might feel that the immediate success on offense of Cam Newton is an indicator that Griffin might be more effective in an all-around capacity on offense than Luck at the outset of their careers.

Only time will tell how the careers of these two quarterbacks play out, but they will forever be linked by their draft class and hopefully they deliver a Magic Johnson/Larry Bird type rivalry through the years.

Stock Watch: Up

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California

The Minnesota Vikings are suddenly a team on speed dial for a trade come draft day. The player causing all the buzz will be profiled as a prolific riser later on, but what does Minnesota's consideration of a trade mean for Matt Kalil?

Really, it has nothing to do with Kalil at all and does not mean that his stock is falling. Minnesota would be ecstatic to find themselves in a position to trade a spot or two down and still select the franchise tackle.

However, business is business, and if the Vikings thought they could do more by adding draft capital and potentially miss out on Kalil, they would likely take the trade off and lose the former Trojan.

Their loss would be a lucky team's benefit.

Stock Watch: Stationary

4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

A lot has been made of the Wonderlic test score turned in by Morris Claiborne out of LSU. Some are wary that it signals his risk of being a bust, but others are not convinced.

The concerns about Claiborne's Wonderlic came out after Matt did this mock draft, and it seems that the questions about the score may make it easier for the Browns to do something different with this pick after all.

The score really does nothing to diminish the talent that Claiborne brings to the field, and so it may be unfair that he is being judged so heavily on it.

Stock Watch: Down

5. Tampa Bay Bucs: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Even through all off the discussions about players around him, Richardson has remained the most solid running back prospect in the draft. 

His destination may depend on the whims of other teams' desires, but that doesn't mean that he is any less the first-round talent that he has proven to be leading up to the draft.

Stock Watch: Stationary

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

With the myriad of quarterback changes and upgrades thundering through the NFL this offseason, it is no surprise that the top wide receiver in the draft is generating some buzz about potential trade scenarios such as this one from Seattle.

Blackmon is all of the sudden the potential answer to many teams' dreams of the postseason if he were to be paired with that team's new quarterback, and that means competition for his services.

He is still the property of St. Louis in most cases, but they might be receiving calls or hearing rumors about other teams' plans.

Stock Watch: Up

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples is a player who has seen his star on the rise since the Senior Bowl, where he dominated the competition like no other player on the field that day.

There are still concerns about his mental fortitude, but Coples has slowly risen into many experts' top 10 simply because his abilities are impossible to ignore.

The team that takes the chance on Coples could be adding over 10 sacks to its roster next season.

Stock Watch: Up

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

The single biggest riser in the first round this season is easily Texas A&M's former quarterback, Ryan Tannehill.

An injury caused him to miss the combine, but he electrified the crowd at his pro day and became the instant toast of the NFL, causing the Minnesota Vikings and their third overall pick to be a hot commodity for teams interested in Tannehill.

It is hard to tell if the desperation for quarterbacks is making a prince out of a frog in Tannheill, but once Manning and Flynn chose not to take their talents to South Beach, a few teams became antsy.

There is obvious talent present in Tannehill, but not much of a track record to look back on with a player who spent more time at wide receiver in college than quarterback. Regardless, Tannehill is going to be a top-10 pick...probably higher come draft day.

Stock Watch: Up

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The initial buzz on Brockers was that he could be a top-five potential draftee, but the risks of drafting a defensive tackle early and the tales of tragedy that come along with that might be catching up with Brockers.

There are certainly teams with incredible need at the position, and that will keep Brockers in demand, comfortably in the top half of the first round despite starting with a much higher projection. 

Stock Watch: Down

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Riley Reiff is staying pretty steady at the 10th position and seems to be the player that the Bills are most excited about. 

It makes sense because the Bills are in need of some protection on offense for commitments that they have made to players like Ryan Fitzpatrick and Stevie Johnson.

Stock Watch: Stationary

The Rest of the First Round

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Stanford Cardinal will be well-represented in the first round of the draft, and after Andrew Luck the next best prospect in DeCastro. Stock Watch: Up

12. Seattle Seahawks Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Kuechly is a tackle machine, and as Seattle is losing some solid players at linebacker in free agency, Kuechly will be a fine replacement. Stock Watch: Up

13. Arizona Cardinals: Nick Perry, OLB, Southern California

Perry is benefiting from the increasing need for quarterback pressure in the NFL and is now inhabiting the spot recently vacated by Quinton Coples as he moves up the rankings. Stock Watch: Up

14. Dallas Cowboys: Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina

The highlight reel on Ingram shows him making almost every type of impact play possible on defense and special teams for South Carolina. Dallas filled a big need with Brandon Carr, and Ingram is the next piece of the puzzle: Stock Watch: Up

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The fervor surrounding Poe's amazing combine performance is cooling as teams begin to notice that the tapes from Memphis are not quite as impressive. Poe was once thought to be top 10. Stock Watch: Down

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

There was a time where Floyd was projecting to be taken just a few slots behind Justin Blackmon, but the free-agent market has calmed the need that teams once had for a player like Floyd. Stock Watch: Down

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland Raiders): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright is a player who doesn't have a viable counterpart available on the free-agent market and therefore his value has become higher than ever. Stock Watch: Up

18. San Diego Chargers: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Simply put, with Peyton Manning joining the AFC West, teams need to be prepared to at least try to slow down his passing attack if they hope to remain in contention, which is great news for Gilmore. Stock Watch: Up

19. Chicago Bears: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Fleener has seen a huge rise in the market for his services recently. Initially he broke into the first round as an option at TE for the injury-riddled New York Giants, but after his pro day he looks like a perfect complement for the new passing attack in Chicago. Stock Watch: Up

20. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

No player has seen as much of a roller coaster in his draft status as Jeffery heading towards the end of April. Jeffery is now back in favor and back in the first round. Stock Watch: Up

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Character issues have hurt the draft status of a player who was originally in the discussion with Morris Claiborne as the best CB in the draft, but he could still be a steal. Stock Watch: Down

22. Cleveland Browns (via Atlanta Falcons): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami-FL

Miller has blistering speed and has always been discussed around this area in the draft. His 40-yard dash time has kept him in the discussion as the second best RB in the draft. Stock Watch: Stationary

23. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Age of current starters and a lack of opportunity to upgrade via free agency puts Detroit in the market for an offensive lineman, and Glenn has moved up to fill that need. Stock Watch: Up

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Upshaw was overshadowed by Quinton Coples in the Senior Bowl, and as a result his draft stock has fallen from the top half to the bottom half. Still a tremendous player, though. Stock Watch: Down

25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Broncos are a team with a glaring need, and they hope that it can be filled by the freakishly athletic Fletcher Cox. Stock Watch: Stationary

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

Hill is impressive and turns many heads with his size and athleticism. Rumors are swirling linking Hill to many different teams, making him a name to watch. Stock Watch: Up

27. New England Patriots (via New Orleans Saints): Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson

Branch has risen sharply and could be a very versatile addition to the New England defense looking to upgrade immensely in the offseason. Stock Watch: Up

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

The NCAA leader in sacks last season is gaining momentum as a draft prospect. Teams are watching more and more of his tape and enjoying what they see. Stock Watch: Up

29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

The need for inside linebackers in the NFL has been largely dealt with in the free-agent market, and that has hurt Hightower's draft status more than a dislike of him as a prospect. Stock Watch: Down

30. San Francisco 49ers: Peter Konz, OG, Wisconsin

As soon as Konz announced that he was entering the draft, he has always been slated as a late-round steal, and this position validates that claim. Stock Watch: Stationary

31. New England Patriots: Kendall Reyes, DE, Connecticut

Reyes is becoming a name that could be in play earlier in the first round for a team as high in the order as Denver if Cox is no longer available. Regardless, he has jumped from a second-round prospect to a first rounder. Stock Watch: Up

32. New York Giants Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Giants fixed the problems caused by injury at tight end, and now the work will be done at tackle for the defending Super Bowl champs. Not a bad spot for Adams to jump into the first round. Stock Watch: Up