2012 NFL Mock Draft: Players Getting Overhyped Following Combine

Some player impress on the field but leave something to be desired at the NFL scouting combine or at individual pro days. Other players impress on every level.

And then there are those whose stock inevitably increases based on a strong showing at the combine. They may not have posted amazing numbers at the college level, but the athleticism and potential they possess is too much for NFL teams to pass up.

Let's take a look at a few players who fit that bill, along with a first-round mock draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

As if it was even possible, Luck actually improved his stock at the combine. Turns out he's fundamentally sound and a pretty incredible athlete.

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

See above. Though Griffin might be able to take Luck in a a race. Just a hunch.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is the best offensive lineman on the board and an easy decision for Minnesota here.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

It's a shame he couldn't participate at the combine with an injury—I really wanted to see how many reps he would do on the bench. One way or another, this beast of a man is going to be a stud in Cleveland for the next decade.

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

Don't think all of that Wonderlic garbage will hurt Claiborne's draft stock—he's a great football player.

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

The Rams need to add weapons in the passing game. This is a solid star.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Paring Ingram with the recently re-signed Jeremy Mincey at defensive end will give the Jaguars a much-needed spark in its pass rush.

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

Yes, I think this is too high for Tannehill, and no, I don't think he'll be able to step in and start immediately. But the Dolphins can afford to let him sit for a year or two and develop. He certainly has all of the tools to be a very good quarterback. He just needs some polish.

9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Panthers could go in several directions here, but with an obvious need at defensive tackle, I think they'll choose Cox, a player capable of making an impact immediately next season.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

They need an offensive tackle. Reiff is the best one left and isn't a reach here. This is the smart pick.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

Poe was an intriguing prospect before the combine, but he dropped jaws at the event with his combination of size, unparalleled strength and surprising athleticism.

Not surprisingly, he rocketed up draft boards, though it remains unclear if his play on the field at Memphis warrants such a jump.

The Chiefs may be willing to reach here given a serious need at nose tackle and the high potential of Poe. But one impressive combine is not an indication of future dominance, and Poe's hype could yet exceed his production.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, MLB, Boston College

This has become the vogue pick for Seattle with the departure of David Hawthorne, and Kuechly is certainly the draft's most talented linebacker. He could end up being a very special player.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame 

The Cardinals have options here, though the need for tackle won't be filled here unless the team seriously reaches. Instead, I think they'll add another wide receiver and give Kevin Kolb some fun weapons to work with.

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

If DeCastro is here, the Cowboys need to snatch him up. He's one of the best guard prospects in years and fills a major need.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron has been climbing up draft boards after his pro day, and the Eagles desperately need a playmaker at the safety position. This pick makes too much sense not to happen if Barron is available.

Of course, Eagles fans thought the same thing about Earl Thomas two years ago and got Brandon Graham instead.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, USC

A nice fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker, Upshaw will be the edge-rusher the Jets really need.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia**  

Glenn will be an immediate upgrade for this team at guard.

18. San Diego Chargers: Nick Perry, OLB, USC 

I'm not sure how I feel about Nick Perry. Yes, he is a high-motor guy who got after the quarterback at USC. And he tested off the charts at the combine, running a 4.64 40-yard dash and reeling off an impressive 35 bench-press reps.

But he strikes me as a tweener who could struggle with a full-time adjustment to playing outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme. For one, how will he adjust to dropping in coverage rather than rushing the passer every down?

I think it is easy to fall in love with Perry's motor and athletic ability. What worries me is whether or not he has a natural position in the NFL.

19. Chicago Bears: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina 

Don't be surprised to see Coples drop—the talent is there, but some question his maturity. I'm not sure he would drop past the Bears, however.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

An excellent replacement for the departed Cortland Finnegan.

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

The Bengals added depth to this position this offseason, but they could still use an elite talent to pair with Leon Hall like they had before Jonathan Joseph signed with Houston last season. Enter Jenkins.

22. Cleveland Browns: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech 

Nobody opened more eyes at the combine than HIll did. Standing 6'4", HIll blazed a 4.36 40-yard dash and showed off a 39.5-inch vertical leap.

He also impressed running routes, flashing big, strong hands. It was hard to watch him and not hear "Randy Moss potential..." flash through your mind.

But how good is he, really? Stuck in a run-first offense at Georgia Tech, Hill only caught 28 passes, albeit for 820 yards. He seems dangerous as a deep threat, but can he develop into a well-rounded receiver?

Will he effectively get off the line against NFL corners? How crisp will his routes be? Will he be able to quickly pick up sophisticated passing offenses?

There are a lot of questions surrounding Hill, no matter how high the combine shot him up boards.

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

With the departure of Eric Wright, the Lions seriously need help at corner. They get it here.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

This has become the fashionable pick for the Steelers, and the anchor of Alabama's 3-4 defense last season should be a perfect fit in Pittsburgh.

25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The defensive line is the team's biggest need, and Brockers represents both excellent value and huge upside with this pick.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The speedy Wright offers the perfect complement at receiver to Andre Johnson.

27. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois ***

Who knows if the Patriots will even keep this pick, or what direction they will go in if they do. But with pass-rushers a need, Mercilus would make a lot of sense here.

28. Green Bay Packers: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Packers will draft a center for the future at some point, and Konz is hands-down the best option available.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Ravens insist that Jah Reid can fill the need at guard, making the Martin pick an excellent depth move for a team that doesn't need to overdraft to fill any particular need.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Niners need to add depth on the defensive line. Done and done.

31. New England Patriots: Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma

Again, who knows what direction they'll go? All I know is, that secondary was not very good last year.

32. New York Giants: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

This may be a reach, but I love the fit between the incredibly athletic Brown and the incredibly athletic Giants. I think Tom Coughlin and a veteran linebacker would get the most out of Brown, whose maturity and commitment have come into question.

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets are growing a playoff beard.