2012 NFL Mock Draft: High-Character Players Worth First-Round Picks

There's much to be said for the value of character when evaluating a particular player's NFL draft stock. Scores of talented athletes come out of college football every year, but only a select few are able to combine their physical gifts with mental acuity and overall maturity.

So, when you find a guy who has both, you'd be wise to add him to your team lickety-split.

The 2012 class sports a number of prospects who fit this particular profile, particularly at the top of the order.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Andrew Luck's tremendous talent and awesome ability under center wouldn't mean quite as much as it does without an impeccable core of character to tie it all together. The former Stanford star turned down the opportunity to be the No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft to finish up his degree and take one last shot at bringing a national championship to Palo Alto.

It was a risky move to be sure considering the consequences that such a return to school can have on a player's performance, health and (in turn) draft stock.

However, to his credit, Luck came out looking just as good as a football player and even better as a person. Surely the Colts won't mind building their franchise around a guy with as good a head on his shoulders as Luck's.

2. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The woebegone Washington Redskins could certainly use a high-character star to save them from themselves.

And in Robert Griffin III, that's exactly what they'll have. The Heisman Trophy winner was even more diligent in the classroom than he was on the football field, finishing his undergraduate work early and starting on a postgraduate degree before grappling between staying in Waco for law school and leaving early for the NFL.

RG3's incredible work ethic is a testament to his upbringing in a military household, from which he's learned the value of hard work and leadership—qualities that should have him well-prepared for NFL stardom.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Whatever the content of his character may be, Matt Kalil is going to be a terrific tackle for the Vikings for years to come, whether or not Christian Ponder performs well enough under center to grow with him.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns won't mind parting ways with the perplexing Peyton Hillis once Trent Richardson rides into town to carry the load.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Mo Claiborne's intelligence has come into question since his poor Wonderlic score was leaked, though there's still nobody in this draft class capable of defending receivers quite like the LSU star can.

6. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

What's not to like about Justin Blackmon? The Oklahoma State star started out as an overlooked high school recruit and bided his time behind Dez Bryant in Stillwater before bursting onto the scene as the best wide receiver in college football in 2010.

However, rather than take his Biletnikoff Award and run to the NFL, Blackmon came back to school and won another, all the while displaying incredible toughness by playing through pain.

As a person, Blackmon has done more than enough to establish himself as an all-around swell guy, as best exemplified by his ongoing friendship with Olivia Hamilton, a young girl suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Whatever his proclivities as a person, Melvin Ingram will make the Jags mighty happy each and every time he eats up an opposing quarterback.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Ryan Tannehill's no Peyton Manning or Matt Flynn—not yet, anyway—but this kid's got all the tools to be the answer to Dan Marino's prayers in Miami.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Dontari Poe's commitment to the game and consistency on the field have come into question of late, though there's no doubting the Memphis product's physical gifts...or Carolina's need for an upgrade in the trenches.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Forget about the Bills drafting a defensive end here now that they've brought Mario Williams and Mark Anderson on board. Instead, expect Buffalo to upgrade its offensive line with Riley Reiff, if for no other reason than to maximize its existing investment in Ryan Fitzpatrick.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Chiefs need to upgrade the interior of their offensive line, and what better way to do that than with a guy touted as the next Steve Hutchinson?

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Luke Kuechly is something of a steal at this point in the draft and should fill the Seahawks' void at inside linebacker quite nicely.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

If the Cards are going to maximize their investment in Kevin Kolb, they'll need to surround him with as many top-tier targets as possible. Larry Fitzgerald already makes one, and Michael Floyd should make it two in the desert.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

Mark Barron may not be the quickest safety prospect around, but the Alabama alum's got the smarts and the pedigree to be an impact player at the next level. The two-time first-team All-American was a prominent member of two BCS championship teams under Nick Saban and was just as productive on the stat sheet (235 tackles, 12 interceptions, 34 passes defended) as he was in the win column.

Barron projects best at strong safety, where he can use his size, strength and power to plug holes in the running game and make plays at the line of scrimmage. The Cowboys have several other players who fit that profile to some extent (i.e. Gerald Sensabaugh, Danny McCray, Barry Church), but figure to make room for a guy like Barron, whose nose for the ball should boost the 'Boys' bottom line.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Help is on the way to the interior of the Eagles' defensive line, and his name is Michael Brockers.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Rex Ryan, your prayers for a pass-rusher have been answered! Now, if only Courtney Upshaw could somehow combine Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow into something more than a competent quarterback...

17. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Dre Kirkpatrick won't be confused for a "character guy" any time soon, but when have such concerns ever stopped the Bengals from doing what they do in the front office?

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Chargers would be foolish to pass on a beast like Quinton Coples at this point in the draft, even if the North Carolina product carries the risk of a one-year wonder.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Nick Perry, OLB/DE, USC

Nick Perry would make a great pass-rushing partner for Julius Peppers in the short term and a perfect replacement for the All-Pro in the long run.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

A six-foot corner with long arms and 4.4 speed? Sounds like a good replacement for Cortland Finnegan to me.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Bye bye, Bobbie Williams! Hellooooo, Cordy Glenn!

22. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The 2012 draft class is loaded with brainy offensive stars from Stanford well beyond just Andrew Luck at the top. Jonathan Martin certainly fits the bill, with the sort of size and athleticism to be a fantastic upgrade at tackle and the smarts to last.

Martin would make for a significant upgrade over Oniel Cousins along the Browns' offensive line while giving Cleveland's revamped backfield (Trent Richardson included) someone solid to work behind.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Lions will make it three offensive linemen in a row here with the addition of Mike Adams to Matthew Stafford's inner circle of protection.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

It's time for some new blood at linebacker for the Steelers. Dont'a Hightower should make for a perfect fit, especially alongside Lawrence Timmons.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Peyton Manning would love the Broncos to upgrade their receiving corps here, but the need for help along the defensive line makes Fletcher Cox too good for Denver to pass up at this point.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

What better way for the Texans to shore up their problems at wide receiver across from Andre Johnson than with Kendall Wright, who is himself a native Texan?

27. New England Patriots (13-3): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Step 1 for the Pats: Improve their paltry pass rush with a man whose name (pronounced "merciless") perfectly matches his game.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The Packers will have to get younger at corner at some point, even if it means taking a chance on a part-time nincompoop like Janoris Jenkins.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Matt Birk is back, but not likely for long. Peter Konz should make for an excellent long-term replacement in Baltimore.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Wide receiver remains an area of need for the Niners even after signing Randy Moss and Mario Manningham. At 6'4 and with sub-4.4 speed, Stephen Hill figures to help out in that department from the get-go.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Step 2 for the Pats: Upgrade the defense even more, this time on the interior with the beastly Devon Still.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Wait, wait, wait—Coby Fleener ran a 4.45 in the 40-yard dash, can make plays on the field and went to Stanford?

And the G-Men need help at tight end?

Sounds like a perfect fit.

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