2012 NFL Draft Predictions: Teams Heading into Epic First-Round Mistakes

The NFL draft is a couple of weeks away; just enough time for some teams to really step into it. 

Get ready to see some amazing talent leave their amateur status behind and head to the NFL. You may also want to work on that cringe face, because there will be just as many reaches in the first round as there will be value picks. 

The NFL draft is one big gamble that can make or break a franchise with one overzealous draft selection. 

Heading into the back end of March, we have targeted a few teams that may just pull the trigger on players far sooner than they should be picked. 

1. Miami Dolphins

This is the big one, folks. The Dolphins are completely in love with the fact that they need a franchise quarterback, and they need it now. 

They have tied themselves so much to this fact that they are prepared to take him eons before he is rightfully valued.  

Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald writes a piece on the Dolphins and their affection for all things Ryan Tannehill at the moment. 

The main point is this: They are ready to overpay for him, even at No. 8 overall, making him a selection usually reserved for elite players who have no question marks on their game. Disaster is sure to ensue. 

2. Carolina Panthers

If the Panthers take Quinton Coples, it's a reach. There isn't going to be as big a reach as the Ryan Tannehill pick, but I fail to see Coples as a bona fide Top-10 selection like others do. 

He is inconsistent, and his motor could use a jump-start at times. I picked out the Panthers as the team to take him, as they are the earliest team that might take the plunge. I would love him more in the 12-to-15 range. 

3. Titans or Bengals

Both teams will be picking late in the first round, the 20th and 21st picks respectively. Many mock drafts have them taking a corner, which is perfectly fine. 

What I am not fine with is taking a chance on Janoris Jenkins, who has second-round value written all over him. 

He may be a gifted athlete, but his off-the-field antics make him not worth the high pick in the first round. Dre Kirkpatrick or Stephon Gilmore would do just fine. 

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