2012 NFL Mock Draft: Identifying Pro Bowlers and Busts from First Round

Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Melvin Ingram headline the 2012 NFL draft class, a group that has the potential to be the best collection of collegiate prospects to enter the league in quite some time, especially in the first round. 

Here's a closer look at those first 32 selections with predictions of who'll become Pro Bowlers and who'll ultimately be hit with the unenviable "bust" label. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft (Final Pre-Draft Update)

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Pro Bowler 

Over the last few seasons, we've seen quarterbacks excel in their rookie seasons. Luck's more polished with more football intelligence than any signal-caller of the last decade.

It'll take a while, as the Colts are the beginning of a complete organization overhaul, but this former Stanford icon will become a fixture in Hawai'i over the next decade. 

Mark my words. 

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

Pro Bowler 

Cam Newton burst onto the sense last season and had a historic rookie season under center in Carolina. 

Griffin III has Newton-esque scrambling ability and is much further along as a passer. His release his lightning quick, and his accuracy down field is jaw-dropping. 

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

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

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

6. St. Louis Rams (trade with Washington Redskins): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Bust

Poe's quite the interesting athlete, as we saw at the combine, but his tape isn't nearly as impressive. 

He's a mammoth prospect at 6'3'' and 346 pounds and could eventually emerge as a decent starter in the league, but double-teams will be the main reason why he never justifies his high draft selection. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

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

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

10. Buffalo Bills: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE, Southern California

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, G, Stanford 

Pro Bowler 

Luck's the best prospect at his position of the last 10 years—so is David DeCastro. This offensive guard has everything you'd ever want in an interior offensive lineman. 

He's big, technically sound, plays with a mean streak and has a fantastic understanding of leverage and how to manhandle defenders. 

I'd be stunned if DeCastro isn't a Pro Bowler in 2012. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Brockers, DL, LSU 

16. New York Jets: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Pro Bowler

Ingram's versatility and otherworldly athleticism will allow him to fit right into the NFL. He's a bit undersized at only 6'1'', but he can rush the passer, set the edge on outside pitches and comfortably drop into coverage. 

He's a defensive coordinator's dream that will utterly confuse quarterbacks throughout his career. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

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

20. Tennessee Titans: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

Bust 

Brown may not be picked this high, but he'll certainly be one of the first 64 selections during draft weekend. While he's another stupendous athlete, he's not necessarily sure tackler and will get swallowed by bigger blockers at the next level. 

He'll start due to his athlete ability, range and coverage ability, but his unwillingness and inability to make impact plays against the run will ultimately curtail the amount time he spends on the field. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Pro Bowler

Wright's on-field speed cannot be taught. At 5'10'' and nearly 200 pounds, the speedy Wright will have a DeSean Jackson-esque affect on football games. Forget what he timed at the combine. 

Watch his 2011 film. 

He's a burner and probably the best separating wide receiver in this draft class. 

23. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

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

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

26. Houston Texans: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford 

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

28. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson

29. Baltimore Ravens: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

Bust 

Jones has intriguing upside, but I don't know if he has enough innate pass-rushing ability and violent hands to become a stellar defensive end. 

Or is he an outside linebacker? 

Jones defines "tweener" to me and will struggle, especially in the early stages his NFL career. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin

31. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

32. New York Giants, Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

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