2012 NFL Mock Draft: Underrated Prospects Worth Taking a Chance on in Round 1

While it’s hard to define a player as “underrated” if they are among the first 32 selections in the NFL draft, there are certainly a few guys much more under the radar than others.

Players such as Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III are getting a ton of publicity and hype while others, such as Stephon Gilmore of South Carolina and Luke Kuechly of Boston College, are hardly being mentioned.

Let’s take a look at the latest first-round mock with an eye towards some of the less popular, but likely solid selections.

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

Luck is going to be an NFL star and the Colts would be insane not to pick him with the No. 1 overall selection.

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

If this draft had a No. 1 (a) and No. 1 (b), Griffin would undoubtedly be that (b) selection.

He’s got more athleticism than Luck, but right now, scouts believe the Stanford product will be a better NFL QB. Time will tell.

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

Kalil is without a doubt the best offensive line product in this class; he’s going to keep Christian Ponder and Adrian Peterson safe and give them plenty of space for years to come.

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

Richardson is one of those running backs that comes around every few years that is actually worth a top-five selection. He’s perfect for the Browns, who should not reach for Tannehill or another QB here and instead work on other areas of their offense.

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

Claiborne is the best defender in this draft and a great pick for the Buccaneers at No. 5. He’s got the best ball skills and can mark anyone in man coverage. Makes sense for a team that regressed severely in 2010-11 but still has a ton of talent.

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

Blackmon is a nice fit and will help the Rams get their offense going after a pitiful season. The Rams have a decent line, great RBs and a promising QB, so they need to address their need for an elite receiver here.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Coples is a risky selection because he never truly dominated in college like his size, strength and athleticism would indicate. However, Jacksonville has a new owner and coach and can afford to make a gamble here.

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

This pick is terrible, but the Miami Dolphins have been the definition of disorganized franchise during this free-agency period.

They haven’t been able to land anyone they wanted and players do not want to join the team. Tannehill has a possible future in this league, but the Dolphins will ruin it.

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

Poe burst onto the scene at the Indianapolis draft combine and may have vaulted himself into the top 10 selections with his stunning display of strength and athleticism.

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

Reiff is the second best OT in the class and will be the second one selected here. Buffalo could use a player to open up their running game and give Ryan Fitzpatrick more time to throw.

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

DeCastro is the best interior guard in the draft and promises to help KC get back to pounding the rock on the ground.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Ingram is perhaps the most NFL-ready of anyone in the class and will immediately help the Seahawks' quest to win the division again in his rookie season.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Kuechly is the only linebacker worthy of a first-round pick in 2012.

He’s incredibly instinctive and surprisingly athletic after he wowed scouts at the combine in Indy.

Luke always had a nose on the ball at BC, and it won’t be surprising to see him easily accomplish that in the NFL.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

This is Barron’s ceiling, but it’s not a stretch at all if the Cowboys address their huge need for a safety with the No. 14 pick by getting the best available one.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd has incredible ball skills and some even think he may be better than Blackmon, because he did not have an elite QB in college slinging him the rock. He’s a perfect fit in Philly’s offense.

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

Upshaw is a solid pass rusher and a proven champion. He’s definitely the kind of player the Jets need right now in their locker room.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick’s stock has fallen because of a stupid misdemeanor charge that he received shortly after declaring to turn pro a year early.

He’s still the premier zone corner in the class and an incredible athlete.

The Crimson Tide star has drawn comparisons to Antonio Cromartie and that’s definitely worth risking a No. 17 pick on.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry, DE, USC

San Diego needs more pass rushers to compete with the Broncos, who just added Peyton Manning as their signal-caller.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Glenn’s a big boy who will help solidify one of the worst lines of the 2011-12 season. Hopefully, he will keep keep Matt Forte and Jay Cutler healthy.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox has the versatility to play a number of positions and that’s exactly what the Titans need right now.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright was RGIII’s favorite receiver for a reason. The speedster was able to get open and create separation against solid opponents, something he should be able to do at the NFL level.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin will help protect Cleveland’s investments in the backfield for some time.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore has been storming up draft boards for a while now and he’s just an overall solid prospect who can do everything well. He’s going to be a starter in the league sometime soon and probably a very good player.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Hightower is big, physical and mean. He’s the perfect Steelers prospect.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still is the most NFL-ready DT in this class and immediately helps a Broncos team that is in win-now mode with Peyton under center.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery has the athleticism and size to eventually replace Andre Johnson as the No. 1 WR in Houston. The question is, does he have the heart?

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers is a great DL prospect and someone who could eventually become a nightmare for opposing QBs—just what NE needs.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

Green Bay struggled against the pass and the Clemson Tiger would immediately make an impact on their line.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins has top-ten talent but his off-the-field problems have destroyed his stock.

Baltimore doesn’t need a corner, but they cannot pass on his uncanny athleticism and natural ability this late. They have a strong locker room and can help him turn his life around.

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

This GTech product lit up the combine and vaulted himself into the first round.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

Reyes is a nice defensive line prospect that makes sense for a New England defense that direly needs help.

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

Fleener is a solid pickup for the defending champs at their position of biggest need.

*Rams traded No. 2 overall pick to Redskins for 2012, 2013, 2014 first-round picks and a 2012 second-round pick.

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