2012 NFL Mock Draft: Players Expected to Move into Top 15

As the NFL draft inches closer, there are always a few players who rapidly move up draft boards.

It happens for a variety of reasons, but come draft week there are always a few surprises about players on the fringe of the first round, or in the back third, who find a way into the top 15 picks.

It drives some teams crazy and makes others jump for joy.

It is simply one of the reasons we love the draft so much.

This year will be no different. The 2012 NFL draft is just another installment in a long and storied history of a selection process that has become one of the most popular non-physical events in some time.

With that in mind, who will be rising into the top 15 come draft day? Let's take a look.

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

Easy. This guy has been atop the draft board for two years running, and with good reason. Luck will be a star player for years to come.

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

The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner has ascended to his draft peak—and the Washington Redskins couldn't be happier.

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

The Vikes feel comfortable with Kalil protecting their signal-caller for years to come.

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

There is so much to like about Trent Richardson, but this is as high as he'll come off the board. Teams look for running backs later and later every year.

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

The top defensive back in this draft is also the top defensive prospect overall. He could go as high as No. 3.

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

Some believe Blackmon could fall down the board a bit, especially if Richardson is still available here, but the Rams have a huge need at wide receiver.

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

The UNC star has the potential to fall a bit, but it is his overall potential that should keep him in the top 10.

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

Ryan Tannehill's in the top 10 because of pure need at the position, but he's an intriguing quarterback who could one day be a very good starter.

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

Poe moved into the top 15 after his dominating combine performance, and it is unlikely he'll fall out of it now.

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

Reiff has quietly been sitting inside the top 15 for some time now, and there are too many teams looking for solid line play for him to slide out.

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

This is high for a guard, but the Stanford mauler is capable of helping the Chiefs rediscover the 2010 version of their offense that helped them win a division crown.

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

There is a chance of Ingram sneaking into the top 10, and he shouldn't go any lower than No. 16.

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

The draft's best linebacker will be one of the league's best linebackers in only a few short years. Whichever team adds him will be happy they did.

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

Barron's in the top 15 based purely on the need at safety for the Cowboys. A more realistic option in terms of value sees him sliding to, at best, the Jets at No. 16 or lower. 

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

Floyd has the potential to sneak his way into the top 10 of this draft. His ability to score touchdowns is second to no one in this class.

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

The Crimson Tide pass-rusher is a better football player than athlete, and where he goes all depends on team need. Upshaw could in the top 10, or he could slide into the 20s. No. 16 is a great fit in terms of value and team need.

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

It wouldn't be shocking to see Dre go, say No. 14 to the Cowboys, but it is unlikely. He's an outside-the-top-15 guy.

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

There is potential here with Perry, but a team would have to have him as their best pass-rusher to take him higher than this.

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

This is the start of a run of players who could very well wind up in the top 15 on draft day.

Glenn is a mammoth offensive line prospect with surprising athleticism for his size and as much versatility as a 6-in-1 screwdriver.

He can play all over the line and still has the potential to become a better, possibly great, player in the NFL.

Not only does Glenn have top-15 potential, but he could sneak into the top 10 before all is said and done.

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

This other SEC monster brings much of the same to the field as Glenn but on the other side of the ball.

Cox is a gifted athlete for this size and can play a number of positions at the next level. He's just scratching the surface of his potential and could very well be a huge steal if he lasts this long in the draft.

Teams as early as the Panthers at No. 8 could get involved for the rising defensive lineman.

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

Some people actually have Kendall Wright as the No. 1 rated wide receiver on their board—ahead of Justin Blackmon and Michael Floyd.

The explosive Baylor playmaker can get deep downfield and turn short plays into touchdowns. He's a gifted athlete and has a ton of upside to his game.

He still has a lot to learn, but at the very worst he'll be a serious vertical threat in his rookie season.

It would hardly be surprising to see him come off the board in the top 15.

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

This Stanford lineman has actually fallen down the board, and it is unlikely he'll move back up it.

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

The cornerback class in the 2012 draft is very interesting and carries very mixed reviews. One of the players who could be great, depending on whom you talk to, is Stephon Gilmore.

He has good size and speed for the position and has the potential to be a lock-down cornerback at the next level.

The question is whether or not he can consistently do so.

Gilmore leaves something to be desired for some, and he's hardly a shoe-in for the top 15, but he could rise up come draft day.

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

This is a perfect fit for both Hightower and the Steelers in terms of need and value.

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

Like Hightower, Still shouldn't go higher than this, but he fits very well with the team selecting him here.

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

Jeffery has elite potential, but he's scared off too many suitors to this point. He'll be lucky to hear his name called on Day 1.

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

The redshirt sophomore from LSU is a serious candidate to be taken much higher than this. He has top-notch potential and could become a real force at the next level in a few years.

That said, he's not ready to consistently compete in the NFL just yet.

If a team near the top wants a game-changer immediately, he's probably not the best option for them. A team like New England, who is always forward-thinking but also needs help immediately and has two first-round picks, can afford to take him here.

But again, it wouldn't surprising to see him go in the top 15 at all.

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

This is as high as Branch should go. He fits a need for the Packers and is arguably the best pass-rusher still available.

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

The former Florida corner has top 15 potential, but he'll be lucky to hear his name called on Day 1 with all the baggage he carries.

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

A potential-based pick, Hill won't help anyone looking for an immediate weapon.

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

Reyes could sneak up a bit higher, but not into the top 15.

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

The draft's top tight end could be gone before the G-Men get a shot at him, but he's a top-15 prospect. 

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