2012 NBA Mock Draft: Players Who Will Wildly Exceed Expectations

Every draft has players that leave teams kicking themselves for passing on them. These are the guys that hit the NBA court and prove they are far more adept at the pro game than anyone projected. 

This draft will be no different. Below, I have my latest first-round mock. There will be extra attention to the player's in this year's draft that will greatly outperform what was expected out of them. 

Langford's 2012 NBA Mock Draft

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

Davis is a fabulous and well-rounded player. He is the clear-cut choice at No. 1. 

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Kidd-Gilchrist's stock was on a steady incline this season. He is an explosive and dangerous wing player. 

3. New Orleans Hornets: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Drummond moves very well for his size. He needs polish on his game, but his potential is through the roof. 

4. Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson, SF, Kansas 

With Robinson's fine performances against the elite big men in the tournament he became a top five pick. 

5. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

The Raptors need some perimeter scoring punch. They can't do better than Lamb in that area. 

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Barnes' draft stock fell as he struggled mightily without Kendall Marshall in the backcourt, but he is still an elite talent. 

7. Detroit Pistons: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Beal will give the Pistons backcourt some needed pop and explosiveness. 

8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Leonard is a project pick, but he has huge potential, and the Cavs have to find a big man somehow. 

9. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Rivers' scoring and potential will be way too much for the Jazz to pass on. 

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State 

Why Sullinger Will Exceed Expectations

Sullinger returned to the Buckeyes for his sophomore season. Had he gone pro he would have been a lock for the top three. 

During the season Sullinger was exposed for being too slow. The concern is that he is going to struggle on defense, that he'll be a liability on pick-and-rolls and lost against quicker players on the perimeter. 

What isn't a concern is his ability to score. He is a physical player with an outstanding low post game. He will be an effective scorer in the NBA from game one. And he will learn to adjust on defense. Sullinger will never be a lock-down defender, but he can be an effective team defender.

Sullinger will be an All-Star multiple times. 

11. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Henson will give the Rockets some needed length and athleticism down low. 

12. Portland Trail Blazers: Perry Jones, SF, Baylor

Jones is a 6'11" small forward. He will team up with LaMarcus Aldridge to give them a long and athletic frontcourt. 

13. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

In case you didn't hear, the Hornets traded Chris Paul prior to the season. They need to find a new point guard. 

14. Phoenix Suns: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Moultrie is a fantastic open court player for a power forward. The Suns need players to help push the tempo. 

15. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

The Timberwolves need another option in the backcourt. Waiters has the scoring ability to make a difference. 

16. New Jersey Nets (via Houston Rockets): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Zeller and Brook Lopez are both athletic enough they could play together, and it would allow the Nets to deal Lopez if the right deal came up. 

17. Boston Celtics: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

Why Ross Will Exceed Expectations

Ross' Huskies flamed out at the end of the season and missed out on the tournament, which meant he couldn't showcase his strong talent base. 

Ross is 6'6" and he has long arms. He will have no problem playing shooting guard in the NBA. He is an excellent on-ball defender and knows how to play the passing lanes. 

He doesn't have the muscle to score from the post yet, but he has a good shot from distance. He also brings a good first step and can take defenders off the dribble. 

Ross will be a starter in this league for a long time, and might even make an All-Star Game or two. 

18. Philadelphia 76ers: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Marshall is the purest point guard in this draft. He'll team up with Holiday to give the 76ers a complete and versatile point guard combo. 

19. Denver Nuggets: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Harkless is custom made for the Nuggets. He can defend and move the ball and is effective in the open court. 

20. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

Why Jones Will Exceed Expectations

Jones was the unheralded heart of the Kentucky team. He is capable of doing all the little things that help teams win. 

Jones is an elite defender with length with the ability to guard multiple positions. He will have a nice career just because of his defense. The thing is, he brings some offense with him, too. 

Jones needs to become a more consistent shooter, but he will. In the meantime, he can score in the open court and get to the rim. 

Jones has the ability to be a Scottie Pippen type of player. 

21. Atlanta Hawks: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Nicholson is raw, but he has good athleticism and size. He is well worth the risk at No. 21.

22. Indiana Pacers: Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas

Mitchell is an excellent defender. He will be nice depth for the young Pacers. 

23. Memphis Grizzlies: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt 

The Grizzlies need to add someone to take O.J. Mayo's place if/when they trade him. 

24. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Melo is a perfect fit for the Celtics defensive scheme. 

25. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

The Cavs need to find someone that can score buckets from the small forward position. Taylor has that skill. 

26. Orlando Magic: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

The Magic need depth and athleticism in their backcourt. 

27. San Antonio Spurs: Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia

With Duncan playing fewer and fewer minutes, the Spurs need more frontcourt depth. 

28. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

Ezeli will give the Heat a big body with something else the rest of their big bodies do not have: potential. 

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tony Wroten, PG, Washington

Wroten will give the Thunder a talented backup for Russell Westbrook. Wroten will also be able to play minutes at shooting guard. 

30. Chicago Bulls: Draymond Green, PF, Michigan State

Green is a perfect fit for Chicago. He is a smart, tough player that can excel on defense.