2012 NFL Mock Draft: Top Talents That Are Sliding Down the First Round

Between now and the actual NFL draft, boards and rankings of the first-round prospects will likely change more than once. Nevertheless, this means some of the top talent will drops because of team needs and positional competition.

Here, we look at an updated mock draft and examine some prospects who fell in Round 1.

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

No chance of Andrew Luck falling out of the No. 1 spot. He's arguably the best college prospect since Peyton Manning, was coached by Jim Harbaugh and orchestrated a pro-style offense.

2. Washington Redskins: (From STL): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)

2011 was Rex Grossman's career-high season with a 57.9 completion percentage. Robert Griffin III's lowest at Baylor was 59.9 percent as a freshman in 2008, and he hit 72.4 percent last season.

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

USC quarterback Matt Barkley was sacked just eight times in 2011. Christian Ponder has promise for the Vikings, but his potential will only last so long with limited pocket protection. Matt Kalil is the perfect solution to building a balanced offense in Minnesota.

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

To compete in the AFC North running the ball effectively is imperative. Trent Richardson brings that to Cleveland and immediately creates an impressive two-back tandem with Brandon Jackson. Colt McCoy can now safety setup the play-action pass and gun the rock downfield.

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

Last season Tampa Bay fielded the No. 30 overall defense and allowed almost 395 total yards per game. Morris Claiborne is a complete cover corner that can also change games. His 11 career interceptions were returned for 274 total yards.

6. St. Louis Rams (From WAS): Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

St. Louis needs a receiver who can stretch a defense, get yards after the catch and block downfield. Justin Blackmon is a fluid route-runner with great strength and quickness to prevent defenses from stacking the box against Steven Jackson.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

Michael Floyd finished college as arguably the greatest receiver in Notre Dame's history, despite playing with three mediocre quarterbacks. Floyd is the complete package to Jacksonville, and his run-blocking ability will only make Maurice Jones-Drew that much more dangerous.

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

With durability concerns, Ryan Tannehill will remain a risk until we see him with the pads on. Still, Miami needs a younger, stronger and more mobile quarterback to compete with Matt Moore in 2012.

9. Carolina Panthers: Melvin Ingram, LB/DE (South Carolina)

Carolina couldn't stop the run or pass in 2011, and it cost the Panthers in the six games they lost by eight points or less. Selecting Melvin Ingram at No. 9 overall solidifies an improved pass-rush, rush defense and reliability all over the front seven.

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

Previously I had Riley Reiff going to Jacksonville, but the Jags need playmakers more than anything. So, Reiff slips down a bit to Buffalo where he still makes an immediate impact for a balanced offense.

Last season there was a lot of potential when the Bills averaged 30 points through the first seven games. But, then injuries plagued Buffalo's offense, and the Bills went from 5-2 to 5-9 in a heartbeat.

Reiff is arguably the most athletic offensive lineman in the draft, and has the ability to protect the blind side and get to the second level on running plays. Buffalo has an array of weapons for Ryan Fitzpatrick in Steve Johnson, Scott Chandler and the two-back set of Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller.

Taking Reiff at No. 10 presents an impressive perimeter ground game that will easily set up play-action pass and help Buffalo win in short-yardage situations.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Fletcher Cox, DT/DE (Mississippi State)

The inability to stop the run immensely hurt the Chiefs in 2011 (ranked No. 26). Fletcher Cox is a versatile defensive lineman that can get quarterback pressure from anywhere and split double-teams to wreak havoc in the backfield.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)

For the Seahawks to contend in the NFC West, adding Luke Kuechly is needed to shutdown running backs like Frank Gore and Steven Jackson. Kuechly plays faster than given credit for and is a sure-tackler to complement Chris Clemons in Seattle's front seven.

13. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, OG (Stanford)

The Cardinals had Beanie Wells rush for over 1,000 yards in 2011, but he was inconsistent and 54 sacks were given up. David DeCastro creates longer running lanes for Wells and a safer pocket for Kevin Kolb to target Larry Fitzgerald.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

North Carolina's Quinton Coples easily has top 10-talent since he's arguably the best and most raw-talented pass-rusher in the draft. He's extremely explosive off the ball and brings a tenacious attitude to defense.

However, Coples drops to No. 14 at Dallas because he's not a dominant player against the run, and he struggles with consistently maintaining a low-center of gravity. Now, those aren't two giant red flags to be concerned about, which is why the Cowboys are the suitable fit.

In Big D, Coples will be paired in the front seven with DeMarcus Ware who is the league's best pass-rusher. Ware will continue to be a backfield menace, but the addition of Coples creates arguably the best duo in the game.

Dallas is already solid against the run and Coples will develop that aspect. As a pass-rusher, he'll see a lot of one-on-one situations and enjoy impressive production courtesy of Brandon Carr in the secondary.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

Allowing Michael Vick to remain a playmaker will only happen with an upgraded offensive line. Jonathan Martin can seal off the blind side, polish the running lanes for LeSean McCoy and get downfield from the backside.

16. New York Jets: Nick Perry, DE (USC)

2011 was an uncharacteristic year for the Jets' defense as they recorded just 35 sacks and ranked No. 20 by allowing 22.7 points per game. Nick Perry provides a much needed outside pass-rush and possesses the play recognition instincts to defend consistently well against the run.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

Veteran Nate Clements in 32 years old and Leon Hall missed the final seven games to injury. So, Cincinnati adds Stephon Gilmore to the secondary. Gilmore has great awareness, is a physical player and also brings the skill set to contribute at safety if needed.

18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)

It's no surprise that Courtney Upshaw is a complete player. Between 2010 and 2011, Upshaw recorded 16.5 sacks, 32.5 tackles for loss and forced six fumbles. San Diego needs a guy who can apply pressure from all over and defend the run—especially to compete with Denver and Kansas City in 2012.

19. Chicago Bears: Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)

The Bears desperately need an improved pass-rush and the best solution is Whitney Mercilus. Playing at the University of Illinois, Mercilus compiled 16 sacks and forced nine fumbles for the Illini in 2011. In the pass-happy NFC North, Chicago gains an edge with consistent quarterback pressure.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)

Tennessee needs to spruce up the defensive line with Dontari Poe to compete for the AFC South division title in 2012. Houston and Jacksonville both love to run the rock, and shutting down the run is Poe's strength.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

The biggest knock about LSU's Michael Brockers is that he's coming into the NFL as just a red-shirt sophomore. He has just dominant college season under hit belt on the field, so it's reasonable to suspect that he'll drop into the last half of Round 1.

That said, Brockers remains one of the better defensive tackles in the draft as he's a quick developer and addresses a big need for the Bengals at No. 21. Cincinnati may have ranked No. 10 against the run in 2011, but struggled to shutdown top rushing offenses like Houston, Baltimore and Denver.

Brockers has the ability to draw a constant double-team, make plays at the line of scrimmage and provide an occasional interior pass-rush.

He's a potential two-gap controller that will thrive in Cincy's 4-3 front with a strong pass defense locking down in coverage; and the Bengals close in on fielding a top five defense in 2012.

22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

No surprise here to see another Alabama defensive player going in Round 1, but Dre Kirkpatrick has top 10-talent. However, he slides down to Cleveland at No. 22 because Kirkpatrick is a bit undersized and being a consistently physical corner in pro football is much more difficult than college (even the SEC).

The good news, though, is that Kirkpatrick possesses a lot of confidence and reactionary skills to make an impact from Day 1. Provided that he can keep his speed and quickness while adding some muscle only increases Dre's odds of developing into a complete player.

As for Cleveland, Kirkpatrick fills the need in getting a No. 2 cornerback opposite of Joe Haden. The Browns have a solid front seven with D'Qwell Jackson, Jabaal Sheard, Phil Taylor and Frostee Rucker, so upgrading the secondary will shutdown from all over.

The Browns already have a top 10 defense potential, but Kirkpatrick's physical play will help the rush defense and against bigger receiver sets.

23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)

Zach Brown is certainly a bit of a reach for the Lions at No. 23, but Detroit needs a playmaker in the front seven. Brown has the speed to develop as a dominant pass-rusher (5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles in 2011) and is an excellent in coverage (seven career picks returned for 137 yards).

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)

The short area quickness of Dont'a Hightower is what makes him such an appealing fit to Pittsburgh's front seven. The Steelers need an interior defender to complement James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, and be consistently reliable when sinking into coverage over the middle.

25. Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)

Jerel Worthy was the biggest reason for Michigan State's defensive dominance against the run and shutting down the pass. He's the perfect solution in Denver, because the Broncos have the dire need to stop the run and get interior quarterback pressure.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

The offensive weaponry of Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels and Arian Foster is among the best in the game. However, the Texans need Kendall Wright for the No. 2 receiver spot. He has No. 1 receiver potential, which will make an immediate impact as Wright consistently beats single coverage.

27. New England Patriots (From NO): Mark Barron, SS (Alabama)

Although he has durability concerns, Mark Barron is the perfect fit to complete New England's secondary. With two promising corners in Kyle Arrington and Devin McCourty, Barron's addition will allow for more Cover 1 and Cover 3 looks that generate more turnovers.

28. Green Bay Packers: Vinny Curry, DE (Marshall)

The absence of a pass rush (29 sacks, ranked No. 27) is what ultimately cost the Packers their 2011 season. Selecting Vinny Curry solves this issue as he recorded 23 sacks, 171 tackles and forced nine fumbles the past two seasons.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Cordy Glenn, OG/OT (Georgia)

Baltimore needs to upgrade the front wall, and Cordy Glenn is a versatile player that is a lot more athletic that at first glance. His lateral agility will create faster developed running lanes for Ray Rice and provide reliability on play-action bootlegs.

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

If the 49ers want to remain as NFC title contenders, fielding a balanced offense is needed. Stephen Hill brings excellent potential as a deep ball playmaker off play-action, and his run-blocking skill set keeps Frank Gore a dominating presence downfield.

31. New England Patriots: Shea McClellin, LB/DE (Boise State)

The Patriots remain the standard in the AFC, but it won't last much longer without a pass-rush. Shea McClellin is an underrated presence off the edge with 20.5 career sacks, 33 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and four interceptions.

32. New York Giants: Doug Martin, RB (Boise State)

Toward the end of 2011, the Giants running game came to life and really hit a stride in the postseason. Taking Doug Martin at the end of Round 1 solidifies Big Blue's two-back system and keeps the offense balanced.

John Rozum on Twitter.