2012 NFL Mock Draft: Highlighting the Sleepers and Busts of First Round

First, there are the lock picks like Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Trent Richardson. Then, there are the sleepers and potential busts in Round 1 of the NFL draft that will change the complexion of the upcoming season.

All selections—especially in the first round—are risky investments, but the potential busts eventually do the most damage and the sleepers are those who pay off the most. All that said, let's check them out in another 2012 NFL mock draft.

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

He's not a bust nor is he a sleeper. We know Andrew Luck has the potential to lead the Indianapolis Colts from the beginning, and he's been in the spotlight for quite some time.

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

At the beginning of the 2011 season, Robert Griffin III was a sleeper and would have been a steal in the draft. Fast-forward to right now and RG3 is anything but a sleeper or bust after winning the Heisman Trophy over Luck.

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

Minnesota has their franchise quarterback in Christian Ponder and need Matt Kalil to improve the pass protection. Ponder has potential, but he may end up as a bust if production lacks despite a safer pocket to set up inside.

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

Trent Richardson has everything a franchise wants in a running back. He has a great upside and produced as the No. 2 ball carrier in the SEC. A two-time national champion, Richardson's consistency is what Cleveland needs in the backfield.

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

Last season, Tampa Bay fielded one of the worst overall defenses and were horrendous against the pass and run. Selecting Morris Claiborne is their best bet, because the offensive-oriented NFC South will rule the Bucs again unless the defense adds talent.

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

In 2011 the Rams offense was so poor across the board that Steve Jackson gaining over a 1,000 rushing yards was beyond impressive. St. Louis can't afford to lack a passing game once again, so the addition of Justin Blackmon provides hope to arguably the league's worst offense.

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

Running back Maurice Jones-Drew has some help with Laurent Robinson out wide. Adding Michael Floyd only enhances the Jacksonville offense and Blaine Gabbert's production can now be judged more fairly.

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

All of Ryan Tannehill's injury flags aside, the man has just roughly 1.5 years at quarterback in a non pro-style offense. Last year was his only full season as a starter and he did throw for over 3,700 yards with 29 touchdowns, but also had 15 interceptions and just a 61.6 completion percentage.

Make no mistake about it, Tannehill is a solid fit for the Miami Dolphins because his former head coach Mike Sherman is the offensive coordinator. Also, Tannehill possesses the size, arm strength and mobility to develop quickly.

His bust potential comes in the form of lacking experience, major injury concerns, being turnover-prone needing improve at reading defenses pre-snap and going through progressions when dropping back.

It won't be surprising to see Miami take Tannehill at No. 8 overall, but he's much less of a risk and potential bust if the Dolphins trade down and try to snag him later in Round 1.

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

Much like Tampa Bay, Carolina needs help virtually everywhere on defense. Well, Melvin Ingram can play anywhere in the front seven and he's a proven consistent performer and playmaker.

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

After the 5-2 start, injuries plagued the Bills offense (especially the line) and Buffalo finished a disappointing 6-10. Riley Reiff upgrades the outer walls of the pocket for Ryan Fitzpatrick and possesses the athleticism to get up the field for Fred Jackson.

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

Fletcher Cox if anything is a sleeper, but his dynamic ability makes him a top 15 pick. Kansas City needs a stud interior defensive lineman and Fletcher can make plays—even off double-teams—in the backfield.

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

The draft's best linebacker prospect, Luke Kuechly is just what Seattle needs to step up the rush defense and compete for the NFC West division title. Plus, he's an impressive pass defender to control the middle.

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

Arguably the most complete offensive lineman in the draft, David DeCastro is a gem for Arizona at No. 13. He's a dominating run-blocker and has the wherewithal to read defenses pre-snap and pick up blitzes.

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

With 22.5 sacks, 136 tackles and five forced fumbles over the past three seasons, Quinton Coples displayed annual consistency at North Carolina. The downside is that he possesses top 10 potential, but will likely fall because of weekly inconsistency.

From the perspective of season-to-season, Coples produced well. Delving deeper into his weekly performance, Coples failed to live up to hype, especially against underrated teams like North Carolina State and Georgia Tech.

2010 was his best sack season with 10, but Coples had just 4.5 through the first seven games. The good news though, is that Coples will be paired with DeMarcus Ware in Dallas. So, he'll have plenty of opportunities to develop his basic hand techniques for getting off blocks and defending better against the run.

Lacking a consistent explosion at the snap is where Coples must improve the most because that's how great defenders make plays from the backside and beat double-teams.

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

Quarterback Michael Vick was sacked just 23 times in 2011, but much of that can be attributed to his mobility and the Eagles running game. So in order to keep the offense balanced, Jonathan Martin comes aboard as a pass protecting wall that can also quickly move downfield to elongate the running lanes.

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

The lack of a pass rush and consistent rush defense are two major areas that cost the Jets last season. Nick Perry brings consistent pressure from the outside and reads plays fast to defend well against the run.

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

The Bengals have talent at corner, but Leon Hall missed the last half of 2011 to injury and Nate Clements is 32 years old. Stephon Gilmore brings a physical attitude to Cincinnati and possesses the football IQ to make an immediate impact at safety as well.

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

For the Chargers to compete in the AFC West, the defense must add a complete defender. Courtney Upshaw provides a pass rush and is a consistently reliable defender against the run.

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

Despite contributing for just one legit season at Illinois, Whitney Mercilus proved he can perform when given an opportunity. The Bears need a young pass-rusher and he'll—at the very least—add talented depth to Chicago's front four.

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

We know that Chris Johnson will get back on track for Tennessee's rushing offense. The rushing defense, however, must get Dontari Poe to improve because stopping Maurice Jones-Drew and Arian Foster is the key to competing in the AFC South.

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

Michael Brockers does have bust potential considering that 2011 was his lone legit college season. Still, the Bengals need a guy that can draw a constant double-team and make plays in the backfield.

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

Cleveland has a solid front seven led by D'Qwell Jackson, so getting Joe Haden a No. 2 cornerback in Dre Kirkpatrick gives the Browns a complete defense.

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

There's no doubt that Zach Brown is a reach for Detroit at No. 23, but the Lions need an intermediate pass defender that can also provide a pass rush. Brown does just that and is a playmaker with seven career interceptions.

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

Shutting down the better rush offenses between the tackles is where Pittsburgh lacked in 2011. The addition of Dont'a Hightower address this aspect, because he's a between the tackles player and is the perfect complement to James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley.

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

Jerel Worthy is the ideal candidate to fit the Broncos defense, because improving against the run and getting an inside pass rush is needed to complete the unit. With Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil on the outside, Worthy will be in the backfield all day.

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

In 2011, Kendall Wright burst onto the scene along with RG3 as part of a Baylor offense that averaged 45 points per game. His addition to Houston gives the Texans a complete offense to compete for an AFC title.

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

With durability concerns, any team taking Mark Barron in the top 15 gives him higher bust potential. New England however, can snag him at No. 27 which suits well as the Pats need a safety that is always around the ball.

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

Although it's a slight stretch for the Packers to consider Vinny Curry toward the end of Round 1, Green Bay desperately needs to improve all phases of defense.

Curry is an underrated defender coming from the Conference USA, however, his 230 tackles, 26.5 sacks, 48.5 tackles for loss, 32 additional quarterback hurries and nine forced fumbles between 2009 and 2011 beg to differ.

Now, he doesn't possess the size or ultimate explosion capabilities like Coples, but Curry has a knack for finding the ball and possesses impressive body control and lateral quickness to be a consistent playmaker.

The Packers ranked dead last in overall defense and allowed an average of 4.7 yards per rush, so adding Curry simply addresses their biggest weakness. Playing opposite of Clay Matthews, Curry will be put in many one-on-one situations to produce. As we saw at Marshall, that goes without saying.

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

Possessing great size and impressive quickness, Cordy Glenn can contribute at guard and/or tackle for Baltimore. The Ravens need to keep feeding Ray Rice and his production only continues with a reliable offensive line.

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

Stephen Hill is a better route-running receiver than advertised, it's just hard to tell because he played in a triple-option offense at Georgia Tech. That however, made Hill a dominant run-blocker and his playmaking skills give San Francisco a big advantage inside the red zone.

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

Right now the New England Patriots are only getting older and have depleted in Bill Belichick's front seven. The Patriots need a true pass-rushing presence from the outside to force plays back into Vince Wilfork, because Rob Ninkovich can't blitz all the time.

Boise State's Shea McClellin is just the man for the job. He possesses great top speed, solid lateral quickness and is fundamentally sound at tackling and using hand techniques to get off blocks.

Throughout his career, McClellin recorded 20.5 sacks, 130 tackles, forced five fumbles and recorded four interceptions. He can occasionally sink into coverage to take away the quick slant or pop-pass and is a fast reactor to screens and draws.

Provided that McClellin gets stronger to take on double-teams, he'll develop nicely for the Pats to remain the standard in the AFC. It's not surprising to see him as a sleeper though, because McClellin is an undersized prospect coming from a non-BCS conference.

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

Arguably just as much of a complete back as Trent Richardson, Doug Martin can get great yards after contact and make defenders miss in narrow space. The Giants also need Martin's skill set to keep running their two-back system with Ahmad Bradshaw.

John Rozum on Twitter.