2012 NFL Draft: Scenarios That Would Shake Up the Draft

We can make as many mock drafts as we want, give all the predictions that we want and hope all we want, but nobody can truly predict how the NFL Draft will go. Teams are always making shocking decisions and sometimes decide to go in different directions.

While it is set in stone as to who some teams might pick, others are still on the fence about guys. Some teams show interest in multiple guys, which helps confuse everybody else. It is really a coin toss most of the time.

In this list, I will be examining the scenarios that would most impact the draft. For this reason, I will be focusing on the higher picks, because a lot of the draft relies on them being picked.

Just remember: Not everything goes as planned in the NFL Draft.

The Colts Don't Pick Andrew Luck

This is about the most surefire pick you can have, so that is why it would be devastating (or miraculous) if the Colts decided to not choose Andrew Luck. 

While I don't believe the rumors, others are still reporting that the Colts are undecided as to who they will pick to replace Peyton Manning. I am skeptical of those reports, but it does lend the question of what could happen. After all, this was the Colts team that made the decision to select Edgerrin James over Ricky Williams. 

If Luck isn't picked first, all hell would break loose. Assuming they would instead pick RG3, the next five or so picks would be total guesses. Would the Redskins instead draft Luck, even though they had their sights set on Griffin? If they didn't, Cleveland most certainly would, and the Bucs would have no problem drafting Richardson. 

You see how this would unfold.

Trent Richardson Falls out of Top 5

While I do not personally agree with the idea that a running back is not valued as much anymore, a lot of teams do. 

Richardson is far and above the best running back in this class. That being said, there is a small possibility that he is not picked in the Top Five. The Browns seem the most likely to pick him, but if they instead decide to do something like pick a wide receiver or offensive lineman, all bets are off.

If the Browns did what I just proposed, the Bucs could still pick Claiborne. If they did that, Richardson could fall all the way to the 13th pick. That's because every team until the Cardinals has a very good running back already on the roster. Now, any of those teams could still pick him and have an unstoppable backfield, but it seems unlikely.

While its immediate effects would be felt, Richardson falling out of the Top Five would have more impact on the future. If somebody like him can not be drafted high, future running backs will have a lot of trouble trying to prove teams to use a pick on them.

Ryan Tannehill Isn't Picked by the Dolphins

The Dolphins are pretty desperate these days. Poor Matt Moore performed admirably, but for some reason it seems that the Dolphins are very hesitant about giving him a real chance. 

Tannehill would be drafted more out of necessity than anything. While he is a good player, he does need to time to develop that the Dolphins wouldn't give him. But what if they didn't draft him? What if they came to their senses and realized that he would not be worth that high of a pick?

Like the Richardson scenario, the effects of Tannehill dropping down the board would be felt later rather than sooner. Teams would realize that some QB's really don't deserve to be drafted so high, even if it is out of sheer necessity. 

With that being said, Tannehill would probably drop out of round one altogether. Now, he could certainly be a steal in later rounds, but the fact remains the same: He would not be picked nearly as high as some have predicted. 

Maybe it is better for the teams if he isn't picked. 

Vikings Pick Blackmon

Blackmon is a freakishly athletic receiver who could provide any quarterback with a No.1 weapon to throw to. As of now, the most likely candidate to select him is the St. Louis Rams, who need to replace Brandon Lloyd and give Sam Bradford an actual receiving threat.

Some people are convinced that he could be a bust, but I am more confident in his abilities. I may not be the only one though. The Vikings haven't been clear on who they want to draft, so it is yet another guess that we will have to make.

They certainly have a reason to draft him. Christian Ponder looks like he could become a great QB if he just had some weapons to throw to. Blackmon fits the bill. If the Vikings drafted him, they could have one of the best offenses in the league.

The Vikings picking Blackmon would be a shock to the rest of the league. It remains to be seen what would happen with Matt Kalil, who could actually fall three or four picks. St.Louis might try to get him, but I think Carolina might take a shot at him. 

While the pick wouldn't affect a lot of the early round choices, it has the potential to affect as much as 10 picks later on. That is what puts it on this list.

There you have it. The scenarios that would cause the most change and cause teams to shuffle around their picks. Once again, these are just guesses. The real draft might even cause bigger commotion.

I can't wait.