2012 NFL Mock Draft: Sure-Fire, First-Round Picks That Will Bust

The first round of the 2012 NFL draft is going to have some busts, even though these players’ natural talent and ability should suggest otherwise.

Every single year, there are numerous players selected during day one that simply do not live up to their lofty expectations.

Let’s take a look at the latest mock with an eye towards some certain busts.

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

Luck isn’t going to be a bust, and he represents the best chance for the Colts to turn their fortunes around and get back to respectability in the least amount of time.

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

RGIII is the second best QB in this class, and the Redskins decided it would be worth it to mortgage their future to go all in by trading up with St. Louis here. It’s likely going to pay big dividends.

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

Minnesota has made it known they are interested in trading down here and letting another team swoop in to select Ryan Tannehill or another prospect. If they stay at No. 3, look for them to pick Kalil, a sturdy LT that has a long career in this league ahead of him.

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

The Crimson Tide star is one of the rare RB’s actually worth a top-five selection. He’d instantly boost Cleveland’s flailing offense. 

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

Claiborne is the best defensive player in this draft and practically a steal at No. 5 for the Buccaneers. This team was on the cusp of contending in 2010-11 but fell apart last season.

Adding someone like the former LSU Tiger star will be a huge boon for their playoff hopes.

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

The Pokes receiver is the best in the class and someone who will dominate despite lacking insane athleticism or size. He’s got sure hands and knows how to run crisp routes, which practically guarantees his success in the NFL.

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

Coples is a boom-or-bust prospect that never truly dominated the collegiate game the way someone with his size and athleticism should have. There is no way to be certain he’ll be able to somehow realize his potential in the pros.

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

Tannehill is going to have way too high of expectations if he goes this early in the draft. He’s the third best QB in a draft where only two are truly worthy of first-round picks.

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

Poe destroyed the Indianapolis draft combine with his size, strength and speed. Anyone with that combination of raw talent is going to be a good player. 

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

Reiff is a safe pick for a franchise that could use some stability along their line like the Bills.

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

DeCastro is the best interior lineman in the class and immediately helps the Chiefs get back to a ground-and-pound game that they like to use.

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

The Seahawks biggest need this offseason (after QB, which they addressed by signing Matt Flynn) is a pass-rusher. Ingram is the best on the board.

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

The BC Eagle is an instinctive and smart linebacker who is surprisingly athletic. The Cardinals definitely need a young player and potential leader like this in the middle of their defense.

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

Barron is the best safety in this class, and the Cowboys might reach for him here considering their huge need at the position—especially with the NFC East getting stronger in the vertical passing game.

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

Philly would love to add a big, strong, possession-oriented receiver into the fold alongside of DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.

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

Upshaw is from a good locker room, and he’s got good pass-rushing skills. Both of these traits are something the Jets sorely need in their first-rounder this year.

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

The Tide’s rangy cornerback took a hit to his draft stock when he was arrested on a misdemeanor marijuana charge following his announcement that he was turning pro.

He’s still immensely talented and overall thought to be a good kid, so it’s definitely worth taking him at No. 17.

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

San Diego is going to be forced to gamble on a pass-rusher here now that Peyton Manning is in the division. Perry has the most upside of any left on the big board.

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

Chicago’s offensive line was a patchwork mess of players last season. Glenn gives them a respectable guard to build around for the future.

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

Most teams are drawn to Cox because of his versatility. He can play a number of positions on defense and Tennessee could use a utility player like that right now.

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

Wright is a speedster that caught a lot of balls at Baylor and has a great chance of doing the same in the Bengals’ offense.

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

Martin had a good career knocking around undersized pass-rushers in the Pac-12, but after some underwhelming combine and pro day performances, his athletic ability is in question.

His body of work is still worthy of a first-round pick this late.

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

Gilmore has been steadily climbing draft boards as an all-around corner who can simply make plays and shut his guy down.

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

Hightower is a hard-hitting and fearsome LB that has every tool but elite sideline-to-sideline speed. He’s a nice addition to a Pittsburgh Steeler team that must get younger defensively.

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

The most NFL-ready DT in this draft has fallen down the big board lately but will not be available past this point. He’s ready to take some reps on the Broncos' defensive line immediately and will not take long to assimilate as a full-time starter.

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

Jeffery hasn’t shown the ability to create separation against lesser opponents in college. It’s doubtful he’ll be able to suddenly figure it out in the NFL, but he’s still going to go early because of his ridiculous size and athleticism.

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

Brockers needs time to develop, but he’s got tremendous upside and a chance to become a real force in the future for New England.

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

The Packers need someone to bring down the passer when they get back to the playoffs. Branch is the best option still available this late and someone they must select.

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

Jenkins' incredible gridiron skills are being overshadowed by a myriad of character issues.

If anyone has a solid enough locker room to get this kid on the right track, it is the Ravens.

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

San Fran added some solid receivers this offseason with Randy Moss and Mario Manningham, and they have a chance to get even better by adding this freakish athlete who killed the combine.

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

Reyes will help the Pats get better at stopping the opposition from throwing the rock all over them.

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

Fleener’s sub 4.5 40-yard dash speed at a position of need is too much for the Giants to overlook.

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