2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams That Will Reach for Workout Warriors

With the 2012 draft combine and most pro days in the books, a number of players have vaulted into the top 32 picks on the big board because of their excellent performances at those events.

While these “workout warriors” are risky picks, many of them go on to be studs in the NFL. Jason Pierre-Paul was a guy with little tape and unlimited upside and he’s played excellent for the New York Giants.

Vernon Gholston and Matt Jones are two relatively recent workout studs that have pretty much failed to accomplish anything of significance on the gridiron after wowing scouts with their strength and speed.

Let’s take a look at the latest first-round mock with a focus on players who killed it at the combine.

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

Luck has proved his worth on the field and in the gym. He’s an athletic beast who doubles as the best QB prospect since Peyton Manning.

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

RGIII is a once-in-a-generation type of talent at the quarterback position. He’s supremely athletic with great intangibles. Washington is banking on him to become its franchise signal-caller.

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

This LT prospect is fundamentally sound and has the pedigree to become an elite lineman in the NFL.

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

Richardson is the uncommon RB actually worth a top-five pick in the draft because of his incredible talent and size.

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

The LSU Tiger will not blow any minds with his athleticism, but watching tape on him shows why he is the best man-to-man corner prospect and best defender in the draft.

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

Blackmon is another fundamentally sound prospect that does the little things required of elite NFL players at a high level.

 

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

The Tar Heel defensive end has yet to show he’s anything significantly more than a freakishly-sized and incredibly fast prospect.

He consistently struggled against double teams and did not bring the QB down nearly enough during his time in Chapel Hill.

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

Tannehill has little starting experience but wowed scouts with his throwing ability and size. Miami is going to attempt to turn him into a franchise QB after failing to trade up earlier in the offseason and losing the Matt Flynn bargaining battle to Seattle.

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

Poe is the definition of a workout warrior. He put up jaw-dropping figures at most of the combine challenges and someone his size should not be able to be as strong and agile as the Memphis Tiger actually is.

He’s going to immediately help the Panthers stop the run if he can live up to his abilities he displays in the gym.

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

Reiff is a solid tackle prospect and looks to be someone the Bills can plug into their line right away.

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

The best interior guard in the draft will help KC get back to its ground-and-pound game they were missing last season.

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

Ingram is the best pass-rusher available for a team that sorely needs one like Seattle.

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

The Cardinals need an instinctive, athletic young linebacker like Kuechly. He has a chance to become a stalwart in the middle and eventually a leader in the desert.

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

It may be a reach here, but Barron is the best safety in the class and he won’t be available when Dallas picks again.

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

Philly’s dream scenario would to be pairing a big, possession WR in Floyd with DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.

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

Upshaw can knock down a quarterback and inspire his team via his relentless motor. The Jets need both of those qualities right now.

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

Kirkpatrick’s still a top-10 talent, he just fell down because of character issues. It would be insane to let a tall, rangy corner like him slip past this point.

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

Perry is a risky pick, but SD doesn’t have a choice anymore. Peyton Manning is in the division and the Chargers need a high-upside pass-rusher with the physical tools to beat the tackle and put a hurt on the new Denver signal-caller.

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

Glenn represents a return to stability for the Chicago offensive line, which was an absolute wreck in 2011-12.

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

Cox’s extreme versatility is something a team like Tennessee needs. He can play numerous positions.

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

Wright was the No. 1 receiver in Baylor’s offense and could soon become a top playmaker in the NFL. He’d make a great option for up-and-coming QB Andy Dalton to throw to.

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

The Cardinal lineman saw his stock fall after he was injured during the combine and performed poorly during his pro day. He’s the opposite of a workout warrior but still goes in the first because of his game tape and upside.

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

Detroit needs to get better at defending the pass, especially to compete regularly in the NFC North. Gilmore is the best corner prospect left on the board.

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

The Crimson Tide stud has every elite tool a MLB requires except sideline-to-sideline speed. He’s still a great fit and a young talent to develop in Pittsburgh. 

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

Still’s ability to come in and contribute immediately meshes perfectly with the Broncos' goal of winning a Super Bowl in the next four years.

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

Jeffery is a freakish athlete with insane size for his position. But he has yet to prove he can create separation and dominate at a high level.

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

Brockers has the most upside of any DT in the class but he’s got very little experience on the field. NE will be happy to take a chance on developing a potential future stud this late in the first round.

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

The Pack need help knocking down QBs and to stop getting burned by the pass. Branch is the best player to help that need.

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

Jenkins's off-the-field issues are hamstringing his draft position. He’s an incredible talent that will not fall out of the first round.

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

Hill put himself on the map at the combine with his huge size, great hands and blazing fast speed.

He never proved himself to be much more than an athlete at Georgia Tech, but an NFL team will take a chance on him producing at the next level.

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

Reyes is a nice pick for a team that needs to continue improving its d-line and ability to sack the QB.

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

Fleeners's solid speed and great hands are too valuable for the defending champs to skip out on.

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