2012 NFL Mock Draft: Rising Names That Will Live Up to Hype

Players rise on draft boards in the week leading up to the draft for various reasons.

Some are explainable, some aren't, but come Day 1, there are players who get selected earlier than anticipated. And accompanying their high draft selection are heightened expectations from both the organization and the fans.

There are players who can handle it, but unfortunately, it is not for everybody—there are more misses in the first round than there are hits.

Let's take a look at some late risers in this year's draft who will live up to the hype.

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

Luck has been atop the draft board for two years running, and he'll live up to that hype.

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

The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner saw his stock rise throughout the season and up through the combine. Now he's the sure-fire No. 2 overall pick of the Redskins after they traded away three first-round picks and a second-round pick for a shot at him.

If that isn't a tough set of expectations, I don't know what is, but RGIII has shown the overall potential and talent to truly thrive in the NFL.

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

Kalil could actually fall from this spot, especially if the Vikes trade out, but he is the only elite offensive lineman prospect in this draft.

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

Arguably the best player outside of the top two quarterbacks in this entire draft, Richardson won't last past No. 5 overall. Barring an injury, he'll be a superstar early in this league.

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

The best defensive prospect in this draft is getting a lot of attention these days and could conceivably go at No. 3 overall if the Vikes don't trade out.

Claiborne has elite cover skills and top-notch ball skills, as well as return ability.

Like all rookie cornerbacks, he will get picked on, but we can expect Mo to develop into a star in this league.

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

Blackmon may get a look at Nos. 3, 4 and 5, but that is hardly breaking news. He could also fall down the board all the way to No. 12.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Notre Dame's all-time leading receiver has seen his stock elevated again recently, as teams have settled in with his explanation of a few off-field troubles during his run at South Bend.

Floyd has also quelled concerns over his speed, while his playmaking skills have never been questioned.

The Jaguars need to find some weapons for second-year QB Blaine Gabbert, or he won't survive.

This may be a bit early for Floyd, but he won't last past No. 10 if they don't take him here.

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

Arguably the hottest prospect in the draft, we won't know how good Tannehill is for a few more years.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Nipping and closing at Tannehill's heels is the star Gamecock cornerback.

Gilmore has a great combination of size, speed and athleticism and playmaking skills, and teams have taken notice.

He doesn't consistently dominate, and that will be the most important thing going forward.

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

Reiff is falling, not rising, and could tumble down to the high teens.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The biggest winner from the combine, Poe also has some of the most mixed reviews of any player in the class.

His freakish size and athleticism make him hard to pass on, but he didn't always play up to his potential against lesser competition in college.

He'll have a hard time living up to expectations if he goes this high.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Once a potential No. 1 overall pick, Coples has seen his star fall down the board a bit. All in all, that may actually be the best thing for him.

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

Kuechly has always been one of the top players in this class, and he'll be drafted accordingly.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The draft's best interior lineman is going to help someone's run game immediately. The Cowboys, who are looking for more balance in their offense, will have a hard time passing on him if available.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox is a rising prospect who has unique versatility with a good combination of size and athleticism.

He has the potential to go in the top 10 and has the potential to back up his rising stock.

The SEC star, depending on his scheme, could be a star early.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The consensus All-American will be a starter in this league, but may never truly be a star. If he's overdrafted, like rumor has it he will be, that team will be awfully disappointed.

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

Middle of the first round is exactly where Dre belongs, and it is exactly where he'll be drafted.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The run of Alabama stars ends here with Upshaw. He was slightly overrated early on in the process, but has settled into a solid spot in the draft.

Upshaw is a better football player than athlete, and that may actually be the perfect thing for San Diego.

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

Like Upshaw, Glenn flew up the board a bit, but has come back to where he belongs in the middle part of the round. His versatility will make him a hot commodity, though.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

And again, the same goes for Ingram. He flew up the board after the combine, but has seen his stock cool off since. He's a better fit in a 4-3 than a 3-4.

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

Depending on who you talk to, Kendall Wright is the draft's best receiver (I don't believe that at all). If he goes in the top 20, it will be a mistake.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Hill, on the other hand, is a rising prospect with elite potential. The Browns need help now, but also have to make up for passing on Julio Jones last year.

If the Georgia Tech star takes to coaching, he'll be a good player.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Stanford tackle has fallen down the board, and with good reason. Martin needs to get stronger if he wants to succeed in this league.

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

Hightower and the Steelers are a perfect fit schematically and in terms of value.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The redshirt sophomore could actually hear his name in the top 10—that would be a risky move. Brockers has elite potential, though, and this is his floor.

He won't succeed right away, but some think he could be a Richard Seymour-like talent in time.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

This is a big of a reach for Randle, but he's been floating in and out of the first round for some time now.

The Texans are desperate for receiver help opposite Andre Johnson, and with Hill off the board, Randle moves up.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Perry falls a little bit here, but it suits the Pats well. He has good speed and athleticism for the position and offers great value for the Patriots here.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

The Packers would be taking a risk on Mercilus—although some have him much higher than this—but they're in need of a pass-rusher opposite Clay Matthews, Jr., and they hope the Illinois star's production wasn't a fluke.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The massive interior lineman is the heir to Matt Birk at center.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

This is a complete reach for Jeffery, but if there is one receiver he can learn from, it is Randy Moss.

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

Reyes is a slightly rising prospect with good upside and the skills to be immediately. If he goes to New England, he'll be counted on to play early.

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

This is a solid fit for the defending champions and a great value.

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