2012 NFL Mock Draft: Players Guaranteed to Disappoint in Rookie Seasons

Let's face it, not every first-round selection is going to have a dominating rookie season or illustrious NFL career.

And although a career can't be fairly judged off one season, disappointing rookie campaigns don't help the cause. So, let's take a look at which Round 1 rookies fail to get it done in 2012.

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

Andrew Luck isn't going to have an astounding rookie season as the Colts have a lot to build around him, but he'll transition quickly and Luck will only improve with each season.

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

The Redskins present Robert Griffin III with a solid receiving corps. His production will be decent in a tough division, but Washington's ground game must remain a threat all season.

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

Last season the Vikings allowed 49 sacks and 30 were of Christian Ponder in just 11 games. Matt Kalil's production will be based on protection and keeping Minnesota dominant on the ground.

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

Trent Richardson is undoubtedly the best answer for the Browns offense. However, his rookie season will be rough as defenses will zero in on him and force Cleveland's receivers to make more plays.

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

As the next young and promising defender on Tampa Bay's defense, Morris Claiborne will be challenged quite often in 2012. The beginning will be tough, but Claiborne will adjust by mid-season in learning to take away half the field for the Bucs defense.

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

A lot of Justin Blackmon's success as a rookie will come from how well he sells the running game. Steven Jackson remains the Rams' best offensive threat, so Blackmon must run-block and then sell the run for play-action pass to get defenses off balance.

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

With Maurice Jones-Drew and Jacksonville's other receivers, Michael Floyd enters a good situation to produce as a rookie. He completes the Jags' offensive weaponry and is backed by a great defense.

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

Beginning the 2011 campaign 0-7, the Miami Dolphins remain in the midst of a rebuilding process. Last season the offensive line allowed 52 sacks and the running game didn't hit a rhythm until the closing weeks.

Not to mention, but the Dolphins ranked No. 23 in passing and desperately need to upgrade at receiver. Ryan Tannehill is being put in a difficult situation because in addition to competing with Matt Moore for the starting job, he has a lot of room to develop under center.

Texas A&M didn't run a pro-style offense with Tannehill, but he was only sacked nine times. He's a mobile quarterback that possesses great size and arm strength, so scrambling will save him a few hits as a rookie.

However, there remain durability concerns and switching from a consistent shotgun to dropping back from under center takes time. Include the Dolphins tough schedule and if Tannehill starts, he'll struggle a fair amount.

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

Since Melvin Ingram can play almost anywhere in the front seven, his production will have to be broken down by how much he contributes at the different positions. Expect great production however, because Carolina's front seven with Charles Johnson and Jon Beason will complement Ingram well.

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

Upgrading the line is one of the final pieces to completing Buffalo's offense. Riley Reiff will have a solid rookie season as the Bills' are balanced and present two dual-threat running backs in Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller.

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

If there's one player to bet on that will have a great rookie season, it's Fletcher Cox. He not only fits the biggest need for the Chiefs as a run-stopper, but Romeo Crennel's defense is loaded with talent at linebacker and in the secondary.

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

A lot will be expected of Luke Kuechly in Seattle, because the Seahawks need a stud linebacker to stuff the run and defend the pass. With Chris Clemons in the front seven though, Kuechly should have a sound rookie campaign.

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

Anticipate a strong performance from David DeCastro in Arizona as the Cardinals pass protection has nowhere to go but up. Additionally, the Cards had a inconsistent ground game in 2011, so DeCastro's presence will create improved running lanes for Beanie Wells.

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

Quinton Coples is arguably the draft's most raw-talented pass-rusher. The man possesses an extreme level of explosion at the snap and is a top-notch athlete.

Unfortunately, Coples lacks as a consistent run defender and is prone to inconsistency. In Dallas, he'll have plenty of opportunities to shine with DeMarcus Ware lined up opposite, but improving at play recognition is needed.

In 2012, look for offenses to double-team Ware with a running back (when he rushes) and isolate Coples with blocking schemes to get outside of him. The Cowboys have a fast defense with Sean Lee in the middle, so taking advantage of Coples' inconsistent reaction to the run will exploit Big D's front.

The good news is that Dallas has a lot of defensive talent around Coples for his development to gradually get acclimated. He'll impress as a pass-rusher, but until he can present a solid inside game, Coples will disappoint as a rookie.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)

Although Dontari Poe isn't the most dominating defensive tackle, his production will come in the form of drawing a constant double-team. Doing so will free up the linebackers and allow the defensive ends to get pressure against one-on-one situations.

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

The Jets already field a great secondary and improving the front seven is needed. Nick Perry plays with great discipline and knows how to defend his assignments well. Gang Green needs an aware defender like this, because failing to stop the run cost them in 2011.

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

Depending on whether Leon Hall is 100 percent (missed seven games last season) will determine how much Stephon Gilmore contributes at corner in 2012. That said, he'll likely see some time at safety as well, so Gilmore's ability to transition will be crucial to his own development.

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

Considering that San Diego lacked a pass rush against the run in 2011, Courtney Upshaw will get isolated by offenses this season. Still, the Chargers have other front seven defenders to complement him and Upshaw's own skill set will produce solid results.

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

2011 was Whitney Mercilus's first season of opportunity in college. Needless to say he recorded 16 sacks and forced nine fumbles. In Chicago, Mercilus will be backed by great defensive talent elsewhere, so anticipate an impressive year from the stud rusher.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dont’a Hightower, LB (Alabama)

Lacking against the run in 2011, Dont'a Hightower comes to Tennessee to help the Titans contend for the division. Blocking schemes will be geared toward isolating him, so as long as Hightower remains quick between the tackles, he'll make plays or his teammates will go unblocked.

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

Cincinnati needs a two-gap controller in the front seven to stop the run. Michael Brockers will have a decent rookie year, but has more developing to do than most considering he's just a red-shirt sophomore.

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

Fielding a respectable front seven, the Browns get Dre Kirkpatrick to complement Joe Haden in the secondary. With Haden locking down half of his size, Kirkpatrick will have more safety help to develop in 2012. Therefore, expect an impressive season from the shutdown corner in Cleveland.

23. Detroit Lions: Mark Barron, Safety (Alabama)

The biggest knock on Mark Barron are his durability concerns. The offseason has raised the most red-flags as well, since Barron missed the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine.

He is however, a great fit for the Detroit Lions because ranking No. 22 against the run and No. 23 against the pass needs fixed. It greatly cost the Lions in close games and ultimately their season in 2011, so getting Barron who can roll down in the box and sit back in zone will pay dividends.

As a rookie though, Barron's season won't be overly dominant as expected because of his durability issues and having to play against pass-heavy opponents on a weekly basis.

Barron's undoubtedly a strong coverage defender, but he also played in an Alabama defense that ranked No. 1 against the run and allowed less than 75 rushing yards per game. So, the transition to constantly defending high-powered offenses will simply be difficult from the beginning. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

Despite being one of the draft's better tackles, there won't be much expected from Jonathan Martin as the Steelers allowed 47 sacks (including the playoffs) last season. So, Martin has a strong year as Pittsburgh's offense field a more balanced attack.

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

With Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil on the outside and D.J. Williams and Wesley Woodyard at linebacker, Jerel Worthy won't have sexy stats in 2012. However, his consistent presence in the backfield and beating double-teams gives Worthy a productive season.

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

As the No. 2 receiver lining up opposite of Andre Johnson, Kendall Wright has an excellent rookie year. Not to mention, Houston's rushing attack will set up the pass and put Wright in numerous single coverage situations.

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Shea McClellin, DE (Boise State)

Shea McClellin is a good pass-rusher that has the quickness to be in the backfield all day. He doesn't have an overly dominant rookie campaign though, because he does need to improve at taking on double-teams. That will come through development as his underrated athleticism gives the Patriots a sound pass rush.

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

Green Bay's front seven is led by Clay Matthews who doesn't have a sidekick pass-rusher. Vinny Curry is the perfect solution with 23 sacks and nine forced fumbles the past two years.

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

Whether he contributes at guard or tackle, Cordy Glenn will improve the running lanes and pass protection in Baltimore. Utilizing him at both spots throughout the season, though, will cause issues as Glenn is more of a run blocking specialist than anything else.

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

Despite his playmaking skills, Stephen Hill still needs to develop his route-running and acceleration to really develop as a true No. 1 receiver.

His run-blocking specialty will pay great benefits to San Francisco's run-first offense, but Hill's production will also be limited due to other targets like Randy Moss, Mario Manningham, Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis.

Playing in a triple-option offense at Georgia Tech, Hill was molded to be a dominant blocker but that has affected his improvement as a receiver.

The good news is that the 49ers are a legit Super Bowl contender and with Moss being 35 years old, Hill will have many more opportunities to shine in the near future. Provided that Hill remains a deep threat and keeps his leaping ability, he'll make a much bigger impact in 2013.

31. New England Patriots: Lavonte David, LB (Nebraska)

New England must improve the pass defense and that's Lavonte David's specialty at linebacker. He's fast and has great instincts to make plays and provides a solid pass rush as well. In short, anticipate a big rookie year from David.

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

Whether he begins as the No. 1 back or the complement to Ahmad Bradshaw, Doug Martin performs well for the Giants. He's the complete package, an underrated athlete and is an impressive pass-blocker to keep Big Blue working the two-back system for Eli Manning.

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