2012 NFL Mock Draft: 5 Unheralded Players Whose Stocks Are Quietly Soaring

In our 2012 NFL mock draft, we highlight five unheralded college prospects whose stocks are quietly soaring.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck is locked in at first overall, just like 99 percent of observers have expected since the Colts "won" the No. 1 pick last season.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (trade w/ St. Louis)

The only question with the Redskins' pick was which quarterback would be there at No. 2. Appears it will be Griffin III after all. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Who is going to make the move up to No. 3? With no available trade partner, Minnesota makes the smart pick with Kalil.  

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

With the pivot pick in the top-10, Cleveland makes the right choice in taking a bell-cow back for an offense that should be Colt McCoy's for at least another year.

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

The Vikings may take him at No. 3 overall to help cover all the receivers in the NFC North, but he also makes a lot of sense in Tampa Bay. Playing with a veteran corner like Ronde Barber for a year will help him in a big way, too.  

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State (trade w/ Washington)

The Fletcher Cox rumors at No. 6 may be a smokescreen. St. Louis needs playmakers on offense if they want to take the next step.  

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

You could easily see Michael Floyd or Stephon Gilmore here, but taking a pass-rusher like Ingram might be too much for the Jaguars to pass on in the top-10. 

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

It will be hard to figure out the Dolphins' offseason agenda without the team finding a young, franchise-type option at quarterback in this draft.

 9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

There has been talk about Cox going to the Rams at No. 6 overall, and given Jeff Fisher's draft history with defensive linemen, the idea is far from crazy. But if he gets past St. Louis, expect the Panthers to take a long look.

While many have mocked Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe to Carolina here, Cox is a better football player right now and will be a better fit along the Panthers' front four. Of all the top-15 prospects in this draft, Cox gets the least attention.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

This pick will depend on how highly Reiff grades on GM Buddy Nix's board. If he's close to the best player available, this will be an easy choice.  

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

The Chiefs pick at No. 11 overall may come down to DeCastro and Luke Kuechly. In the end, an elite guard makes more sense for Kansas City's run-heavy offense.

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

I'm not sure how the Seahawks can feel comfortable turning over their middle linebacker position to Barrett Ruud. Kuechly is a big upgrade. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Nick Perry, OLB/DE, USC

The Cardinals will be disappointed when an offensive lineman worthy of the No. 13 pick fails to fall. Michael Floyd will be an option, but Perry upgrades a defense that still needs work. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Remember back when Barron was a borderline first-rounder in recovery from double hernia surgery? Those days are long gone. Barron is now considered a lock to be a top-15 pick, and there could be a team or two that moves up in the draft to snag him. The Cowboys are a great fit at No. 14 for the draft's unquestioned No. 1 safety.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The combine's biggest star—both literally and figuratively—is a good fit with the Eagles and defensive line coach Jim Washburn.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

I just can't imagine a scenario in which Rex Ryan lets a player like Upshaw get past him. GM Mike Tannebaum will cave for a player who will provide instant impact. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Talk surrounding Gilmore's possible selection in the top-10 has gained steam lately. While the Panthers only sent a positional scout to South Carolina's pro day, you could see them take Gilmore at No. 8 overall. In this mock, however, Gilmore is a better fit in the late teens, where Cincinnati gladly takes an up-and-coming cornerback prospect. 

18. Cleveland Browns: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame (trade w/ San Diego)

With Floyd falling, the Browns gladly make the move up four spots to complete their offensive makeover.  

19. Chicago Bears: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples has motor and consistency issues, but the Bears won't hesitate to stop his fall down draft boards at No. 19 overall.  

20. Tennessee Titans: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Considering how active the Titans have been in free agency to find a center, Konz should be an immediate starter at center in Tennessee. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

Glenn's ability to play either guard spot and right tackles makes him an ideal pick here for the Bengals' second first-rounder. 

22. San Diego Chargers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford (trade w/ Cleveland)

The Chargers are no stranger to moving up or down in the first round, and getting another early pick and a starting right tackle makes their trade with the Browns a smart decision.   

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Lions will look at the pass-rush, but getting a guy like Kirkpatrick—who could fit as a cornerback or safety—is too much to pass up. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Hightower appears to be a perfect fit for the Steelers' linebacker group. 

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Broncos might be tempted to get Peyton Manning an offensive weapon early, but Still is too good of value as a replacement for Broderick Bunkley.  

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright would be a Rookie of the Year candidate if placed into an already stacked Texans' offense. 

27. New England Patriots: Shea McClellin, OLB/DE, Boise State

Few prospects have jumped up draft boards as rapidly as McClellin has this draft season, but he certainly makes sense for the Patriots in the first round.

He is scheme-versatile, can rush the passer and fits both in need and value. Bill Belichick will always go best player available, and you'd have to assume McClellin is among that group of prospects considered. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Packers may be a pass rusher away from getting back to the Super Bowl. Could Mercilus be that piece? 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson

Somewhat of a one-trick pony, Branch could be a useful piece in Year 1 as a rotational pass rusher. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The production at LSU just wasn't there for Brockers to be drafted much higher than this. The 49ers can afford to take a chance on his high ceiling. 

31. Chicago Bears: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford (trade w/ New England)

The NFL is a copycat league, and any team without an impact tight end will be looking for the next Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski.

Fleener may not be in the same mold as those two, but he's going to be an asset at the next level. Chicago will be tempted into a trade up with New England to get the top tight end in the draft.

32. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

A positive drug test at the combine will ensure Adams is here at No. 32. While a risk, Adams could also be a starting left tackle for a long time at the next level.