2012 NFL Mock Draft: Underclassmen Who Should've Stayed in College

Once the 2012 NFL season begins, we'll easily be able to detect which prospects should have remained at the college level for at least one more season.

As for right now, here's an updated mock highlighting prospects that could have done a lot more with another year of playing on Saturdays.

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

It was somewhat surprising to see Andrew Luck return to Stanford for 2011. As the draft's top prospect, Luck easily made the right choice in entering the NFL for 2012.

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

With a great opportunity to start in 2012, Robert Griffin III exploded onto the scene in 2011. Provided that he keeps rolling this season, the Redskins will finally have a franchise quarterback to count on.

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

For Minnesota's sake, it's relieving to see Matt Kalil available at No. 3 overall. Christian Ponder has solid potential, but that will only hold true with improved pass protection.

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

A running back like Trent Richardson is tough to come by. His production as a backup was impressive and 2011 hit another level. Cleveland hasn't had a promising ball-carrier of his caliber in quite some time, and Richardson isn't worn down like most top Brahma Bulls, either.

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

Coming in as the best defensive back, Morris Claiborne is coming off two impressive seasons at LSU with 11 picks and 23 defended passes. Tampa Bay needs that kind of production to continue this season, especially in the pass-happy NFC South.

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

After playing in a high-powered offense at Oklahoma State, Justin Blackmon was named the nation's best receiver in 2010 and 2011. No reason for him to remain with the Pokes when the Rams need a stud target to field a balanced offense.

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

Despite not having a legit quarterback under center during his tenure at Notre Dame, Michael Floyd leaves as arguably the best receiver in Fighting Irish history. The Jaguars still need that young No. 1 receiver, as they did rank dead last in passing offense a year ago.

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

Ryan Tannehill has just roughly 1.5 years playing quarterback for Texas A&M. The good news is that he can develop quickly in Miami with his former head coach—Mike Sherman—as the Dolphins' offensive coordinator.

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

Ingram's versatility gives him a distinct advantage in the draft, because the NFL is so reliant on explosive offenses. He's a rarity for any front seven, and the Panthers get a great complement for Charles Johnson and Jon Beason.

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

Riley Reiff may arguably be the draft's best offensive tackle, but returning to Iowa for another season would have ensured him a top-five selection in 2013.

Make no mistake about it, he'll definitely start for the Bills and he significantly boosts the pass protection and running game. However, this is a deep draft for offensive tackles, and other first-rounders like Matt Kalil and Jonathan Martin are both coming out early as well.

Reiff possesses excellent athleticism and body control, but another year with the Hawkeyes would have given him better explosion, strength and overall power to become a completely polished lineman.

Also, Reiff in 2013 would easily have been the top-of-the-line at the tackle position. No positional competition would have ensured more recognition and only enhanced his proven reliability and consistency.

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

Even though another year would have easily put Fletcher Cox in the top 10, the Chiefs snag him at No. 11 to upgrade the rush defense. With two impressive seasons under his belt, Fletcher will develop nicely in Kansas City.

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

In three seasons at Boston College, Luke Kuechly recorded 532 tackles and defended 17 passes. He obviously made the right move to join the pros, and Seattle's front seven just got a whole lot better against the run, defending the intermediate passing game and being less vulnerable to play-action.

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

While with Stanford, David DeCastro paved the way for a sound Cardinal ground game and dominated the inside as a pass-blocker. In Arizona, DeCastro will do just as much of the same and has the potential to be the best lineman of the 2012 draft.

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

The concern with Quinton Coples is how quickly he'll develop as a run defender. We know he's a stud pass-rusher and will see success playing opposite of DeMarcus Ware. Provided that he develops inside moves to make plays, Coples will then have increased his potential.

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

Compared to other defensive tackles, the stat-line for Dontari Poe isn't nearly as impressive. Then again, he's a defender that uses more brute strength to control gaps instead of lateral quickness.

Now, Poe is still worth a top-20 pick, but there's a lot of development to do, especially in terms of keeping consistent balance and body control when trying to make plays in the backfield.

With 21.5 tackles for loss, Poe isn't much of a sack-master and currently is best fitted to contribute in strict running situations. The Eagles need a guy that can cause pileups and draw double-teams, but Poe must also improve explosion to not get blown backwards.

Another season in college, and Poe develops a more reliable jump at the snap to force ball-carries outside. Still, Philadelphia has solid talent around him on the defense, so Poe will transition fairly well.

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

Another year at USC for Nick Perry would have just made him a potential top-10 prospect. However, he's a smart player that rarely misses assignments and has the dynamics to play in a 4-3 or 3-4 front.

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

It's easy to overlook Stephon Gilmore, as other SEC defenders have earned more exposure. Nonetheless, bouncing for the NFL was a good move, as Gilmore was a three-year contributor from day one. The Bengals will benefit from his experience and improve consistency in coverage.

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

Courtney Upshaw enters the NFL at the right time, because he'll be a contributor for San Diego from the get-go. The Chargers need a pass-rusher and run defender, so Upshaw's presence takes pressure off the rest of the front seven.

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

Before the 2011 season began, Illinois' Whitney Mercilus was basically an unknown prospect in the Big Ten.

Then the man recorded 16 sacks, forced nine fumbles, had 57 tackles and is now an expected first-rounder. There's no doubt that he'll improve the Bears' pass rush, as they recorded just 33 sacks last season.

The legitimate knock on Mercilus, though, is that he's a one-year wonder and may take longer to develop with the pressure of being a first-round selection.

Had he remained at Illinois for one more season, Mercilus could have proved even more consistency and become a more well-rounded defender. He's decent against the run but has to improve at play recognition to have a bigger impact in the pros.

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

Since his freshman year Dont'a Hightower was making plays for Nick Saban's defense at Alabama. Splitting for the pros early, Hightower developed enough and is a solid fit for Tennessee. The Titans need to improve against the run, and Hightower's addition will shut down opponents between the tackles.

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

Michael Brockers is easily the most notable first-round prospect that needs to develop. He's coming into the NFL as a redshirt sophomore with just one dominant year under his belt.

As a freshman, Brockers collected 25 tackles and forced a fumble, but it wasn't much of an impact compared to 2011. There, Brockers accounted for 54 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries.

So he proved to be a quick learner and a coachable player that possesses good potential. In Cincinnati, Brockers fits well as the Bengals need to improve against the run, but one more season at LSU would have been unreal.

That said; Brockers still needs to impress as a pass-rusher and defender that can cause turnovers. With LSU's national title hopes in 2012, he could have been a top-10 selection in 2013.

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

After not seeing the field much in 2009, Dre Kirkpatrick was challenged quite often in 2010. There, he locked down with 10 defended passes and 53 tackles, which led to not many tests in 2011. Putting him opposite of Joe Haden in Cleveland immediately creates one of the NFL's best cornerback tandems.

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

Durability concerns drop Mark Barron to Detroit at No. 23, but the man is just what the Lions need in the secondary to improve against the pass. An experienced player, Barron's instincts will pay more dividends than anything else.

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

Much like David DeCastro, Jonathan Martin leaves early for the draft after three impressive seasons protecting Andrew Luck. He's the ideal solution for Pittsburgh, because the Steelers allowed 47 sacks in 2011 (including the playoffs).

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

Jerel Worthy could have remained at Michigan State and been a top-15 selection in 2013. But after dominating backfields with 27.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks as a defensive tackle, Worthy fits the mold to a T in Denver.

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

Wright's speed is what makes him such a dangerous target. And although he didn't completely develop until the 2011 season, playing opposite of Andre Johnson will make Wright's NFL transition that much smoother.

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

Shea McClellin may come in a bit undersized to play defensive end for New England, but the Pats need a quick defender on the line to get a pass rush. Vince Wilfork will draw the double-teams, so McClellin simply must react well to the run and become a reliable playmaker.

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

Arguably the best pass-rusher in the draft, Vinny Curry will also cause fumbles, track down ball-carries from the backside, defend well against cutbacks and apply consistent pressure. The Packers need Curry's kind of dominance because the defense cost them in 2011.

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

Playing alongside center Ben Jones at Georgia, the Bulldogs had an impressive offensive line with Cordy Glenn. A laterally-athletic lineman, the Ravens' offense presents a more threatening attack with Glenn because he significantly boosts the ground game, which ultimately sets up play-action.

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

It wouldn't have been a bad idea for Stephen Hill to remain at Georgia Tech, because he would have developed more in route-running and exploding off the ball. He'll contribute well in San Francisco, but another year of college would have made him a top-15 selection.

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

Perhaps the best most interesting attribute about Lavonte David is his size. Coming in at 6'1" and 233 pounds, David is a fast linebacker that excels in coverage, against the perimeter ground game and can apply pressure. If need be, his athleticism allows the Pats to implement the Tampa 2 coverage as well.

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

Considering that Doug Martin enters as a redshirt senior, it wouldn't be surprising to see him drop into Round 2. He is, however, a complete back and the Giants need a No. 2 ball-carrier—with No. 1 potential—to complement Ahmad Bradshaw.

John Rozum on Twitter.