2012 NFL Mock Draft: Underclassmen Worth Taking a Risk on

With the way the NFL Draft is constructed, the vast majority of elite prospects are underclassmen. There are very few top players who decide to stay in school all four years, and if they do, it is often because there are important aspects of their game that need to be refined. With that said, the first round should once again be laden with underclassmen this year.

While some of those underclassmen like Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, Alabama running back Trent Richardson and LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne seem like sure things, there are others who make for risky selections. The vast majority of players come with caveats, though, so teams have to remain strong in their convictions and take who they like.

Along with a full, first-round mock draft, here are three underclassmen who, although they have some question marks, are worth gambling on.

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

Luck may be an underclassman, but the Colts won't be gambling by taking him No. 1, as he is viewed as the draft's consensus top prospect.

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

Griffin is another underclassman quarterback, and while he comes with more question marks than Luck, he has all the tools to succeed at the next level.

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

His USC teammate Matt Barkley didn't join him in declaring early, but Kalil will be happy with his own decision as the Vikings will snag him.

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

Along with Luck, Richardson may be the safest pick in the draft as all signs point to him being a dominant workhorse running back in the NFL.

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

There is some concern because of his low Wonderlic score, but Claiborne is a supreme athlete who should become a lockdown corner.

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

He has been considered the top wide receiver prospect in the draft by most since he declared, but Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon doesn't come without risk.

No receiver was more productive than he was at the collegiate level over the past two seasons with back-to-back years of at least 11 catches, 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns. But those numbers came in a run-and-gun offense that passed the vast majority of the time.

Also, while Blackmon seems to play big, his measurements were surprisingly underwhelming as he is just 6'1" and 215 lbs. There have been plenty of receivers smaller than him who have excelled in the NFL, however, and provided Blackmon plays his game, he will be a success.

The St. Louis Rams desperately need a reliable target for quarterback Sam Bradford, and Blackmon should be just that. If Bradford doesn't have anyone to throw to, it will be impossible for him to develop. The Rams need a receiver and if they like Blackmon, then they shouldn't hesitate to take him.

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

It's unclear what type of value teams have placed on Coples, but he's the most talented defensive end in the draft and would be a good fit for the Jags.

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

Most probably think that No. 8 is too high for Tannehill, but the Dolphins badly need a quarterback, so they'll roll the dice on him panning out.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

It seems very likely that the Panthers will take a defensive tackle, and while nobody knows which one they covet most, Brockers looks like the best fit.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Bills are on the brink of playoff contention and getting Floyd to pair with Stevie Johnson will be another move in the right direction.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Kansas City has a decent offensive line, but with so much depth across the rest of its roster, it can afford to upgrade with the selection of Reiff.

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

The Seahawks really need a pass rusher to put across from Chris Clemons and Ingram is the safest one left on the board.

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

He may not be the most athletically-gifted player in the draft, but Kuechly was extremely productive in college and should be at the pro level as well.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys need to address the cornerback position after releasing Terence Newman and Kirkpatrick has the talent to be an elite cover man.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Philadelphia's defense has suffered since safety Brian Dawkins left a couple years ago, but Barron may be able to develop into a similar player.

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

The Jets need a pass rusher to revitalize their defense and Upshaw has the type of pedigree head coach Rex Ryan will love.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright may not fill a major need for the Bengals, but pairing him with A.J. Green will really open up Cincinnati's young, talented offense.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Chargers have a good group of skill position players, but the offensive line is questionable, making DeCastro the clear choice at this juncture.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Centers aren't taken in the first round all that often, but when there is a special talent available, position shouldn't really matter much. Wisconsin center Peter Konz is by far the best at his position in this year's class and appears to be one of the best centers to come out in quite some time. With that in mind, the first round isn't too early to take him.

A center is responsible for running the entire offensive line and barking out signals, so it takes a ton of intelligence to excel there. Not only does Konz have that, but he is a mauler at 6'5" and 315 lbs., and should be able to start from day one. Because of that, I would be surprised if the Chicago Bears didn't take a good, long look at him at pick No. 19.

Seeing as the Bears addressed their biggest need this offseason by trading for wide receiver Brandon Marshall, the next logical step is to upgrade the offensive line. Long-time center Olin Kreutz signed with the New Orleans Saints and subsequently retired. This loss really hurt the Bears. Konz may not play to that level immediately, but his ceiling is high enough that he could get there eventually.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Titans have a host of decent pass rushers, but they need an elite one and Mercilus has the ability to develop into that type of player.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore may be the fastest-rising prospect in the draft, and the Bengals will be happy to snatch him up and fill a position of need in the process.

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

Although Joe Thomas has the left side locked down, the Browns have holes on the right side of their offensive line, making Martin an astute selection.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Like many of this year's prospects, Jenkins has a marijuana arrest in his past, but his skill level is so high that the Lions may look past that.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

There was some question with regards to whether Memphis nose tackle Dontari Poe should have entered the draft early, but after his performance at the combine, it's fair to say that he made the right decision. Not only did he test as one of the strongest players at the combine, but he incredibly ran the 40-yard dash in less than five seconds despite his 6'4", 346-lb. frame.

Poe didn't have the highest level of competition in college, but his combination of size and athletic ability is too rare for a team in need to pass him up. One team that could really use him is the Pittsburgh Steelers as their defense as a whole is aging. On top of that, long-time nose tackle Casey Hampton is nursing an ACL injury, and there is no timetable for his return.

The nose tackle position is extremely important in a 3-4 defense, and the Steelers simply aren't the same without Hampton. Poe may not be able to replace him sufficiently right away, but he could be the superior prospect in due time.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG/OT, Georgia

Protecting Peyton Manning will be an incredibly important task for the Broncos and getting a versatile guy like Glenn, who can play guard or tackle, makes a lot of sense.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Andre Johnson has been a lone wolf at receiver for the Texans since entering the league, but it's about time he got some help in the form of Hill.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State

The Patriots need to replace the injured Andre Carter and departed Mark Anderson, and they seem to have a ton of interest in McClellin.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State

Green Bay's defense was in rough shape last season, but taking a versatile defensive lineman who can occupy blockers, like Cox, will make life easier for everyone.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Ravens don't necessarily need to add to their defense, but with Ray Lewis near the end of his career, Hightower can be his eventual replacement.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams is in hot water after testing positive for marijuana, but the 49ers need to improve the right side of their offensive line, so they may still take a chance on him.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Devon Still, DL, Penn State

The Patriots have always loved versatile defensive linemen in the mold of Richard Seymour, so Still is perfect selection for them.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

The defending Super Bowl champions can do whatever they please, but with Mario Manningham leaving town, Randle seems like a really good fit.