2012 NFL Mock Draft: Teams That Will Get Fooled by Combine Performances

Mistakes and blunders are sure to fill the NFL Draft as much as brilliant picks will. Here is a look at those combine stars that will have teams reaching for them early.

We have seen it all before, a player with a good but not great game comes into the combine and slays the event.

Their draft stock rises to unheard of levels only to be exactly what we thought they would be in the NFL.

Here is a look at the NFL draft, all mocked out for your pleasure. Included are some cautionary tales about combine superstars that are overrated at this point.  

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The most boring pick of them all goes to the Colts, a team we knew would head this way for months. 

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

Nothing much to say here either, because the Redskins are sure to get their RG3 on at the NFL Draft. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

I still say the Vikings go with their biggest need on draft day. Sure, Claiborne would be a great fit, but taking care of the QB is paramount. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

I am not ready to buy into the Browns taking Ryan Tannehill here. The best running back around is still the pick here.   

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

The Buccaneers need a big player at corner that can lock down the defense for the next decade, and Claiborne is that guy, one of the elite athletes in this star-studded class.  

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

This is a dream scenario for the Rams that get the big-time receiver they have needed for the last couple season. Blackmon and Sam Bradford will be a fun tandem to watch going forward. 

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

He has no motor issues and simply loves to play. His tenacity is nearly as treasured as his versatility and explosion off the line. 

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

I don't like it, not one bit. 

This is a reach, no matter how you slice it. However, it seems that this is the way the Dolphins will be headed. I hope, for their sake, Tannehill does mature into a game-changing quarterback in a season or two, because he has second-round value written all over him. 

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

The Panthers get a player I am convinced can compete right away, and will be a big name by midseason. He has a great passion and is as gifted as they get on the line. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Bills could go a number of ways, but I would like them to solidify the offensive line with the most stout player on the board. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College 

I could easily say that his combine was a bust, but can't. He had questions on his speed and size going into the combine, but put those things to rest.

The fact is his tape showed a knack for getting to the ball and making the big tackles despite his supposed question marks.

The combine actually reinforced that he is a top-15 pick.  

12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples comes in with a number of issues that will likely force him from top-10 consideration, but you can't discount the talent here. He is a top-flight athlete that will be an amazing find for the Seahawks. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

I don't like taking a guard this early but it seems that is where Glenn and his stock has him going. I just don't see how top-end speed for his size will make him worth this high in the draft. 

I like Glenn to be a solid player in the future, but not at this value. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis 

I love me some Dontari Poe, but not at this level in the draft. He may be the biggest combine ninja to sneak cleverly into the upper echelon of the first round.

Yes, his 44 reps with 225 pounds and 40-yard dash time of 4.98 seconds is more than impressive, but the tape on him from last season doesn't add up. 

If he slides a bit I would be far more comfortable with his value.  

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Philadelphia needs consistency at the safety position, and you can hardly ask for a more gifted athlete with superstar status written all over him.  

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

Here is one for the positive pile. 

Upshaw did little to help his draft stock at the combine, failing to take part in all of the drills and overall not impressing with the bench press. 

The combine isn't everything, and Upshaw is still a tremendous talent and is fantastic in his measures to get around the edges. He will be plugging holes and taking down QB's in no time. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

I like the Bengals to get back to the playoffs, and like it even more with a dynamic playmaker like Michael Floyd on the field for them. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

I like Mercilus' ability to make the tough play and to keep going play after play, but like him more after he showed marked improvement to his game. 

19. Chicago Bears: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa  

I love Reiff at this pick. It's the perfect value for a team that again has to address concerns on the line.  

20. Tennessee Titans: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

The Titans need help at corner, and Kirkpatrick continues to be far too underrated considering what he showed at Alabama. 

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

With a star receiver in the mix, I would like the Bengals to get fierce at the corner position, and shore up the big-time plays on the other side of the ball. 

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Browns may address the QB situation, but I say a vertical threat is the best possible scenario to give Colt McCoy a real solid shot at proving his detractors incorrect. 

23. Detroit Lions: David DeCastro, G, Stanford 

Keep Matthew Stafford in good health and upright—that is all that Lions should worry about here. 

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

The Steelers could go a number of routes, but I love Hightower at this point in the draft. He doesn't fill any obvious need, but would be an epic find as he matures on the perfect team to utilize his skills. 

25. Denver Broncos: Nick Perry, DE, USC

The Broncos continue their build of one of the biggest, baddest pass rushes in the league.  

26. Houston Texans: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

I still like Jeffrey far above any receiver left in the draft, and could see him going earlier. I am excited for the possibilities with him sharing the line with Andre Johnson. 

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Here is another combine meltdown that will prove to be well worth the first-round pick. It's not every day that you run into a man his size and stature.

He has all the signs of being a great pass rusher, and will come in with top-end power and explosiveness.  

28. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson

He is big and bulky but shows great ability to command that frame on the field, switching directions with ease. 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame 

He became one of my favorite bust-out players at the combine. He showed versatility and speed, but his instincts will make him a star. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech

With Hosley, the 49ers shore up any depth issues they have in the secondary. 

31. New England Patriots: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

His 53 receptions for 917 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior season make him worth first-round consideration. 

32. New York Giants: Amini Silatolu, G, Midwestern State (Texas)

I like the Giants to add offensive line insurance, and Silatolu is the best on the board.  

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