2012 NFL Mock Draft: Skill Players That Must Bulk Up to Succeed

Due to the success of smallish players such as Maurice Jones-Drew, Darren Sproles and Wes Welker in recent years, it has become apparent that succeeding in the NFL is more about the size of the fight in the dog than the size of the dog in the fight. With that said, if a prospect has the ability to add some bulk, it can give them a big advantage.

It doesn't matter how big a player is if they don't have the desire to thrive at the next level, but for player who already has that winning mentality, size is simply another asset that can work in their favor. A player can't do anything about his height, but muscle mass can always be added, and that can really come in handy over the course of a long season.

In addition to a full, first-round mock draft, here are three skill players who can afford to bulk up in preparation for the draft and the NFL season (players that need to bulk up are italicized).

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

The Colts have reportedly told Luck that he'll be their man and that news comes to the surprise of absolutely nobody at this point.

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

He may not be as polished as Luck, but Griffin may be the most talented player in this draft, so the Redskins likely can't wait for the commissioner to call his name.

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

There have been some character concerns with Kalil and rumors of the Vikings trading down, but they need a franchise left tackle and Kalil is exactly that.

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

Quality running backs can be found late in the draft, but the Browns desperately need a good one and there is little chance that Richardson disappoints.

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

Aqib Talib is apparently on the trade block, so the Buccaneers obviously have interest in taking a corner, and Claiborne is clearly the best in the class.

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

Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon looked and played big over the past two years at the collegiate level, but his measurements were quite underwhelming at the combine. Many were surprised to learn that he was just 6'1" and 207 lbs, and that took away from his mystique a bit. It doesn't necessarily mean that he can't excel at the next level, but it may not be as easy as many first thought.

Seeing as Blackmon answered his critics by running a fantastic 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the combine, he can afford to add a little bit of bulk. He manhandled defensive backs in college, but at his current size he won't be able to do that in the NFL. Blackmon would be a lot tougher to deal with if he were to add about 15 lbs of bulk to his frame and the rest of his game probably wouldn't be compromised.

Regardless of what he does, the St. Louis Rams seem likely to take him at No. 6. They traded down from No. 2 with a plan in mind and I have to believe that plan has always been to take Blackmon. He is the consensus top receiver in the draft and the Rams desperately need to get quarterback Sam Bradford a go-to target. It seems like the perfect fit.

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

There are plenty of differing opinions with regards to who the best pass-rusher in the draft is, but Coples is the most talented and the Jaguars will bank on that.

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

This is probably way too early for Tannehill, but after losing out on Peyton Manning, Matt Flynn and Alex Smith, the Dolphins will panic and reach for him.

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

No position has been more volatile during the draft process than defensive tackle, and while many have Fletcher Cox going here, Brockers is a more logical fit.

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

Floyd has surpassed Justin Blackmon as the top receiver in the draft in the eyes of some, and the Bills will be thrilled to pair him with Stevie Johnson.

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

The Chiefs don't have any pressing needs, but solidifying the offensive line and adding depth to an average unit with Reiff would be a smart move.

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

Ingram appears as though he may be the safest pick in terms of pass-rushers in this draft, and that makes him the perfect selection for the Seahawks.

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

Kuechly is a polarizing player in that most think he'll either be a bust or a star, but the Cardinals won't hesitate to gamble on him becoming the latter.

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

The Cowboys' pass defense has been an issue for the past few seasons, and with Terence Newman out of the picture, it gives them a reason to nab Kirkpatrick.

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

Defense is the main thing that stopped the Eagles from living up to their immense promise last season, but Barron could help turn things around quickly.

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

Aaron Maybin experienced a rebirth last season, but he is only a situational player, so the Jets need an every-down pass-rusher like Upshaw.

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

The case of Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright is quite the curious one. As Robert Griffin III's main target in college, he looked like a dynamic playmaker in the mold of DeSean Jackson. At the combine, however, he disappointed many scouts by running a 4.61-second 40-yard dash. He improved at his pro day by running it in 4.41 seconds, but there is no doubt that his underwhelming combine performance threw up some red flags.

If Wright is unable to outrun everybody in the NFL like he did in college, then it's tough to imagine him being too productive. Wright is only 5'10" and 196 lbs, so he certainly isn't going to overpower many corners, and that could be a problem. It would be a shame to see Wright further compromise his speed, but he would be best off adding some bulk so that he can gain some separation when speed alone isn't getting the job done.

It's tough to say for sure where Wright might land in the first round, but No. 17 to the Cincinnati Bengals seems likely. The Bengals don't necessarily need a receiver, but they have two first-rounders, so they can afford to gamble with one. A.J. Green could use a complement across from him and it would really open things up for quarterback Andy Dalton.

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

The Chargers need less substance and more style on their team as a whole, and there is nothing particularly stylish about a mauling guard like DeCastro.

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

Some might think that a center at No. 19 is a reach, but the offensive line is a major problem for the Bears and they could use a leader in the middle such as Konz.

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

The Titans are pretty solid everywhere, but after losing Jason Jones in free agency, it wouldn't hurt to take another pass-rusher in the form of Mercilus.

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

Over the past few weeks, Gilmore's draft stock has soared and with Leon Hall still on the mend, the Bengals won't hesitate to take him and start him immediately.

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

The Browns really need to do something about the right side of their offensive line, and Martin is certainly the best lineman on the board at this juncture.

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

Jenkins has become a second-round prospect in the eyes of many, but the Lions' secondary is absolutely terrible, so they'll roll the dice by taking him.

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

Not many believe Poe will fall this far, but if he does the Steelers will be thrilled, as he will be their replacement for the aging and injury-prone Casey Hampton.

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

The Broncos are still trying to fortify their offensive line in front of Peyton Manning and since Glenn can play tackle or guard, he is the type of versatile player they'd love to have.

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

The Texans have failed to give Andre Johnson support for far too long, but they'll finally crack and get him a complement in the form of Hill.

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

Over the past few weeks, Boise State hybrid pass-rusher Shea McClellin has become a popular name in draft circles. He was considered nothing more than a second-round pick by most in the months prior, but after a strong combine, McClellin looks like he may be taken in the first. Size was a big issue for McClellin, as he only weighed in at 248 lbs at the Senior Bowl, but he put on 12 lbs between then and the combine.

McClellin shouldn't stop there, however, as the quality of the offensive linemen he'll be facing in the NFL is far greater than the Mountain West. McClellin has plenty of athleticism, but if he doesn't have the strength to combat NFL offensive linemen, then there is a good chance that he will get manhandled at the point of attack.

The team that has been rumored to be most interested in McClellin is the New England Patriots. That shouldn't come as a surprise as he seems like a good fit as a rush linebacker in their 3-4 system. Regardless of his frame, McClellin should be able to have some success for the Pats. If he puts on five or 10 more pounds of muscle, though, it will make him the total package and a force to be reckoned with from day one in the NFL.

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

There may not be a pass-rusher worth taking at this spot, but grabbing a defensive lineman like Cox who can occupy blockers may be just as good.

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

As tough as it is to believe, Ray Lewis doesn't have much time left, so the Ravens would be wise to take Hightower to be his eventual replacement.

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

Adams tested positive at the combine, so his stock has taken a hit, but the 49ers can afford to gamble on him in order to improve the right side of their offensive line.

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

The Patriots absolutely love versatile players who can move around on their defensive line, and Still is a guy who can do precisely that.

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

Most have been mocking a tight end here, but with Mario Manningham in San Francisco, the Giants need a receiver like Randle to fill that void.