2012 NFL Mock Draft: Project Players Destined for Stardom

There a few players that will go in the upcoming first round of the NFL draft that will be slow out of the gates, but pay big dividends down the line. 

These are talented players, but for various reasons, their adjustment to the NFL will take some time. So be patient with these guys, they may start off slow, but they'll be producing soon enough. 

In my mock draft below, each first-round selection is discussed, but the players that fall into this category will be given extra attention. 

Langford's 2012 NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck has and always will be the No. 1 overall selection in this draft.

2.  Washington Redskins via St. Louis: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Maybe they should just skip the announcement of the first two picks in this year's draft. We all know who they are going to draft.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is a pro-ready left tackle with room to grow, and the Vikes can definitely use the help in the trenches. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Everything a team hopes their RB can do, Richardson can do. 

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

Claiborne is a polished and athletic corner. He will be an instant upgrade in Tampa.

6. St. Louis Rams via Washington: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

If Blackmon is still on the board, this pick becomes a no-brainer. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

Why Coples is a Project Destined for Stardom

Coples struggled while dealing with a constant barrage of double teams during his senior season. This sent his draft stock plummeting. 

Then the Senior Bowl rolled along and Coples dominated. He overpowered offensive linemen and made himself a constant presence in the opposition's backfield, and now he is back near the top of the draft board. 

However, Coples is going to struggle initially in the NFL. He relies on a bull rush to get into the backfield, and that is going to find him limited success in the NFL. 

He has to develop another pass rush move to keep lineman honest or he will disappear just like he did against the double teams he faced as a senior. 

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

Miami must find a QB they can build around. Tannehill isn't ready to start, but he has huge potential. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Panthers defense was terrible last year, and that is mostly due to the fact that defense was filled with awful players. Defensive tackle is an ideal place for them to start rebuilding. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick is a well-rounded corner, and the Bills can use the secondary help. 

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

DeCastro will be a nice step for the Chiefs in getting back to their dominant run-blocking ways. 

12. Seattle Seahawks: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe is a massive tackle that will help the Seahawks generate some needed pass rush. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Johnathan Martin, T, Stanford

Martin is a physical tackle that will be a nice addition to the Cardinals' developing run game. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Cowboys can use Kuechly's instincts and sure tackling. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff will bring a little edge protection to help keep Michael Vick healthy. 

16. New York Jets: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Ingram's speed and athleticism will be a welcomed sight in New York. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals via Oakland: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Bengals have a nice young core on offense, and Miller will be a nice addition to that core. 

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

Why Mercilus is a Project Destined for Stardom

Mercilus has the athleticism to succeed in the NFL. He is 6'4" and 265 pounds and has the speed and explosiveness to make scouts drool. 

That is not all, either. He has a nice arsenal of pass moves, and that will benefit him greatly in the NFL—just not right away. 

Mercilus has just one productive year of college ball under his belt, and it wasn't exactly against elite tackles. He is going to face a huge talent jump as he moves to the pros, and he doesn't have the same experience as others to help him handle this. 

He will take some serious lumps along the way, but he will learn and then his talent will take over. 

19. Chicago Bears: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Bears' pass protection was atrocious last season, and their play at center was bad in all areas. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron is easily the best strong safety in this draft. The Titans will not hesitate if he is still on the board. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Yes, Jenkins has some serious character issues, but the Bengals have never shied away from that. 

22. Cleveland Browns via Atlanta: Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Brown is a solid value here for the Browns, and his well-rounded linebacking skills will help complete a promising defense. 

23. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Why Glenn is a Project Destined for Stardom

Glenn is a massive lineman. He is 6'5" and 345 pounds, and he has a wealth of starting experience in the defensive heavy SEC. So what's the problem? Well the problem is that Glenn is too slow to play the same position in the NFL that he did in college. 

His feet simply aren't quick enough to hold down the edge against the speed rushers in the NFL. He will have to move inside to guard.

Glenn will be able to handle this switch. He certainly won't be the first to make the move from guard to tackle. It is just going to take him a little time to learn how to operate in the phone booth that is the guard position. Once he gets this down, he will dominate. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Steelers claim they will be getting back to a more smash-mouth style of offense. Not if they don't upgrade their offensive line they won't.  

25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The Broncos could use a difference-maker at defensive tackle, and the explosive Cox is that. 

26. Houston Texans: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd's character concerns will hold him back, but the Texans will take the risk. 

27. New England Patriots via New Orleans: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

New England hasn't had an elite athlete rushing the passer since they traded Richard Seymour. It is time to end that trend. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Packers have to go defense here, and a pass rusher is a fine place to start. 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Hightower is a perfect fit for the Ravens LB corp. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

San Francisco has made some waves in adding free agent WRs like Randy Moss, but that won't keep them from adding another in the draft. 

31. New England Patriots: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

The Patriots must continue to add youth to their front seven with their second first-round selection. 

32. New York Giants: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The Giants lost some defensive line depth in free agency. They will make sure the heart of their team stays stocked.