2012 NFL Mock Draft: Previous Top-10 Locks Who Won't Crack 1st Round

Experts and fans analyze the first round of the NFL draft so much that it's inevitable that many players' stocks will rise and fall in the months leading up to the draft.

This year there are several players who were top-10 locks but are now in danger of not cracking the first round.

Let's look at three of those players.

Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery has a ton of talent and good size but lacks the speed needed to thrive at the NFL level against top defensive backs.

There are also questions about his route running, which is an issue because in the pros you cannot be effective as a receiver if you don't execute your routes.

If you run a wrong route or do something you're not supposed to, the result could be a costly turnover. There are too many question marks in Jeffery's game, which makes him someone too risky to take with a first-round pick.

Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Hurricanes' star running back is still one of the best running backs in this class, but since the position is a very difficult one to play, especially in the NFL, it's often too risky to take one in the first round. 

Miller doesn't have blazing speed, but he has the strength to be an every-down back, which is certainly a very good quality that NFL teams will value.

Expect Miller to be one of the first second-round picks to be made on draft day.

Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Devon Still could still crack the first round, depending on if the New England Patriots keep both of their first-round picks. If Bill Belichick passes on Still, he will certainly fall to the second round.

Still has good athleticism but doesn't stop the run as well as some of the better defensive tackles in this draft, such as Dontari Poe.

Still will be a solid NFL player, but he will fall to the early second round.

First Round Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck is one of the most impressive quarterback prospects come into the NFL in years.

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

Griffin will be a star and will be a much better NFL quarterback than Vince Young is.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Claiborne will be the playmaker in the secondary that the Vikings have lacked for years.

4. Cleveland Browns: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Tannehill is a special player, and the Browns are desperate for an upgrade at the quarterback position.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is the best player available at this point and a very safe pick for the Buccaneers.

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

Blackmon is the most NFL-ready receiver in this draft class and is a legitimate playmaker.

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

Ingram could slide a bit in the first round, but the Jaguars need to upgrade the defensive end position.

8. Miami Dolphins: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is an explosive back with good speed and the ability to make big plays. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples will be a great NFL player if he puts the time and effort into making himself a better pass-rusher.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is one of the more well-rounded players in this draft and is certain to be a qualify offensive tackle in the pros.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd and Dwayne Bowe would be an awesome wide receiver duo for Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

With a need at inside linebacker, expect the Seahawks to take Boston College star Luke Kuechly.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe would be the run-stuffing defensive tackle that the Cardinals have needed for a long time.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

Barron's high football intelligence and ability to play the run and pass effectively make this the perfect fit for the Cowboys.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Upshaw is a phenomenal player, and even though he might slide a bit in the first round, the Eagles will like his versatility in that he can play defensive end and outside linebacker.

16. New York Jets: Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois

The Jets need to rush the passer better against teams in their division like the Patriots and Bills, so drafting a player that has speed of the edge would be a good idea.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers is a strong player who would add some versatility and energy to the Bengals offensive line.

18. San Diego Chargers: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

This is a no-brainer for the Chargers, who need offensive line improvements badly. DeCastro is one of the better guard prospects in years.

19. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin used to be a top 10 prospect, but the Bears will certainly take him at No. 19 given their offensive line issues.

20. Tennessee Titans: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore is a very strong cornerback who will dominate in the NFL.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick used to be a top-10 prospect. The Bengals will certainly think strongly about taking him considering their lack of depth at cornerback.

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

Wright is another player falling in the first round, but the Browns will need to draft a quality wide receiver if they select a quarterback such as Tannehill or Brandon Weeden.

23. Detroit Lions: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Lions would rather take Gilmore or Kirkpatrick if available, but Nick Perry isn't a bad choice either as a pass-rusher.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

With veteran DT Casey Hampton not having many more productive NFL seasons left in him, drafting a young defensive tackle is priority No. 1 for the Steelers.

25. Denver Broncos: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Dont'a Hightower played very well at Alabama this season and proved he could shine in big-time games like BCS bowls.

26. Houston Texans: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Hill would give quarterback Matt Schaub another deep-threat wide receiver who has good hands and route-running ability.

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz might not start in New England this season, but over the next few years he would take over for Dan Koppen as the starter.

28. Green Bay Packers: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

The Packers' rushing attack was terrible last season, so drafting a reliable running back such as Polk makes perfect sense at No. 28.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

Branch and veteran star Terrell Suggs would be a scary defensive end combo for opposing offensive lines to handle.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

The 49ers would rather take Hill with this pick, but Randle is a good receiver who is NFL-ready.

31. New England Patriots: Cordy Glenn, OG/OT, Georgia

If the Patriots don't take Konz, expect them to add offensive line depth with Cordy Glenn of Georgia.

32. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams is a good run-blocker who will help the New York Giants offense in several ways.