2012 NFL Mock Draft: Players Sure to Make Teams Regret Their First-Round Pick

The history of the NFL draft is littered with guys who didn't pan out as teams had hoped, guys who underachieved or were misevaluated in some form or fashion.

You know—busts.

Guys like JaMarcus Russell, Tony Mandarich, Ryan Leaf and Akili Smith have cost many a general manager his job and gone down in football lore as college stars who couldn't cut it in the pros.

Don't be surprised, then, when a bevy of 2012 prospects go belly up before too long and more than a few scouts and front office personnel are left wondering where and when it all went wrong.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Andrew Luck's about as surefire a star as the NFL has seen at quarterback since Peyton Manning in 1998. Few will fault new Colts GM Ryan Grigson if Luck doesn't work out, though that sort of consensus won't offer much in the way of job security.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Robert Griffin looks like a star, he smells like a star, so, by Shanaclan, he must be a star...right?

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikes shouldn't have to put too much thought into selecting Matt Kalil here. After all, he's considered a better prospect than his brother, Ryan, who's a Pro Bowl offensive lineman with the Carolina Panthers.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The Browns won't regret taking Trent Richardson one bit, once he starts racking up yards and not getting sick like a certain ball-carrier with the same name as a certain superstar quarterback.

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

Forget about Mo Claiborne's Wonderlic score. The guy's a hard worker with the physical tools to be a shutdown corner for years to come.

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

The only thing the Rams will regret here is their inability to pick up two Justin Blackmons with one pick.

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

If GM Gene Smith wanted reasons for regret in his life, he'd spend this pick on Quinton Coples.

However, he's smarter than that, so he'll opt for Melvin Ingram instead.

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

Don't get me wrong, I like Ryan Tannehill's upside and athleticism, and I think it'd be perfect if he wound up back under the tutelage of Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, under whom he played at Texas A&M.

When a potential draftee is evoking comparisons to JaMarcus Russell, though, it's difficult not to pay attention. If Matt Barkley and/or Landry Jones had opted to leave school early, one of them surely would've wound up with Miami at No. 8.

Tannehill may turn out better than Jam Jam, but he's a big step below either one of those two and would've fallen into the latter portions of the first round if not for their "generosity."

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

Chances are, the Panthers will spend this pick on a defensive tackle. Whether it's Fletcher Cox or Dontari Poe won't matter too much, as either one would be an excellent addition to Ron Rivera's defense.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

If it's true that Ryan Fitzpatrick's fall last season was due to injury, and Riley Reiff's able to shore up the Bills' pass protection, they won't regret drafting the big tackle out of Iowa one bit.

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

Romeo Crennel has to like his odds of surviving as a head coach this time around with the potential pairing of Luke Kuechly and Derrick Johnson at linebacker.

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

Quinton Coples has "BUST" written all over him. He's a big, strong kid who, if he plays up to his potential, could be the next Julius Peppers.

Trouble is, the North Carolina product doesn't always put his talents into overdrive, with a motor that only seems to run on occasion rather than from snap to snap. His lack of a collegiate track record makes him even more of a mystery, though at this point in the draft he could be something of a steal of he delivers on his considerable potential.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Cards will love the dividends Michael Floyd pays while catching all the passes that Larry Fitzgerald doesn't pull in whilst double-teamed.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

What Mark Barron lacks in elite athleticism, he more than makes up for in intelligence, leadership and toughness, particularly against the run. He'll bring plenty of moxie to the Cowboys' fast-improving secondary.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Here's a lesson in how to spot a potential bust: Check the game tape on guys who shine at the combine.

That's what's happened to Dontari Poe. He tore it up in Indianapolis a couple months ago but appeared unproductive and inconsistent while on the field at Memphis. Russ Lande of The Sporting News says some teams have compared Poe to Ryan Sims, the sixth overall pick in the 2002 draft.

You remember Ryan Sims, don't you? No?

Exactly.

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

Is he a defensive end? Is he a linebacker? It won't matter much once Rex Ryan gets him chasing quarterbacks on the gridiron.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via Raiders): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

No regrets here for the Bengals, who could use an upgrade on the interior of their offensive line of David DeCastro's caliber.

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

His last name is pronounced "merciless." You tell me if Bolts GM A.J. Smith will regret this one...

19. Chicago Bears: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Bears could roll the dice on a higher risk/reward corner like Janoris Jenkins or Dre Kirkpatrick here (or even a wide receiver), but would be wise to opt for the safer pick here in Stephon Gilmore.

20. Tennessee Titans: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Dre Kirkpatrick's drug-related concerns could come into play here, though this 6'3" cover guy will more than likely make up for the departure of Cortland Finnegan to St. Louis.

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

 I don't want to say that Janoris Jenkins is a bad seed...but, I'll let his rap sheet speak for itself:

One arrest for fighting in downtown Gainesville in May of 2009.

One arrest for fighting and resisting arrest during a bar brawl in Gainesville in June of 2009. Jenkins' justification? He thought someone was going to steal his gold chain.

One citation for misdemeanor marijuana possession.

One (and only one) dismissal from the Florida Gators football team, a team that had been replete with nincompoops during Urban Meyer's tenure.

Not unlike the Bengals, who've become something of a haven for misfits and miscreants. Perhaps, then, Jenkins will fit in just fine, though maybe not for the better.

22. Cleveland Browns: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Whoever winds up at quarterback in Cleveland this season won't regret having Jonathan Martin watching his blind side.

23. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, OT/G, Georgia

If the Lions want Matthew Stafford to put up video game numbers like he did last season, they'll need to keep him upright. Cordy Glenn should help tremendously in that department.

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

Dont'a Hightower's youth and toughness will be a sight for sore eyes in the Steelers' decrepit linebacking corps.

25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Peyton Manning might lament a first-round selection that doesn't net him another wide receiver to throw to, though he certainly can't argue with an upgrade like Michael Brockers for the Broncos' defense.

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Kendall Wright's a Texan. They are the Texans. He's a speedy wide receiver. They need one opposite Andre Johnson.

Bingo.

27. New England Patriots (via Saints): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Nick Perry's still a bit raw, but Bill Belichick and his staff should know what to do with his tools in the Pats' pass rush.

28. Green Bay Packers: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

Chandler Jones will have a hard time on the gridiron living up to his older brother's dominance in the Octagon (Jon Jones), though the Packers will take whatever quarterback harassment they can get from the Syracuse product.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

 How is it that a 6'7" behemoth who was twice selected as an All-Big Ten performer could be a risky pick?

Well, as good as Mike Adams was during his days at Ohio State, there's a feeling he could've done considerably better if he combined his incredible size and natural talent with a heftier dose of focus and effort.

At least, that was one of the big takeaways from his performance during practice at the Senior Bowl.

The Ravens will need Adams to bring it more consistently if for no other reason than to keep Joe Flacco off his back.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Randy Moss? Mario Manningham? Who needs 'em?

The Niners certainly won't once they get Stephen Hill into the offense.

31. New England Patriots: Harrison Smith, FS, Notre Dame

If The Hoodie can get the Pats to the Super Bowl with Julian Edelman at safety, imagine what he could accomplish with a real defensive back like Harrison Smith manning that spot on the field.

32. New York Giants: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Big Blue would prefer an upgrade along the offensive line, but with Coby Fleener on the board, and Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum still working their way back to health, they could do worse than add another healthy body at tight end.

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