2012 NFL Mock Draft: Quinton Coples and More First-Round Failures

Every NFL season, we are reminded why we were lukewarm on prospects or why we should have seen that coming.

Sometimes there is no predicting a prospect's nosedive once he hits the NFL. Other times, however, we have clear evidence that a prospect is a risky pick.

Here's my latest 2012 NFL mock draft, complete with who I see being failures down the line (in italics).

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

A once-in-a-generation quarterback prospect, it's only fitting that the player being compared to Peyton Manning out of Tennessee would be his successor. Andrew Luck has great arm strength, as well as elite accuracy, pocket poise, leadership and the ability to scramble for first downs.

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

There really shouldn't be any question as to who the Redskins are grabbing here. They gave up a lot to draft at No. 2 overall, and they are desperate for a starting quarterback.

Robert Griffin III has great arm strength, accuracy, pocket poise, leadership and is a dynamic threat running out of the backfield. By the way, he has no character concerns to speak of, no matter what an unnamed scout says.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

I'm not a big fan of this move, but it does appear USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil has slid a bit, for whatever reason. In that case, the Vikings would do well to add to their pass defense in a division that sports quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and Jay Cutler.

Morris Claiborne is a top-five prospect and should prove to be a complete corner with outstanding coverage skills in the NFL.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Let's just say this: I hope to god the Browns don't take Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill here. They would do well to find their next starting running back, and Trent Richardson has all the tools to be a superstar in the NFL.

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

The offensive line isn't a clear need for the Buccaneers, but with Claiborne gone, I expect them to beef up their offensive line and give Josh Freeman great protection with Matt Kalil.

Kalil is a top-three prospect in my mind and, combined with Carl Nicks, would give the Buccaneers a formidable line for years to come.

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

There are some who believe the Rams will take Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox here, but I think that would be a bad move.

They need to give Sam Bradford weapons first and foremost, and Justin Blackmon has the strength, leaping and game-changing ability after the catch to be a star in the NFL.

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

A premier pass-rusher, Melvin Ingram fills a need for the Jaguars here. He's a proven, versatile, explosive player who has a good motor.

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

Oh boy, oh boy. Ryan Tannehill is a fringe first-round pick, but he will likely be taken at No. 8 overall by the Dolphins. The Dolphins are desperate for a quarterback, and they will take a chance on a project like Tannehill.

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

Here's where I see Cox going. He has risen dramatically up draft boards this past year, and he's a strong, intelligent, versatile lineman who works hard. He could plug up the interior for the Panthers.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills need to address offensive tackle to give quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick more time in the pocket. Reiff is largely considered the second-best tackle in the draft, and he fits a need.

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

Luke Kuechly—with his instincts, range and tackling ability—would be a nice addition next to Derrick Johnson in the Chiefs' 3-4 defense. There are some concerns that he won't be able to fight through the interior of lines in the NFL, but his combine performance erased those concerns for some draft experts.

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

The Seahawks need to address their pass rush, and Quinton Coples, with his combination of speed and strength, will be hard to pass up here. I don't trust him, though—he didn't live up to his potential in college, playing inconsistent and lazy football at times, so why would he live up to his potential in the big and bad NFL?

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

A lot of draft experts have the Cardinals grabbing a receiver if Reiff isn't available here, and I tend to agree. Adding a strong, physical leaper with great hands like Michael Floyd would be a great complement to Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, SS, Alabama

How can the Cowboys pass up Mark Barron if he's available here? They've been looking for a do-it-all safety for a while now, and Barron is the very definition. He's strong, physical and can blow up the run and make big hits down the field.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Eagles struggled against the run last season because they frankly didn't have much size up the middle of the field. They absolutely need to address their rush defense, and Dontari Poe's combination of strength and speed is tremendous.

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

The Jets need a game-changing pass-rusher. Imagine how the Jets' pass defense would look when they are able to drop their secondary back and blitz someone like the fast, powerful Courtney Upshaw.

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

David DeCastro may actually be a better overall lineman than Riley Reiff. He's a powerful blocker with great lateral agility and footwork. He fills a top need at guard for the Bengals and will provide time for second-year quarterback Andy Dalton.

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

The Chargers have been searching for an impact pass-rusher at linebacker since Shawne Merriman left town. Whitney Mercilus, with his explosiveness and motor, has the ability to be a disruptive player in the NFL.

19. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Bears could go a number of different ways here, but I still think protecting Jay Cutler has to be a top priority. Jonathan Martin needs to add strength, but he has the athleticism, lateral agility and football IQ to be a dependable starter down the line.

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

I've long been a fan of Stephon Gilmore, and after his eye-popping combine performance, a lot of people are fans of him now. He has the size, speed and athleticism to be a dynamic No. 1 corner in the NFL, and he fits a need for the Titans.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bengals need to add someone opposite Leon Hall after the departure of Johnathan Joseph. Dre Kirkpatrick is a strong, physical corner who should be a solid player in the NFL.

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

If the Browns draft Richardson and Kendall Wright, they should have two players who will make an impact in their first seasons. Wright may not have run fast at the combine, but on the field—where it really matters—he displayed DeSean Jackson-like athleticism and speed at Baylor.

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

A lightning-quick, explosive athlete, Nick Perry would be a great addition to the Lions' budding defense. He's underrated in my opinion and one of the premier pass-rushers in the draft.

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

The Steelers, after letting James Farrior go, need to find their inside linebacker of the future, and it would be hard for me to imagine them passing Dont'a Hightower up if he lands here. He's a strong, explosive player who can control the run.

25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Michael Brockers, with his size and athleticism, excelled at LSU in his sophomore season. Based on his measurables and his production at LSU, he has great potential.

On the other hand, he showed up at the combine overweight and performed poorly in drills. I don't think he's going to live up to his potential.

26. Houston Texans: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

Rueben Randle has a lot of potential with his quickness, length and fluidity. He was also very productive at LSU despite not having the greatest pocket passers to work with. He needs to work on his route-running, but he's a better prospect than Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill in my mind.

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

Protecting Tom Brady should be a top priority, and Peter Konz has the ability to be a good center down the line. He has great size, strength, football IQ and focus.

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

Chandler Jones has risen up draft boards lately. He's a long, rangy athlete with strong instincts and a competitive nature. His brother, Arthur Jones, plays for the Ravens. His other brother, Jon Jones, is a UFC star. Not a bad family tree. Adding a pass-rusher like him could put the Packers over the top.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Cordy Glenn, OG/OT, Georgia

The Ravens have a need at guard, and Cordy Glenn is a powerful, jarring blocker with solid footwork. He has the lateral agility to be a tackle in the NFL, but he's best suited at guard.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Amini Silatolu, OG, Midwestern State

Georgia Tech receiver Stephen Hill is the better prospect here, and he could be someone to take over once Randy Moss is done in SF, but they let two guards walk in free agency so they need to add protection for Alex Smith.  

Amini Silatolu is a legit first-rounder. He's a powerful, nasty blocker who loves to finish and will run down the field and look for people to block.

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

The Patriots need to address their pass rush, and Andre Branch has good size, burst, athleticism and length. He has the ability to be a solid starter in the NFL.

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

With Travis Beckum and Jake Ballard out this season with torn ACLs, Eli Manning is going to need a tight end to throw the ball to. Coby Fleener has great size and speed for his position and is the unquestioned top tight end in the class.

Follow me on Twitter. We can talk about the 2012 NFL draft together.