2012 NFL Mock Draft: Pro Day Risers Worthy of Hype

The 2012 NFL draft is just a few days away, meaning scouts and GMs have precious little time left to pool their knowledge and construct their big board.

One major factor that will shape these rankings is how a player performed at his pro day.

Let’s take a look at the latest first-round mock, with an eye towards some guys who boosted their stock by coming up with a solid performance during pro day.

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

Luck proved to everyone for the final time that he’s worthy of the No. 1 pick with an incredible performance for the world to watch during his televised pro day.

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

If there was any doubt that Griffin should be the second player taken, he erased it by stunning scouts in Waco with his throws and athleticism back in late March.

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

If the Vikings don’t trade out of this pick, Kalil promises to be a franchise LT that will instantly improve their line. He maintained his excellent performance during his pro day and reaffirmed that he’s the best in his class.

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

Richardson is the rare RB worthy of a top-five pick, and his pro day performance definitely helped his standing with scouts. The man ran a 4.45 40-yard dash and showed how physical he could be while measuring in at 5’9”, 227 pounds.

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

The LSU stud ran a 4.39 40-yard dash this spring and added to his impressive resume. He’s the best defensive player in the draft and should come off the board within the first five picks. Tampa would be a nice fit.

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

St. Louis did not need to get a franchise QB in the draft, which is why they traded down to add a load of future value and a great chance to select Blackmon with the No. 6 pick.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore has been steadily rising since the combine, where he measured in at a legit 6’0” and ran a 4.4 40. He has return ability and a ton of potential. There is no way he falls from the top ten, and Jacksonville is a great landing spot.

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

There has been talk that Miami may trade up to select this young man, but right now we have them staying pat and waiting for him to fall here. The Fins direly need a franchise signal-caller, meaning they’ll take a chance here.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox’s got great utility and the ability to play a number of positions in the Panthers’ defensive scheme right away. For a team that couldn’t stop the run whatsoever last year, he’ll be a huge boon.

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

Some scouts believe Floyd might be the best WR in the class and he just didn’t put up huge numbers because of a lack of a skilled QB in South Bend.

Regardless, he’s likely to be the first or second off the board and would be a nice weapon for the Bills here.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

KC would love to get back to the power rushing game after a disastrous 2011-12 season on the ground. DeCastro is one of the best interior lineman prospects in years and someone who will make an instant impact.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

The Seahawks need a pass-rusher, and Coples is the best value here. He could eventually become one of the elite defensive ends in the league, but he could just as easily bust out.

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

This surprisingly athletic and very instinctive linebacker would instantly improve Arizona’s defense.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron was unable to workout at the combine due to surgery to repair a double hernia. He debuted his athleticism and speed at the Crimson Tide’s pro day and dazzled scouts.

This kid has a chance to show up at camp and become a starter very quickly.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers’ insane upside may just be too much for the Eagles to pass up on. He’s young with immense size and a lot of room to grow. If he pans out, they may have a future star on their hands.

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

The Jets had trouble getting pressure on the QB last year, something they usually excel at. Upshaw is a quick, creative and explosive pass rusher who would improve an area of need.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK; 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick has more talent than this pick suggests. He’s a freakish athlete with incredible size for the position and more than capable of marking some of the best WRs in the NFL from day one.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

The Chargers need to add a OLB with the ability to get into the backfield and create havoc now that Peyton Manning is a member of the AFC West. Ingram is the best available when they are picking at No. 18.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The Bears' line was atrocious last year, and Glenn will come in and help fix it right away. This team simply can’t afford to have Jay Cutler and Matt Forte taking shots like they were in 2011-12.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Nick Perry, DE, USC

Perry’s an athletic monster who still has a lot of work to do fundamentally. If he’s receptive to NFL coaching and works on his technique, this kid is going to be a stud.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

If Andy Dalton is going to make the leap from game manager to a QB who can win games with his arm, he’ll need another weapon. Wright and his incredible speed could do the trick.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL; 10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Hill was the talk of the combine after he measured in at 6’4”, ran a 4.33 40-yard dash and flashed some great hands. His stock is through the roof, and he has the potential to become an elite receiver.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Protecting Matthew Stafford from injuries and trying to keep Jahvid Best from being concussed again should be priority No. 1 in Detroit. Reiff is the second best tackle in this class and an absolute steal this late.

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

Poe’s stock was sky-high after the combine, but scouts have cooled on this young man a bit since. He’s a physical freak with insane strength and speed for his size. Would be a nice addition to the Pittsburgh line.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Denver has to consider Still at No. 25 if he is available because of his experience and ability to come in and contribute immediately. They don’t have a huge window to win with Peyton Manning and need all hands on deck immediately.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Reuben Randle, WR, LSU

LSU’s subpar passing game didn’t help this young man’s stock, but he’s still a big, fast WR whom someone will take a chance on. Houston knows that Andre Johnson will not play forever, so they are building for the future and adding depth with this pick.

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

McClellin has earned his way into the first round because of his great measurables (6’3”, 260 pounds), versatility and ability to get to the QB. That is exactly what New England needs.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Mercilus is the ultimate boom-or-bust prospect. He did extremely well last year for Illinois, but that’s really the only time he showed NFL-caliber ability.

If he can maintain that production after going pro, this is a robbery. If not, and he proves to be too undersized and lacking a motor, this is a wasted pick.

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

Hightower would be groomed by Ray Lewis to eventually assume his role on the defense after retirement. Lewis has the physical abilities to be a successor to one of the greatest to ever play the game.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin

San Francisco needs to add someone who can help them clear running lanes and protect the QB. Zeitler is the best interior lineman left on the board.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

The Pats clearly need a pass-rusher and someone who has the versatility to fit their scheme. Reyes is the guy at No. 31.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

New York doesn’t need much, but a tackle like Martin—who used to be much higher before hurting his stock at pro day—could be good value here.

*Rams traded No. 2 overall pick to Redskins for 2012, 2013, 2014 first-round picks and 2012 second-round pick.