2012 NFL Mock Draft: Under-the-Radar Pro Bowlers in First Round

Future Pro Bowlers will be strewn about the entire first round of the 2012 NFL draft. They will come with the names you expect like Andrew Luck and Trent Richardson, but also some guys that aren't receiving as much fanfare. 

In my first round mock below, every pick is projected, but the picks that will result in one of those under-the-radar future Pro Bowler will be given extra attention. 

Langford's 2012 NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck has been a lock for the No. 1 selection in this year's draft since he announced he wouldn't return to Stanford for his senior season. 

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

Griffin has been a lock for the second pick since the Redskins paid a hefty price to acquire this pick. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings are letting it be publicly known that they are not convinced Kalil is the best pick here. That will prove to be a smokescreen to try and increase the trade value of this pick.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson makes perfect sense for a Browns team that needs an every down runner. 

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

The Bucs have a lot of holes to fill. They must take the best player available and that's Claiborne. 

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

The Rams will be overjoyed if the draft plays out this way, and can get their hands on Blackmon. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

The Jaguars pass-rush has been terrible. Coples will be a nice upgrade. 

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

Miami has to find a QB to build around somewhere. The draft is their last realistic chance to do so. 

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

The Panthers have to add defensive tackles somehow. It will be wise to do that with their first pick. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick is surrounded by character concerns, but the Bills will be even more concerned about the talent level of their secondary.  

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

Why DeCastro is an Under-the-Radar Future Pro Bowler 

DeCastro comes flying under-the-radar because he's an interior offensive lineman. These players simply don't generate the buzz of left tackles or defensive linemen.

However, that doesn't change the fact DeCastro is an impact player that will develop into one of the best guards in the league.

The Stanford guard is an absolutely elite run blocker, tremendous in drive blocking as well as being supremely effective when pulling.

He's agile, quick, strong and smart. While not as efficient in pass protection, DeCastro is still solid, and with time will improve in this area.

DeCastro will quickly become a Pro Bowl fixture.  

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Seattle must continue to try and improve their pass-rush. Ingram will be a nice fit as an end in their 4-3 defense. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Johnathan Martin, T, Stanford

Arizona must improve the physicality of their offensive line and Martin will definitely do that. 

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

Kuechly's elite instincts find him constantly around the ball. The Cowboys will welcome that consistency. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

With an improved offensive line, the Eagles offense will be absolutely unstoppable. 

16. New York Jets: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The Jets must add athleticism to their front seven. Poe brings that and the body to play nose or end in a 3-4. 

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

The Bengals will be torn between going for a running back and a WR with this pick. Miller comes with less risk than the WRs available. 

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

Why Mercilus is an Under-the-Radar Future Pro Bowler 

Mercilus has just one year of dominant college play under his belt, raising some red flags and greatly limiting the amount of buzz he has been able to generate. 

It does not change the fact he has elite athleticism for a man his size. Mercilus is fast, strong and long while also having a nice array of pass-rush moves. 

Mercilus is exactly what teams look for in a pass-rushing end. He will be solid against the run and dominant in the pass game. 

19. Chicago Bears: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Chicago would be foolish to let a chance to upgrade their center position slip by. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Why Barron is an Under-the-Radar Future Pro Bowler 

Barron is not generating a lot of buzz heading into this draft, and for the life of me I cannot figure out why. 

He's a prototypical strong safety prospect. Barron has ideal size, and while he does not have elite speed, it's solid and more than makes up for it with his instincts. 

Barron is a physical player that can help shut down a running game when he moves up into the box. He's also a shrewd and nimble player that can function in a zone defense or go man-to-man on TEs.

He's everything you'd want in a strong safety, and that is a thin position in the NFL. 

Those facts are going lead to multiple Pro Bowls for Barron. 

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

If Jenkins works hard and focuses on football, this pick will be a steal. That's a big, if though. 

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

Despite needing serious offensive weapons, the Browns will not be able to pass on Brown's well balanced skill set. 

23. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Cordy Glenn is a giant bullying linemen that will excel as a guard in the NFL. 

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

Adams flopped at the combine, but he still has serious NFL potential. 

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

The Broncos need to add defensive tackles to their roster somewhere. Cox would be a great fit. 

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

Floyd's character concerns will cause him to tumble down the board, but his potential will be too much for the Texans to pass on. 

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

The Patriots must beef up their defense with their ample draft picks. Upshaw is a solid value here. 

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

The Packers defense needs another pass-rush threat, and Perry is just that. 

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

This is a match made in football heaven. Hightower will fit right in with the Ravens' physical defense. 

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

The 49ers don't want to pin too much of their hopes on Randy Moss. They have to add a WR in the draft as well. 

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

Another selection for the Patriots, means another defensive talent headed to New England. 

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

The Giants will re-stock their dominant defensive line.