2012 NFL Mock Draft: Dontari Poe and Late-Risers Teams Will Reach for

All of the NFL mock drafts that you will see this week talk about upside and potential. As a result, there are going to be a lot of players taken before they should be because they have the measurables and look good in shorts and a T-shirt. 

We see so many players elevate their stock in workouts that everyone gets tempted to say they are the next big thing, even if they have had inconsistent college careers.

Here is our latest mock draft, with a special look at the players who are rising up boards late that teams will reach for. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

If you are surprised the Colts are taking Luck at this point, you probably don't watch sports. 

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

Griffin might be the most electrifying offensive player in this draft thanks to his ability to run and throw. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, USC

Despite what the Vikings might say they are going to do with the pick, Kalil is a franchise left tackle who you can plug in right away and forget that he is there because he is that good. You don't trade that away for anything. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

When you need playmakers at every position on offense, the best place to start is at running back because it is the easiest spot to fill. It helps that Richardson is the best all-around back to come out of college since Adrian Peterson. 

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

True shut-down cornerbacks aren't supposed to last five picks into the draft, but it is a crazy year. And the Buccaneers will be more than happy to plug the "other" LSU defensive back into their system and turn him loose. 

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

As long as the Rams don't trade the pick. Blackmon is going to be their man.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, Defensive End, South Carolina 

While I have had Ingram all over the place this draft season, finding a pass-rushing specialist with the kind of speed and athleticism off the edge that he possesses is rare. 

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

There was no player that rose higher over the last four weeks than Tannehill. He wasn't even in the discussion for the first round before his pro day, yet here he is going to Miami with the No. 8 pick. 

Whether you buy into the hype or not, it is important to remember that Tannehill is still maturing as a quarterback. He has only played the position for two years. The skills are clearly there for him to be at least an average NFL player. 

The Dolphins have to take drastic measures if they want to upgrade their quarterback situation anytime soon. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, Defensive Tackle, Memphis

Arguably the best workout warrior this combine season, Poe made quite an impression in shorts and a T-shirt. His stock soared following that day in Indianapolis, but there is reason to be skeptical of his actual ceiling. 

As great as the workout was, Poe has never displayed great ability on the field at Memphis. That could just be a product of a young player finally starting to come into his own, or a sign he is just the kind of player whose talent doesn't translate to in-game action. 

10. Buffalo Bills: Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

Floyd gives the Bills a red-zone threat with great hands and underrated speed to complement Stevie Johnson. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, Offensive Guard, Stanford

When you are a running team, you need to get offensive linemen who are athletic and versatile. DeCastro fits that description to the letter. He will be a star for a long time. 

12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina

As long as Coples is focused on the game, he is going to be a stalwart on the defensive line for Pete Carroll. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle, Iowa

Even with Reiff's "small arms," he still has more upside than anyone on the Cardinals' offensive line right now. Kevin Kolb needs a lot of help up front if he is going to stay on the field for 16 games. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, Safety, Alabama

With the Cowboys looking for secondary help, Barron is the logical choice with this pick. He is a hard-hitting ball hawk who is getting better in coverage skills and has tremendous instincts. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Brockers, Defensive Tackle, LSU 

Unlike Poe, Brockers doesn't come with the caveat of "If his performance on the field matches his workouts..." His upside might be slightly less than that of Poe, but he is a better bet to reach his ceiling. 

16. New York Jets: Stephon Gilmore, Cornerback, South Carolina

The Jets love to build their defense around the secondary, which is critical in a division that includes Tom Brady and the high-powered New England offense. 

Gilmore's man-to-man skills are second only to Morris Claiborne in this draft, which says a lot about how well-regarded he is so close to the draft. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Luke Kuechly, Middle Linebacker, Boston College

The Bengals will be thrilled to see Kuechly get to them in this spot. They have playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, but very few of them have Kuechly's ability to read opposing quarterbacks. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, Defensive End, Illinois

With the Chargers' defensive line struggling to find itself without a dominant edge-rusher, you can rest assured that the team will do everything in its power to make that a high priority in this draft. 

Mercilus lacks the polish of a player like Melvin Ingram, but his upside is huge and he can help everyone around him because he is so fast and athletic. 

19. Chicago Bears: Chandler Jones, Linebacker, Syracuse

Jones is one of the more underrated prospects in this draft. He has ideal size and speed to be a disruptive force in the pass rush, with the instincts and coverage skills to be a difference-maker in coverage. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback, Alabama

Kirkpatrick's stock has actually fallen during the draft process, but there is a lot of talent already there. He does need to learn how to cover receivers in man-to-man better, which is ultimately going to determine his ceiling. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kevin Zeitler, Offensive Guard, Wisconsin

Zeitler is one of the most underrated players in this draft. His technique and power up front will play anywhere on the line, and the Bengals will be happy to bring him aboard to fix their problems up front. 

22. Cleveland Browns: Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, South Carolina

Jeffery might be a reach here, but going back to what we said about the Browns when they selected Richardson: When you have so many holes to fill, drastic measures have to be taken. 

It's not entirely clear what Jeffery's future in the NFL is going to be. His route-running and hands are as good as anyone. His speed and separation skills leave something to be desired. 

23. Detroit Lions: Cordy Glenn, Offensive Guard, Georgia

The Lions offense is already one of the best in the NFL, and they managed to get there with one of the oldest offensive lines in the league. They need youth and athleticism up front to keep Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson firing on all cylinders. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, Middle Linebacker, Alabama

Hightower's speed and versatility make him an ideal fit for the Steelers' system. He has the strength to play on the inside and the instincts to play on the outside. 

25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, Defensive Tackle, Mississippi State 

Cox is the perfect player for the Broncos, as he fills both need and gives them incredible value for this spot. He is going to make Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller even better pass-rushers because Cox will command double-teams in the middle. 

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Wright gives the Texans a second option on the outside they desperately need. He does not have ideal speed for a first-round pick, but his hands, separation skills and route running are as good as anyone in this draft. 

27. New England Patriots: Courtney Upshaw, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Alabama

Upshaw would be a steal at this spot. He doesn't get the credit he deserves for being a great all-around defensive end. He also has the versatility to play outside linebacker as a pass-rushing specialist in a 3-4 scheme. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Devon Still, Defensive End, Penn State

With Still needing time to develop his pass-rushing skills, the Packers are the perfect fit for him because they already have plenty of speed off the edge and his big frame will help them in run defense. 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, Center, Wisconsin

Konz gives the Ravens the eventual successor to Matt Birk they desperately need. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Kendall Reyes, Defensive Tackle, Connecticut

The 49ers need defensive linemen who can play multiple positions, and depth up front is a concern for them coming into next season. 

31. New England Patriots: Shea McClellin, Outside Linebacker, Boise State

Like Upshaw with the 27th pick, McClellin is a versatile linebacker who is great at getting after the quarterback and has tremendous instincts in pass coverage. 

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

Given the way tight ends are viewed in the NFL today and Fleener's body and pass-catching ability, especially in the red zone, he should be getting more attention than he is. 

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