2012 NFL Mock Draft: 5 Players the Experts Are Too High on

With the first round of the 2012 NFL draft about to start tomorrow night, it’s time to take a look at another mock draft, this time with a focus on some overrated players who have been hyped by the experts.

Here’s a peek at who might fall in the first 32 picks with an eye towards some guys just getting too much publicity for no reason.

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

Luck has been informed by the Colts that he will be the first pick and it is absolutely no surprise. He’s the best player in this class and deserves it.

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

The ‘Skins made a big splash this offseason by going out and trading up well before the draft in order to secure RGIII. It’s a risky move but it’s often worth it to get a franchise QB.

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

Kalil is a rock solid prospect that deserves to go No. 3 to a team needing a franchise tackle—if the Vikes decide to stay put and not trade down.

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

It’s rare for a RB to be deemed worthy of a top-five pick, but the Crimson Tide stud has all the tools required to become one and fits nicely in Cleveland.

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

Claiborne is the perfect CB prospect. He’s able to lock anyone down in man, has good ball skills and solid size. Tampa would love to pair him with Aqib Talib to help shore up the secondary.

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

St. Louis had a lot of problems last season on offense and defense, so iy should go with the best available prospect here. Blackmon fits the bill and will instantly rejuvenate the passing game.

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

The Jaguars have a new owner and a new coach, so adding a great new CB with their first-round pick would be icing on the cake. Gilmore has all the traits desired in a starting-caliber NFL corner.

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

For some reason, many pundits believe Tannehill has the makeup of an elite QB. The guy hasn’t even played the position very long in college or had great success.

By reaching for a project here, the desperate Dolphins are making a huge mistake.

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

Cox’s stock has been improving steadily because of his ability to play multiple positions and fit in a number of schemes. He’ll add credibility to Carolina’s weak run defense.

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

Floyd is definitely the second-best receiver in this class and actually has a chance to jump Blackmon if the Rams pass on the OK State product. Floyd never had an elite QB throwing to him during his time with the Fighting Irish and could be better than his tape shows.

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

DeCastro is one of the best OG prospects in a long, long time and will immediately add some "oomph" back into the Chiefs' ground-and-pound game.

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

Scouts like Coples because he’s a big, fast, athletic pass-rusher. However, the kid could not do anything when he was double-teamed and sometimes teams would leave a single blocker on him with success.

If he wasn’t able to get into the backfield and cause mayhem with consistency in college, it’s doubtful he will in the NFL.

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

Kuechly has incredible instincts, above-average athleticism and the ability to play inside or (more likely) outside linebacker. He’s the best available and the Cardinals need a player with his skills.

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

While this may be a bit of a reach for the Cowboys, they simply won’t find nearly as skilled a safety later in the draft. They could trade down, but this isn’t a pick they will regret at all right here.

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

Brockers is the definition of a prospect. He’s like Jason Pierre-Paul a few years back. He’s got a ton of upside and athleticism, but there is no guarantee he will pan out the same way. It’s an extremely risky pick here.

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

Upshaw has a winning pedigree and seems like a good locker room guy. The Jets definitely need that. As a bonus, he’s a hell of a pass-rusher.

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

Kirkpatrick hurt his stock a bit with a marijuana-related arrest after declaring his intentions to be drafted. He’s still an elite corner with incredible size and will not fall further than this.

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

Peyton Manning is in the AFC West now, meaning the Chargers have no choice but to address their need for a pass-rushing OLB like Ingram.

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

The Bears' line was so terrible last year that they can no longer sit back and hope things fix themselves. Look for them to grab a big, solid guard like Glenn if he’s available.

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

Perry isn’t much more than an extremely athletic prospect with less-than-stellar college production. He’s got a lot to learn if he’s going to be an every-down player in the NFL. Right now he seems like a package player to send after the QB.

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

Wright has incredible speed and was the top target for RGIII in Waco. If he can become as big of a deep threat as he was at the collegiate level, the Bengals will have a special player on their hands.

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

Hill blew away scouts at the draft combine with his 6’4” frame, sub-4.4 40-yard dash speed and solid playmaking abilities. He’s a shoe-in to be drafted in the first round.

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

The Lions would be ecstatic if Reiff were to fall down to them. They would be adding the second-best player in the class at a position of need late in the first round.

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

Poe is a workout warrior. He wasn’t on too many radars until he started benching, running and got measured in Indianapolis during the combine. It remains to be seen if he’s as good on the field as he is in the gym.

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

Still may be one of the more underrated DT’s in the class. He’s ready to come in and make an impact right away for an NFL team that needs him to, such as the Denver Broncos.

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

LSU didn’t throw the ball enough during Randle’s time with the program. However, he made the most of it when he was targeted. He’s a big, fast receiver that the Texans would love to add here.

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

McClellin has been slowly moving up big boards because his ability to play multiple positions and bring down the quarterback. New England has to add more players like this if it wants to make another Super Bowl run.

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

The Fighting Illini product had a great season in 2011. He dominated against solid competition, but it’s questionable he can keep it up in the pros. Green Bay had an excellent year and can afford to take a gamble since it is surely going to be back in the playoffs.

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

Hightower has everything a team requires in an interior linebacker besides elite sideline-to-sideline speed. He’d make a great addition to the Ravens, especially after being tutored by Ray Lewis.

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

The Wisconsin guard fills a position of need for the 49ers and will help give Alex Smith more time to find Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and the other great receivers in the Bay Area.

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

The Pats have to bolster the pass rush and Reyes is their guy to do it with the No. 31 pick.

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

Martin’s upside is still high even after bombing at his pro day. He also fills a position of need here.

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