2012 NFL Mock Draft: Tracking Stock of NFL Combine Studs

The NFL Scouting Combine was held from February 22-28 in Indianapolis. During the combine several prospects put on great performances.

Some of them solidified their place in the first round, some burst upon the scene and made names for themelves.

It's easy to overreact to what happens at the combine. It's a product of out football craze. Some prospects wow us, then let us down on Sundays.

Within this first round mock draft, I'll track the stock of the combine's biggest standouts.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck would have been a standout at the combine even if he had performed poorly. Luck will be the pick and the Colts can only hope he's close to the QB he's replacing in Indianapolis.

For the consensus No. 1 player in the draft to not only work out at the combine, but shine in the process, says a lot.

Luck's stock will reach an all-time high when he's notified that he's the top pick in the draft. 

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis)

RG3's stock is right up there with Luck's right now. He ran a ridiculous 4.41 40-yard-dash that raised eyebrows. We all knew he was fast, but that display put a number to the speculation.

Since then, he shined in his pro day workout, and there was some brief discussion that maybe he would replace Luck in the top spot.

It seems almost certain now that he will be a Redskin. But there is no doubt that most consider him one of the two major prizes in this draft. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Despite the fact that Kalil ran a stellar 40-yard-dash for an OL and put up solid strength numbers in an overall solid combine performance, ESPN's Todd McShay is saying the Vikings won't select Kalil with this pick.

For now, I'm sticking with Kalil here. It makes the most sense, but history proves that means nothing.

The Vikes do have other needs, like at CB. But, in my opinion, the need to get better at pass protection trumps every other need.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, HB, Alabama 

The Browns will likely take Richardson. If they do, they must pick a WR who can stretch the field later in the draft.

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

The Bucs could really use a potentially dynamic CB like Claiborne. He could start from Day One in Tampa Bay.

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

Sam Bradford needs a No. 1 receiver, and no player in this draft fits that description better than Blackmon.

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

Ingram could be one of this draft's best pass-rushers. If the Jags take him, they could have a potential star on their hands.

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

The Dolphins will be making a mistake going for Tannehill here. I believe they could find a QB on the same level in the second—or even third round.

9. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers has the size at 6'5" and 322 pounds. He has long powerful arms and a great motor. He could make a major difference.

10. Buffalo Bills: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Bills need to upgrade pass protection immediately. There are some other tempting options here, but they should take Reiff.

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

DeCastro is a future Pro Bowler—and we may not have to wait a long time for it. He is one of the draft prospects who is the most ready to play.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, MLB, Boston College

Kuechly had a very strong combine and pro day. If he's available for the Seahawks, he makes a ton of sense for them. As of April 25th, Todd McShay of ESPN, Kuechly will be selected fifth by the Bucs, while Mel Kiper, Jr. has him going 11th to the Chiefs.

He certainly helped himself with his performance at the combine, but it's unclear where he will land at this point.

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

Floyd made one of the biggest statements of any prospect with his performance at the combine. When the 6'3" Floyd ran a 4.47 40-yard-dash, he opened many eyes.

There was some talk that he may leap-frog Blackmon as the top WR taken, but that seems to have subsided a bit.

He is still considered a top prospect.

If the Cardinals take him, he and Larry Fitzgerald would make a great WR tandem.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

Poe earned the title I created: "King Combine". He showed freakish athleticism at the NFL combine.

At 6'4, 346 pounds, the massive strength is impressive (44 bench press reps of 225 pounds)—but not surprising. The 4.87 40-yard-dash is what really grabbed everyone's attention.

Pro Bowlers aren't made in a t-shirt and shorts. We have seen the likes of JaMarcus Russell and Tony Mandarich. But when a prospect is considered a late first round, or early second round pick and he performs like Poe did, that changes things.  

Poe has tremendous boom or bust potential, but his upside is too high to let him go past this point.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Fletcher Cox, DT Mississippi State

Cox has tremendous versatility, and he could be a major asset for the Eagles' defense.

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

The Jets' need for a pass-rusher should supersede any other void they have

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Cincinnati must bring some youth to the secondary. Kirkpatrick is a solid CB prospect.

18. San Diego Chargers: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

I think Perry's combine performance has been neglected. He was the fastest DE, and had the highest vertical and longest broad jump.

If the Chargers take him here, he could bring the healthy Shawne Merriman effect back.

He seems stuck around this area on most mock drafts, but some teams may be sorry they passed on him.

19. Chicago Bears: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

The Bears' need another pass-rusher, and Mercilus led the nation with 16 sacks in 2011. He also went to Illinois. The Bears would be smart to pick him. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

Glenn is a safe pick for the Titans. They could go for a WR, but Glenn would help solidify the running game.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

Martin looks like a Ray Rice clone in my opinion. That would be great for the Bengals if they take him here.

22. Cleveland Browns: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Browns could add a second bookend T to go with perennial Pro Bowler Joe Thomas.

23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Lions need to shore up their pass defense. They have studs on the defensive line, adding quality to the secondary should be next.

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

Hightower could be a star with the Steelers. He could ultimately be a replacement for Larry Foote at ILB.

25. Denver Broncos: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Broncos could really benefit from a player like Wright. He can stretch the field and he is dangerous after the catch.

26. Houston Texans: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

With what we saw at the NFL combine, Hill has the potential to be a star. He is definitely the offensive version of Poe. One big issue for some teams may be Hill's lack of production in college. He had under 30 receptions in 2011.

That may explain how a 6'4" WR that ran the fastest 40-yard-dash at the combine hasn't been able to get inside the top 20 on most mock drafts.

t think the Texans are fascinated with the thought of matching him with Andre Johnson, and they'll take him here.

27. New England Patriots: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples with the Patriots could be great for both parties. He needs a winning environment, and the Pats could offer him that.

28. Green Bay Packers: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

With Nick Collins released, the Packers need to address the secondary. The NFC North has two big time WR in Calvin Johnson of the Lions  and Brandon Marshall, now of the Bears. The Packers need to improve to contain these teams.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Matt Birk is 35 years old and the Ravens would be smart to draft his replacement. Konz is the best center prospect in the draft.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Fleener could enable the 49ers to be as deadly as the Patriots in their Dual-TE sets.

31. New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The Patriots could continue to upgrade their defense with Worthy. The Pats' defense was already improving last season. These picks could add to the process.

32. New York Giants: David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

The defending champions need a home run threat out of the backfield. Wilson could make the G-Men's attack that much more deadly.

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