2012 NBA Mock Draft: Jared Sullinger and 1st-Round Picks with Lowest Ceilings

For all the players that are sure to grow from this year's 2012 NBA draft, there are also those high-risk talents that teams know don't have much potential to improve in the league.

Ohio State's Jared Sullinger is one of those players, as his lack of height will hurt him significantly at the power forward spot.

As we know from each and every draft, there are always those first-round players, even lottery selections like Sullinger, that fail to produce much at the next level.

This is a look at the entire first round, highlighting those three players with the lower ceilings to grow in the league.

Note: Although picks have not been arranged yet, these are based on lottery odds and team's records this season.

1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis is easily the most talented, dominant big man in the draft class. It simply goes without saying.

2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

If one thing is for certain, head coach John Calipari breeds some outright ballers. Make no mistake about it, Kidd-Gilchrist is the real deal.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Thomas Robinson

More important than his solid production, Robinson gets a major nod with his ability to help his team win basketball games.

4. New Orleans Hornets: Jared Sullinger

With Ohio State, Jared Sullinger put on a show. In his final season with the Buckeyes, Sullinger posted 17.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per contest.

Yet Sullinger is also the type of player that could be what some would refer to as a "bust" at the next level. In his final season with the team, it was interesting to see that his rebounding numbers in fact went down, as two seasons ago he was averaging 10.2 a game.

Not to mention, when it came to leading his team to wins, Sullinger seemed to crumble under the pressure. In the team's loss to Kansas in the 2012 Final Four, the power forward posted just 13 points on 5-of-19 shooting the ball.

5. Sacramento Kings: Bradley Beal

Beal, a young, especially talented guard, has the potential to rock the NBA. A backcourt with him and Tyreke Evans will scare opponents to the bone.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn Nets): Andre Drummond

Drummond is a whopping 6'10'', 250 pounds and just 18 years of age. To say he has potential is a major understatement.

7. Golden State Warriors: Austin Rivers

Alongside Stephen Curry, Rivers has the potential to be the second coming of Monta Ellis in Golden State. Marc Jackson would be ecstatic to have a monster PG like Rivers in gold.

8. Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes has a plethora of talent and can undoubtedly score the basketball, yet in the biggest of games this season, this was the one North Carolina Tar Heel that consistently failed to show up.

In three of the four games in the tourney, Barnes shot 36.8 percent or less, including a horrific 3-of-16 performance against Ohio.

As an undersized, lighter forward, Barnes will certainly have to hit the weights in order to improve his game on the court.

With a scorers mentality and questionable shot selection, Barnes may well prove he is not ready for the transition to the NBA.

9. Detroit Pistons: Tyler Zeller

A Monroe-Zeller combo in the post will have teams hoping they come out of the painted area alive...on both ends of the floor.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall

Marshall is not only the best PG in the draft, but also the one point guard that is ready to take a starting job upon being drafted.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard

With Brandon Roy, Andre Miller and Rudy Fernandez no longer in Portland, Lillard is the ideal pickup and a promising one at that.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson

John Henson has the moves, raw talent and physical ability to give a team, like the Bucks, the recipe for a complete frontcourt in the future.

13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb

Unlike former teammate Kemba Walker, fortunately Lamb will land himself with a solid basketball team that was just knocked out of the 2012 NBA playoffs.

14. Houston Rockets: Tony Wroten

In one to two seasons, Wroten will not only be a starting point guard in the league, he will be an especially good one. His scoring ability is unmatched by most in this year's NBA draft.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Jones

The 76ers are young, quick and love that transition game. Coming from Kentucky, Jones fits right in with this bunch.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Meyers Leonard

The Rockets score big with two first-round picks, as Leonard is expected to be an immediate contributor in the league.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrell Stoglin

Terrell Stoglin could well prove to be the best scorer of any rookie in this year's draft. This Terrapin can outright ball.

18.  Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Terrence Ross

As talented as Terrence Ross is, it is difficult to fathom Ross improving significantly at the next level.

The Huskies' 6'6'' guard is an outright beast when it comes to scoring the basketball, yet when it comes to playing defense and using his teammates offensively, there is plenty Ross needs work on.

Based on the type of player he is, there is no question he will have an immediate impact in this "scorer's league," yet soon enough fans will find this is a player that won't develop to be much more than a scorer.

19. Orlando Magic: Arnett Moultrie

The Magic love their quality scoring threats, as that is exactly what Moultire brings to the table.

20. Denver Nuggets: Perry Jones

Perry Jones may slip to the 20th pick, yet don't be surprised if he's a top-10 selection when it's all said and done. This guy has talent.

21. Boston Celtics: Quincy Miller

Could Miller be Paul Pierce's eventual understudy at small forward? The Baylor product will be only 19 years old when the next NBA season begins.

22. Boston Celtics (via L.A. Clippers): Fab Melo

Without Fab Melo, Syracuse was far less of a competitor. He will give the Celtics a major boost in the rebounding department where they struggle ever so much.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Dion Waiters

Don't let a poor shooting night against Ohio State in the Elite Eight fool you, as Waiters can play. The sophomore averaged nearly 13 points per game on 47.6 percent shooting last season.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via L.A. Lakers): Royce White

White is one of the more underrated players in this first round, boasting quality play at the SF spot.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Moe Harkless

Make no mistake about it, this guy has talent. Harkless is far underrated and will be a quality starter, with time, in the league.

26. Indiana Pacers: Jeff Taylor

The small forward gives a player like Danny Granger fresh legs, as there is no real strong bench player behind him in the rotation.

27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green

Talk about a player with potential. Green will be a force in the league, and give the championship-contending Heat all the more firepower on both ends.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tyshawn Taylor

Kansas' Taylor might just be giving Westbrook a run for his money at the PG spot. Seriously.

29. Chicago Bulls: Marquis Teague

His brother continues to dominate in Atlanta, as there is no question Marquis can do just the same at the next level.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Andrew Nicholson

You may remember Andrew Nicholson as the man who almost led St. Bonaventure to a 14-over-3 upset against Florida State before some questionable refereeing calls destroyed the Bonnies' momentum down the stretch. Nicholson can play—the power forward went for 20 and seven against the ACC champs.