2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Prospects Are Trending Toward First Round?

The 2012 NFL Draft class will be no different than any other. 

In one aspect, that is. 

There will be a handful of prospects that hardly anyone has going in the first round that sneak into the opening 32 selections or that will be drafted much higher than we all think. 

Count on it, it'll happen. 

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Luke Kuechly 

Kuechly the tackling machine of the 2012 draft class. His career numbers at Boston College seem like misprints on ESPN.com. 

He had 142 tackles as a freshman, 183 last year and already had 130 this season. At 6'3'', 237 pounds Kuechly has decent size to play linebacker at the next level, but like most BC Eagles, he plays the game with grit and his passion for football is evident on every play. 

Kuechly is flying under the radar a bit, especially with Vontaze Burfict and Manti Te'o stealing some headlines at the linebacker position. 

A true gamer that is more athletic than you think. 

Should sneak into the mid-to-late first round, if he's not there already. 

Courtney Upshaw

Upshaw is a late first-, early second-round prospect in the eyes of many scouts and draft analysts right now. 

Alabama quite possibly has the best defense in the nation and Upshaw's scheme versatility from his defensive end/outside linebacking position will make him a hot commodity with many NFL teams' running hybrid defenses today. 

At 6'2'', 265 pounds Upshaw has 27 tackles this year with 4.5 sacks and one interception. He possesses the speed to become a solid pass-rusher at the next level.

Alphonzo Denard 

With the pass-happy movement we've seen in today's NFL, finding skilled, cover corners will be the draft emphasis for many teams. 

Denard played with Prince Amukamara last season and has blossomed into another shut-down defensive back for the Huskers in 2011. 

He isn't thrown to very often and has all the athleticism you'd want in a rookie cornerback with loads of potential. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck	17. Tennessee Titans: Melvin Ingram
2. St. Louis Rams: Alshon Jeffery	18. Dallas Cowboys: Stephon Gilmore
3. Miami Dolphins: Landry Jones	19. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn
4. Kansas City Chiefs: Robert Griffin III	20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dre Kirkpatrick
5. Denver Broncos: Trent Richardson	21. New York Giants: Janoris Jenkins
6. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin	22. Washington Redskins: David DeCastro
7. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil	23. Oakland Raiders: Cliff Harris
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Blackmon	24. San Diego Chargers: Ronnell Lewis
9. Seattle Seahawks: Matt Barkley	25. Houston Texans: Alameda Ta'Amu
10. Carolina Panthers: Morris Claiborne	26. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Toon
11. Philadelphia Eagles: Vontaze Burfict	27. Buffalo Bills: Donte Paige-Moss
12. Cleveland Browns: Riley Reiff	28. New England Patriots: Courtney Upshaw
13. New York Jets: Jerel Worthy	29. New England Patriots: Quinton Coples
14. Cleveland Browns: Manti Te'o	30. Detroit Lions: Alphonzo Denard
15. Cincinnati Bengals: Lamar Miller	31. Baltimore Ravens: Luke Kuechly
16. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd	32. Green Bay Packers: Brandon Jenkins