2012 NFL Mock Draft: Robert Griffin III and Most Intriguing Prospects

There's no such thing as a "sure thing" when it comes to the NFL draft, but the 2012 crop includes a slew of prospects—among them Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley and Justin Blackmon—who've proven that they are head-and-shoulders above the rest of the field in college football over a two or three-year period.

The most interesting aspect of any draft, though, is how teams deal with the high-risk, high-reward players—the ones with all the talent to be successful at the next level but who could easily be dragged down by unconventional skill sets and/or character flaws.

These three guys have "first-round pick" written all over them but would be top-10 types if not for nagging concerns.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

To be honest, those questions don't apply all that well to Robert Griffin III. The Baylor quarterback seems to have come out of nowhere this year but has actually put up strong numbers throughout his collegiate career while steadily improving as a passer along the way.

Of course, RG3 has shown marked improvement in his red-shirt junior season, having already posted career bests in completion percentage (72.9 percent), passing yards (3,572) and touchdowns (33) while throwing only five picks and still contributing 550 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

He has all the requisite skills and physical abilities to be a more NFL-friendly Cam Newton (if there is such a thing) except for the fact that he's not 6'5" and 250 pounds.

Still, Griffin would be an excellent get for any team looking for a quarterback but unable to jump in on the Andrew Luck-Matt Barkley-Landry Jones triumvirate.

Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Vontaze Burfict has all the makings of a perfect NFL linebacker. He's big (6'3", 250 pounds), he's an athletic freak and he's more than capable of defending at just about every level on the field, whether it's rushing the passer, stuffing the run or locking up tight ends and receivers in coverage.

The one thing about him that's both encouraging and disconcerting for pro teams is his attitude. Burfict brings with him the sort of mean streak that will make him an intimidating force from day one, but the question is whether or not he'll be able to harness that energy well enough to keep himself out of trouble, both on and off the field.

If he does, or if he's provided the proper mentor or two, he could very well turn out to be a prepackaged Pro Bowler for any team smart enough and fortunate enough to pick him up. Certainly, the Cincinnati Bengals wouldn't mind adding another deviant to their dominant defense.

Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

North Alabama may not ring a bell, but the name "Janoris Jenkins" certainly should. Jenkins spent three years starring in Florida's defensive backfield but was kicked off the team this past spring after his third collegiate arrest, this time for getting involved in a fight in downtown Gainesville.

He landed safely at North Alabama, where he's continued to shine under former Auburn head coach Terry Bowden while staying out of trouble. Jenkins still has all the requisite talent of a top-10 pick, but his legal record figures to drag him down into the mid-to-late first round.

The Bengals sport multiple picks in the first round and probably wouldn't mind adding yet another precocious player with a sordid past to their defense, right alongside Vontaze Burfict.

*Draft order determined by combination of current record and projected finish.

No.	Team (Record)	Player, Pos.
1.	Indianapolis Colts (0-10)	Andrew Luck, QB
2.	St. Louis Rams (2-8)	Justin Blackmon, WR
3.	Carolina Panthers (2-8)	Quinton Coples, DE
4.	Miami Dolphins (3-7)	Matt Barkley, QB
5.	Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7)	Michael Floyd, WR
6.	Arizona Cardinals (3-7)	Matt Kalil, OT
7.	Minnesota Vikings (2-8)	Jonathan Martin, OT
8.	Cleveland Browns (4-6)	Trent Richardson, RB
9.	Washington Redskins (3-7)	Landry Jones, QB
10.	Seattle Seahawks (4-6)	Morris Claiborne, CB
11.	Philadelphia Eagles (4-6)	Alshon Jeffery, WR
12.	San Diego Chargers (4-6)	Dre Kirkpatrick, CB
13.	Kansas City Chiefs (4-6)	Riley Reiff, OT
14.	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6)	Alfonzo Dennard, CB
15.	Tennessee Titans (5-5)	Vontaze Burfict, LB
16.	Buffalo Bills (5-5)	Robert Griffin III, QB
17.	Denver Broncos (5-5)	Lamar Miller, RB
18.	Chicago Bears (7-3)	Peter Konz, C
19.	Dallas Cowboys (6-4)	Janoris Jenkins, CB
20.	New York Jets (5-5)	David DeCastro, OG
21.	Cleveland Browns (via ATL) (6-4)	Zach Brown, LB
22.	Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK) (6-4)	Cordy Glenn, OG
23.	Cincinnati Bengals (6-4)	Devon Still, DT
24.	Detroit Lions (7-3)	Luke Kuechly, LB
25.	Houston Texans (7-3)	Mark Barron, S
26.	Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3)	Dont'a Hightower, LB
27.	New York Giants (6-4)	Jarvis Jones, LB
28.	New England (via NO 7-3)	Chase Minnifield, CB
29.	Baltimore Ravens (7-3)	Michael Brewster, C
30.	San Francisco 49ers (9-1)	Jeff Fuller, WR
31.	New England Patriots (7-3)	Mohamed Sanu, WR
32.	Green Bay Packers (10-0)	Courtney Upshaw, DE