2012 NFL Mock Draft: Rising Players Whose Values Will Only Grow

Bad teams are already wondering, who will we get in the draft? I know, I've been there all too many times at this time of the season.

Obviously, a lot is up in the air. We aren't sure who's going to be picking where, or even who will come out. 

But as things look now, these players are constantly impressing and moving up boards. Don't expect them to go anywhere by up.

Matt Barkley, QB, USC

As early as one week ago, I had Landry Jones ahead of Barkley. But the more time that goes by, the more obvious it looks that Barkley is the more NFL-ready quarterback.

He and the Dolphins are on a collision course right now. The only thing standing in the way would be if another team with QB needs slid ahead of Miami. 

While that's possible, I wouldn't call it likely. The rest of the Dolphins' schedule is challenging enough to think that Barkley will go there.

Barkley has finished the season at an astronomical level. There is still a raw element to him, but he's a solid passer and great decision-maker. 

Should he choose to come back, it's hard to imagine him not being the No. 1 pick in 2013. But looking at a Top 5 pick, he's best suited to come out.

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

I still have Alshon Jeffery ahead of Blackmon, but that's rapidly changing. I am giving Jeffery the benefit of the doubt, as his team is nowhere near as stable on offense as Blackmon's, but the Oklahoma State star has been the best WR in the country this season. 

Obviously, the exact order of the draft remains to be seen. But if you look at my Top 10 below, the Colts, Dolphins and Panthers are the only teams in the Top 10 that wouldn't even consider a receiver. 

Blackmon is easily a Top 5 pick. Don't be surprised if he goes much higher in April.

Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Quite frankly, if you don't think that Martin is a big reason that Andrew Luck is such an obvious No. 1 pick, you're crazy. 

Luck is a fantastic quarterback, there is no doubt about that. But much of his success is because his front line has given him the necessary time to succeed. 

The Chiefs could use a quarterback. With Matt Cassel still under contract, I could see them taking Landry Jones and grooming him. But picking that high, I would think the Chiefs would want more of an impact player.

Unless they trade up, Luck and Matt Barkley aren't realistic options. So, instead of looking at a quarterback, looking at a man to protect him is a big step. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft

No.	Team (Record)	Player
1.	Indianapolis Colts (0-11)	Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2.	St. Louis Rams (2-9)	Matt Kalil, OT, USC
3.	Minnesota Vikings (2-9)	Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
4.	Miami Dolphins (3-8)	Matt Barkley, QB, USC
5.	Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8)	Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
6.	Carolina Panthers (3-8)	Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
7.	Cleveland Browns (4-7)	Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
8.	Kansas City Chiefs (4-7)	Jonathan Martin, OT Stanford
9.	Seattle Seahawks (4-7)	Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma
10.	Washington Redskins (4-7)	Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame
11.	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)	Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama
12.	Philadelphia Eagles (4-7)	Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State
13.	Arizona Cardinals (4-7)	Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
14.	San Diego Chargers (4-7)	Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
15.	Buffalo Bills (5-6)	Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
16.	Tennessee Titans (6-5)	Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
17.	New York Giants (6-5)	Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame
18.	New York Jets (6-5)	David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
19.	Denver Broncos (6-5)	Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
20.	Detroit Lions (7-4)	Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
21.	Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)	LaMar Miller, RB, Miami
22.	Cleveland Browns (via ATL 7-4)	Sean Spence, LB, Miami
23.	Chicago Bears (7-4)	Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina
24.	Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 7-4)	Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia
25.	Dallas Cowboys (7-4)	Mark Barron, S, Alabama
26.	Houston Texans (8-3)	Jeff Fuller, WR, Texas A&M
27.	Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)	Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington
28.	New England Patriots (via NO 8-3)	Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
29.	Baltimore Ravens (8-3)	Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
30.	San Francisco 49ers (9-2)	Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
31.	New England Patriots (8-3)	Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska
32.	Green Bay Packers (11-0)	Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State