2012 NFL Mock Draft: Examining Matt Kalil and College Football's Top O-Linemen

USC left tackle Matt Kalil announced on Friday that he will enter the 2012 NFL draft (via ESPN). In light of that announcement, let's run down where he ranks among the top offensive lineman in the 2012 class.  

The following players figure to be the top offensive lineman in the 2012 NFL draft. 

Matt Kalil, USC

After announcing that he'll enter the 2012 NFL draft, Kalil should be the first offensive lineman off the board in April. He's an athletic left tackle with tremendous upside, but he needs to get stronger to be dominant at the next level.  

Riley Reiff, Iowa

Reiff will be the next offensive tackle in a long list of high picks at that position coming from Kirk Ferentz's Iowa Hawkeyes. Reiff is equally solid in pass protection and run blocking, but not dominant in either.  

David DeCastro, Stanford

Some draft analysts have DeCastro in their Top 20 players, but guards rarely get picked that high. Still, DeCastro has had an eye-opening season and Stanford and should be a first-round pick in April.  

Jonathan Martin, Stanford

Martin is a road-grading left tackle who specializes in run blocking. He'll need to improve his technique and power in the NFL to get better in pass protection. Lacking in that area will likely see his stock drop to the middle of the first-round. 

Barrett Jones, Alabama

Few tackles have improved their draft stock as much as Jones has during this college football season. His strength lies in run blocking, but he's shown vast improvements in the passing game. Jones also has experience playing guard. He'll have to decide if he wants to declare for the NFL draft after the national championship game. 

Cordy Glenn, Georgia

After a disappointing start to the season against Boise State, Glenn has been one of the more dominant offensive lineman in college football. He could be a top-40 pick. However, Glenn might be better served returning to school. 

Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin

Wisconsin has a long history of developing offensive lineman, but Zeitler still might skate under the radar. He is a mauler in the run game and has shown more athletic ability than most guards in the 2012 class.  

Peter Konz, Wisconsin

In a weak class for centers, Konz looks like the front-runner to be the first picked. He and Zeitler fared very well against the likes of Jerel Worthy, Jared Crick and Davon Still during the Big Ten season.

2012 NFL Mock Draft

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