2012 NFL Mock Draft: Where the Big Names May Fall in the First Round

It happens every year. A player gets super pumped for the NFL draft, hoping to be a high draft pick only to be let down. 

The only bad thing is they're missing out on more money, but realistically, they should be happy to be landing with a better team. 

Still, there's a sense of pride with college football players in wanting to be selected before their peers. 

Unfortunately, a few players will have to wait longer than expected to hear their name called. 

Here's my full mock draft with info on top players, as well as those who will free-fall on draft day. 

*This mock draft order is determined by current record.

Selections 1-4

No. 1. Indianapolis Colts (2-13): Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)

This really shouldn't surprise anyone.

The Colts may be winning games, but the future of their franchise needs help, and Luck is the right guy for them. They may opt to trade the pick, but with the uncertainty of Peyton Manning, their best move is to take Luck.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-13): Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

There's a chance they draft the best offensive tackle, but Sam Bradford needs to be surrounded with playmakers. The Rams could make a splash in free agency, but their best bet is to pair Bradford with the speedy and reliable Blackmon. 

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-12): Matt Kalil, OT (USC)

The Vikings need help all over, but Kalil is a surefire future NFL star, and it wouldn't be wise to pass on him. Minnesota needs to use free agency to strengthen the secondary and use the draft pick on someone who can protect Christian Ponder's blind side. 

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11): Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)

The Jaguars may think about a receiver here, but Claiborne is too good to let go. Jacksonville also might think about trading back should a team come calling to grab a quarterback. 

Selections 5-8

No. 5. Cleveland Browns (4-11): Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)

The best running back in the draft class (should he decide to leave), Richardson is a lock for a Top 10 pick. The Browns have had all sorts of troubles at running back, which is why they definitely need to pick Richardson to better their future. 

No. 6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

The Buccaneers need help all over as well, but they'll take the Alabama star here because their secondary was downright awful this season. Upgrading the pass-defense is the right step toward becoming a better team. 

No. 7. Buffalo Bills (6-9): Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)

Buffalo added strength to the defensive line last draft, and this time around the Bills need to add protection up front for Ryan Fitzpatrick and Fred Jackson. 

No. 8. Washington Redskins (5-10): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)

The Redskins are in dire need of a quarterback, and if they don't take RGIII, then the future of the franchise will be sadly mistaken.

Selections 9-12

No. 9. Carolina Panthers (6-9): Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

The Panthers' offense needs help, but the defense is in far worse shape. Carolina will take the best available defender, and that's Coples. 

No. 10. Miami Dolphins (5-10): Landry Jones, QB (Oklahoma)

He hasn't declared yet, but if he does, Jones is a lock for at least a Top 15 pick. The Dolphins need an upgrade at QB, and they'll make the smart choice in choosing Jones.

No. 11. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)

The next best offensive lineman, Reiff will make a great pick for the Chiefs. Kansas City needs to add depth to help protect Matt Cassel, because without him, they're awful. 

No. 12. Philadelphia Eagles (7-8): Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)

The Eagles spent a lot of money on free agents this past offseason, but they didn't fix the weakest spot, which is at linebacker.

Kuechly is a tackling machine, and he will make an instant impact for Philadelphia. 

Selections 13-16

No. 13. Arizona Cardinals (7-8): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)

The Cardinals need offensive line help, but if they want that they'll have to trade up.

Upshaw has tremendous defensive talent and could help Arizona right away. 

No. 14. Tennessee Titans (8-7): Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

The Titans need an upgrade on their defensive front, and Still makes the most sense as he is the top available defensive tackle. 

No. 15. San Diego Chargers (7-8): Mark Barron, S (Alabama)

A tandem of Barron and Eric Weddle would make the Chargers' defense much scarier than it already is. San Diego would prefer an offensive lineman, but the top guys are taken, so it would be too much of a reach to get one here. 

No. 16. Chicago Bears (7-7): David DeCastro, G (Stanford)

Jay Cutler needs a better offensive line. DeCastro is the best interior lineman in the draft, and if they pass on him they will regret it. 

Spotlight Slide: Vontaze Burfict

No. 17. New York Giants (8-7): Vontaze Burfict, LB (Arizona State)

Burfict is a dominant defender with loads and loads of talent. He has the skills of a Top 10 player, but unfortunately, his major character issues will cause him to drop. 

The Giants won't pass up on the talent, though, and will hope Burfict gets his act together. There's a chance New York looks elsewhere, which would only hurt Burfict. 

Of course, Burfict still has eligibility, so he may return to school. But since the Sun Devils are changing coaches, I doubt he decides to come back, especially since he's a projected as a surefire first-rounder. 

Chase Blackburn, the Giants' current starting MLB, is a free agent after this season, meaning New York may look to the draft to find his replacement. 

Burfict has what it takes to be a star in the NFL, but his character will be highlighted throughout the draft process. 

Spotlight Slide: Janoris Jenkins

18. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK, 8-7): Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)

Many people have forgotten about Jenkins because he played this past season at North Alabama. His departure from the Florida Gators was very messy and is the main reason he will fall in the draft. 

Like Burfict, Jenkins has Top 10 talent, but concerns about his character will be the reason he slides. Jenkins is going to shine in pre-draft workouts and at the combine. The buzz around him will be strong, but everything will keep coming back to the character issues. 

Jenkins will have to nail the interview portion to prevent himself from possibly sliding out of the first round. I have the Bengals selecting him because they're known for taking troubled players and attempting to turn them around. 

Jenkins is well aware of the mistakes he's made, so I don't see him slipping up in the NFL.

However, you never can tell once these athletes start making millions and millions of dollars. 

Still, there's no denying Jenkins' shut-down ability at corner. The Bengals will gladly welcome him unless they decide to package their two first-rounders to move up, but that wouldn't really benefit them a whole bunch seeing as how they could really use both picks. 

Spotlight Slide: Michael Floyd

No. 19. Seattle Seahawks (7-8): Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

We're starting to see a trend here with the players falling down in the draft: character issues. 

NFL teams don't want to use their first-round picks on players who have had several off-the-field incidents at the college level.

After all, they're essentially on their own once they get to the NFL.

Michael Floyd continued to get into trouble at Notre Dame, and teams have taken notice. 

The Seahawks take a hit from Matt Barkley deciding to return to school, so instead they'll use the pick on a very talented receiver. Floyd also has Top 10 talent, but his multiple arrests will hurt him come draft day. 

Seattle will add another playmaker here, and maybe they'll eventually find a franchise quarterback. 

Selections 20-24

No. 20. Denver Broncos (8-7): Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)

The Broncos have several options here, but their best bet is to find Champ Bailey's eventual replacement, and Dennard would be a perfect fit.

No. 21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6): Lamar Miller, RB (Miami)

The Bengals' second pick of the draft will be used to add skill. Miller's speed will be a great complement to the power of Cedric Benson. 

No. 22. New York Jets (8-7): Fletcher Cox, DT (Mississippi State)

The Jets need to boost their defensive front, and Cox makes the most sense here as the best available defensive tackle. 

No. 23. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)

A relentless defender, Brown would be a great addition for Rob Ryan's scheme, as he would provide youth at the linebacker position as well as great intensity. 

No. 24. Detroit Lions (9-5): Cordy Glenn, G (Georgia)

The Lions have to get better on the offensive line, and Glenn is their best bet here because he has the skills to play either tackle or guard. 

Spotlight Slide: Alshon Jeffery

25. Cleveland Browns (via ATL, 9-5): Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)

If Jeffery could have left after his sophomore season, he would have been a Top 15 pick for sure.

Unfortunately, Jeffery's junior season didn't go so well, and the results have seen his stock fall. 

Jeffery could opt to return to school, but the quarterback struggles would continue to hurt his numbers. Plus, the Gamecocks love to run the ball because of Marcus Lattimore. 

Listed at 6'4" and 232 pounds, Jeffery is the ideal size for the NFL, but there are major questions about him after this season. His quickness and ability to separate have scouts thinking long and hard about him. Jeffery has exceptional hands, but because he lacks top-end speed he'll drop toward the bottom of the first round.

Cleveland will definitely be happy if it doesn't trade this pick away. The Browns are in desperate need of a playmaking wide receiver, and Jeffery would help them out a lot. 

 

Selections 26-29

No. 26. Houston Texans (10-5): Peter Konz, C (Wisconsin)

The Texans will struggle to keep all their free agents, and I see them letting go of center Chris Meyers in order to keep Arian Foster and Mario Williams.

This means they need a replacement; enter Konz. 

No. 27. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4): Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)

The Steelers might decide to take a linebacker here, but strengthening the offensive line to help keep Ben Roethlisberger safe would be a wise decision. 

No. 28. Baltimore Ravens (11-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)

The Ravens need help on the offensive line, but it would be a reach to grab one here. Hightower can learn from Ray Lewis (the best) and eventually take his place. 

No. 29. New England Patriots (via NO, 11-3): Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

The Patriots need a dynamic receiver, and Wright certainly fits that mold. With Tom Brady as his QB, Wright will step in right away to make the Patriots' offense even more powerful. 

Selections 30-32

No. 30. San Francisco 49ers (12-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR (Rutgers)

The 49ers need more weapons on offense. Their defense is very strong, but the offense lacks true firepower.

Sanu has to declare first, but if he does, the 49ers would definitely snag him up to boost their receiving corp. 

No. 31. New England Patriots (12-3): Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

The Patriots have plenty of options with their two draft picks, but since I'm not predicting trades, they'll use their second one to grab the best available defensive lineman since all the good cornerbacks will be taken. 

No. 32. Green Bay Packers (13-1): Ronnell Lewis, LB (Oklahoma)

The Packers need to find another pass-rusher to help out Clay Matthews. Lewis could decide to return, but if he doesn't, the Packers will certainly love to have him.