2012 NFL Mock Draft: Workout Warriors Who'll Soar Up Draft Boards

While we can speculate until we're blue in the face about where certain prospects might end up in the NFL draft, we won't truly know much until the conclusion of the Senior Bowl and more importantly the NFL Scouting Combine.

It may be dangerous for teams to base their draft selections on players running around in skin-tight clothing, but that is precisely how many teams evaluate talent. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't, but there is no question that the combine has a major effect on the draft stock of certain players.

In addition to a full first-round mock draft, here are three workout warriors who are sure to soar up the draft boards based on their combine and pro-day performances.

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

1. Indianapolis Colts (1-13): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The Colts are in danger of missing out on the first pick, but I believe they'll secure it. If they do, then Luck is the obvious choice to groom under Peyton Manning as the next great QB.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

It became very obvious this season that the Rams have a ton of holes. One of the most glaring is a lack of playmakers on offense. Blackmon would give quarterback Sam Bradford an athletic freak to throw to.

3. Minnesota Vikings (2-12): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Vikings have had a rough season, and one reason for that is poor offensive line play. Kalil should be a franchise left tackle for years to come and will sufficiently replace Bryant McKinnie.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Jacksonville has plenty of holes on both sides of the ball, but the Jags could really use a playmaker on defense. Claiborne should reinvigorate an aging and injury-prone secondary.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bucs defense has been a complete mess this season, and measures need to be taken to correct that. Kirkpatrick will give the secondary a legitimate shut-down corner and an heir apparent to Ronde Barber.

6. Cleveland Browns (4-10): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

It is quite unclear as to whether the Browns will re-sign running back Peyton Hillis. Because of his injury issues I don't believe they will, but Richardson has far more upside anyway.

7. Buffalo Bills (5-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

It has been quite some time since the Bills have had a franchise offensive lineman, but drafting Reiff would accomplish that. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick would be much better with more time to throw.

8. Miami Dolphins (5-9): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The hype surrounding Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III may seem to be at an all-time high after winning the Heisman Trophy, but I have a feeling we haven't seen anything yet. Like the Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton, Griffin is an athletic specimen you don't normally see at that position.

There will certainly be questions about his throwing ability and whether he can play in a pro-style offense, but once he shows off his full allotment of tools, I doubt that will matter too much to scouts. Newton had many of the same questions, but he is already one of the better signal-callers in the league.

Griffin's 40 time and marks in the agility drills are likely to blow away those of his peers, making him an attractive option to many teams. I think the No. 8 slot is pretty realistic at this point since the Miami Dolphins could really use a franchise quarterback. After seeing his workouts, I think they'll be convinced.

9. Washington Redskins (5-9): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

Rex Grossman isn't the long-term answer at quarterback for the Redskins. Jones is the last elite signal-caller on the board, so Washington is sure to bite.

10. Carolina Panthers (5-9): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

The Panthers have lacked an explosive pass-rusher since Julius Peppers signed with the Bears. Carolina will hope to get similar production from another North Carolina Tar Heel in Quentin Coples.

11. Philadelphia Eagles (6-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Wide receiver DeSean Jackson's careless attitude will likely ensure that he won't be back with the Eagles. That means that Philly will likely go after Floyd to pair with Jeremy Maclin.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Branden Albert hasn't exactly worked out as the Chiefs' left tackle, so they'll be in the market for one. Martin has all the tools to be a successful blind side protector for years to come.

13. Seattle Seahawks (7-7): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Seahawks would love a quarterback here, but with Matt Barkley staying at USC, there aren't any viable ones. They'll be happy with Stills as a disruptive force on their defensive line.

14. San Diego Chargers (7-7): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

San Diego has quite a few needs on the defensive side of the ball, but with Quentin Jammer advancing in age and Antoine Cason looking like a bust, Dennard can step in and improve the secondary immediately.

15. Arizona Cardinals (7-7): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

The Cardinals defense has been much better down the stretch, but it is still lacking in play makers. A pass-rusher like Ingram would help significantly, especially with Joey Porter on his last legs.

16. Tennessee Titans (7-7): Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

The Titans have a nice group of young linebackers, but they could use a replacement in the middle for the departed Stephen Tulloch. Burfict would be a perfect fit.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 7-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL)

There project to be plenty of talented running backs in this draft, but none is likely to be more explosive than Miami (FL) back Lamar Miller. Not only has Miller been extremely productive at the college level, but he has ideal size (5'11", 212 lbs.) and speed to succeed at the next level.

Miller is probably the best game-breaking back in the draft thanks to his home-run speed that is sure to impress at the combine. His services would very much be welcome in Cincinnati as a change-of-pace complement to veteran Bengals back Cedric Benson.

Benson doesn't have much time left, and while Miller would split time initially, he will eventually become the full-time starter. While guys like Montee Ball and David Wilson have had a more profound impact in the college game, Miller's measurables and workout numbers will be too good to ignore.

18. Chicago Bears (7-7): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Bears have sorely missed center Olin Kreutz, and they could use a new signal-caller on the offensive line. Konz has the potential to be the next Kreutz for Chicago.

19. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jonathan Joseph is now in Houston and Leon Hall is on injured reserve, so the Bengals are very thin at cornerback. Drafting Jenkins will really solidify the Cincinnati secondary.

20. Dallas Cowboys (8-6): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Cowboys are aging at inside linebacker with players like Keith Brooking and Bradie James, so they could use a youth infusion. A tackling machine like Kuechly would be an awesome fit.

21. Detroit Lions (9-5): David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

Although they already have a young running back in Jahvid Best and drafted Mikel Leshoure in the second round last season, the Lions have injury concerns at running back. That makes Wilson a possible selection here.

22. New York Jets (8-6): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Jets have two pillars of strength on the offensive line in Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson, but there are plenty of questions otherwise. DeCastro would truly help solidify things.

23. Denver Broncos (8-6): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Denver has an excellent pass rush thanks to Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil, but they need some defensive linemen who can take on blockers. Cox should be able to do just that.

24. New York Giants (7-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Few teams in the league had to contend with as many defensive injuries this season as the Giants. That was particularly true at linebacker. Brown would offer great depth and could soon be a starter.

25. Houston Texans (10-4): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Texans defense has improved at an incredible rate this season, even without pass rusher Mario Williams. The secondary could use a bump, though, and Barron would provide that.

26. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Pittsburgh's offensive line has been a mess for the past several years, and while quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has made do, he needs some help. Glenn would be a big help in keeping Big Ben upright.

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

Although rookie receiver Greg Little has stepped up late in the season, the Browns are light on offensive firepower. Jeffery would give quarterback Colt McCoy two good, young weapons to throw to.

28. New England Patriots (via NO 11-3): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The Patriots pass defense has been historically bad this season and much of that has to do with the lack of a good pass rush. Upshaw would be a huge help in that department.

29. Baltimore Ravens (10-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Few teams are able to have a unit as consistently good over the course of several years like the Ravens defense. The biggest reason is a constant influx of young talent, and Hightower will continue that trend.

30. San Francisco 49ers (11-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Perhaps no player in the entire draft possesses as much big-play ability as Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright. As Robert Griffin III's main target this season, Wright torched Big 12 secondaries thanks to his blazing speed and underrated hands.

Wright figures to run a sub-4.4 40-yard dash at the combine and his pro day, so scouts will have to pick their jaws up off the turf. Speed receivers don't always work out at the NFL level, but they are always going to receive a nice, long look from talent evaluators.

The San Francisco 49ers could really use a player that can stretch the field like Wright can. He would complement Michael Crabtree well on the other side and could run free quite often thanks to Frank Gore and the running game. I have no doubt Wright will solidify himself as a first-round talent with some impressive workouts.

31. New England Patriots (11-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has a vast array of weapons, but outside receivers are lacking as Deion Branch and Chad Ochocinco don't have much left. Sanu is a project, but he could become great under Brady's tutelage.

32. Green Bay Packers (13-1): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The Packers defense has taken a big step back this season due in part to the lack of a complementary pass rusher to pair with Clay Matthews. Perry is a USC Trojan like Matthews and is quickly rising up draft boards.