2012 NFL Mock Draft: Big-Name Players Not Worthy of First-Round Status

The 2012 NFL Draft is going to be here before we know it and there is just about one week left until most of the draft order is settled for those teams not making the postseason.

These are the squads that need to be the most cautious about who they pick to be the future faces of their franchise.

Going with a name-brand player isn’t always the safest route, and although it may sell you tickets in the short-term, drafting a bust will always hurt more in the long run.

Here are some players to be wary of and may not be worth a first-round pick.

1. Andrew Luck

Luck is going to be worth a top pick and is a can’t miss QB prospect.

2. Justin Blackmon

This guy knows how to play wide receiver and that won’t change in the pros.

3. Matt Kalil

Offensive tackles who excel in college tend to play solid in the pros.

4. Morris Claiborne

This is the premier cornerback in the 2012 draft.

5. Dre Kirkpatrick

This pick is risky. Any team that gambles on Kirkpatrick is going to get a raw player with all the physical tools in the world at 6’3”, 192 pounds and possessing SEC speed.

However, he hasn’t had an excellent season and needs to have an excellent combine and interview to justify this high of a selection.

6. Trent Richardson

By far the best running back available this year and worth a top 10 pick.

7. Riley Reiff

This is the best OL player available after Kalil.

8. Robert Griffin III

The Heisman Trophy-winning QB needs to prove his game can translate to the pros.

He’s going to go too high as so many terrible teams need a QB and because he has a hot name right now.

Griffin has a chance to be good, but he has a lot of red flags—his small stature being the most glaring.

9. Quinton Coples

Coples has done nothing to help his status this year but teams will ignore that because of his size.

The UNC product has been facing double-teams and struggling in college, so don’t expect him to all of a sudden excel at beating them in the pros.

Any team that takes him this early will regret it.

10. Landry Jones

Are teams so sure they want to take another Oklahoma QB after what happened with Sam Bradford this season?

The former Sooner regressed significantly from his rookie season and Jones isn’t nearly as good a prospect as Bradford was.

With Barkley going back to USC, someone will definitely reach for Jones too early and hurt their franchise.

11. Michael Floyd

Solid WR who is well-rounded.

12. Jonathan Martin

A very agile OT who has been protecting Andrew Luck just fine.

13. Alfonzo Dennard

All-around cornerback has no glaring flaws.

14. Devon Still

This big DT is shooting up draft boards.

15. Vontaze Burfict

If Burfict matures, he will be a force in the NFL for years to come.

16. Lamar Miller

This RB has the speed, agility and other skills to succeed at the next level.

17. Peter Konz

This is the best center in the draft.

18. Janoris Jenkins

This head case isn’t worth a first-round pick. He was dismissed from the Florida Gators for team misconduct and was resisting arrest and had to be tased after beating someone up.

No team needs a head case like this no matter how talented he may be.

19. Luke Kuechly

This is a solid interior linebacker who has upside in the NFL.

20. Melvin Ingram

The Gamecocks DE is going to be an asset as a pass-rusher.

21. David DeCastro

Stanford lineman projects to be a starter at guard on any number of teams.

22. Fletcher Cox

This defensive lineman can play a number of positions.

23. Zach Brown

One of the fastest OLBs in college.

24. Mark Barron

Barron is a physically imposing monster and will be an all-around beast in the NFL.

25. Cordy Glenn

This kid is huge and will be a tackle or guard in the pros.

26. Alshon Jeffery

The playmaker from South Carolina has all the talent—just needs to put it together.

27. Courtney Upshaw

Upshaw can rush the passer for an undersized player.

28. Dont’a Hightower

Another Alabama defender who will make a difference in the NFL.

29. Kendall Wright

RGIII’s best receiver should get drafted in the first round with his QB.

30. Mohamed Sanu

Rutgers product would be insane not to turn pro.

31. Nick Perry

This kid has a lot of potential and speed.

32. Ronnell Lewis

Linebacker is a sleeper in this draft.