2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Potential Hall of Fame Talents

The NFL regular season is coming to a close, and before you know it the 2012 NFL draft will be here. Like every year, the potential candidates for the-first round picks are very talented, and some may just end up in the Hall of Fame one day. 

Of course, NFL players elected to the Hall of Fame have been selected throughout the draft, but more often than not, they came from the first round. 

Since there's only one game left, we have a pretty good idea as to what the draft order will look like, but a lot can change in one week. 

With that said, here's my 2012 NFL Mock Draft with info on each pick and analysis on those that could one day make it to the Hall of Fame. 

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

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-13): Andrew Luck, QB Stanford

The most coveted player in the draft, Luck has the potential to be one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game, so naturally he sits atop the list of possible Hall of Fame talents from the 2012 draft.

Luck is drawing comparisons to Peyton Manning, and Bleacher Report's own Matt Miller believes Luck will be better than Manning.  He has the intangibles to succeed at the next level, and the Colts would be wise to select him to secure they have a bright future. 

 

2. St. Louis Rams (2-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Rams could think about a receiver here, but protecting Sam Bradford has to be priority No. 1 for St. Louis. Kalil is the best offensive tackle in the draft class, and would be excellent for the Rams for many many years. 

 

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The Vikings secondary has been atrocious all season long, and they desperately need an upgrade. Claiborne gives them just that, as he is the top corner in the draft class and is sure to be an impact player immediately. 

 

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blaine Gabbert needs to be surrounded with playmakers, and Blackmon is just that guy. He will be able to step in right away to help Jacksonville win games.  

His speed and agility make him a very dangerous deep-ball threat, and he has exceptional hands, having caught 224 receptions in the last two seasons. Blackmon is the top receiver in the 2012 class and can definitely make it to the Hall of Fame. 

As Gabbert continues to develop, he'll get better and better with Blackmon by his side. The talented wideout has extraordinary skills and will have no trouble finding success in the NFL.

 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Bucs need help all over their defense, so they'll select the best defender available to fit their needs and that is Kirkpatrick. He'll be an instant upgrade to Tampa's secondary. 

 

6. Cleveland Browns (4-11): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Running back has been a sore spot for the Browns in recent years, which is why they'll snag Richardson to help secure a much more solid ground and pound. 

7. Washington Redskins (5-10): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins are not going to win big with Rex Grossman or John Beck as their QB. RGIII's dual threat skills make him very dangerous at the next level, and with the right coaching he could make it to the Hall of Fame. 

RGIII isn't a run first kind of QB, which is what makes him such a serious threat. He can run if he needs to, but he can always throw with the best of them. He may or may not leave early, but if he does, he'll be a top-10 pick for sure. 

The Redskins would immediately become a contender with RGIII. Their defense is improving, and they showed this year they can compete in the NFC East; it's just that they need a more consistent QB. RGIII can be that guy and definitely has the potential to reach the Hall of Fame because of his dual threat skills. 

 

8. Miami Dolphins (5-10): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

Jones has to declare first, but since so many teams need a QB it would benefit him to leave now while his ceiling is high. Miami easily picks him up to start fresh. 

 

9. Carolina Panthers (6-9): Quinton Coples, DE North Carolina

The Panthers need guys that can put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and Coples is just the guy to do it. Not to mention he'd put some fans in the seats too since he's from North Carolina. 

 

10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Chiefs have to do a better job of protecting Matt Cassel, and Reiff is just the guy for the job. 

 

11. Buffalo Bills (6-9): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin is the next best offensive lineman available, and that is an area the Bills have to get better at. 

 

12. Philadelphia Eagles (7-8): Luke Kuechly, LB Boston College

Kuechly is a tackling machine, and is just what the Eagles need. Linebacker is their weak spot on defense, and Kuechly would definitely make an impact right away. 

 

13. Arizona Cardinals (7-8): Courtney Upshaw, LB Alabama

The Cardinals need help all over, but Upshaw has too much talent to pass up. He can step in and help the Cardinals defense make plays right away. 

 

14. Seattle Seahawks (7-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

The Seahawks need to upgrade at QB, but at this spot none are available, which means they'd have to trade up if truly interested. It still is a solid fit for the Seahawks because they need a powerful defender up front to help stop opponents. 

 

15. San Diego Chargers (7-8): Mark Barron, S Alabama

The Chargers need another safety, and pairing Barron with Eric Weddle would make their secondary even stronger. 

 

16. Chicago Bears (7-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame 

Jay Cutler is in dire need of a big play receiver, and Floyd most certainly will give him that. They could go offensive line here, but a dominant receiver is a bigger need in order to win now. 

 

17. Tennessee Titans (8-7): Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Burfict has the skills to be the best player from this draft class, but character issues worry a lot of scouts. 

Still, you can't deny his talents, and that is why he has the potential to be a Hall of Fame player. He has to stay out of trouble or else he's doomed. Burfict is a dynamic defender that the Titans would definitely not pass on. 

Similar to Ray Lewis, Burfict is a big hitter and a great leader on the field. If he can avoid off the field issues then Burfict will have a very bright future in the NFL. 

 

18. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Miller would be a great complement to Cedric Benson, giving the Bengals a better ground game, which would make others fear them more. 

 

19. New York Jets (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro is the best interior lineman in the draft, and the Jets would love to have him to help the run game improve. 

 

20. 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.

 

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins has had off the field issues before, which is why he finished college at North Alabama. However, he has first-round talent, and the Bengals will not let him get away. They've got experience working with trouble players. 

22. Denver Broncos (8-7): Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)

The Broncos have to find a future replacement for Champ Bailey, and Dennard is the top available corner here.  

 

23. New York Giants (8-7): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Upgrading the defensive tackle position isn't a top priority, but Cox is one of the best available here. Getting a linebacker here would be a reach. 

 

24. Detroit Lions (10-5): Cordy Glenn, G Georgia

Protecting Matthew Stafford needs to be priority No. 1 for the Lions. Glenn is a solid fit because he's versatile. He can play either the guard or tackle position. 

 

25. Houston Texans (10-5): Peter Konz, C Wisconsin

The Texans may be losing center Chris Meyers via free agency, meaning Konz is a very wise pick for them. 

 

26. Cleveland Browns (via ATL, 9-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR South Carolina

The Browns need to find playmakers in this draft, and they'll love that Jeffery falls to them. His draft status took a hit because of a poor season, and scouts worry about his ability to quickly separate himself from defenders. 

However, Jeffery still has the potential to have a Hall of Fame type career. Listed at 6'4" and 232 pounds, Jeffery has the NFL body, and since he can catch almost anything thrown his way he's destined for a great career. 

If Colt McCoy remains the Browns QB, he'll be able to become a better player with Jeffery on his team. The skilled receiver could easily be picked in the Top 15 depending on who decides to come out for the draft.

He too must decide if he wants to leave early, but he can't afford to have another poor college season. Jumping straight to the pros and working day and night on becoming a better player is what he needs, and it will help him find great success in the NFL. 

 

27. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4): Mike Adams, OT Ohio State

Improving the offensive line is a must for the Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger needs to stay healthy, and adding depth of the o-line group will help achieve that. 

 

28. Baltimore Ravens (11-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB Alabama

The Ravens need to find a future replacement for Ray Lewis, and Hightower is just the guy. They do need help on the offensive line, but they'd be reaching for a player if they took one here. 

 

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

Tom Brady could use a deep-ball threat, and Wright fits the mold. The Patriots have plenty of options with their two picks, but they should use both of them to strengthen the team. 

 

30. San Francisco 49ers (12-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR Rutgers

The 49ers' receiving corps isn't as talented as it needs to be. If San Francisco wants to become better on offense, selecting Sanu is the right move. 

 

31. New England Patriots (12-3): Melvin Ingram, DE South Carolina

The secondary desperately needs help, but so does the defensive front. The top cornerbacks are gone, so the Patriots will move to the best available defensive lineman, which is Ingram. 

 

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

Clay Matthews is the only solid pass rusher for the Packers right now, and while Green Bay does need a better run game, improving the pass rush with Lewis is a better option.