NFL draft 2012 in pictures

Jim Harbaugh recruited both Griffin and Andrew Luck to Stanford. Griffin declined the scholarship offer because he reasoned there would be a logjam at quarterback. He is the only player from Baylor to win the Heisman Trophy. As a high school track star in Texas, he broke state records in both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles.  (Kelly Kline / Associated Press)

Richardson helped lead Alabama to two BCS National Championships and last year won the Doak Walker Award and was a Heisman finalist. Some evaluators think he’s the most promising college back since Adrian Peterson. Richardson didn’t participate in the scouting combine after undergoing minor knee surgery, but he recently escorted a cancer patient to her high school prom.  (Mark Almond / Associated Press)

The younger brother of Carolina’s Ryan Kalil, the highest-paid center in the NFL, Matt is widely viewed as the top tackle in the draft. He initially backed up Tyron Smith at right tackle, then, as a sophomore, beat out Smith for the vacancy at left tackle. Kalil has a large collection of remote-controlled cars that he raced this offseason when he wasn’t working out for the draft.  (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

Blackmon won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top college receiver the past two seasons. The only other multiple winner is former Texas receiver Michael Crabtree, now with the 49ers. Blackmon, the only receiver to be named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, holds the NCAA records for most consecutive games gaining 100-plus yards receiving, and most games gaining 200-plus yards receiving.  (Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press)

Generally viewed as the best corner in this draft, Claiborne 11 interceptions in his two full seasons as a starter at LSU. One of those, he returned for a 45-yard touchdown against Georgia last season in the Southeastern Conference title game. Although he doesn’t have elite speed for an NFL corner, he was fast enough in high school to win the Louisiana state championships in the 100 meters.  (Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

Some scouts say Barron reminds them of a young Ronnie Lott. He didn’t work out at the combine, having just undergone double hernia surgery, but his stock has been climbing for weeks. He considers himself NFL-ready. “We played in a very difficult defense, first of all,” he said at the combine. “We did a lot of different schemes. My role was, as far as communicating, I had a lot to do with that on the back end. And I felt like sometimes, I brought some energy to it with the hits I make and things of that nature. I did a lot of different things.”  (Keith Srakocic / Associated Press)

Although he was recruited to college as a quarterback with great mobility, he was converted to a receiver in his second season. He maintained that role for the next 2 1/2 years and didn’t switch back to quarterback until midway through his junior season. As a senior, he completed 61.6% of his passes and posted a passer rating of 133.2.  (Dave McDermand / Associated Press)

Kuechly (pronounced KEEK-lee) led the nation in tackles in each of the past two seasons, with a career-high 191 last year alone. He finished his Boston College career as the leading tackler in both school and Atlantic Coast Conference history (532 tackles).  (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

Some evaluators think Gilmore is the best cornerback prospect in the draft. He was a rare true freshman starter for the Gamecocks, and had 52 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, and nine passes defended his first year.  (Rich Glickstein / Associated Press)

The 346-pound Poe was a tour de force at the scouting combine, when he ran a 4.96-second 40, recorded a 29 1/2-inch vertical leap, and bench pressed 225 pounds 44 times. “I think I’m explosive - very explosive,” he said before that performance. “That’s probably my biggest strength. Most people think just because I’m big I do nothing but [overpower] you, things like that. I try to use my quickness to my advantage.” The question many scouts have is, where is that potential on tape?  (Dave Martin / Associated Press)

At 6-4, 295, Cox is lighter than most elite defensive tackles and has very good range. He blocked five kicks in college. He has great feet, something that was evident in high school when he played power forward on the basketball team and was a member of the 4x100 relay team in track.  (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

Floyd set a school record by catching 100 balls last year, eclipsing the mark of 93 set by current Seattle receiver Golden Tate. At one point a team captain, Floyd was stripped of that honor after being cited for drunk driving in April 2011. He was suspended from the team, but only for the offseason, returning to play and never missing a game.  (Dave Martin / Associated Press)

Brockers made 54 tackles, including 9.5 for loss, with two sacks, four quarterback hits and an interception in 2011. He left school after just two seasons of play, and some critics point of the fact that he was surrounded by outstanding talent and therefore say he looked better than he’ll be as a pro.  (Dave Martin / Associated Press)

Irvin played two seasons at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif., before coming to West Virginia in 2010. In the last two seasons with the Mountaineers, he had a combined 22 1/2 sacks.  (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

Coples collected a combined 17 1/2 sacks the past two seasons, lining up variously at end and tackle. He has been compared favorably to Julius Peppers but also criticized for not going hard on every play. “You know, I’m a big guy. I’m a long-strider, things of that nature, so where it may come fast to me in a game, on film it’s slowing down a little bit,” Coples explains. “People have their own opinions. Some people don’t even think it was a problem.”  (John Bazemore / Associated Press)

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound All-America cornerback was a two-year starter for the Crimson Tide and has drawn comparisons to top-notch cover guys in the NFL, including Antonio Cromartie.  (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

Ingram began his career as a linebacker before switching to defensive end. He was a consensus All American last season, earning first-team All-SEC honors and collecting 10 sacks. He has said he wants to follow in the footsteps of Denver Broncos star Von Miller, last year’s No. 2 overall pick.  (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

McClellin is a farmboy from Marsing, Idaho, who has been taking care of at-risk animals since he was a child, including nursing baby skunks back to health. He’s a talented and relentless football player, too, collecting a combined 16 1/2 sacks over the past two seasons. He ran a 4.63 in the 40 at the combine, second-best among defensive linemen.  (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

Wright, at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, was the favorite target of Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III at Baylor. He had 108 receptions for 1,663 yards and 14 touchdowns his senior season.  (Dave Martin / Associated Press)

Jones believes his biggest career strides were made during the offseason before his final year when he participated in mixed-martial-arts workouts with his brother, Ultimate Fighting Championship star Jon “Bones” Jones.  (Kevin Rivoli / Associated Press)

Weeden is 28 and began his professional sports career as a baseball pitcher. He was drafted out of high school in the second round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft, the first selection of the Yankees. He was traded to the Dodgers a year later, and later played in the Royals organization. Injuries and a high ERA convinced him to quit baseball. He enrolled at Oklahoma State in 2007.  (Dave Martin / Associated Press)

Reiff bounced around the line as a freshman, playing at various spots before replacing Bryan Bulaga (a first-round pick of the Packers) at left tackle as a sophomore. Reiff started all 13 games at left tackle as a junior before deciding to turn pro early. If there’s a knock on him, it’s that his arms are a tad shorter than typical for a left tackle.  (Charlie Neibergall / Associated Press)

Although DeCastro is from Bellevue, Wash., his parents are South African and both his father and grandfather played rugby for the University of Cape Town. DeCastro is so intense, he refuses to high-five teammates after big plays. Said NFL Network’s Mike Mayock: “I think with DeCastro, when you get him, you’re going to plug him in Day One, and he’s going to be your starting guard.”  (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)

Hightower, who made the calls and defensive adjustments for Alabama last season, was a finalist for four national awards last season and had career-highs in tackles (85) and sacks (four).  (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

Mercilus led the nation last season with 16 sacks and nine forced fumbles. The son of Haitian immigrants who held down multiple jobs to feed the family, Mercilus is deeply appreciative of the opportunity he has. When he signs his NFL contract, he plans to buy his parents a home in Florida.  (Dave Martin / Associated Press)

Zeitler has NFL size -- he’s 6-foot-4 and 314 pounds -- and skill to block in both rushing and passing sets. The three-year starter for the Badgers did battle some injury problems and missed games, but he appears to be ready for the pros.  (Paul Battaglia / Associated Press)

In 2011, Perry led the Pac-12 with 9.5 sacks and earned First-team All-Pac-12 honors. That was his first season with the Trojans when he wasn’t hampered by injuries. Perry is leaving school with a year of playing remaining. “I’ve had a good four years at ‘SC and I’m ready to take it to the next level,” he said. “I’ve been prepared for that. I’ve been training for that. I’m looking forward to that.”  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Smith, who has good size for his position at 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds, is a versatile defender expected to see plenty of action in zone coverage. His only weakness is covering man to man, but most scouts believe he’s ready to play now at the NFL level, particulary in a zone scheme.  (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)

Jenkins will provide the 49ers with an athletic playmaker willing to go over the middle. Although many scouts thought he was a second-round pick, his ability to create separation with cornerbacks also makes his a deep threat.  (Dave Martin / Associated Press)

Compact and powerful at 5-9, 223 pounds, Martin rushed for 43 touchdowns in three college seasons, gaining a combined 2,559 yards rushing the past two years. He said he’s frequently compared to Baltimore’s Ray Rice.  (Matt Cilley / Associated Press)

Wilson opted out of his senior season at Virginia Tech in the wake of the Sugar Bowl after setting a school record with 1,709 yards and earning ACC offensive player of the year honors.  (Dave Martin / Associated Press)