Kiper: Baylor's Robert Griffin III will be 2nd QB taken in 2012 NFL draft - Charlotte Observer

In his first mock draft, released this week, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. projects the Cleveland Browns to take former Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III with the fourth overall selection.

Kiper said he expects Griffin, the Heisman Trophy winner, to be picked between second and fourth overall, depending on whether a quarterback-hungry team can acquire the second pick from the St. Louis Rams via trade. The Rams are set at quarterback with Sam Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick in 2010.

"The Browns have to get a quarterback," Kiper said. "I think they're going to kick Colt McCoy to the curb."

McCoy, a former Texas Longhorns quarterback, a third-round pick in 2010, has started the majority of Cleveland's games the past two seasons.

Kiper says there is no way Griffin will go ahead of Andrew Luck of Stanford with the No. 1 pick. "Andrew Luck is the best quarterback I've graded in the 35 years I've been doing this. No way I see Indianapolis taking anyone else (with the first pick)."

In a conference call this week, Kiper also said:

Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill is in a three-way race with Arizona State's Brock Osweiler and Arizona's Nick Foles to be the third-rated quarterback on most draft boards. But Tannehill's stock could be hurt "a lot" by his inability to play in the Jan. 28 Senior Bowl because of a broken foot suffered during a recent workout.

Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon needs to impress scouts with his 40-yard dash time at the scouting combine or in private workouts if he's going to remain a top-five pick. "When you're investing that kind of money, the 40 speed is important," Kiper said.

Clemson's Dwayne Allen (ranked 23rd overall) is "head and shoulders above the rest of his (tight end) class. The NFL is craving these types right now."

Also:

The Miami Dolphins, who will pick eighth or ninth depending on a coin flip with the Carolina Panthers, figure to be after an offensive tackle, a defensive end or a linebacker such as Boston College's Luke Kuechley, according to Miami Herald reporter Barry Jackson. Cornerback is also not out of the question.

NFL draft consultant Gil Brandt said some underclassmen got bad advice in deciding to leave college early for the draft. He said South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore could have potentially improved his stock with another year in college.