Pac-12 NFL draft preview

ESPN.com staff

Apr 25, 2012, 05:30 PM ET

The hype and speculations begin to end on Thursday when the NFL draft kicks off with Stanford QB Andrew Luck's name being called by Roger Goodell for the Indianapolis Colts.

Will Stanford get four picks in the first round? Will Arizona State LB Vontaze Burfict, once a first-round prospect, and/or Oregon QB Darron Thomas get drafted?

We shall see over the weekend.

The Pac-12 should produce between 40-50 draft picks, and every conference team has at least one legitimate prospect to get selected.

Burfict is the big tumbler, and a report that he failed a drug test at the NFL combine won't help. The big climbers have been Stanford offensive guard David DeCastro, who could end up a top-15 pick, and California LB Mychal Kendricks, who's gone from off the radar to perhaps the second round.

And who thought a year ago that Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler would get picked before the third round was over this spring?

So, how do things stack up?

You can see ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper's final mock draft here.

Here's what he's got for the Pac-12.

1. Andrew Luck (Stanford), QB, Indianapolis Colts

Kiper: This we've known since the Colts wrapped up the NFL's worst record. I think where we're all really intrigued is what the Colts decide to do at No. 34. Do they go with an offensive piece (WR, TE) to help Luck, or do they try to shore up a defense that has huge needs in a couple spots? I think right now I'd be more inclined to help my young QB, but we'll have to see how the value falls.

5. Matt Kalil (USC), OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kiper: If the board fell this way, I can also see the Bucs working the phones to get out of this spot. Kalil really would be a nice addition for this team, but they could shop the pick to a team in more desperate need of a top tackle.

11. David DeCastro (Stanford) OG, Kansas City Chiefs

Kiper: I have guard down as a top need for the Chiefs, and DeCastro will fix that problem immediately. This is as elite as you'll get from this position. He's the best guard prospect since Steve Hutchinson, and is the kind of player who improves your running game overnight. Not a tough call.

26. Coby Fleener (Stanford), TE, Houston Texans

Kiper: The Texans now have a void at tight end, and Fleener is the best one in the class. Houston's offense really needs an effective tight end, but not just in an underneath role. Fleener is a great one because he has the size and quickness to work underneath against linebackers, but also the straight-line speed of a receiver to stretch the field in the seam and on the edges. I like the fit.

Here's Kiper's final Big Board. And Todd McShay's final top-32.

Here's a stab at a full seven round mock draft.

Its last Pac-12 pick? Former Washington receiver Jermaine Kearse, going to Pittsburgh with the 246th overall selection. It also has former Oregon CB Cliff Harris going on the seventh round to the Atlanta Falcons.

Finally, here's a list of the eligible players from the Pac-12. We bolded players we believe will get drafted.

Arizona

QB Nick Foles

WR Juron Criner

CB Trevin Wade

Arizona State

QB Brock Osweiler