2012 NFL Mock Draft: Stock Watch for Top Playmakers Heading into Bowl Season

Regardless of where a player comes from, bowl season puts him on a national stage.

And for those that are considered playmakers, a bigger stage means more exposure for their big playmaking abilities.

Whether offense, defense or special teams, the best playmakers, such as the following prospects, are the most exciting to watch.

St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

Stock Same

No matter where the St. Louis Rams draft, they need to draft Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon. He's a two-time Fred Biletnikoff winner and just what coach Steve Spagnuolo & Co. need.

The offense has a decent WR in Brandon Lloyd. However, he's not your prototypical No. 1 WR in the NFL. Plus, the lack of other talented receivers to target doesn't help QB Sam Bradford much. In turn, the running game suffers.

Bringing in Blackmon, who gained over 1,700 yards in 2010 and over 1,300 in 2011, gives the Rams a more complete offense. Blackmon's size, strength and speed allow him to stretch and widen the field, but also be a solid stock-blocker on small DBs.

The Rams see defenses that double-team Lloyd, stack the box against Steven Jackson and blitz Bradford. Accounting for 35 receiving TDs in each of the past two seasons, Blackmon is used to being isolated by opposing defenses.

They just have yet to actually isolate him completely.

Miami Dolphins: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)

Stock Up

With Matt Barkley returning, that makes room for LSU's Morris Claiborne in the Top 10. Miami could make a move for Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin, however—there's a lot more depth at QB than at DB this draft.

And although the Dolphins have improved defensively, it couldn't hurt to add a playmaker of Claiborne's talent.

In 2010, Morris picked off five passes and returned them for 101 yards. This season he's intercepted six balls and returned them for 173 yards. That's an average of 25 yards-per-interception return.

With Miami's offense improving, not having to get an additional 2.5 first-downs per possession gives them a big advantage.

Now include Claiborne's ability as a kickoff returner (17 for 443 yards and one TD) and RB Reggie Bush can focus on strictly his offensive duties.

Having the dangerous Claiborne, who's capable of breaking any game open, back deep will put Miami a lot closer to New England than the Jets or Bills—thanks to Claiborne's defense.

Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin, QB (Baylor)

Stock Up

Much like Morris Claiborne, Baylor QB Robert Griffin benefits from Barkley returning to USC.

He immediately becomes the next-best QB in the draft and the Redskins may have to trade up if they want him.

Griffin has thrown fewer than 10 interceptions and accounted for no less than 30 total TDs every year he's played college ball. His dual-threat ability is easily the best in the country—though he's really a pocket-passer who happens to know when to scramble.

The Redskins need a franchise QB, and Griffin will make them a lot better. Washington needs a guy who can spread the ball around, limit turnovers and buy time in and out of the pocket.

Griffin has a strong, deadly-accurate arm (72.4 completion percentage) and will surpass 4,000 yards this season in his bowl game.

Put him in Washington and the Redskins immediately become NFC East title contenders. The Cowboys have Tony Romo, New York has Eli Manning and the Eagles have Mike Vick. And who does Washington currently have?

Rex Grossman.

Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

Stock Same

The Green Bay Packers need a defensive lineman who can drop into coverage—the opposite of pass-rusher Clay Matthews. That man is South Carolina's Melvin Ingram.

This season Ingram has recorded 8.5 sacks (nine in 2010), has picked off two passes and has scored three TDs. He simply goes all out on every play and that's what makes him such a big time playmaker.

No defensive lineman should be able to scamper 68 yards on a fake punt and take it for a TD, but Ingram can do things like that. Areas of the game in which you don't expect a down-lineman to excel, Melvin does.

In Green Bay, he'll complement Clay perfectly on the pass-rush as well as drop into zone coverage and take on TEs one-on-one. Melvin's versatility is what allows him to be a playmaker.

Few know him, though, because he is a defensive-lineman.

Hopefully that will change sooner than later.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	17. New York Jets: Brandon Thompson, DE (Clemson)
2. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	18. Tennessee Titans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Cincinnati (From OAK): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)	20. Dallas Cowboys: Chase Minnifield, CB (UVA)
5. Cleveland Browns: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	21. New York Giants: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)
6. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)	22. Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)
7. Miami Dolphins: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	23. Cincinnati Bengals: Jayron Hosley, CB (Virginia Tech)
8. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin, QB (Baylor)	24. Denver Broncos: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
9. Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	25. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
10. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	26. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
11. Buffalo Bills: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)	27. Cleveland (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)
12. San Diego Chargers: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	28. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
13. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)	29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
14. Arizona Cardinals: Cordy Glenn, G (Georgia)	30. New England Patriots (From NO): Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)
15. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	31. New England Patriots: Cam Johnson, DE (UVA)
16. Chicago Bears: Nick Toon, WR (Wisconsin)	32. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

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