2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Robert Griffin III and Most Electric Playmakers

Now that the NFL playoffs are underway, talk of the 2012 draft has begun to heat up. With the order of the first 20 draft picks already determined, it's now time to speculate just what each team's needs are and, thus, which players they are likely to target.

High on every teams draft boards are the following four playmakers who are all guaranteed to go in the first round.

QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor

Baylor quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner and Associate Press College Football Player of the Year Robert Griffin, III is easily the most explosive playmaker of the 2012 NFL draft.

He combines the versatility of Cam Newton and Michael Vick with the uncanny accuracy of Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees and should instantly upgrade any offense that is lucky enough to have him under center.

In his career, Griffin has 77 passing touchdowns and 32 rushing touchdowns and just 17 interceptions. In 2011, he completed 297-of-369 passes, for 3,998 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions and rushed 161 times for 644 yards and nine more scores.

Griffin is a top-five pick, and with a number of teams needing a long-term solution at quarterback, there will be a number of teams angling for his services come April.

WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon is a definite top-10 pick in the 2012 NFL draft; indeed, I have him projected to go to the St. Louis Rams as the No. 2 overall selection.

Blackmon lacks elite speed but makes up for it with his strength, size and sure hands. He's not hesitant to throw a block, and he's got enough agility to make defenders miss in space.

In 2011, Blackmon caught 113 passes for 1,337 yards and 15 touchdowns; he had 20 touchdown receptions in 2010. Though his DUI arrest in 2011 brings some character issues to the forefront, that shouldn't be enough to drop his draft stock, especially with so few wide receivers projected to go in the first round this year.

RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

Alabama's Trent Richardson is the top running back prospect in the 2012 NFL draft and will be a hot commodity once April arrives.

Richardson is about the most ideal running back imaginable, with an excellent combination of speed, size and strength. He's extremely hard to tackle, making him a threat when rushing either inside or outside. His agility and good hands also make him an asset in the passing game, and he's a solid blocker as well.

In 2011, Richardson carried the ball 263 times for 1,583 yards and 20 scores, averaging 131.9 rushing yards per game. He's also caught 27 passes for 327 yards and three more scores this season.

He's the perfect addition to a Cleveland Browns squad anxious to relieve itself of the troublemaking Peyton Hillis; with the team possessing the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft, it's probable that they will land him should they want him.

QB Andrew Luck, Stanford

No discussion of the biggest playmakers in the 2012 NFL draft would be complete without a mention of Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, who is likely to be the No. 1 overall pick and thus the Indianapolis Colts' quarterback of the future.

Luck has NFL success written all over him. He has a strong arm and can throw accurately whether it's a short or deep pass. He can throw receivers open in ways that reminds one of the Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers and has the ability to read defenses that many NFL starters don't yet have.

In 2011, Luck completed 261 of his 373 pass attempts for 3,170 yards, 35 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He's also deceptively mobile, rushing 43 times for 153 yards and two scores.

The Colts couldn't have picked a better season to play horribly, to be frank. They'll be going from one stellar franchise quarterback in Peyton Manning to a likely long-term success in Andrew Luck, whether they start him in 2012 or wait until Manning has decided to move on.

Full 32-Team First Round Mock Draft

Full 32-Team First Round Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14) Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. St. Louis Rams (2-14) Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13) Matt Kalil, OT, USC
4. Cleveland Browns (4-12) Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12) Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State
6. Washington Redskins (5-11) Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11) Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
8. Carolina Panthers (6-10) Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina (coin flip)
8. Miami Dolphins (6-10) Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma (coin flip)
10. Buffalo Bills (6-10) Melvin Ingram, LB, South Carolina
11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford (coin flip)
11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9) Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa (coin flip)
13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8) David DeCastro, G, Stanford
14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8) Mark Barron, S, Alabama
15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8) Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama
16. New York Jets (8-8) Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
17. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) (traded from Oakland) LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
18. San Diego Chargers (8-8) Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama
19. Chicago Bears (8-8) Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
20. Tennessee Titans (9-7) Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
21. Denver Broncos (8-8) Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
22. New York Giants (9-7) Janoris Jenkins, CB, N. Alabama
23. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia
24. Houston Texans (10-6) Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
25. Cleveland Browns (4-12) (traded from Atlanta) Dwight Jones, WR, North Carolina
26. Detroit Lions (10-6) Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
27. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia
28. New England Patriots (13-3) Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
29. San Francisco 49ers (13-3) Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson
30. New England Patriots (13-3) (traded from New Orleans) Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
31. Baltimore Ravens (12-4) Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
32. Green Bay Packers (15-1) Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State