2012 NFL Mock Draft: Where Will the Top Offensive Playmakers Land?

We all know Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck will be selected with the top pick in the 2012 NFL draft, but after that things remain wide open. This year's class is heavy on offensive linemen and edge rushers, which means offensive skill position players could be waiting to hear their names called.

Right now I see three guys after Luck that I would call "difference makers" at the skill positions. And if things develop how I think they will, all three will be off the board quickly, and then there will be a long wait for the next round of skill guys to be taken.

The St. Louis Rams currently have the No. 2 pick, and while there are many who think they will unload the selection, for the purposes of this discussion we'll assume they keep it. The Rams have a need at offensive tackle, but they seem happy with Rodger Saffold on the left side and they could get a solid right tackle through free agency or later in the draft.

For that reason I think St. Louis will pass on USC tackle Matt Kalil and make a move to get quarterback Sam Bradford someone to throw to. As I see it, Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon would be the right pick at No. 2, because of his exceptional ability to get open and make plays after the catch.

In this scenario, the Minnesota Vikings are guaranteed to take Kalil at No. 3, which leaves the Cleveland Browns with a decision to make at No. 4. The Browns must decide whether or not they can stand using Colt McCoy under center for another season, or if they think Baylor's Robert Griffin III is the answer.

I am not convinced the Browns are ready to move on from McCoy yet, and therefore I think they'll select Alabama's Trent Richardson to become their franchise running back. Richardson has an incredible combination of size and speed, and after the Peyton Hillis fiasco this season, Cleveland needs a go-to back.

Richardson would fit in perfectly with the Browns and would immediately become a fan favorite.

At No. 5 the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will almost certainly go with a defensive player, and I believe LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne would be a perfect fit there.

That would leave the Washington Redskins at No. 6 in a dream scenario for their franchise. Washington is in desperate need of a long-term solution at quarterback, and Griffin would still be on the board here. The Redskins reportedly love Griffin's skill set and would even possibly be willing to trade up to get him.

After Griffin is gone at No. 6, I don't have another skill position player coming off the board until No. 16, when I have the New York Jets drafting South Carolina wideout Alshon Jeffery. That will be a huge gap of waiting for the rest of the skill guys on draft day.

2012 NFL Mock Draft      

1.  Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2.  St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

3.  Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC  

4.  Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

5.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU 

6.  Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

8.  Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

9.  Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

10.  Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

11.  Kansas City Chiefs: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

12.  Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

13.  Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

14.  Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

15.  Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

16.  New York Jets: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

17.  Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders): Chris Polk, RB, Washington

18.  San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia 

19.  Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

20.  Tennessee Titans: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

21.  Cincinnati Bengals: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

22.  Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons): Mark Barron, S, Alabama  

23.  Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

25.  Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

26.  Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

27.  New England Patriots: Michael Brockers, DT/DE, LSU

28.  Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois   

29.  Baltimore Ravens: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

30.  San Francisco 49ers: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

31. New England Patriots: Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson

32.  New York Giants: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina