2012 NFL Mock Draft: How Many Running Backs Are Worthy of 1st-Round Picks?

There are not a lot of high-end skill position players available in the 2012 NFL draft. While a few receivers and quarterbacks should go off the board early, I currently only have three running backs with a first-round grade.

Alabama's Trent Richardson is certainly worthy of a high pick. He is the total package at running back, as he has power, speed, balance, vision and great strength. I see him as the best running back to enter the NFL since Adrian Peterson in 2007. I expect Richardson to be gone within the first five picks.

After that, there is a considerable gap until the next running back pops up on my board. Running backs have been devalued by NFL franchises over the past few seasons because most teams use multiple ball-carriers. That drives down the relative importance of the position, which means that spending a high draft pick on a back could be a waste.

I think the Cincinnati Bengals will take a running back with one of their two first-round picks, and I currently have them selecting Washington's Chris Polk at No. 17.

Polk has the versatility to fit into virtually every scheme. During his record-breaking career with the Huskies, he showed the ability to run between the tackles and outside. Polk might be the best receiver of the top tier of running backs this season, and he's also a guy who attacks and doesn't give up on plays.

I have him rated higher than some other experts, but I've watched a ton of tape on him and just love the way he plays.

The third running back on my board is Miami's Lamar Miller, who is a straight speed-burner with big-play potential. My only issue with Miller is the fact that he hasn't shown he can grind out tough yards, but with more time at the position, I wouldn't be surprised if he developed nicely.

He has ton of upside, and I'm almost certain he'll slip in to the back of the first round, but in my most recent mock, I just couldn't find a spot for him.

Logically, I couldn't make an argument that a team would take him above another need, but someone will fall in love with his speed and snag him somewhere in the 20s.

I expect Polk and Miller to both be in play for the Bengals, so it will really depend on what kind of back they want to take at No. 17.

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