2012 NFL Draft: Which Young Prospects Are Most NFL-Ready?

The NFL Draft is often a crap-shoot, but every year there are several guys who are just ready to compete in the NFL from day one. In 2011 guys like Marcell Dareus, Patrick Peterson and Von Miller were all obviously going to be studs, and things played out that way. 

This year is no different, as I see two guys in the 2012 NFL draft class who will jump in and play at a high level right away. 

While Stanford's Andrew Luck and Baylor's Robert Griffin III are likely to be the first two players taken on April 26, quarterbacks often take a lot of time to develop so I don't expect either guy to make a huge impact next season. 

However, the third guy taken this year is almost certain to be USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil, and he could be a Pro Bowler in his first year in the league. At 6'6" and 306 pounds, he has ideal size for a blind-side protector in the NFL, and on top of that he has great feet, outstanding quickness, uses his hands extremely well and has a nasty streak that comes out when run blocking.

Kalil also has impeccable bloodlines, as his brother Ryan is a Pro Bowl center for the Carolina Panthers, and his father, Frank, played professionally in the USFL. He is smart, tough, strong and has great awareness. Whichever team lands him will likely have found its blind-side protector for the next decade.

The other guy I see as a sure-fire NFL star is Alabama running back Trent Richardson. During his final season of college ball, Richardson rushed for 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns on 283 carries. At 5'10" and 228 pounds, he is almost bowling ball-like in his running style.

Richardson almost never goes down on first contact, and his ability to make quick cuts, then get up to full speed is elite. His awareness is also developing to an elite level, while his balance will be as good as anyone in the NFL's from the first day he steps onto the field.

The Crimson Tide also used Richardson out of the backfield as a receiver to great effect, as he hauled in 29 passes in 2011 for 338 yards and three touchdowns. That showed his versatility.

Richardson should be off the board within the first six picks of this year's draft, and he has the skills to be an absolute stud in his rookie year.

Other candidates: Morris Claiborne, David DeCastro, Luke Kuechly