2012 NFL Mock Draft: 5 Biggest Game-Changers in Next Year's Draft Class

The 2011 NFL season is not yet three weeks old. The 2011 college football season is just four weeks old.

Clearly, this is the perfect time to look ahead to the 2012 NFL draft.

The funny part is that I'm actually not trying to be funny. This really is a good time to look ahead to the draft, as we have a pretty good idea of the general quality of each NFL team. We also have a good idea of which 2012 draft prospects might be first-round material.

And then there are the prospects that we know are first-round material. There are plenty of stars-in-waiting among the 2012 prospects and there are a handful who are true game-changers.

In the spirit of getting everyone excited, here's a countdown of the five biggest game-changers in the 2012 draft class.

These boys will be stars right away and they'll remain stars for many years to come.

5. Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The pool of talented defensive ends was one of the strengths of the 2011 draft class, but North Carolina's Quinton Coples is as good or better than any of them.

At 6'6" and roughly 280 pounds, Coples is a monster of a man, but he also has the kind of speed that is rare among defensive ends. He has the tools to be a nightmare for opposing blockers and will be a nightmare for NFL quarterbacks as well.

Unless something crazy happens, Coples is going to be a top 10 pick. I have him going fifth overall to the Minnesota Vikings, a team that could use a young, up-and-coming pass-rusher.

4. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Trent Richardson had to hide in Mark Ingram's shadow for a couple of seasons, but he's doing pretty well in the spotlight this year. In four games, Richardson has rushed for 441 yards and eight touchdowns on 67 carries.

Richardson is not the shiftiest running back you'll ever see, but he might be one of the strongest running backs to come along in years. He laughs at arm tackles; members of a given secondary would be wise to get out of his way. If Richardson gets to that point, he's gone anyway.

I have Richardson going No. 10 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals. He would replace Cedric Benson—and I don't think anybody would complain.

3. Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

There's talk of Vontaze Burfict being one of the best linebacker prospects in years, and I think that talk is well-deserved. He's got great size and great speed, but the way in which he never seems to be far from the ball is the most impressive thing about him. He just has a knack for being at the right place at the right time.

I have Burfict going No. 12 overall to the Tennessee Titans. It's probably lower than he'll eventually end up, but whoever has the pleasure of drafting him is not going to regret it.

2. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Believe it or not, Blackmon had a game this year in which he had less than 100 yards receiving. He's slacking off.

I kid, of course, and I kid because Blackmon is simply amazing. He's more dangerous than his modest size (6'1") and modest speed (4.5 40-yard dash) would have you believe, and that has a lot to do with the fact that he just plain knows how to get separation.

I have Blackmon going to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 7, where he would join former Big 12 member Blaine Gabbert. The two of them would be a great duo.

1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Depending on who you ask, Andrew Luck is either one of the greatest quarterback prospects of all time or the greatest quarterback prospect of all time.

And it's easy to see why.

Luck has size, smarts, arm strength, accuracy and even speed. Stanford also runs a true pro-style offense, which means Luck wouldn't have as much learning to do as a guy like, say, Cam Newton.

I have Luck going No. 1 overall to the Seattle Seahawks. I expect them to win the Super Bowl in 2012.

I'm not sure whether or not I'm kidding.

Note: Draft order is the reverse of my most recent NFL Power Rankings.

Pick	Team	Player
1	Seattle Seahawks	Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2	Kansas City Chiefs	Matt Kalil, OT, USC
3	Indianapolis Colts	Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma
4	San Francisco 49ers	Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
5	Minnesota Vikings	Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
6	Miami Dolphins	Matt Barkley, QB, USC
7	Jacksonville Jaguars	Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
8	St. Louis Rams	Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
9	Carolina Panthers	Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
10	Cincinnati Bengals	Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
11	Denver Broncos	Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson
12	Tennessee Titans	Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State
13	Cleveland Browns	Donte Paige-Moss, DE, North Carolina
14	New York Giants	Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
15	Oakland Raiders	Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
16	Arizona Cardinals	Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina
17	Dallas Cowboys	Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
18	Washington Redskins	Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
19	Buffalo Bills	Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia
20	Chicago Bears	Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
21	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Courtney Upshaw, ILB, Alabama
22	Pittsburgh Steelers	Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State
23	New York Jets	Brandon Jenkins, OLB, Florida State
24	San Diego Chargers	Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College
25	Houston Texans	Jeff Fuller, WR, Texas A&M
26	Detroit Lions	T.J. MacDonald, FS, USC
27	Baltimore Ravens	David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
28	Philadelphia Eagles	Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame
29	Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons)	Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson
30	New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints)	Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington
31	Green Bay Packers	LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
32	New England Patriots	Levy Adcock, OT, Oklahoma State