2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting the First Round's Top Pro Playmakers

Wes StueveJun 7, 2018

If you doubt the value of a playmaker, look at the Chicago Bears with and without Matt Forte.

Forte made plays for the Bears, and he carried them on what seemed like a playoff season before injuring his knee.

Whether or not they specifically say so, every NFL team is looking for a playmaker in the draft. Playmakers attract attention, make other players better and score touchdowns.

Sometimes they provide a huge momentum swing. Other times, it's simply the points that are needed. Either way, playmakers are instrumental in a team's success.

Some prospects are playmakers, while others aren't.

The ones that are tend to attract more attention.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

1 of 10

With his incredible deep ball and superb mobility, Robert Griffin is as much of a playmaker as there is at quarterback. Griffin can turn what looks like a sack into an 80-yard touchdown run with ease. He's simply electric.

Whether it is through the air or on the ground, Griffin makes plays. He can throw bombs all over the field, and he rarely misses an open receiver. Players with this type of skill set simply don't come around often.

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

2 of 10

Though he isn't as speedy as many playmaking running backs, Trent Richardson creates big plays out of thin air. The 5'11", 225 pounder may plow over two linebackers, or he may run around and past two defensive backs.

Either way, he is making plays.

Because he is also an excellent receiver, Richardson can contribute in every aspect of the game. As a dump-off target, Richardson might be the last option, but he just might take a five-yard pass to the end zone, too.

Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

3 of 10

An electrifying runner, Lamar Miller uses his speed and burst to dominate defenses. Miller can run inside or outside, and he is shifty enough to juke the surest of tacklers. Though he isn't the best running back prospect ever, Miller is an exciting player to watch.

Miller is a great receiver and can be used in a variety of ways on offense. Few players are as explosive as Miller is. He can turn any play into a touchdown.

TOP NEWS

Bleacher Report2w

Bleacher Report1w

Bleacher Report1w

Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

4 of 10

At just 5'10", 190 pounds, Kendall Wright needs to be fast in order to succeed. The Baylor wideout not only possesses great speed, but outstanding quickness as well. Wright can run straight downfield or make multiple defenders miss en route to the end zone.

Wright isn't always the surest of receivers, and he won't make any outstanding catches, but he is a threat to score at any time. Regardless of what route he runs, Wright just might make something happen.

Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

5 of 10

Alshon Jeffery isn't the typical playmaking wide receiver. Jeffery weighs in at 6'3", 235 pounds and his biggest weakness is his speed. However, Jeffery makes an absurd amount of highlight-reel plays.

The South Carolina wideout possesses outstanding catching ability and can easily snag passes that seem uncatchable. Few receivers are better threats in the red zone, as Jeffery always seems to find a way to come down with the ball.

Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

6 of 10

Because he is incredibly fast, Zach Brown has a tendency of being involved in big plays. The 6'2", 230 pounder lacks size but makes up for his deficiency with unbelievable speed and burst.

In coverage, Brown can easily cover tight ends and even keep up with wide receivers. Linebackers that can fly like that tend to make plays, and Brown is no exception.

The North Carolina linebacker will make some mistakes, but he will make up for them.

Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

7 of 10

A ferocious hitter, Vontaze Burfict can easily jar the ball away from a ball carrier. No one in football hits harder than Burfict, and at 6'3", 255 pounds, he forces offenses to account for him.

Though he is built like a tank, Burfict is fast enough to play sideline-to-sideline and level wide receivers and running backs all over the field. The Arizona State star won't make too many interceptions, but when he hits someone, you will notice.

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

8 of 10

Morris Claiborne's best attribute might be his ball skills, and that leads to interceptions. With his excellent athleticism, Claiborne is able to reach balls that most receivers, let alone cornerbacks, cannot.

When Claiborne is around, it's almost impossible for a quarterback to throw to the spot where only the receiver can catch it. The LSU star really is that good, so there's a reason quarterbacks are afraid to throw his direction.

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

9 of 10

A 6'3", 190-pound physical freak, Dre Kirkpatrick is one of the best athletes in the draft. Kirkpatrick can be beaten in coverage, but when the ball is in the air, few are better at making a defensive play.

Because of his height, Kirkpatrick can reach where few defensive backs can. This combined with his outstanding athletic ability is a dangerous combination. Kirkpatrick's ball skills are excellent as well, and he could be a double-digit interception guy in the NFL.