2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projections for the Top Pro Prospects

In which cities can we expect the top prospects in the 2012 NFL draft class to land?

A few organizations are in dire need of a franchise-leading quarterback. 

Some help along their offensive line, and as the aerial attack continues as the hottest trend in the league, just about every team could use a supremely talented pass-catcher. 

Robert Griffin III: Washington Redskins

No one epitomizes the word "playmaker" quite like Robert Griffin III. 

He can do it all from the pocket, and he certainly possesses the flat-line speed and quickness to do damage with his feet.

He's a more polished, smaller version of Cam Newton.

Scary.

The Redskins certainly cannot move forward as a football team with Rex Grossman or John Beck as their starting quarterback.

Griffin III brings an excitement to the Redskins offense not seen in a while. They'll need to add more weapons around him, but with RG3 and Roy Helu Jr. in the backfield, the Redskins have the start of what it'll take to become a dangerous club.  

Justin Blackmon: Carolina Panthers

A college career for a wide receiver doesn't get much more productive than Justin Blackmon's. 

He had 111 catches in 2010 for 1,782 yards with 20 touchdowns, and with defenses tailoring their game plans to stop him, he reeled in 113 passes for 1,336 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. 

At 6'1'', 215, he's the ideal possession receiver that also possesses explosive tendencies in the deep passing game.

Add him to the Carolina Panthers, and Cam Newton's team, on paper, is extremely frightening.

How do you stop Newton, Jonathan Stewart, Steve Smith, Jeremy Shockey, Greg Olsen and Justin Blackmon?

You don't.  

Trent Richardson: Cleveland Browns

While most teams are waiting until after the first round to draft a running back, Trent Richardson has the skills, experience and tenacity to be selected in the top five. 

He's that good. 

The Cleveland Browns looked to be set with their running back in Peyton Hillis entering the season, but after a utterly disappointing season, there's little chance the Madden cover boy will be back in 2012. 

The Browns will use this offseason and the draft to build the team around Colt McCoy. 

Providing him a hard-nosed, feature back is a start. 

They get that with the bull-dozing yet deceptively agile Richardson. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts—Andrew Luck, QB Stanford

2. St. Louis Rams—Alshon Jeffery, WR South Carolina

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—Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

8.  Carolina Panthers—Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State

9.  Miami Dolphins—Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

10.  Buffalo Bills—Courtney Upshaw, OLB Alabama

11.  Seattle Seahawks—Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

12.  Kansas City Chiefs—Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame

13.  Arizona Cardinals—Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

14.  Philadelphia Eagles—Vontaze Burfict, LB Arizona State

15.  New York Jets—Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

16.  Oakland Raiders—Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

17.  San Diego Chargers—David DeCastro, OG Stanford

18.  Chicago Bears—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

19.  Dallas Cowboys—Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska 

20.  Tennessee Titans—Ronnell Lewis, LB Oklahoma

21.  Denver Broncos—Devon Still, DT, Penn State

22.  New York Giants—Janoris Jenkins, CB, Miami 

23.  Cincinnati Bengals—Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

24.  Houston Texans—Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

25.  Atlanta Falcons—Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

26.  Detroit Lions—Stephon Gllmore, CB, South Carolina

27.  Pittsburgh Steelers—Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

28.  Baltimore Ravens—Luke Kuechly, LB Boston College

29.  New Orleans Saints—Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

30.  San Francisco 49ers—Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington

31.  New England Patriots—Mark Barron, S, Alabama

32.  Green Bay Packers—Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska