2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting the Top 2012 NFL Rookie of the Year Candidates

With an absolutely loaded 2012 NFL draft class, predicting the top Rookie of the Year candidates is certainly not the easiest task.

There's a once-in-a-decade quarterback prospect, an extremely productive and NFL-ready running back out of the SEC and a variety of talented defenders who possess rare athleticism.

Don't forget about the two intimidating wide receivers who'll almost assuredly be top-15 selections. 

I've got it narrowed to two guys on offense and two on defense. 

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

If Richardson is selected by the Browns, he'll be in a great situation to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year. Why? He'll receive a great deal of carries, even if the front office adds receiving threats for quarterback Colt McCoy.

Also, Cleveland has a respectable offensive line led by tackle Joe Thomas and center Alex Mack. The punishing runner will earn his paycheck with runs between the tackles, but don't be surprised when you see him make edge defenders miss on outside runs.

He's quite the athlete and can make would-be tacklers miss in the open field. As the focal point of the Browns' offensive attack, Richardson is a prime candidate to take the Rookie of the Year trophy back to Cleveland. 

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

Scary stuff for all of the Panthers' opponents in 2012. Cam Newton. Jonathan Stewart, DeAngelo Williams, Greg Olsen, Jeremy Shockey, Steve Smith and Justin Blackmon.

The Oklahoma State standout will instantly be a favorite target of Newton and will join Smith as a viable deep threat with fantastic big-play potential. While it's not easy for receivers to win the award, Blackmon's presence will be felt immediately, and he'll lead to drastic improvement for Carolina next year.  

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

10.  Buffalo Bills—Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

The Buffalo Bills certainly have a ways to go before their defense returns to respectability, but Courtney Upshaw could be the X-factor. With studs Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus on his defensive unit, Upshaw will bring a much-needed, athletic pass-rusher to Buffalo's defense.

He can play in many different positions, and new defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt will utilize him in a variety of ways.

With most opposing offensive lines paying the closest attention to the Bills' interior defensive linemen, Upshaw could have a monster rookie campaign. 

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.  Cincinnati Bengals (From Oakland Raiders)—Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

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—Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia 

23.  Cincinnati Bengals—Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

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

25.  Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons)—Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

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

Gilmore is my dark-horse for the Defensive Rookie of the Year, especially if he's selected by the Detroit Lions. Their defensive line will only improve with ultra-aggressive guys like Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley and Cliff Avril, which should lead to more opportunities for picks by the secondary.

The South Carolina standout has everything he needs to become a great zone corner. He's 6'1'' and weighs in at nearly 200 pounds, but is an exceptional athlete, which was made apparent by the coaching staff choosing him to return kicks during his career in Columbia.

Gilmore also has above-average ball skills (seven picks over the last two years).

With quarterbacks looking to test the smooth Gilmore, he could reel in a handful of interceptions in 2012. 

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