2012 NFL Draft: Likeliest Destinations for Declared Studs and Underclassmen

Underclassmen are not required to declare for the 2012 NFL draft until Jan. 15, but many have gotten a jump start on the process.

Big names such as Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Justin Blackmon have all made their announcements but we are still waiting to hear from others like Alabama's Trent Richardson, LSU's Morris Claiborne and Oklahoma's Landry Jones.

We've also been surprised by a few returning underclassmen, most notably USC's Matt Barkley and Notre Dame's Manti Te'o. Barkley was largely considered the No. 2 quarterback in the draft and could have been the No. 2 player taken. Te'o was a top 20 prospect and arguably the best linebacker in the draft.

All in all, declarations and surprises will continue for the next 12 days. Bleacher Report lead writer Matt Miller is tracking all underclassmen movement as the announcements continue.

Right here you'll get a look at where some of the top underclassmen who have declared are going to end up on draft day.

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

When: No. 1 Overall

Where (Best Fits): Indianapolis (no Manning) or Highest Bidder

Why: Top Prospect

Luck is largely considered the best quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning came out in 1998.

The redshirt junior would've been the No. 1 pick a year ago had he declared and will be so again this year.

His Fiesta Bowl performance but all critics to rest once and for all and the only reason he had any critics to begin with is because he's been at the top of draft board for so long.

Luck possesses a rare blend of size, athleticism, arm strength, football IQ, determination and poise that few quarterbacks every have when leaving college early.

Should he go to the Colts it would be financially and competitively irresponsible for them to keep nearly $50 million in two players at a position where only one can play.

If it is not the Colts, another team will mortgage their house and their neighbor's house to move up for him.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

When: No. 2 Overall

Where (Best Fits): Miami, Washington, Cleveland, Buffalo, Seattle or Highest Bidder

Why: No. 2 QB with Massive Drop Off Behind Him

RG3, the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner, is not the No. 2 prospect on the big board. There are still question marks to his game and the dual-threat playing style is not for everyone.

That said, he was sensational again in his final collegiate game and he's about go through a draft process that favors athleticism.

RG3 will dominate physical workouts, will shine in the interview room and his stock will continue to rise as we get closer to the draft.

Teams are more willing to use the "if you don't have a franchise quarterback, go get one" philosophy with lessened financial obligations to high first round picks.

The St. Louis Rams, owners of the No. 2 pick, will be welcoming in a new head coach and would be wise to accumulate as many picks as possible to help him better the ball club now. 

Auctioning off a shot at RG3 does exactly that.

Matt Kalil, OT, USC

When: Top 5

Where (Best Fits): St. Louis, Minnesota, Kansas City (T) or Arizona (T)

Why: Can't Miss LT Prospect

If the Rams choose not to trade the No. 2 pick it will likely be used on Matt Kalil or Justin Blackmon. 

Kalil, 6'6", 295 pounds, is the class' top offensive lineman and a can't miss prospect with all the tools to be a franchise left tackle.

He still has room to get bigger and stronger and he should only continue to get better.

The Rams can use him and bump Rodger Saffold to right side or the Vikings can use him and plug him in immediately on the left.

If something weird happens and he falls down the board, or the Chiefs/Cardinals trade up, he would likely be their target.

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

When: Top 10

Where (Best Fits): St. Louis, Minnesota, Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville or Carolina

Why: Top WR in Draft Limited Only by Lack of Elite Speed

Justin Blackmon is simply a football player. He doesn't have track star speed and he isn't going to wow you with this size, but he plays bigger, faster and stronger than his numbers would indicate.

His performance in the 2012 Fiesta Bowl reminded people exactly why he's exciting and at 6'1", 215 pounds, he's a production machine. He is not on the elite level like A.J. Green was a year ago though which is why he could slip out of the top seven.

The Rams desperately need a playmaker, but No. 2 is a bit high and they'd could still trade down and potentially nab him later.

Minnesota has bigger needs, but it would be hard to blame them for trying to give Christian Ponder another weapon without the assortment of maladies and injuries that come with Percy Harvin.

Tampa Bay has bigger needs, but they're tough to argue with. Cleveland and Jacksonville are almost as desperate as the Rams and Carolina needs a future star to put with Cam Newton.

Blackmon will be good immediately.

Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

When: Top 15

Where (Best Fits): Buffalo, Kansas City or Arizona 

Why: Big, Athletic Prospect with LT Potential

Joining his quarterback in the 2012 NFL draft will be left tackle Jonathan Martin.

The Cardinal junior is 6'6", 305 pounds and is extremely light on his feet.

He did a solid job all season long in protecting Luck and was great in the run game. He has top-notch football intelligence and understands everything that is going on in front of him.

Martin will only get better at the next level.

The Bills, Chiefs and Cardinals will all be in the market for an offensive tackle in the top 15 picks.

Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

When: Mid-to-Late 1st

Where (Best Fits): Arizona, New York Jets, Tennessee, Detroit, New York Giants, Pittsburgh or Baltimore

Why: Freak Athlete with Maturity Issues

The ASU junior is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft. Teams will love his size, speed and overall tenacity in the game, but they'll need to make sure he's got his head on straight.

At 6'3", 250 pounds, he is scary man in any scheme. He loves to hit and talk, but can sometimes get himself in trouble.

There was even an instance where his coaches were screaming for him to come off the field and he refused to do it.

He'll have to grow up, but anyone with a need for a linebacker, or simply a fiery player, won't have to look too hard.

Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

When: First Round

Where (Best Fits): New York Jets, Cincinnati, Denver or Atlanta

Why: Size, Speed and Potential

The Hurricanes running back wasn't consistently dominant this season. He started the year like gangbusters, but tapered off a bit in the middle before flashing again late.

That said, rumors indicate he's capable of sub 4.4 40-yard dash speed and at 5'11", 212 pounds, he is big enough to handle the rigors of the NFL.

His quick running style can get him North and South in a hurry.

The Jets need to stop the LaDainian Tomlinson nonsense and the Bengals aren't going to overpay for Cedric Benson.

Denver is always going to need more running backs and there have been rumors that the Falcons want to go to a more uptempo offense.

Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

When: First Round

Where (Best Fits): Seattle, Arizona, New York Jets, San Diego, Detroit, Atlanta, Pittsburgh or Baltimore

Why: Rising Pass Rusher with Speed

The USC junior is 6'3", 250 pounds. He's not ideal in a 4-3, but teams have been getting away with faster athletes with good leverage at the position. 

Perry came on strong in the Trojans push this year and has everyone talking. 

He could fly up the board as high as his former coach's team in Seattle, or could go somewhere in the late first.

His workouts will be important as will his interviews.

Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

When: Late First Round

Where (Best Fits): Denver, Baltimore, New England 

Why: Big, Versatile D-Lineman

Fletcher Cox isn't very well known, but at 6'4", 295 pounds, he is a very sought-after prospect.

He can fit in a 3-4 or 4-3 and be equally productive. He's still coming into his own as a player and will get better with NFL coaching a determined position.

Cox fits great for a Broncos team looking to get better against the run while Baltimore and New England are perennial powers always looking to add youth their front seven.

Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

When: Fringe First Round

Where (Best Fits): New York Jets, Detroit, Atlanta, New York Giants, Pittsburgh or Green Bay

Why: Rangy, Athletic Pass Rusher With Versatility

At 6'4", 265 pounds, there is a lot to like about Whitney Mercilus. He was among the nation's leaders in nearly every major category and  made a name for himself dominating Big Ten backfields.

Mercilus ended the season with 28 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles.

He's still coming into his own, but so was Aldon Smith a year ago and we've seen what he's done.

The junior doesn't have Smith's same speed, but he's a rising prospect and could go anywhere from the mid-first, early second round.

Other First-Round Underclassmen Who've Already Declared

Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers: Late First Round

6'2", 215-pound athlete with incredibility versatility and upside.

Chris Polk, RB, Washington: Late First Round

Super-productive back with soft hands, good balance and vision and a hard-nosed running style.

Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis: Late First, Early Second

Massive nose tackle at the top of the class.

Wes O'Donnell covers breaking news and all things football for Bleacher Report. You can me@wesodonnell on Twitter.