NFL Draft 2012: Top 10 Underclassman Entering the Draft

Any Mock Draft you will see is going to be filled with a lot of uncertainty, even if the projector is quite certain about what he/she is saying. The reason for that uncertainty is that many players that will be high picks are not seniors, so there is still some doubt as to whether or not they will come out. 

Still, let's do what we can to eliminate some of that doubt. 

These players all have the option to return to college, but none of them will.

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Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck is the top player in the draft, underclassmen or otherwise. He technically does have the right to return to Stanford, but there's no way that's happening.

The only real flaw in his game is arm strength, but that gets overblown too often. Joe Montana didn't have a classically strong arm, nor does Drew Brees. Montana is in the Hall of Fame, Brees will be five years after playing his last down. 

Luck is deadly accurate and reads defenses extremely well. The Colts do have Peyton Manning under contract, but will have no choice but to take Luck No. 1.

Justin Blackmon

Meet the other half of the Fiesta Bowl's show. Blackmon is a marvel. He's not a classically big receiver, but doesn't lack size, and is beyond explosive. 

Blackmon will be an instant hit wherever he goes. I like him to go No. 3 to the Vikings and form a good duo with Christian Ponder. 

If by some chance Blackmon goes beyond No. 3 in the draft, consider it an absolute steal for whoever gets him.

Robert Griffin III

There is actually an element of doubt as to whether or not Griffin will come back, but he's easily the second best quarterback in the draft. 

He's certainly got great mobility and athleticism, but also possesses a fantastic throwing arm. He made Baylor into a big name program, which they hadn't been for a long time. 

I can't see him falling past the Redskins at No. 6. Griffin is an athletic marvel.

Morris Claiborne

While the Honey Badger is more dynamic, Claiborne is hands down the more fundamentally sound of LSU's starting CB's.

There's very little that Claiborne can't do. It's a conservative guess to call him a Top 10 pick. The Rams, Buccaneers, and Jaguars are all picking before No. 10, and could all use some serious help in the secondary. 

As a surefire Top 10 pick, Claiborne needs to come out and start playing on Sunday.

Dre Kirkpatrick

Much of what was said about Claiborne applies to Kirkpatrick. These two are 1 and 1A when ranking the top corners in college football. 

Kirkpatrick's advantage is his size. In the NFL, it's quite frequent to see a quarterback just throw a ball up in the air, as receivers are often significantly taller than the man guarding them. That won't be the case with Kirkpatrick.

In addition to being tall, Kirkpatrick is also fundamentally sound. He'll be a dynamic player.

Matt Kalil

I have gone through the draft several times, and my order has changed. But one thing that I can't do is to have Kalil moving past the No. 2 pick in the draft. He's the best lineman around, and the Rams need some help up front. 

Kalil is sound. He'll be a strong blindside tackle for the quarterback on the team he goes to. And unlike some of these players, Kalil has already announced he'll be in the draft. 

The Rams need to find a way to keep Sam Bradford on the field. Kalil would be a great step in that direction.

Trent Richardson

If teams don't take Trent Richardson early for fear of drafting a running back, they will be making a big mistake. He's got a combination of size and speed not often seen in NFL running backs any more, and will be a great player wherever he goes. 

This is another easy Top 10 pick, and I would actually put him in the Top 5. 

He's a junior. But as a running back, there are only so many years that you have. Richardson would do well to leave Alabama and enter the draft.

Vontaze Burfict

Let me introduce you to the best middle linebacker in the draft. How many teams in the NFL are hopeless against the run? A strong middle linebacker would instantly change that. 

Burfict hasn't had the best season at Arizona State, but is still easily a Top 15 player, if not higher. He has the mean streak needed to play in the NFL, and will make a bad defense much better in a hurry. 

Luke Kuechly

With Manto Te'o returning to Notre Dame, this is the second best middle linebacker. Burfict has a higher upside and will go earlier, but Kuechly is the more solid, reliable pick. 

I like him to go to a team like the Lions or Giants, picking later in the draft. Those are good teams, but still a good defense away from being great. Kuechly would step in and play like a veteran quickly. 

Everything about his playing ability is solid. Running against a sure tackler is extremely hard to do. 

Alshon Jeffery

Jeffery is another player that didn't have a spectacular season, but he'll move back up the draft board. The reason is that his size and speed will dazzle scouts at the combine. 

I would be genuinely surprised to see him fall into the second half of the draft. If I am wrong and he does, the team drafting Jeffery will be getting nothing short of a steal.