2012 NFL Draft Order: Ranking Trent Richardson and Other First Round RBs

With the top 20 picks in the 2012 NFL draft mostly set in stone, let's take a look at the top three running backs that could hear their names called in the first round in April.

1. Trent Richardson, Alabama

We haven't seen a running back with Richardson's combination of speed, power and quickness since Adrian Peterson came out of Oklahoma in 2007. While I'd hesitate to say Richardson will have the same instant impact that Peterson had in '07, Richardson is a better back than former teammate Mark Ingram was at this same time last season.

Ingram was drafted No. 28 overall by the New Orleans Saints last April. Expect Richardson to come off the board 15-20 picks before that in 2012.

2. Lamar Miller, Miami

Miller snuck up on people during this college football season, but he's well-known now in draft circles. His ability to identify the hole and then burst through it is what NFL GMs salivate over in college backs.

Miller has the size (5'11", 215) to be a three-down back at the next level, too. With a good showing at the combine, Miller should be picked within the first 25-30 selections come April.

3. Chris Polk, Washington

Keep your eye on Polk as April continues to get closer. Few backs have increased their draft stock over this season than Polk, and he's now the consensus No. 3 back in this class after Montee Ball decided to stay at Wisconsin.

Some mocks now have him as a late first-rounder. Don't be surprised if that ends up happening, even with the reduced value in running backs in the draft. Polk is a workhorse waiting to charge forward in the NFL. 

2012 NFL Draft order

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14)

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14) 

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13)

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12)

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12)

6. Washington Redskins (5-11)

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10)*

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10)

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)**  

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)**

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8) 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8) 

16. New York Jets (8-8)

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland) (8-8)

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8)

19. Chicago Bears (8-8)

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7)

21. Denver Broncos (8-8)

22. New York Giants (9-7)

23. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)

24. Detroit Lions (10-6) 

25. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons)

26. Houston Texans (10-6)

27. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

28. Baltimore Ravens (12-4) 

29. New England Patriots (from New Orleans)

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3)

31. New England Patriots (13-3)

32. Green Bay Packers (15-1)

* Coin flip between Dolphins/Panthers

** Coin flip between Seahawks/Chiefs

*** Picks 21-32 determined by playoff results