2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Landing Spots for Top Playmakers

Quarterbacks aside, there aren't that many offensive playmakers among the college ranks who figure to be first-round picks in the 2012 NFL Draft. At this point, it's difficult to say where exactly they'll land, seeing as how there will be plenty of trades and signings between now and the start of the draft.

But that's never stopped anyone, has it? With that in mind, let's have a look at where each of the five most notable pass-catchers and ball-carriers will start their pro careers.

Justin Blackmon

Where, oh where, will Justin Blackmon go? Oh where, oh where will he go?

The St. Louis Rams have the No. 2 pick and a quarterback in Sam Bradford who needs someone to throw the ball to, but, more than anything, they need to protect their prized signal-caller. Hence, whoever ends up in the front office in the Gateway City would be wise to make Matt Kalil the pick.

The Minnesota Vikings could use a receiver for their young QB (Christian Ponder), but could just as easily parlay the No. 3 pick into a nice package by sending it to the Cleveland Browns and the Washington Redskins, who are practically tripping over themselves to acquire Robert Griffin III.

If the Vikes don't pick him up, look for Blackmon to land with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who'd be wise to give Blaine Gabbert someone with more than a pulse and a pair of hands before they cast the QB onto the scrap heap.

Trent Richardson

If the Browns lose out on the RG3 sweepstakes, they figure to resign themselves to filling their need at running back with Trent Richardson.

Not that Richardson isn't a worthwhile pick. Heck, he's the best 'back in the draft and is pretty darn good on his own merits.

Should Richardson escape Cleveland, he could very well end up at No. 5 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whose running game consists solely of a gimpy LeGarrette Blount, or at No. 11 with the Kansas City Chiefs, who've never truly trusted Jamaal Charles to carry the load and certainly won't start anytime soon now that he's coming off a torn ACL.

Alshon Jeffery

Some folks will contend Michael Floyd is the second-best wide receiver in this draft, but with his legal baggage, he'll likely cede the throne of second pass-catcher chosen to Alshon Jeffery.

That could put Jeffery within range of the Jags if GM Gene Smith feels like reaching. The Carolina Panthers could use another wideout across from Steve Smith for Cam Newton to throw to, but defense figures to be first on their list. The Buffalo Bills would add a guy like Jeffery to bolster their receiving corps if they didn't need more help along the O-line to protect Ryan Fitzpatrick.

So where will Jeffery land? How about Philadelphia at No. 15? The bridge between the Eagles and DeSean Jackson were burned when the team paid everyone else over the summer. Jeffery would be the perfect replacement for Jackson. The 6'4, 229-pounder's drop in productivity shouldn't alarm Philly, seeing as how he had to deal with the quarterback conundrum between Stephen Garcia and Connor Shaw at South Carolina.  

Michael Floyd

Michael Floyd could just as easily end up in Philly, though, again, his dodgy personal history will likely be enough of a red flag to warrant teams passing on him in favor of Alshon Jeffery.

In that event, the Notre Dame star figures to fall right into the lap of the Denver Broncos at No. 21, who so desperately need someone with Floyd's size (6'3, 224 pounds) and freakish athleticism to haul in Tim Tebow's errant passes.

That is, unless the Chicago Bears decide to snap him up at No. 19 or even the Tennessee Titans at No. 20.

Realistically, though, Floyd should be John Elway's to lose.

Lamar Miller

Wouldn't you know it? The late first round is littered with teams that could use a running back, but only one 'back (Lamar Miller) is worth drafting at that point in the draft. It'll be a huge surprise if the Miami product isn't taken in the 23-24-25 range, with the Cleveland Browns, the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants all desperate for ball-carriers.

Any of those three would be fortune to land the 5'11, 212-pound redshirt sophomore, who demonstrated tremendous speed, agility and escapability on his way to a 1,200-yard rushing season.

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