2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting the Biggest Playmakers from the First Round

When drafting a player in the first round, NFL teams are expecting to get a playmaker that will have an instant impact. 

Who are those prospects in the 2012 draft class?

Andrew Luck 

While I have a great deal of respect for Robert Griffin III's game and playmaking ability, Andrew Luck isn't exactly a slouch, either. 

RG3 has a massive amount of potential due to his down-field accuracy and world-class speed. 

Luck is in such control of his offense and is so precise with his passes and decision-making, it's almost boring to watch him. But because of that poise and calm demeanor, Luck has the ability to become a legitimate playmaker in the NFL. He will find open receivers on deep routes and check down to his agile skill position players if coverage down field is tight. 

Don't underestimate his athleticism—when pressure comes, Luck can move from the pocket and pick up first-down yardage. 

Morris Claiborne 

While he's not as dynamic of a prospect as Patrick Peterson, the first defensive back taken in the 2011 draft, there's not much Claiborne leaves to be desired as a cornerback prospect. 

He's been blessed with an immense amount of athletic ability at 6'1'' and 190 pounds, and he has displayed tremendous ball-hawking ability over the last two years with the LSU Tigers (11 interceptions). 

With teams likely to test him as a rookie, he'll have the opportunity to make game-changing plays in the secondary and definitely has the football IQ and skill to do so. 

Justin Blackmon 

Blackmon doesn't possess the speed of former Oklahoma State Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant, but he's more physical and has just as much ability after the catch. 

He's a chiseled 6'1'' and 215 pounds. 

The junior wideout plays with a tenacious demeanor and has no problem snatching ball out of the air in tight coverage. 

When he gets the ball in his lands, he's a load to take to the ground, and he demonstrated a premier ability to bring down the jump ball during his collegiate career. 

2012 NFL Mock Draft

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

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

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

10.  Buffalo Bills—Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

11.  Seattle Seahawks—Nick Perry, DE, USC

12.  Kansas City Chiefs—Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

13.  Arizona Cardinals—Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

14.  Dallas Cowboys—Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

15.  Philadelphia Eagles—Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

16.  New York Jets—Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

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

18.  San Diego Chargers—David DeCastro, OG, Stanford  

19.  Chicago Bears—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

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

27.  Pittsburgh Steelers—Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

28.  Baltimore Ravens—Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

29.  New England Patriots (from 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—Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois