2012 NFL Mock Draft: Players That Will Make the Biggest Immediate Impact

Underclassmen have less than a week to declare for the 2012 NFL draft. While most anticipate which players will join the fracas that is draft weekend, we are still waiting to hear from the likes of Robert Griffin III, Trent Richardson, Morris Claiborne, Dre Kirkpatrick, Peter Konz, Dont'a Hightower, Rueben Randle and Robert Lester.

Of those mentioned above, the majority have something in common: they're playing in the BCS championship game tonight.

The Alabama vs. LSU rematch features as many as seven possible first round picks and somewhere in the range of 20 draftable players.

The most part of it all is that the vast majority of them are ready to contribute immediately in the NFL. Playing in the SEC has a way of doing that for prospects.

They're not the only ones with the talent to make an immediate impact though.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Andrew Luck is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Colts. Luck's impact, however, is tied directly to the Colts' decision on Peyton Manning. If Manning goes, Luck's impact is obviously going to be felt immediately.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Rams are in the ideal scenario to trade down the board. They should be able to still land Justin Blackmon at No. 4 and possibly No. 6 if they get lucky. If they sit tight, Kalil is an immediate upgrade and starter for them at left tackle.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The LSU cornerback will showcase his skills tonight in the BCS championship game, but it is doubtful Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron will challenge him again.

The junior has good size at 6', but has to add a bit of muscle at about 180 pounds.

Claiborne has great hips though, natural cover skills, is a playmaker around the ball and is an explosive return man as well.

Joining a much-maligned Minnesota secondary will give him an immediate opportunity to step on the field and make an impact.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Big, fast and strong, Trent Richardson will make an immediate impact if he is drafted by the Browns at No. 4. That said, they'll still have as many as two more backs in house that will also see touches.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The big, rangy Crimson Tide junior is a gifted athlete with intriguing size and upside. The Bucs have a major need at the position and he could star opposite Aqib Talib immediately.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Redskins will likely have to trade up to No. 2 or No. 3 to land RG3 and that needs to be fine with them. This team—no, organization—has no bigger need than a franchise quarterback.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The redshirt junior wide receiver has already declared for the draft and is going to be a stud wherever he is drafted. That said, despite his talents and production, it is still difficult to justify him as a top three pick.

It is certainly not out of the question, but it is not a foregone conclusion either.

If the Jags are lucky enough to land the 6'1", 215-pound playmaking receiver, he will instantly become Blaine Gabbert's No. 1 weapon.

Jacksonville was the league's worst passing offense in 2011 and No. 1 receiver Mike Thomas is a not a No. 1 receiver. Outside of Thomas, running back Maurice Jones-Drew and tight end Marcedes Lewis together caught more balls than the rest of the Jaguars wide receivers combined.

It is safe to say that Blackmon will make a huge impact if he lands in Jacksonville

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10)*: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

A bit of a reach, but Still tops a mediocre defensive tackle class and helps what was one of the worst rush defenses in all of football.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*: Nick Perry, DE, USC

Another slight reach, but with the Dolphins out of the running for a quarterback at No. 9, they can turn attention to landing a pass rusher opposite Cameron Wake. Perry continues to rise up draft boards and has more upside than the other pass rushers on the board.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The 6'6", 300-pound Reiff will make an immediate impact wherever he goes. The Bills just happen to be one team that has needed a tackle since the departure of Jason Peters. And that is a long time.

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

The Crimson Tide's top pass rushing force is a bit undersized at 6'2", 265 pounds, but has a nose for big plays in big games.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)*: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin has already declared and, at 6'6", 305 pounds, is going to find a home in the top half of the draft. He's extremely light on his feet, excels in the run game and gives the Chiefs help at a position of need.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Another slightly undersized pass rusher, Ingram uses his leverage and strength to his advantage with a non-stop motor. Fits into the Cardinals pass rushing role.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Super-instinctive linebacker makes up for his physical limitations with toughness, smarts and all-around hustle.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

This pick is almost too good to be true. The Philadelphia Eagles have themselves two of the speediest, big-play threat receivers in the league, but have no true compliment to go along with them.

Floyd, a big-bodied touchdown machine from South Bend, fits that perfectly.

At 6'3, 230 pound, Floyd uses his size and athletic ability to out jump and out muscle opponents for the ball with ease.

He struggles with consistency from time to time, but he's the most accomplished wide receiver to ever line up in South Bend and will give Michael Vick another target with which to work.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Quinton Coples, DE/DT, UNC

The senior Tar Heel is falling down the board, but Rex Ryan knows he needs to find more pass rushers and he can work with the athleticism and versatility Coples possesses at 6'6", 285 pounds.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The draft's top interior defensive lineman is going to immediately impact the team he's drafted by. The Bengals, in particular, are looking for a way to vamp up their running game while also protecting Andy Dalton.

DeCastro, at 6'5", 312 pounds, is a monster talent who loves to get physical.

He can slide in and immediately take over for the next decade.

The Bengals, who have two picks in the first round, can then go and get the running back of their choosing at No. 21.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

The 5'10", 205-pound senior defensive back plays with great physicality and confidence. He may slide down the board a bit more come April, but he'll make his team mighty happy.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Badgers center is expected to declare for the NFL draft and at 6'5", 315 pounds, he is a big, big rock in the middle of the o-line.

He'll be effective wherever he goes, but he'll make the biggest impact on the Bears.

Chicago brought in Chris Spencer to play center this season, but wound up moving him to right guard and slid left guard Roberto Garza to center.

With Konz in the fold they can move Garza back his natural guard position creating a rock solid interior line to move forward with.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

A young, athletic linebacker with size and speed; Burfict's only downside is maturity.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The DeCastro now playing the way in Cincinnati, Lamar Miller would be an ideal fit to replace Cedric Benson.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The Gamecocks wide receiver has already declared for the draft and will likely be drafted higher than this. Whether he deserves that is still a matter of debate, but if he wants to be great he could be.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The big, rangy offensive tackle prospect is a bit of reach, but the Lions gave up 36 sacks on Matthew Stafford this season. At 6'6", 320 pounds he has the frame and overall ability that warrants consideration.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Another big o-lineman, Glenn comes in 6'5", 350 pounds and he can play both guard and tackle.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

The defensive tackle class is a mess of muddled rankings, but Worthy declared after a solid outing in his bowl game and at 6'3", 310 pounds is a good fit for a Broncos team looking to shore up its interior.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

The Crimson Tide senior is a complete prospect with size, speed, range and experience.

27. New York Giants (9-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Brown is a super athlete with great rumored speed and potential. The Giants can only hope to develop him into the coverage linebacker they've needed for some time.

28. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

The Scarlet Knight junior has already declared for the draft on the heels of 109-catch season. At 6'2", 215 pounds he has great size and is arguably the most versatile player in this draft.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The leader of the Crimson Tide defense is big, athletic and mean. At 6'4", 260 pounds he could be the eventual replacement for Ray Lewis.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

A speedy deep threat, Wright has been productive every year in Waco and is a superb athlete.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The former Florida cornerback will not be forgotten by NFL teams despite being kicked out of the program last spring. Jenkins reminds some of former Patriot Asante Samuel with his size and playmaking ability.

32. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Chris Polk, RB, Washington

The Packers don't run the ball a ton, but it is important for them to develop some form of it in order to keep teams honest. Polk is fringe first round with good size, speed, vision, balance and simply wants to win.

Green Bay does a decent job at that.

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL Scouting Combine