2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting the Mid-Round Running Backs

After Alabama's Trent Richardson, the running backs of the 2012 NFL draft to take somewhat of a nosedive. And whether it's because of injury, an underexposed program or whatever, the following mid-round backs are solid picks this spring.

Washington Redskins: Doug Martin, Boise State

In addition to being on a non-BCS team like Boise State, Doug Martin also goes vastly overlooked because of QB Kellen Moore.

Now, although Martin is expected to be the better prospect, he still has a lot to prove among his fellow running backs. The past two seasons Martin gained over 1,200 yards and, combined between the previous three, he scored 43 rushing TDs.

Martin only stands at 5'9", but he weighs around 215 pounds and a between the tackles Brahma Bull. The Washington Redskins are a great fit as they need to improve the ground game as well as have a short-yardage situation advantage, Martin is that guy.

Arizona Cardinals: LaMichael James, Oregon

Whether it's between the tackles, outside or in the passing game, Oregon's LaMichael James is arguably the draft's most underrated running back.

A Heisman finalist in 2010 with over 1,700 rushing yards and 24 total TDs, James upped that performance in 2011 with over 1,800 rushing yards and 19 total TDs. The Ducks won a second straight Pac-12 conference title, and James even missed two games this season.

In Arizona, James will be great as he's a complete back that can help out in both dimensions offensively. He's laterally quick, accelerates extremely fast and has track speed in the open field.

Baltimore Ravens: Bernard Pierce, Temple

A menacing force with with 6'1", 218-pound frame, Temple's Bernard Pierce is similar to Boise's Doug Martin, but arguably better.

In 2011 Pierce accounted for almost 1,500 rushing yards and scored 27 TDs despite missing two games, and although he missed three games in 2010, Pierce ran for 728 yards while scoring 10 TDs.

As a freshman in 2009, Pierce did work by gaining 1,361 rushing yards and scoring 16 TDs, so it's safe to say that he's been the Owls offense each of the last three seasons. Unfortunately, he's going unnoticed because Temple plays in the MAC.

Well, Baltimore could use a guy to eventually replace Ricky Williams and be a reliable complement to Ray Rice. Against solid AFC North defenses, although Rice can do it alone, a backup who can slam the trenches is needed.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M

In addition to his rushing skills, Texas A&M's Cyrus Gray knows how to get it done as a kickoff returner.

The past two seasons Gray gained over 1,000 yards on the ground and scored 24 rushing TDs. He also was solid as a receiving back in catching 93 balls for 716 yards combined for the past three seasons.

As a kickoff returner, Gray accumulated over 1,100 yards as a freshman but saw the numbers decrease as he was used more on offense. Well, for a team like Jacksonville who finished No. 25 in kickoff return average (22.4), Gray works as he is also a solid backup to Maurice Jones-Drew.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati (From OAK): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Nick Toon, WR (Wisconsin)
4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	20. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin, QB (Baylor)	22. Cleveland (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
8. Miami Dolphins: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Zebrie Sanders, OT (Florida State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	25. Denver Broncos: Chase Minnifield, CB (UVA)
10. Buffalo Bills: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)	26. New York Giants: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	27. Houston Texans: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	28. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)	30. New England Patriots (From NO): Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	31. New England Patriots: Sam Montgomery, DE (LSU)
16. New York Jets: Brandon Thompson, DE (Clemson)	32. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

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