2012 NFL Mock Draft: Where Will Top Running Backs Land?

I'm sure you've heard the phrase, in one form or another, that "running backs in the NFL are being devalued." It's certainly true.

As more and more teams become pass-heavy and choose to use a stable of backs instead of one workhorse type guy, the less we are going see NFL GMs use high picks on college running backs. Even so, that sentiment doesn't mean that there aren't a few guys every season that are good enough to push those evolving limits. 

In addition to our 2012 NFL mock draft, let's take a look at a couple of running backs who have the ability to be picked in the first round of a pass-happy draft.

1.  Indianapolis Colts—Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2.  St. Louis Rams—Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

3.  Minnesota Vikings—Matt Kalil, OT, USC

4.  Cleveland Browns—Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

5.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

6.  Washington Redskins—Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars—Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

8.  Carolina Panthers—Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame 

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

10.  Buffalo Bills—Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

11.  Kansas City Chiefs—Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is hands down the best running back in the 2012 draft class. 10 years ago, he'd definitely be a top-five pick. Not in 2012, however. If he gets by the Browns at pick No. 4, Richardson could free fall all the way to No. 11. And if the Chiefs are on the clock at that pick, they'd be crazy not to add the Heisman Trophy finalist.

Kansas City was playing its best football in 2010 when they led the NFL in rushing with Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones. Charles is coming off an ACL injury that may limit him, and Jones is well into the twilight of his NFL career.

The quick answer to that problem? Taking Richardson. He'd immediately be an upgrade over Jones, who should be gone, and he'd also allow the Chiefs to take their time getting Charles back onto the field in his normal capacity. 

12.  Seattle Seahawks—Devon Still, DT Penn State

13.  Arizona Cardinals—Jonathan Martin, OT Stanford 

14.  Dallas Cowboys—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB Alabama

15.  Philadelphia Eagles—Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College. 

16.  New York Jets—Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

17.  Cincinnati Bengals—Whitney Mercilus, DE Illinois

18.  San Diego Chargers—David DeCastro, OG Stanford

19.  Chicago Bears—Janoris Jenkins, CB North Alabama

20.  Tennessee Titans—Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

21.  Cincinnati Bengals—Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor 

22.  Cleveland Browns—Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State.  

23.  Detroit Lions—Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers—Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

25.  Denver Broncos—Lamar Miller, RB Miami

It's going to be very, very interesting to see how the Denver Broncos approach the 2012 draft. At one point, you could have made the case that quarterback was an option in the first round. I'm not sure you can say that anymore. It looks like this will be Tim Tebow's team come the start of the 2012 season. 

If that's the case, and it's likely it will be, the Broncos have to draft accordingly. That might mean that bringing in an electrifying running back to team with Tebow in the backfield is priority No. 1. Miller fits that mold, and he'd be a talent improvement over what the Broncos currently have.   

26.  New York Giants—Dont'a Hightower, LB Alabama     

27.  Houston Texans—Dontari Poe, NT Memphis       

28.  Baltimore Ravens—Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

29.  New England Patriots—Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

30.  San Francisco 49ers—Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

31.  New England Patriots—Mark Barron, S, Alabama

32.  Green Bay Packers—Nick Perry, OLB, USC