2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Where Trent Richardson, Top RBs Will Fall

NFL teams don't particularly love drafting running backs with high picks anymore, but the 2012 NFL draft class has three dynamic runners with the potential to be taken in the first 32 selections.

Alabama's Trent Richardson leads the charge.

Here's where I envision them landing.

Trent Richardson: Cleveland Browns

The Browns' No. 4 overall is so confusing at this point in time. Do they scrap any future plans with Colt McCoy and draft Robert Griffin III or do they look to build around the former Texas Longhorns star?

Right now, I'm going with the latter. 

With Justin Blackmon gone, Cleveland picks Richardson. 

He instantly takes some pressure of McCoy and is a massive upgrade over Montario Hardesty. 

Clearly, I don't see Peyton Hillis in the team's plans after a disastrous 2011 campaign. 

Lamar Miller: Cincinnati Bengals

Despite receiving another respectable season from Cedric Benson (1,067 yards, six touchdowns), the Bengals will look to add a change-of-pace game-breaker to their backfield. 

Miller is just that. 

Even at 5'11" and 210 pounds, he's an extremely shifty outside runner who has demonstrated outstanding acceleration in his two years as a member of the Miami Hurricanes. 

Chris Polk: Green Bay Packers 

Nothing against Ryan Grant, but there's a chance he won't be re-signed in Green Bay. James Starks has flashed moments of productivity, but he's a complementary back. 

At 5'11'' and 225 pounds, Polk has potential as a featured runner in the NFL. 

He's deceptively agile in the open field and doesn't shy away from contact. 

Despite having arguably the most dangerous passing attack in the league, they'd love to add more of a running dimension to their offense.

2012 NFL Mock Draft (January 10th Update)

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: 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: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

9.  Miami Dolphins: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

10.  Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

11.  Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, OLB, USC

12.  Kansas City Chiefs: Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

13.  Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

14.  Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

15.  Philadelphia Eagles: Vontaze Burfict, LB Arizona State

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

17.  Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami  

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

19.  Chicago Bears: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

20.  Tennessee Titans: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

21.  Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

22.  Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons): Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

23.  Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

25.  Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

26.  Houston Texans: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

27.  New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

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

29.  New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints): Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

30.  San Francisco 49ers: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

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

32.  Green Bay Packers: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

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