2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Trent Richardson and Top Ground Game Prospects

More often, elite NFL running backs don't come from the first round of the draft. It's hard to predict which players will translate their college success on the professional stage, and each team values and uses running backs differently.

Further, a number of the league's best backs ultimately came from later-round picks or weren't even drafted at all.

But there are three highly talented running backs in this year's draft worthy of a first-round pick. Here's where I project they will land.

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

2. St. Louis Rams (2-14) Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13) Matt Kalil, OT, USC

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

Alabama's Trent Richardson might be the most sure-thing first-round running back of the last few years, and he's not likely to make it out of the top-10 of this year's draft.

Richardson carried the ball 283 times for 1,679 yards and 21 scores in 2011, and added he 29 receptions for 338 yards and three touchdowns to that impressive total. He's tough, able to break tackles and is also a very good blocker.

The Cleveland Browns are likely to sever their ties with current running back Peyton Hillis in the offseason, leaving a major hole to be filled. Richardson's presence on the Browns roster could change the entire dynamic of not just the team, but the AFC North as well.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12) Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

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

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11) Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10) Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU (coin flip)

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10) Reilly Reiff, OT, Iowa (coin flip)

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10) Melvin Ingram, LB, South Carolina

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford (coin flip)

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9) Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois (coin flip)

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8) David DeCastro, G, Stanford

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8) Mark Barron, S, Alabama

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8) Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

16. New York Jets (8-8) Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

17. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) (traded from Oakland) LaMichael James, RB, Oregon

The Cincinnati Bengals lack a dynamic running back, and LaMichael James might just fill that need for the team this year. Though he's small, he's got speed and agility that more than makes up for it, especially considering the trend for teams to field a small, fast ball-carrier rather than the traditional bruiser.

In 2011, James rushed 247 times for 1,805 yards and 18 scores and caught 17 passes for 210 yards and an additional touchdown. With the Bengals seemingly working to inject youth into their offense, a player like James would be a useful addition to that effort.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8) Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

19. Chicago Bears (8-8) Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7) Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

22. Cleveland Browns (4-12) (traded from Atlanta) Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

23. Detroit Lions (10-6) Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Detroit Lions offense lacks a consistent and reliable running back, with Jahvid Best suffering from yet another concussion and last year's draft pick, Mikel Leshoure, on IR this season. They've had to start Maurice Morris and re-sign Kevin Smith to keep their running game going, and it hasn't produced many results of note.

With Leshoure the only running back guaranteed to return to the team in a featured role in 2011, the Lions would be well-served to pick one up in the draft, and I think there's no better option than Miami's Lamar Miller.

Miller rushed 227 times, for 1,272 yards and nine scores this season, and he also had a lone receiving touchdown. The redshirt sophomore is the first Miami running back to rush for over 1,000 yards since 2002. He's fast, elusive and has receiving skills, though his numbers this year wouldn't indicate that at first glance.

The Lions need a true, every-down back, and Miller provides that quality without question. If the speed of Detroit's running game could rival that of their passing offense, they'd be an even bigger threat in 2012.

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

25. Denver Broncos (8-8) Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

26. New York Giants (9-7) Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

27. Houston Texans (10-6) Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

28. San Francisco 49ers (13-3) Janoris Jenkins, CB, N. Alabama

29. New England Patriots (13-3) Nick Perry, LB, USC

30. Green Bay Packers (15-1) Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State

31. Baltimore Ravens (12-4) Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

32. New England Patriots (13-3) (traded from New Orleans) Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska