2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting the Draft's Top First Round Playmakers

Finding playmakers in the 2012 NFL Draft will not be tough task. While there are plenty of players to choose from, finding the right one that becomes right piece to the puzzle that leads to success is on every team's agenda.

And there is no real way to know if the player your favorite team is getting is the right player until they actually get on the playing field.

So let the game of cat and mouse begin.

Playmakers in this year's draft may not be found on just the offensive side of the ball. I am of the belief (as I hope others are) that some of the better defensive players could be just as effective in their pursuit of the ball.

Could we see outstanding plays and showstopping athleticism while we watch defense? Could the next great player be defined as a run stopper or ballhawking defender? Or will the usual suspects we all talk about (RGIII, Andrew Luck, Justin Blackmon) steal the show?

These players may not be looked at first when talking about playmakers, but they will excite teams, scouts and the fans, nonetheless.

Ryan Tannehill, Quarterback, Texas A&M

He is currently healing a broken foot, but I think Tannehill will prove to be a valuable selection in this year's draft.

If a team at the end of the first round (Cleveland) takes a flier on the Texas A&M senior, they may find another Andy Dalton.

Tannehill is tall at 6'4", solid (222 pounds), agile and can move out of the pocket.

If Tannehill is anything like Dalton, or a T.J. Yates for that matter, then some team has certainly found a diamond in the rough.

Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

Floyd is a great talent, one that I have said may be the best receiver in this class when three years have passed.

Floyd's size and his ability to be a big end zone target make him an attractive choice for a team needing talented receivers.

I think he fits well in systems where he can either be a second option (Cincinnati) or a team that needs the home run hitter with each pass thrown to him. The question now becomes whether a team should take a risk and grab him before the middle of the first round (Jacksonville, Buffalo) or sit back and wait for him to come to them (Chicago, San Diego, Denver).

Dre' Kirkpatrick, Cornerback, Alabama

He could be a Jairus Byrd-type of player.

We all know how good the Alabama defense was this year with players like Kirkpatrick leading the way. Could this translate to the next level?

Some team will choose Kirkpatrick in the top 15 selections and have a top defender for the next decade.

Alfonzo Dennard, Defensive Back, Nebraska

There were other defensive players in the country who were ballhawking defenders. Dennard was one of them.

The 5'10" senior was one of the reasons the Nebraska Cornhuskers were playing on January 2 this season.

His speed falls in line with the likes of Dre' Kirkpatrick and Morris Claiborne, and he will certainly help some team in the return game.

Melvin Ingram, Linebacker, South Carolina

Ingram is a beast. At 6'2" and 276 pounds, he can play on the outside at linebacker to stuff the run or follow a tight end across the middle.

If he stands up in 3-4 defense, he could be a Terrell Suggs-type player who puts pressure on the quarterback and does not have to come out on passing downs.

The fact that Ingram provides versatility makes him more attractive to teams in need of a speed rusher.

Courtney Upshaw, Linebacker, Alabama

Another large linebacker with great speed, Upshaw was the leader of the Crimson Tide defense that held LSU to six points in two meetings this past season.

He is fast for his 265-pound frame, and like Melvin Kirkpatrick and Dont'a Hightower, he can rush the passer from the edge.

It is this type of hybrid player that could be the "new" defender in the NFL.

Kendall Wright, Wide Receiver, Baylor

Wright was on the receiving end of many passes from Robert Griffin III. He has great speed (4.42 in the 40-yard dash), but is a little shorter (5'10") than some of the other receivers in this draft.

Wright would be a nice choice as a second option in the offense and provide good speed on kickoff coverage.

Wright should be selected in the middle to late first round.

David Wilson, Running Back, Virginia Tech

Wilson is a good-sized back with 4.42 speed.

Whether he is a first-round talent will be determined in the post season All-Star games. While Lamar Miller and Trent Richardson are solidly entrenched as first round talents, I think people will find Wilson somewhere at the end of the first round and have a steal.

For some reason, I see him finding a home with the Patriots or a playoff team that needs another option in the running game as a change of pace back for its offense.

First Round Predictions

For the latest draft analysis and 2012 NFL mock draft predictions, check out NFL Draft Lead Writer Matt Miller's blog, Huge Upside.

Miller's latest first round predictions:

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—Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

8. Carolina Panthers—Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

9. Miami Dolphins—Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

10. Buffalo Bills—Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

11. Seattle Seahawks—Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

12. Kansas City Chiefs—David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

13. Arizona Cardinals—Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

14. Dallas Cowboys—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

15. Philadelphia Eagles—Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

16. New York Jets—Chris Polk, RB, Washington

17. Cincinnati Bengals—Lamar Miller, RB, Miami-FL

18. San Diego Chargers—Nick Perry, OLB, USC

19. Chicago Bears—Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

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

21. Cincinnati Bengals—Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

22. Cleveland Browns—Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

23. Detroit Lions—Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

24. Pittsburgh Steelers—Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

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

26. Houston Texans— Dwight Jones, WR, North Carolina

27. New England Patriots—Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska

28. Green Bay Packers—Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

29. New York Giants—Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

30. Baltimore Ravens—Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

31. San Francisco 49rs—Stephon Gillmore, CB, South Carolina

32. New England Patriots—Chandler Jones, OLB, Syracuse