2012 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting the Top 10 Rookies of 2012

When you make predictions with the NFL Draft, you are essentially taking your life in your own hands.

There are thousands of prognosticators out there who have searched and researched and asked questions. Take a look at some of the so-called experts like Todd McShay and the venerable Mel Kiper.

But when you try to predict who will be the most successful in this year's draft, you are playing a completely different ballgame.

In most cases, we look at the skilled positions, who is hot and climbing the draft boards in April, which players tested well at the combine and who amazed us with their pro day performance. Most all, which players turn out to be Tony Mandarich and Mike Mamula and which players turn out to be Ray Lewis and Jerry Rice?

Here is a look at some players that could be some of the best talent in this upcoming draft and NFL season.

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 49ers—Stephon Gillmore, CB, South Carolina

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

Vontaze Burfict, Linebacker, Arizona State

Vontaze Burfict is a junior coming out for the draft from Arizona State.

He has worlds of talent and could be one of the best linebackers in the NFL in the next five years.

The problem with Burfict is that there are some questions about his attitude and his behavior, which was called into question while in college.

I see him as a Ray Lewis-type who could dominate the position for the next year if chosen by the right team (Baltimore Ravens).

Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

The top running back in this draft. He will excite with his speed and his ability to break through tackles and head for the end zone every time he touches the ball.

Richardson ran for 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns in the SEC against some of the best defenses in the country. That alone proves he is worthy of a top-10 selection.

Richardson's talent could bring him the Offensive Rookie of the Year award if he falls into the right team and the right offense.

Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina

Quinton Coples is not Lawrence Taylor and he is not Julius Peppers, but he is a pretty darn good pass rusher.

At 6"6" and 285 and 4.76 speed, he is the best out there as an edge rusher.

What may hurt Coples in the draft is the run on players from defenses like LSU or Alabama. And if teams want more speed off the edge like Courtney Upshaw or Dont'a Hightower who are smaller and faster, the talented pass rusher will plummet.

But the team that takes him and inserts him into a lineup will get immediate results.

Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

There is so much hype in this selection. He needs to prove he is worth the high selection.

Blackmon has Calvin Johnson written all over him. His height at 6'1" is not as ideal as some scouts want, but he is still the kind of receiver that will go get the ball in the air and provides a solid end zone target.

The problem with Blackmon is that there are teams wanting to move up to make Robert Griffin III the possible second overall selection in the draft. That may make his stock fall slightly, but I don't think Blackmon moves any farther than the fifth selection.

Morris Claiborne, Defensive Back, LSU

Whoever gets Morris Claiborne (Carolina Panthers) will be richly rewarded.

Claiborne is the best defender in this draft. He also helps in the return game.

Some teams may look to trade up if he starts to move toward the end of the top-10 because he is that good a player.

Mohamed Sanu, Receiver, Rutgers

The team that selects Mohamed Sanu in the middle or the end of the first round will have gotten a steal.

Sanu is 6'2" and 215 pounds and can stretch the field or play in the slot. He has good hands and will be a solid second receiver to start while moving toward becoming a lead receiver in the right position.

He would look good in the Chicago Bears' system or maybe a replacement for Vincent Jackson in the San Diego offense.

Robert Griffin, IIII, Quarterback, Baylor

There is more buzz about Robert Griffin than any other player in this draft right now.

Where will he be selected?

Will the Cleveland Browns stand pat and pray he is still available when they choose fourth?

Will the Miami Dolphins or Washington Redskins move in the second or third slot to select the Baylor product?

Is there a team down the draft board that wants to gamble their future to select him and possibly lead them to a Super Bowl?

Whoever drafts Griffin will be richly rewarded. He could have the same impact in the NFL Cam Newton had this season. It could also lead to the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, South Carolina

What's the best way to light a fire under a rookie's butt? Tell him there are some scouts out there who think he's are not as good as he once were in college.

Alshon Jeffery was the toast of the SEC receivers, and then changes to the passing offense at South Carolina led to his stock to drop.

Let's not forget that the SEC boasts some of the best defensive backs in the country.

Jeffery has tremendous height and size at 6'4" and 230 pounds. And the speed to break away from a defender plus his size in the red zone will still make him a great find in the middle or late first round of this draft.

He could be playing in a town with another SEC player who knows a thing or two about being doubted in the NFL (Denver Broncos).

Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

At some point, the kid from Stanford everyone expects to be the next John Elway, will come into a game for the Indianapolis Colts. Whether that is the first game of the 2012 season remains to be seen, but Andrew Luck will see the field in 2012.

What he does on the field will speak volumes about the direction of the Indianapolis Colts.

And the questions will exist. Can he coexist with Peyton Manning?

Does his being drafted mean Manning gets traded?

Can there be peace between Peyton Manning and Oliver Luck?

Who will be coaching this team in 2012?

All of this has a direct effect on how good the rookie will be. And yes, he can be REALLY good.

Lamar Miller, Running Back, Miami

It is all about being in the right place at the right time.

Right now, Lamar Miller  probably will be selected in the middle of the first round (Cincinnati Bengals or New England Patriots) and could be the runner that defines this draft class. His 4.42 speed in the 40 yards dash proves he can take the ball to the end zone each time he touches the rock.

Miller is a redshirt sophomore, which means he is still young and developing. Trent Richardson is the gem of this class this season, but don't be surprised if Miller is the best back of this draft in five years.