2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Where the Top Running Backs Will Land

NFL teams know they can get solid production out of running backs taken outside of the first round, but that doesn't mean a few runners won't be taken in the opening round of the 2012 draft. 

Let's project where the top backs land on April 26. 

Trent Richardson 

Because they're in desperate need of any type of offensive talent, right now, I have Richardson going No. 4 overall to the Cleveland Browns. 

He's definitely a top-five talent, but an ideal situation for Mike Holmgren would be selecting Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III or landing Justin Blackmon. 

It's impossible to tell if the Browns are willing to stick with Colt McCoy, will look for a new signal-caller in free agency, or want to land their franchise guy in the draft. 

Without any trades, Richardson is the pick. 

He's got everything you'd want in a featured running back. 

The Alabama star is 5'11'' and a sculpted 225, meaning he can take the punishment of running between the tackles. 

He's also deceptively fast and can make defenders miss in the open field with jump cuts and quick changes of direction. 

If Richardson isn't taken by the Browns, he could fall into the 10-15 range. 

Lamar Miller 

Miller isn't as bulky as Richardson and certainly didn't have as decorated of a career, but he's a smooth runner who demonstrated the ability to be successful on all types of runs. 

He possesses that "home-run" threat and can battle for extra yards when there isn't a gaping hole in the defensive line. 

The Cincinnati Bengals have gotten solid contributions from Cedric Benson over the last three seasons, but they'd like to infuse more youth to their backfield.

Creating a "big three" of Andy Dalton, A.J. Green and Miller would be an ideal situation for Cincinnati. 

Miller must run well at the NFL Combine in February to remain a top-20 selection.

Chris Polk 

Polk is listed at 5'11'' and 225 pounds, but he's not as built as Richardson. No one is. However, he's just as capable as an every down-back and displayed tremendous productivity during his time in Washington. 

He eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in each of his three seasons with the Huskies and is a willing pass protector.

The junior would fall into a perfect situation in Denver, as the Broncos are looking to add a young, talented feature back to their roster with Willis McGahee more of a back-up at this stage in his career and the injury-prone Knowshon Moreno not able to stay on the field.

Polk would make an instant impact in the Mile High City, running behind Denver's solid offensive line and would be a fixture in the checkdown and screen game for whoever's the quarterback next season.

He's not fantastic in any area, but he's solid all-around and should become a fine, reliable NFL player.  

2012 NFL Mock Draft (Jan. 18 edition; next update coming after Senior Bowl)

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, DE/DT, LSU

9. Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

10. Buffalo Bills: Nick Perry, OLB, USC

11. Seattle Seahawks: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

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: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

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

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama 

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

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

25. Denver Broncos: Chris Polk, RB, Washington

26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor 

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

28. Baltimore Ravens: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

29. New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

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

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

32. Green Bay Packers: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

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