2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting the Draft's Top Studs, Pre-Super Bowl Edition

As we enter Super Bowl weekend, most of the NFL community's focus is on the big game. But for those fans without a team to root for on Sunday, now it's time to look forward to the offseason, personnel moves and the 2012 NFL draft.

This draft class is loaded with studs. Here is a look at who I think the top guys are and where they could land on draft day.

Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

Let's face it, we all know everything there is to know about Andrew Luck at this point. He's essentially the perfect quarterback prospect and the best one to come along since Peyton Manning. 

Luck has the arm strength, accuracy and mobility to become one of the top signal-callers in the NFL when he develops. He also has the intelligence and intangibles that will make him a special player at the position.

In 2011, Luck completed 71.3 percent of his passes for 3,517 yards with 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. 

He is certainly the top impact player in the year's NFL draft, and he's almost certainly going to land in Indianapolis with the top pick.

Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

All Justin Blackmon did was put together two of the most productive seasons for a receiver in college football history.

In 2010, Blackmon caught 111 passes for 1,782 yards with 20 touchdowns. In 2011, he finished with 121 catches for 1,522 yards and 18 touchdowns.

At 6'1" and 215 pounds, he has size and strength to go along with explosive ability in the open field. He works hard to get open, has phenomenal ball skills and is great at breaking tackles once he has the ball. 

I don't see Blackmon lasting past the first five picks, and he could come off the board as early as No. 2 to the St. Louis Rams. 

Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, USC

After careful evaluation, I don't think there is any question that USC's Matt Kalil is the best offensive tackle in the 2012 NFL draft. 

At 6'7" and 295 pounds, Kalil is incredibly athletic for his size. He was dominant all season for the Trojans, protecting Matt Barkley's blind side while showing himself to be a dominant in the run game as well. Kalil is fast to get to the second level, and he's incredibly powerful and punishing when leading ball-carriers.

Kalil has a phenomenal pedigree, as his brother, Ryan, is a Pro Bowl center for the Carolina Panthers, and his father, Frank, played in both the NFL and USFL.

The 22-year-old offensive tackle will not last past the first five picks, and in all likelihood, he'll end up going to Minnesota at No. 3.

Devon Still, Defensive Tackle, Penn State

Still was easily the most disruptive interior defensive lineman in the nation this season. He racked up 49 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss in 2011.

He is a massive 6'5" and 310 pounds and can play nose tackle in a 3-4 or in a straight defensive tackle alignment in a 4-3. He has a great motor and has broken through double-teams consistently all year. 

He is the best tackle in this class, and I don't expect him to last beyond the top 15, and a perfect situation for him would be to land at No. 11 (or 12 depending on the coin-flip) with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The only reason Still probably won't be a top-10 pick is because of the relative value of defensive tackles compared to other positions.

Morris Claiborne, Cornerback, LSU

Claiborne solidified himself as the top cornerback in the country with a fantastic finish to the season. At 6'1" and 185 pounds, he has the size, speed and instincts to be an elite, shutdown defensive back at the next level.

He is a pure cover corner with outstanding ball skills, and while teammate Tyrann Mathieu garnered more headlines this season, Claiborne is probably a better NFL prospect. He is excellent in run support, and his 51 tackles and six interceptions in 2011 showed that he can produce.

The 21-year-old corner has as much pure ability as anyone in the 2012 NFL draft, and I think he is one of the clear can't-miss prospects available this season. He'll go in the top 10 for sure, but I currently think he fits best at No. 5 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Full 2012 Mock Draft

2012 NFL Mock Draft      

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: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

8.  Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

9.  Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

10.  Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

11.  Kansas City Chiefs: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

12.  Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

13.  Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

14.  Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

15.  Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

16.  New York Jets: Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina

17.  Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland Raiders): Chris Polk, RB, Washington

18.  San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia 

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

20.  Tennessee Titans: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

21.  Cincinnati Bengals: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

22.  Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons): Mark Barron, S, Alabama  

23.  Detroit Lions: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

24.  Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

25.  Denver Broncos: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

26.  Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

27.  New England Patriots: Michael Brockers, DT/DE, LSU

28.  Green Bay Packers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois   

29.  Baltimore Ravens: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

30.  San Francisco 49ers: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

31.  New York Giants: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

32.  New England Patriots: Andre Branch, OLB, Clemson