NFL Draft 2012: 25 Things You Must Know About This Year's Class

As we continue through the NFL Draft process we will see plenty of mock drafts, scouting reports and big boards. However, there are more than a few trends and facts that will get overlooked.

This draft will produce a lot of impact players and maybe one of the top quarterback prospects to ever enter the draft.

Stanford's Andrew Luck has gotten a lot of the attention but there plenty of other elite-level prospects. The upcoming slides look at a lot of the other prospects in this draft. I highlight players that might be overrated or will fall in the draft.

Only 2 Quarterbacks Will Be Selected in the First Round

The 2012 NFL Draft has several quarterbacks that would make nice selection in the mid-rounds. However, there are only two quarterbacks worthy of a first-round pick. Stanford's Andrew Luck and Baylor's Robert Griffin III are the top prospects and won't last past the fifth pick.

These two quarterbacks have the skill set and talents needed to step in and make immediate contributions. Luck is all but guaranteed to be the top overall pick, taking over for the Indianapolis Colts as they replace Peyton Manning.

Other quarterback prospects like Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill may receive some attention late in the first-round but ultimately will slip into the second day.

Jonathan Martin Will Be a Better Pro Than Matt Kalil

USC's Matt Kalil is the consensus No. 1 offensive line prospect in this draft class.

However, Stanford's Jonathan Martin possesses the abilities to develop into a better pro. Martin's quickness, balance and technique make him this year's top pass protector.

Kalil has some stiffness to his game which impacts his ability to protect the edge. I've seen situations where a speed rusher was able to flatten out against him. Both players project as top-level NFL left tackles, but Martin will be the better pro.

Martin and Kalil will come off the board early in the first round.

Boise State's Doug Martin Will Be One of the Steals of the Draft

This year's running back class doesn't feature many highly regarded prospects, with Alabama's Trent Richardson the only likely first round selection. However, Boise State's Doug Martin boasts the talents needed to excel at the next level.

Martin runs behind his pads and low to the ground which allows him to pick up yards after contact. His quickness to the hole means he's rarely stop behind the line of scrimmage. Some have concerns with his size, but his solid frame will allow him to remain durable.

Don't rule out Martin sneaking into the first round. But where ever he's selected he will earn his worth.

The Cornerback Class Is Very Top Heavy

As many as four cornerback prospects could come off the board within the top 20 picks. LSU's Morris Claiborne and Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick have the potential to crack the top 10.

This cornerback class, however, is very top heavy and doesn't feature a ton of depth. Teams looking for a difference maker at the position will need to be aggressive.

North Alabama's Janoris Jenkins and South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore are the other two likely to be selected on day one. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions figure to be the most aggressive in targeting a top-notch coverman.

Claiborne isn't only the top defensive back but quite possibly the top overall defender.

Chandler Jones Will Contend for Rookie of the Year

Syracuse defensive end Chandler Jones' quickness and motor gives him the potential to develop into one of the leagues top pass rushers. He reminds me a lot of Aldon Smith in that he's always in pursuit of the football. Jones projects as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 system, but will likely start his career as part of a rotation.

His experience at Syracuse consists mainly at defensive end, so it will take some time for him to learn the linebacker position. However, much like Smith, he can be worked in on passing situations where he can rush the passer.

Based on his potential there's no reason to think he won't work his way into the first round.

Ryan Tannehill Won't Develop into a Starting NFL Quarterback

The draft stock of Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill has been on a steady rise since he took over as the starter last season. His combination of size, arm strength and athletic ability have many evaluators projecting him as a possible first-round pick.

However, his struggles with accuracy and decision making will limit his ability to develop. Too often Tannehill forced the ball into coverage resulting in costly turnovers. The ability to quickly diagnosis post-snap information is an important factor in a quarterbacks success.

Tannehill's only chance for success might mean sitting behind a vet and learning the ropes.

Dont'a Hightower Will Fail to Make an Immediate Impact

The National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide will have several players selected early in the 2012 draft. Many of those players come from the defensive side of the ball like linebacker Dont'a Hightower who projects as a middle linebacker at the next level.

He's a good athlete who's been very productive during his college career. However, most of his success has come because of his athletic ability.

After viewing several games, it was apparent that Hightower struggled to diagnosis plays and read his keys. Hightower's limited instincts is what will ultimately keep him from making an immediate impact.

His value would be the greatest if he came off the board in the third round.

Three Top 10 Picks Will Be Considered Busts

Every draft features several players who are over drafted and end up earning the bust label. This year we might see a high number of top 10 selections fail to live up to expectations.

Players like Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon, South Carolina's Melvin Ingram and LSU's Michael Brockers might see their stock rise because of need.

Blackmon has been mentioned as a possible fit at No. 2 with the St. Louis Rams, which would be a major overdraft. He's a talented player, but isn't considered a can't miss prospect. Looking at last year's draft, he doesn't match the talent or upside of No. 4 pick A.J. Green.

Ingram's athleticism and pass rush ability will make him a target of many teams. The need for top-level pass rushers could push him into the top 10 of the draft.

Kirk Cousins Will End the Season as Someone's Long-Term Starter

Finding success in the NFL is about more than just raw talent and athleticism, especially at the quarterback position.

Michigan State's Kirk Cousins has that "it" factor that helps him compete above his talent level and find a way to win.

Cousins isn't just about character as he also boasts a strong arm and some quickness. However, its that leadership ability and will to win that makes him such an intriguing prospect. He doesn't figure to come off the board before the second round, but that won't keep him off the field.

He would be a great fit for whatever team makes a move to add Peyton Manning. This would provide them with a good backup solution.

Stephon Gilmore Will Be an Elite Cornerback in the NFL

Some players find more success because of the scheme run by the team that drafts them. South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore will be an elite cornerback if he is selected by a team who runs a cover-two system. His toughness, short-area burst and ball skills is what will make him so successful.

Teams like the Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals run a system that can get the most out of Gilmore's talent. He's also an excellent athlete which will help him fit in any defensive system, but in order for him to become elite things need to fall into place.

Expect to see him come out of the combine with a very hot draft stock, as he has the speed to run an impressive 40 time.

Kellen Moore Will Go Undrafted

Boise State enjoyed a lot of success thanks to the play of quarterback Kellen Moore.

However, what made him successful in college won't translate to the next level. His lack of arm strength, size and athleticism will result in Moore going undrafted.

Just because he won't get drafted doesn't mean he won't find a way onto a roster. His savvy and his football IQ gives him a shot at becoming an effective backup.

Late round quarterbacks tend to be seen as developmental players with upside—this doesn't accurately describe Moore. It's his lack of potential that limits his chance of hearing his name called on draft day.

Some Mid-Round Running Backs Will Make Immediate Impact

Every year mid-round running backs work their way into the starting lineup and make an immediate impact. This past season players like DeMarco Murray and Roy Helu found success as later round selections. This draft features a handful of players capable of making a surprise impact.

Mississippi State's Vick Ballard boasts the quickness and leverage needed to develop into a good NFL running back. His ability to keep his pads low and pick up yards after contact will help him transition to the next level.

Other backs like San Diego State's Ronnie Hillman and Texas A&M's Cyrus Gray also have the potential to make an immediate impact.

5 Tight Ends Will Make a Mark in Their First Season

The impact made by tight ends like Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez showed the NFL the potential impact this position can make.

This draft class has several top-level talents like Clemson's Dwayne Allen, Stanford's Coby Fleener and Georgia's Orson Charles.

These three tight ends have a legitimate shot of coming off the board in the first round. However, it's later round prospects like Oregon's David Paulson and Louisiana-Lafayette's Ladarius Green that will make this a special class.

All five of these tight end prospects boast the skills needed to make an immediate impact.

Quinton Coples Will Land in the Top 5 of the Draft

The tape of North Carolina's Quinton Coples shows both this amazing talents and his lack of consistency. However, most evaluators still rate him as a top 10 prospect.

His stock will only continue to rise from here on out. He's an excellent athlete who promises to turn heads at the upcoming combine.

In my latest mock draft, I have Coples landing with the Cleveland Browns who own the No. 4 overall pick. His ability to generate pressure from the defensive end position makes him a valuable piece for teams running a 4-3 alignment.

As the draft approaches, teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills might considering moving up to land the talented pass rusher.

Brock Osweiler Will Be Drafted 2 Rounds Too Early

At 6'8" 240-pounds, Arizona State's Brock Osweiler has the type of size and athletic ability to catch the eye of evaluators. He's physical build combines with a strong throwing arm to give him the potential to develop into a starting NFL quarterback.

However, he lacks several important skills needed to succeed at the next level.

All the physical talents in the world cannot make up for issues reading a defense. Osweiler doesn't do a good job reading post-snap information and has a tendency to force the ball. This issue combined with poor accuracy and a sidearm deliver makes him a reach to succeed in the NFL.

Still, some are projecting him as a third-round prospect. This would be a major reach as I gave him a sixth round grade.

Cliff Harris Will Go Undrafted

During the summer, Oregon's Cliff Harris was considered by most to be one of the top cornerback prospects. However, several traffic related citations ultimately resulted in Harris being dismissed from the team.

Making a mistake is one thing but repeating the same mistake really brings someone's decision making into question.

Harris' talents aren't unique enough for teams to overlook these character concerns. Former Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount is a perfect example of what happens when teams feel your a major risk.

Expect to see Harris catch on somewhere as an undrafted free agent. But he will need to prove himself in order to earn a roster spot.

Isaiah Pead Comes off the Board Early in the Second Round

Cincinnati's Isaiah Pead utilized his time at the Senior Bowl to show his game-breaking ability. He made plays on the ground, through the air and on special teams.

His versatility and quickness will make him a highly sought after prospect

In the NFL, the running back position has become about finding a few players with special skills. Pead's skill set makes him a good candidate to fill a third-down back role. However, his ability to run between the tackles also means he can get carries on first and second down.

Teams like the St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals could all take a look at  Pead at some point in the second round.

Rueben Randle Sneeks into the Second Round

The pure talent of LSU's Rueben Randle suggests that his college career should have been more productive.

However, he suffered from inconsistent quarterback play which limited his opportunities to make an impact. Evaluators must look at him and try to project how he would have produce with a more consistent quarterback.

At 6'4" 208-pounds, Randle has the size needed to excel at the next level. That size, combined with good quickness and leaping ability, gives him tremendous upside.

There will be at least one team that falls in love with his physical talents and pulls the trigger in the second round.

Billy Winn Becomes an Elite 3-Techique in the NFL

Teams running a 4-3 defense are always on the lookout for a penetrating defensive tackle. These three-technique defenders need quickness in order to get into the backfield and disrupt the time of the offense.

Boise State's Billy Winn possesses a great initial burst that allows him to quickly get off the ball.

Winn isn't getting a ton of attention, but is talented enough to develop into an elite three-technique. Expect to see him come off the board somewhere in the second round. Teams like the St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos could target Winn.

Ryan Broyles Goes Undrafted

Setting the all-time college receiving record doesn't guarantee success in the NFL. Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles was a mid-round prospect prior to his major knee injury.

At this point, Broyles looks like an undrafted free agent who won't get a shot until his knee is fully healed.

Broyles found success because of his quickness which could be compromised because of his injury. Any team looking to add him to the roster will need to ensure he's fully healthy. The fact that this injury happened at the end of the season means its unlikely he will be ready by the start of camp.

LaMichael James Falls into the Fifth Round

There's no doubting the explosiveness of Oregon's LaMichael James, but that doesn't guarantee success in the NFL.

His future is on special teams and as a third-down back. This limits his overall versatility and hurts his draft stock.

Running backs typically drop come draft day which is something likely to happen in James' case. He compares to another former Pac-12 running back, Jacquizz Rodgers, who also slipped into the fifth round.

Despite the likelihood of him being a later round pick, James will have an opportunity to make an impact early in his career. NFL offenses love players capable of creating mismatches, which is area where James excels.

Mark Barron Will Be the Only Safety Selected in the First Two Rounds

This year's safety class doesn't possess a lot of top-level talent, expect for Alabama's Mark Barron.

Barron figures to be the loan safety selected in the first round and very well could be the only one selected in the first two rounds. Barron's ability to both hold up in coverage and support the run makes him a well-rounded player.

Notre Dame's Harrison Smith, Boise State's George Iloka and Oklahoma State's Markelle Martin are fighting to be the second safety off the board. All are good players but have enough question marks to keep them out of the first two rounds.

One thing to keep in mind is that it only takes one team to pull the trigger.

Cordy Glenn Will Be the Sixth Offensive Lineman off the Board Before No. 20

This draft boasts a handful of top-level offensive line prospects and as many as six could come off the board in the first round. Left tackle prospects like USC's Matt Kalil, Stanford's Jonathan Martin and Iowa's Riley Reiff figure to crack the top 10.

Georgia's Cordy Glenn is an underrated prospect and has a bright future in the NFL. However, there could be five offensive linemen selected ahead of him as Kalil, Martin, Reiff, Stanford's David DeCastro and Ohio State's Mike Adams are all better prospects.

All of these players could be off the board by the 15th pick.

A Lot of Hybrid Defensive Prospects Available

The rise in popularity of the 3-4 defense has created a surge in tweener prospects. This draft class features plenty of hybrid defensive end/lineback prospects capable of fitting a 3-4 system.

Alabama's Courtney Upshaw and South Carolina's Melvin Ingram are the prospects capable of filling multiple roles.

These two prospects boast the size to play defensive end and athleticism to drop into coverage. However, it's their ability to get after the quarterback that makes them special.

Other hybrid players include USC's Nick Perry, Illinois Whitney Mercilus and Syracuse's Chandler Jones.

Teams like the New York Jets, Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals will all heavily consider adding one of these players.

This Draft Will Feature Multiple First Round Trades

Each position in this draft features tiers and gaps in talent level. This is going to spark a lot of trade activity in the first-round.

Prospects like Baylor's Robert Griffin, Iowa's Riley Reiff, North Carolina's Quinton Coples and Alabama's Trent Richardson could all be the subject of a trade.

The new rookie wage-scale makes moving up the draft a more realistic possibility. In the past, the cost in assets and money to sign the pick made teams shy away from making a trade.

his year is a perfect storm situation and will spark a ton of trade action.