2012 NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 25 Junior Prospects

Every year we seem to have the same discussion about how the senior class is a bit weak and how the juniors declaring saved the value.

Yet you have to wonder if more juniors stayed, would we still be having this discussion? Would the senior classes be better in general? It seems like that would happen, but we'll never know—much like the age-old question of the chicken and the egg.

It brings to mind one of my favorite quotes from the late, lamented show Sports Night:

"

Casey: It's a vicious circle.
Dan: It is.
Casey: It's a never-ending circle.
Dan: It just keeps going round and round.
Casey: It never ends.
Dan: That's what makes it vicious.
Casey: And a circle.

"

Since that mystery is likely lost to us forever, we are left with the task of examining just how good the juniors are and what they really bring to the table.

Here are the 25 best juniors in the 2012 NFL draft class.

1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

They say he's a once-in-a-generation talent, the most highly graded quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning, perhaps better than John Elway.

He hasn't stepped on the field yet, so we really don't know. He looks the part when you watch him play though and he does so much, so well. He's likely to step in and produce right away, though he will be limited by the weapons around him.

As Gisele Bundchen would say, he can't throw the ball and catch it.

Regardless, Luck is a premier prospect and the best player in this draft class, underclassman or not.

2. Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil was an outstanding tackle for USC, protecting Matt Barkley for the past two years as the young quarterback developed into an outstanding college and a potential starting NFL quarterback.

Following in the footsteps of both his older brother, Ryan (who played at USC and then for the Carolina Panthers), and his father, Frank (who played at Arkansas and Arizona, then Buffalo in the NFL), Kalil has the bloodlines teams love to go with the excellent technique and strength to succeed at the pro level.

3. Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

With the success of guys like Cam Newton and to a lesser extent Tim Tebow, NFL teams are going to look at quarterbacks like Baylor's Griffin a little differently.

Griffin has to work on his pre-snap reads a bit to recognize blitzes and defensive fronts, and doesn't look defenders off consistently. Some will point to his lack of experience under center as well and the relative "simplicity" of the Baylor playbook.

There's so much to like about him in terms of athleticism, leadership, accuracy and mobility that potential outweighs much of the concerns.

Of course, there is the concern one has with a quarterback who will run for a first like Griffin and that's whether he will hold up under the beating. Health is also an issue for Griffin, but he's not going to be a run-first, run-second quarterback who sometimes throws.

So that concern should be mitigated by whatever offense he is drafted into.

4. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Here's another junior ruining the grade curve for the seniors. If you want a cornerback in the draft this April, Morris Claiborne is your guy. Senior, junior, doesn't matter—Claiborne has the skills to play man or zone, the hands to turn any pass into an interception and is not afraid to lay the wood with a big hit, although sometimes has a tendency to go for the big hit and not wrap up.

The cornerback class has some good players but Claiborne is a few steps ahead of them.

5. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The position of running back has recently taken a hit value-wise in the NFL draft. Very few backs are worth an early first-round pick when you can wait a round (sometimes two) and get a solid ball carrier while addressing more pressing (and less deep) positions.

Most NFL teams will wait unless the back in question is very special.

Special like Trent Richardson. Some have already compared him (favorably) to Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson—and the simple truth is, that's not insane.

Richardson spent a bunch of time behind Mark Ingram, but showed flashes he might be better than the starter, even as a backup. He's very productive between the tackles, but has deceptive speed which he uses to pull away from defenders when in the open field.

Good luck trying to tackle him as well. This is a guy who is not only unafraid of physical contact—he looks for it, loves lowering his shoulder and delivering a hit rather than being hit. Richardson has the strength to break tackles and will just run over defenders when he needs to.

He can also catch the ball well and makes sure he has it well in hand before worrying about turning upfield or reacting to closing defenders.

Richardson is a great all-around back and could easily go anywhere in the top 10 in April.

6. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

While Blackmon is an exceptionally good wide receiver, he's not quite as good as last year's top wide receiver, A.J. Green.

That's no dig, really, as Green is a special talent and not being him isn't saying you can't play. Blackmon can most definitely play.

His physicality and strong hands will make him a dependable option for his quarterback both on longer routes and short ones in traffic.

Blackmon will be a difference-maker at the next level, a great safety valve who can make tough catches when he needs to.

7. Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff plays with a nasty streak coaches in the NFL love, which will serve him well at the pro level. He's solid in both pass and run protection.

He's not phenomenally quick off the snap but moves with power and purpose on run plays and doesn't get beaten off the snap very often on pass plays. On run plays he is very adept at getting to the second level, adjusting to take on incoming defenders and is willing to sell his body to create the space for a back to gain a few more yards.

8. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick is a beast in man coverage, able to use his size and strength to lock down a receiver and then out-jump them for a ball as well.

He hasn't as much experience in zone coverage but on the occasions he needed to play it, Kirkpatrick has shown flashes of the ability he'll need to do it consistently.

He is very aggressive in run support—actually, he's very aggressive in general, which sometimes leads to him getting beat or being out of position.

9. David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro is a guard who can pretty much play in any scheme you need him to. Not only is he very athletically gifted, the guy is smart—a characteristic sometimes overlooked by fans when it comes to linemen.

He isn't often beat in pass protection and is very effective in the run as well, getting to the second level quickly and clearing the way for his running back.

DeCastro is far and away the best guard in this draft and I expect him to go on the first day, possibly very early.

10. Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

We're on a Stanford run! Two for one! Buy David DeCastro, get Martin free!

Given how good quarterback Andrew Luck has played, it was only natural that his offensive line started getting looked at more closely as well. If you're looking at the line, then you will definitely take notice of the man in charge of protecting Luck's blind side.

Martin has done just that, and very well, the last few seasons. He can stand up against a strong punch and anchor against bull rushes, and finishes his blocks, making sure to drive a defensive player to the ground as often as possible.

He's not quite as effective in run blocking, but that isn't to say he's bad at it. His technique, footwork and position are all great—he's just not as strong as some of the defenders he faces. At times they can shed his blocks or overpower him.

Some of that can be overcome with hard work—something he isn't afraid of. As good as he is though, there's only so much he can do to get bigger and stronger, so the run blocking may always be a little bit of a weakness.

With the right combination of players around him though, that shouldn't be a big deal.

11. Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers had a fantastic year and it seemed as if everything finally clicked for him. He has tremendous size, strength and athleticism, as well as the versatility to play as a 3- or 5-technique as well as line up at the nose tackle.

He did all three this past season, and did them well.

Brockers' pass-rushing ability got better as the season went on and he showed good instincts with the small things like getting his hands in the air to get in the way of a pass. He does well against the run as well, though he can be double-teamed and sometimes seems to lose track of the play.

The biggest question mark against him is his inexperience and lack of track record.

Guys have come before him who only had one season of dominance and did it while in a very talented defense. Sometimes they never replicate the success at the pro level.

12. Nick Perry, DE, USC

Perry has a quick first step and can get in the backfield swiftly—something which helped him achieve a Pac-12-leading 9.5 sacks last season.

His size is a bit of an issue, but he has the ability to get leverage and overcome many blockers both on passing and rushing plays.

Perry has shown good instincts and awareness throughout his career at USC and while he has some hurdles to overcome at the NFL level, he should be productive there as well.

13. Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Luke Kuechly is a smart player whose instincts always make sure he ends up somewhere near the ball on any given play. While he isn't a tremendous pass-rusher, he is good in coverage and can blanket the middle of the field.

Kuechly is adept at reading a quarterback's eyes and has been able to use that to create turnovers, and he's actually pretty dangerous when he picks a pass off.

A quiet, hard-working young man, Kuechly has begun to be a more vocal leader on the field and in the locker room.

He's just scratching the surface of his talent and has a lot to offer teams in April.

14. Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

While Worthy doesn't produce huge numbers of sacks, he is always in the backfield and always on the quarterback's mind, creating pressure on every down.

Worthy is a vocal leader on the field, often calling out plays and potential primary receivers to his teammates on the defense. He isn't terribly fast, which limits his range a bit and can make it hard for him to excel in pursuit. He does possess great quickness and burst off the snap.

He has to improve his conditioning, something that a NFL coaching and training staff should help immensely, as well as increase his already formidable strength.

15. Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Mercilus is a high-motor player, always moving and playing at full speed on every down. He's very hard to block cleanly and he can move around, coming at the line from many different angles often coming off the edge on one play, then switching to tackle the next.

He has some issues against the run, where he can get overpowered by blockers and sometimes loses track of the ball, ending up out of position. Mercilus is still learning run defense and honing his instincts in that area.

16. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery isn't going to blow by many cornerbacks, but he has the strength to beat press coverage and is faster than he appears. The deceptive speed allows him to slip behind coverage that has been lulled a bit thinking he's slow.

He struggles a bit at running routes, though his size and strength give him a fighting chance even when he is well-covered. Once Jeffery gets the ball in his hands, he's exceptionally dangerous. His acceleration helps him find the seam in a defense and he's very hard to bring down.

17. Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

He's far and away the best center in the draft, but Konz may slide out of the first round merely because of a lack of need for centers while there are a ton of defensive and offensive line prospects that won't be there in another round.

Konz is an incredibly smart player, critical for a center—the heart, soul and brain for many offensive lines.

He's quick off the snap and gets both a solid push out on run plays and strike out with his hands during run plays to direct incoming defenders.

Konz is a guy who can step in pretty quickly at center and it will only be a matter of time before he's running the show in the NFL the way he did in Wisconsin.

18. Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe is a big, strong tackle who can clog up the middle of the field and make it difficult for opposing runners to find positive yards. He can get into the backfield, occupying blockers so that others in his defensive front can make plays as well.

There may be some concern how he will play against better competition, as Conference USA isn't exactly filled with football powerhouses but overall Poe should succeed, though it might take a little time as he adjusts to the NFL.

19. Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Hightower might be a junior, but he doesn't lack for experience. As a redshirt junior, Hightower played four years (although 2009 was lost to injury), starting 40 games. He was part of two national championship teams and was a consensus first-team All-American this season.

A versatile, strong linebacker, Hightower is equally at home playing the run or the pass and has a knack for being at the ball carrier at the right time. Hightower has tremendous instincts and the speed to act on what he feels is coming.

20. Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

One of the truly amazing things about Cox is that, as big as he is, he could actually get bigger. Add to a 6'4", 295-lb body?

Yikes.

He could use the extra mass, as he sometimes gets blown off the ball by double-teams and sometimes gets out-leveraged. However, Cox is still a very strong player and most of his struggles with being overpowered stem from not using his strength as effectively as he could.

It seems as if Cox is just starting to reach his potential. The one concerning thing is, if he's just hitting his potential now, what was he doing for the three seasons he started in the SEC?

21. Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Sanu is a strong receiver who can overpower coverage and rip the ball away from a defender when need be. He has outstanding hands and runs precise routes, and while he lacks elite speed, his burst off the line eats up space so quickly that defenders aren't ready for him when he reaches them.

After the catch, Sanu is very dangerous, able to break arm tackles and possessing a savage stiff arm. he won't make anyone miss in the open field—he lacks great agility—but has a knack for finding and utilizing seams in the defense.

Sanu is not afraid to go across the middle, lay out for a pass or make a tough grab in traffic, even if he's going to take a big hit. A team knows they will get everything out of Sanu on every down.

22. Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Stephon Gilmore is a dedicated, hard worker who spends as much time in the film room as he does on the field. Gilmore is adamant about knowing who he is facing and what to expect, and you can bet he is always well-prepared.

He is also a hard-hitting player who lets you know you stepped into his area of the field, making receivers think twice about testing him again and he also brings that ferocity to his run defense. Gilmore can make plays on the ball either to just kill a play or create a turnover.

23. Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

Allen is a good, natural receiver who runs outstanding routes, has soft hands and is a bear to bring down after the catch. He comes off the line quickly and consistently gets separation. Allen is also a good blocker, able to both keep his quarterback clean and get to the second level and block during a run play.

24. Brandon Washington, OG, Miami

Washington is a versatile player who could set up shop at either the tackle or guard positions on the offensive line. He can dominate at the point of attack and is a very determined and effective run-blocker.

He is far more athletic than his size would indicate and has the ability to block on the move, staying light on his feet but anchoring himself so he isn't tossed out of the way.

However, while he's athletic for his size, he lacks the pure athleticism to be a dominant tackle at the pro level and sometimes loses battles due to leverage issues. 

If a team can work on his footwork a bit and get his technique to improve a little, Washington could be a very good pick on day two.

25. Ronnell Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma

Lewis is an incredibly raw player who seems to have the physical talent to excel but never really put it all together as a Sooner. He only started 14 games though, so we know that he could still have a lot to show us.

On pass plays, Lewis shows good burst off the snap and a nice initial move, but doesn't seem to have much in his toolbox beyond that first move. Similarly, during run plays, he is able to locate the ball quickly but doesn't effectively read the offense pre-snap.

Lewis is a very strong player who plays with tremendous aggression and a high motor. If a team can harness all that and help him smooth out the rough edges of his game, he could be a real hidden gem down the road.