2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing the Best Sophomore Prospects

A record number of underclassmen declared for the 2012 NFL draft, and although a myriad of big-time juniors will headline April's event, there are a handful of sophomores that will almost assuredly make an impact at the next level. 

Let's take a look at those NFL-ready youngsters who are oozing with upside.

Michael Brockers, DL, LSU 

Brockers was a surprise entry to this year's draft, but when he declared, he instantly became the best interior defensive lineman in the class. 

At 6'6'' and 305 pounds, Brockers moves extremely well and demonstrated a fantastic motor during the Tigers' fabulous 2011 season. 

He's a special athlete and has room to add more bulk to his frame. We seem to have seen only the beginning of what this terrorizing defensive lineman is capable of. 

Brockers can play any of the positions across the line, but is best suited to play as a penetrating and disruptive defensive tackle. 

Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

With a solid Scouting Combine and Pro Day performance, Miller has a legitimate chance to be the second running back taken after Alabama's Trent Richardson. 

He has a similar skill set to that of Tennessee Titans runner Chris Johnson. 

Miller's scary quick and fluidly accelerates through the second level. He's one of the fastest backs in this year's class and runs with good instincts. 

He wasn't a major factor in the passing game during his time in Coral Gables, but he did average 5.6 yards per carry with nine rushing touchdowns in 2011. 

This is a guy with loads of upside. At 5'11" and 212 pounds, he has enough size to be a feature back at the pro ranks.

Ronnie Hillman, RB, San Diego State

Over the last two seasons, there weren't many running backs more productive than Hillman. He totalled 1,532 yards with 17 touchdowns in 2010. 

As the focal point of the offense, he received most of the defensive attention in 2011. However, this lightning-quick runner still accumulated 1,711 yards on the ground with 19 touchdowns. 

He's 5'10'' and 190 pounds and fits into that Darren Sproles mold. 

There's not much Hillman can't do as an athlete. He has an incredible burst through the hole. He's comparable to Miller and could even be better at making guys miss in the open field. 

I love Hillman's violent jump cuts and elite ability to change directions without losing much speed. 

A true sleeper that should go in the mid-rounds.

2012 NFL Mock Draft (Last Pre-Combine Update)

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. Washington Redskins (trade with St. Louis Rams): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

6. St. Louis Rams (trade with Washington Redskins): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DL, LSU

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

10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

11. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

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: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, Southern California 

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

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

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

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

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

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

23. Detroit Lions: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

25. Denver Broncos: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State 

26. Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT, Penn State

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

28. Green Bay Packers: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

30. San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

31. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

32. New York Giants, Kelechi Osemele, OL, Iowa State

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