2012 NFL Draft: Predicting the Most Successful Players at Every Position

We aren't scientists; we are predictors. We make predictions that at times are as off as a Las Vegas betting line.

But we still look at potential draft picks and salivate at the potential they have, the strength in their arms and the speed in their legs. Sometimes, this is more exciting than watching a game between two awful teams (who am I kidding?).

And when we find a golden nugget—a player who was not thought to be a superstar that lights up draft charts, running sleds and broad-jump stats—it is a huge day for all of us.

There will be studs in this year's NFL draft; no one denies that. The top picks should pan out. There will be a few surprises along the way, and if we are all lucky, many of our predictions will come true—I said, if we are lucky.

The players listed here should stand out more than most and have the most success once their names are called April 26 and beyond.

Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor

In any other year, he would probably be the first overall selection.

RGIII is the real deal.

Griffin can run, throw, read defenses and provide a spark to whoever decides to make him the second overall choice. There are a handful of teams still in the mix to draft him, but they will all need to deal and trade up, which will shuffle the draft board a great deal.

RGIII may or may not be this year's version of Cam Newton, but he will be exciting to watch. If he is drafted by the right team (Washington), this could be a marriage that can solidify a team's playoff hopes if a few key parts are added through free agency.

The way he conducted himself at the combine this week, combined with running a 4.41 in the 40-yard sprint, may have some general managers questioning if he should be the top pick overall.

Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

Are there really any other choices with this position? I can see players like Ryan Tannehill, and maybe Kirk Cousins, showing that they can be decent NFL passers.

But truly, Luck and RGIII are ahead of this class.

Luck is the "prototype" everyone talks about: big and strong with a rocket for an arm. He is the preordained top pick, hands down.

Now that we know the Indianapolis Colts will be making him the top choice in this year's draft, the only thing left is to decide what happens with a contract and what the team will do with Peyton Manning.

Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

He may be the best playmaker in this draft, but is he worthy of being drafted in the top five?

That question will have to be answered by a few teams that might trade up to take a shot at the uber-talented running back from Alabama.

Richardson may be more talented than former Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and will have a chance to showcase his talents on the next level. He is strong, fast and gets to the second and third level with ease.

Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Washington and Cleveland all may have an interest in him within the first 10 selections.

Doug Martin, Running Back, Boise State

Martin is the kind of runner everyone wants on their team—the runner that does a lot of things well, but not everything really great.

Can he be a Peyton Hillis-type runner?

Martin was not as well-regarded as he should have been in the Broncos offense while at Boise State. His hard work and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield will make him a valuable commodity come draft day.

He will be a solid second-round selection and will have a long and prosperous career.

Mohamed Sanu, Receiver, Rutgers

Sanu is a borderline first-round pick who should move up draft boards before the actual event.

A tall and lanky receiver at 6'2" and 215 lbs., he will be a nice fit for a team needing a third-down receiver or someone in the slot to move the chains.

I have Sanu on this list because, while the other three receivers I have ranked ahead of him are getting more publicity, Sanu moves chains, makes the hard catch and can be a good end-zone target.

A better version of Mario Manningham.

Rueben Randle, Receiver, LSU

As a rule, LSU receivers have not fared well over past NFL drafts. Could Randle be the one who defies the odds?

At 6'3" and 208 lbs., he is tall, lanky and could use a little muscle on his frame. But that will not matter when teams are looking for the right fit for their offense.

San Diego, Chicago, Cincinnati and the New York Jets could all have an interest in this SEC product.

Mike Adams, Tackle, Ohio State

No one helped themselves at the Senior Bowl more than Mike Adams.

The massive tackle, at 6'7" and 323 lbs., looked every bit the player scouts had been hoping for. He continues to impress in the combine.

Adams was able to move agile defenders out of the way in Mobile and hold his ground at the point of attack. He also was schooled in the battles in the trenches by playing in the Big Ten.

Adams will be a solid late first-round or early second-round pick who will play in the NFL for a decade or more.

Matt McCants, Tackle, UAB

Want a sleeper pick who will have success in the NFL? McCants may be the man.

Alabama-Birmingham is not a hot bed for talent (except for Roddy White), but that does not mean it does not produce a gem or two.

McCants is 6'6" and 308 lbs., which is intimidating enough. He will need to improve his footwork, but his size is solid and he could be a left or right tackle in the NFL for many years.

Cordy Glenn, Guard, Georgia

I keep saying that Glenn will be the best lineman to come out of this draft.

I am sticking by my prediction.

The Georgia guard was impressive against some of the best talent in the country while playing in the SEC. That's like playing in an NFL division itself.

Some draft boards have Glenn listed as a tackle in the NFL for his size, which is 6'5" and 348 lbs. If he sheds some weight and picks up a bit of foot speed, he will be the best lineman to come out of the 2012 draft.

Amini Silatolu, Guard, Midwestern State

First off, I love the name.

And with the name comes a player from Texas who can play. It is hard to assess the value of a player like Silatolu because he played for such a small school, but I have always had the mindset that if the player was pretty good, then the NFL would have him on their radar.

Silatolu may not be a first-round selection (second-to-fourth-round), but where he is selected will have to be the perfect situation. Silatolu can play both sides and may see time at center as well.

Michael Brewster, Center, Ohio State

Right now, according to CBSSports.com, Brewster is the third-best center on the draft board.

Don't let that fool you. He is going to be the best that comes out this season. I figure at some point, Peter Konz of Wisconsin will move to guard, allowing Brewster to show he is the best center in the draft.

At 6'2" and 312 lbs., he needs more bulk, but has great technique and can hold the line against defensive tackles in both a 3-4 and 4-3 defense.

Philip Blake, Center, Baylor

I like Blake and his size, which is similar to Brewster. He also called the line plays for the Baylor Bears and helped block for Robert Griffin III.

While he is ranked as the fourth-best center in this class, I see him moving to guard and playing there for a much longer time.

A team that selects him will have options, which makes him that much more appealing.

I think Baylor prospects—especially on offense—will get a long, hard look because of the success of RGIII.

Melvin Ingram, Defensive End, South Carolina

Of all the so-called "hybrids" and true defensive linemen, I think he has the most upside.

He showed many scouts that he can play as an end-rusher on both sides, and in a 3-4 defense as a rush linebacker. His size at 6'2" may be a concern, but at 274 lbs., he is every bit the beast that people thought he would be.

I would not be surprised if he were a top mover in this draft and climbed the board into the first 10 selections. I really think he is the next Terrell Suggs to come into the professional ranks.

Cam Johnson, Defensive End, Virginia

He may not have the overall skill packages of other true defensive ends, but his upside is nice.

He may not be a first-round pick and may wait until the end of the second stanza, but Johnson will surprise many people with his footwork and pursuit of the passer.

When I look at him, I see someone like a Jason Taylor or maybe a Jeff Lageman from back in the day. Both of those guys were a little undersized, but could get to the passer.

Michael Brockers, Defensive Tackle, LSU

He is a junior-eligible coming out and has pure raw talent—someone who needs a little seasoning, but will be very good in the pros.

He is the second-best defensive tackle in this draft next to Devon Still, but he gets the nod for the best pick as someone with more potential.

As time wears on and Brockers learns how to play with the NFL's elite, he could be a John Henderson-type of player in this league. Teams like Carolina, Miami and the New York Jets could all use him as part of their defensive package.

Alameda Ta'amu, Defensive Tackle, Washington

One of the best names in the draft.

I think a lot of us are unable to see the tenacity in his play because we did not see a lot of him on television, and there is an East Coast bias. That said, this kid can play.

The only thing that may hurt his stock is that he is best suited for a 3-4 defense. Someone like Pittsburgh or San Diego may look to him in the second round.

He isn't a first-round talent now, but he will be in a year or two.

Vontaze Burfict, Linebacker, Arizona State

Here is something that may make most of you happy. Burfict is perfect for the NFL.

Based on raw "potential," there may not be a better prospect. But attitude concerns and his on-the-field play make him suspect. If he can channel his inner Ray Lewis, he will be one of the best to come out in this draft.

Right now, I see him as a second- or third-round selection who can bring it at any time. What he needs is maturity, and he will be a star in this league.

If this were the 1980s, he would be a perfect selection by the Oakland Raiders. He may be similar to Jack Tatum at linebacker.

Sean Spence, Linebacker, Miami

The "U" has produced great linebackers over the years: Ted Hendricks, Ray Lewis, Jessie Armstead and now Sean Spence.

At 5'11" and 231 lbs., he has Zach Thomas written all over him.

He can rush on the blitz, stop the run or cover a tight end across the middle.

Spence will also be a demon on special teams.

Janoris Jenkins, Defensive Back, North Alabama

I believe if he remained at Florida, he would not be playing in the NFL. I also believe he is the best cover-defender in this draft.

Jenkins may not be in the class with Morris Claiborne right now, but he is certainly far ahead of Dre Kirkpatrick.

Remember, before he was cut from the Gators, he covered SEC receivers Rueben Randle, Alshon Jeffery and Julio Jones. All three may be first-round receivers.

Harrison Smith, Defensive Back, Notre Dame

At 6'2" and 212 lbs., he has nice size for a defensive back.

Can he be a heavy hitter in the NFL?

He was a good player for the Fighting Irish who showed he can keep up with bigger receivers. He practiced each day against potential first-rounder Michael Floyd.

Smith can also help in the return game.