2012 NFL Mock Draft: LaMichael James and Other Dynamic Offensive Mid-Rounders

Aaron Hernandez of the New England Patriots is perhaps the best example, at least right now, of a dynamic offensive player.

He can line up at tight end, as a fullback, split outside, on the wing and go in motion anywhere. Other dynamics include players like Philadelphia's Desean Jackson.

A receiver and punt returner, Jackson can also be used as a horizontal rushing threat. In the 2012 NFL draft, there are certainly some prospects who can provide multiple ways to attack a defense.

Here, we project those expected to be mid-round selections.

(Round 3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LaMichael James, RB, Oregon

An explosive runner, Oregon's LaMichael James gained almost 5,100 rushing yards in three seasons with the Ducks and scored 53 times on the ground.

James also served as a solid receiving back by catching 51 passes for 586 yards and adding four touchdowns. Also in 2011, James expanded his role by returning 15 punts for 139 yards, including one touchdown.

Early in Round 3, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need not look elsewhere, as they must improve across the board. James' numbers of uses and versatility will make the rebuilding process a little quicker (ranked No. 30 in rush offense in 2011).

For one, he'll be a great complement with LeGarrette Blount (former college teammates in 2009) and widen a defense when the Bucs are in a two-back set. No linebacker will cover him one-on-one and setting up screen passes will be much easier.

In the punt return game, the Bucs were ranked No. 25, averaging just eight yards per attempt. Well, dropping James back deep until he develops into the No. 1 ball-carrier will suffice in seizing control of the field-position battle.

(Round 4) Washington Redskins: Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M

Provided that the Washington Redskins make this deal official with the St. Louis Rams in exchange for their No. 2 overall selection, we won't see Mike Shanahan's team draft again until later.

That said, courtesy of the Oakland Raiders do the Redskins have two fourth-round picks, but the first goes toward Texas A&M's Cyrus Gray. A patient runner with solid agility, Gray amassed almost 3,300 rushing yards with the Aggies and added 776 receiving yards.

Altogether, Gray scored 36 touchdowns on offense and will significantly boost the Redskins' need for a dynamic offense. With Robert Griffin III under center, Gray will flourish as a receiving back and is also an underrated pass-blocker.

In turn, RG3's presence will take defenders out of the box and allow Gray to do some work in the trenches. As a return man, though, Gray may remind Washington fans of Brian Mitchell.

With the Aggies, Gray returned 99 kickoffs back for 2,349 yards and scored two touchdowns. Last season, the Redskins ranked No. 27 in averaging just 22.1 yards per kickoff return, so Gray's vision as a running back will come in handy when reading blocks to setup good field position.

(Round 4) Detroit Lions: Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas

The Detroit Lions may already be set at the wide receiver position with Titus Young as the slot and Nate Burleson as the No. 2 target after Calvin Johnson.

However, Burleson will be 31 years old before 2012 kicks off, so preparing to replace him within the next few years must happen right now. This way, once making changes, the new players can hit the ground running, so to speak, and the Lions won't miss a beat in the passing game.

Well, Arkansas' Joe Adams fits the mold, because at the moment, he can provide something Detroit really needs: a punt returner.

In 2011, the Lions averaged just 7.9 yards per punt return (ranked No. 26) and gained just 301 yards (ranked No. 19). Therefore, in order to propel them atop the NFC North, winning the field-position battle is the key.

As for Adams, he had 570 punt return yards on 62 attempts and took five back to the house (four in 2011). Offensively, Adams was a reliable slot man with 164 receptions for over 2,400 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Adams may not see time at receiver early; however, he'll quietly adjust and develop while the NFL sees him as a dominant punt returner.

(Round 5) Jacksonville Jaguars: Devon Wylie, WR, Fresno State

Provided that the Jacksonville Jaguars address their needs and draft a stud receiver while landing a quarterback like Kirk Cousins of Michigan State in Round 2 or 3, the addition of Fresno State's Devon Wylie will do wonders for new head coach Mike Mularkey.

With a guy like Michael Floyd on the outside, Wylie will slash a defense from the slot. He's laterally quick, reliable over the middle and can dart past man-coverage defenders to get open in crucial situations.

For the Bulldogs, Wylie caught 56 passes for 716 yards as a senior, but he only scored eight career receiving touchdowns. In short, he wasn't surrounded by a boatload of talent. To that end, the man also served as a dangerous punt returner.

There, Wylie gained 446 yards on 40 punt returns and scored two touchdowns. Jacksonville finished the 2011 season ranked No. 31 in yards per punt return (4.4), so it's obvious that Wylie will improve that area.

All things considered, if the Jaguars even minimally improve the passing offense in 2012, they're a sneaky bunch for being a legit AFC title contender, as Mel Tucker's defense is among the elite.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)
2. Washington Redskins: (From STL): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	18. San Diego Chargers: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	20. Tennessee Titans: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
6. St. Louis Rams (From WAS): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)	22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Detroit Lions: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Nick Perry, DE (USC)	25. Denver Broncos: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Fletcher Cox, DT (Mississippi State)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Melvin Ingram, LB (South Carolina)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, WR (Georgia Tech)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	31. New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
16. New York Jets: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)	32. New York Giants: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)

John Rozum on Twitter.