2012 NFL Draft Preview: Comparing This Year's Top Prospects to NFL Players

It happens every year with every single NFL draft class.

In the few months leading up to the draft, fans love to take part in the tradition of comparing top draft prospects to established NFL stars. 

Now, I'll admit, I’ve never been the type of NFL draftnik who’s subscribed to the theory that we need to compare young pro prospects to proven NFL players, as I’ve always felt that we should simply let every player stand on his own two feet as his own person.

To be completely honest, though, that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy making a few comparisons every now and then, as it's only natural. In fact, I’ve looked at many of the top prospects in the 2012 draft class and thought,"wow, this guy bears a striking resemblance to someone who I’ve already seen."

While I'll never be foolish enough to say a certain player is definitely going to become the next so and so, I do think that there are specific NFL players that many of the top prospects in this year's draft class strongly resemble. 

Here's a look at the NFL player comparisons I came up with for the top prospects in the 2012 NFL draft.

QB Andrew Luck: Sam Bradford

I've had the pleasure of watching Andrew Luck a lot over these last three years, and I have to say that when I watched Luck at Stanford, I didn't see Peyton Manning or John Elway. I did, however, see a lot of former No. 1 pick Sam Bradford in Luck's play. 

Luck and Bradford are two very similar quarterbacks who both have the athleticism, intangibles and overall efficiency that warrant the top selection in the draft. 

Both of them have bright futures in the NFL, and both should develop into the faces of their respective franchises over the next few years. 

While it's doubtful Luck will be able to live up to the tremendous hype and expectations that have been placed on him over the last year, he does have the chance to be a franchise leader for the next decade in Indianapolis, just like Bradford has the chance to be a franchise savior in St. Louis. 

QB Robert Griffin III: Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton and Chris Johnson

Robert Griffin III is such a special and rare type of prospect that I think it takes three NFL players to properly describe him and put into perspective what he offers as a player.

In my opinion, Griffin is a hybrid of three NFL stars—Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton and Chris Johnson. RG3 has Rodgers' arm strength, accuracy and pocket awareness, Newton's flare for the dramatic and Johnson's rare athleticism and explosiveness.

Griffin is not your ordinary dual-threat quarterback, which he proved during his Heisman campaign in 2011, as he spent most of the season in the pocket beating defenses with his ridiculous arm. 

Yes, this is a special type of quarterback prospect that we're dealing with here, folks. 

Griffin has the chance to take the position to a place we've yet to see it go in the NFL. 

QB Ryan Tannehill: Matt Ryan

Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill is a former receiver who made the switch to quarterback midway through the 2010 season. He has since had a speedy rise to prominence. 

Tannehill is now considered by most to be the No. 3-ranked quarterback in the 2012 class behind Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. There's a good chance he could be a top-15 pick, as Miami and Seattle are two teams that could really have an interest in him. 

The 6'4'', 221-pound signal-caller shares a similar skill set to former No. 3 overall pick, Matt Ryan. 

Like Ryan, Tannehill is a tall, athletic quarterback who makes sound decisions when he's given time in the pocket.

The bad news is, like Ryan, Tannehill also has shown a propensity to disappoint in big moments. 

QB Kirk Cousins: Matt Hasselbeck

Kirk Cousins isn't the type of quarterback specimen that is going to wow scouts at a pro day and thrill them with a big arm or unreal athleticism. 

What the former Michigan State signal-caller is though, is a solid, experienced, smart offensive leader who has shown that he can guide his team to victory on a consistent basis. 

Cousins shares a lot of similar traits to Matt Hasselbeck. 

Hasselbeck was never considered one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL, but there were plenty of times when he proved invaluable to his offense. He certainly has built up quite a strong resume to stand on.

QB Brock Osweiler: Matt Cassel

Matt Cassel has had two good years and two bad years during his four seasons as a starting quarterback in the NFL, and it's only right for Kansas City to wonder if he's the proper quarterback to lead the Chiefs into the future. 

Cassel is a tall, prototypical pocket passer who can make all the throws. However, he just hasn't proven that he can take a team where they need to go. Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler has both a similar physical and mental makeup to Cassel. 

The 6'7'', 242-pound Osweiler is a bit of a freak of nature for the position. He can certainly sling it though, and it will be interesting to see if he has the intangibles to become a successful NFL starter some day.

QB Brandon Weeden: Andy Dalton

Brandon Weeden and Andy Dalton have both found a great deal of success in their football careers, even though they've had to overcome so much adversity as red-headed quarterbacks. I kid of course, as underneath those ginger hairdos are two great quarterbacking minds that have won plenty of games in recent years.

Neither Weeden nor Dalton are physical marvels, but both have the arm strength and accuracy to make the desired throws. Both also seem to have a will to win that is unmatched by most other quarterbacks. 

Weeden may catch some flak for being 28, but the fact is, the Oklahoma State signal-caller proved during his two years in Stillwater that he's a starting-caliber NFL quarterback. 

RB Trent Richardson: Maurice Jones-Drew

Since Alabama's Trent Richardson is such a rare running back prospect, there's no NFL back that you can even try to say he's exactly like. However, there is one back that he does share a lot in common with, and that's Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew. 

There is an obvious size discrepancy between the two, as Richardson is 5'11'', 225 pounds and Jones-Drew is 5'7'', 208 pounds. However, the two share similar running styles, and they're both two powerful balls of muscles that have the strength and toughness to hammer at a defense all game long. They also have the playmaking ability to break a game-changing run when it counts. 

Richardson has the chance to be an even bigger, stronger version of Jones-Drew when he breaks into the NFL. 

RB David Wilson: LeSean McCoy

David Wilson is one of the fastest running back prospects in the 2012 draft class, and he should make a great slasher type in the NFL in the mold of Philadelphia's LeSean McCoy. 

The 5'11'', 208-pound McCoy and the 5'10'', 206-pound Wilson are similar in size, and they have similar games. Both of them are versatile enough to beat a defense as a runner and a receiver, and both are capable of picking up big chunks of yardage in the open field. 

McCoy is one of the most explosive backs in the NFL, but Wilson could end up being just as dangerous in a few years time.

RB Doug Martin: Ray Rice

Ray Rice and Doug Martin are two smaller, compact runners who both possess the strength and power to consistently beat the ball inside the tackles. 

Martin is continuing to climb up draft boards, as he's been having great pre-draft workouts so far, and he has proven that he belongs in the same conversation as the highly-touted prospects like Lamar Miller and David Wilson. 

Similar to Rice, Martin has the chance to develop into a bell cow back at the NFL level, even though he doesn't possess prototypical size. 

RB Lamar Miller: Rashard Mendenhall

Lamar Miller enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2011, and he burst onto the national scene after rushing for over 1,200 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns last season. 

Miller shares similarities to other former Miami backs like Clinton Portis, Frank Gore and Willis McGahee, but the NFL rusher he most resembles is Pittsburgh's Rashard Mendenhall. 

Like Mendenhall, Miller is a naturally strong and tough runner who knows how to use his combination of power and speed to his benefit. 

RB Chris Polk: Matt Forte

Chris Polk may not be the fastest running back in this year's class (Polk ran a 4.57 40-yard dash at the Combine), but he does possess the balance, strength and quickness to be a more than effective rusher at the NFL level. 

Polk has a similar physical yet elegant running style to Chicago's Matt Forte. 

Like Forte, the Washington back can power his way through the hole and then use his quickness and agility to create big runs once he gets to the second level. 

RB LaMichael James: Larod Stephens-Howling

A lot of people seem to be debating what type of running back LaMichael James will end up becoming in the NFL. We know because of his size limitations James won't be able to rack up a ton of carries in the pros and keep his health. He's likely to be used in a variety of different roles, similar to what we saw with Reggie Bush in New Orleans. 

I think the speedy scat back has the chance to have a Bush-like impact for whichever team ends up with him. The NFL running back that I think he most resembles isn't Bush, though, It's actually Arizona's Larod Stephens-Howling. 

James and Stephens-Howling are the same size, and both pack a ton of explosiveness into small frames. 

WR Justin Blackmon: Steve Johnson

Justin Blackmon has a lot in common with a few different NFL receivers. 

There's some Donald Driver in his game, there's some Anquan Boldin, but I think the receiver that Blackmon most resembles is Buffalo's Steve Johnson. 

Johnson is a legitimate home-run threat that has the chance to be one of the top receivers in the NFL if he can work on the inconsistencies that have plagued him early in his career. 

Blackmon proved during his time at Oklahoma State that he can be an ultimate game changer at the NFL level, and he deserves to be a top-5 pick. 

WR Michael Floyd: Vincent Jackson

Vincent Jackson has reportedly decided to move on from San Diego and become the No. 1 target for Josh Freeman in Tampa Bay. Jackson really opened a lot of eyes when he was with the Chargers these past few years, as he proved that he was one of the most gifted receivers in the league. 

There aren't many receivers out there that can offer up the same type of physical package that the 6'5'', 230-pound Jackson can. There is one young prospect in this year's draft however, Notre Dame's Michael Floyd, who is actually built in a very similar manner. 

Floyd is a big 6'3'', 220-pound receiver that can create separation and go up and pluck the ball out of the air just like Jackson, and he should develop into a consistent No. 1 target for an NFL offense. 

WR Rueben Randle: Kenny Britt

After two mediocre seasons, Rueben Randle finally made good on his potential this past season at LSU when he led the Tigers with 53 catches for 917 yards and eight touchdown receptions. 

Randle is a big, physically imposing 6'3'', 210-pound receiver who moves tremendously well for his size. The former 5-star recruit is still raw, but when he really reaches his peak in the pros he has the chance to be a Kenny Britt-type of receiver in the NFL. 

Like Britt, Randle knows how to use his size to his advantage and he shows great body control for his big frame. He also moves fluidly and gracefully out on on the field.  

WR Kendall Wright: Miles Austin

It doesn't matter what time he ran in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, what matters is that Kendall Wright proved last season that he was one of the most explosive receivers in the 2012 class, as he routinely slashed through opposing secondaries for big plays.

Wright is the type of dangerous receiving weapon that can change the complexion of a passing offense just with his threatening presence on the field.

A similar receiver who brings that dangerous element to a passing offense is Dallas speedster Miles Austin.

Like Austin, Wright is the type of receiver that a secondary pays special attention to on every snap.

WR Chris Givens: Mario Manningham

Wake Forest WR Chris Givens didn't garner much publicity last offseason, but after his breakout junior campaign in 2011, he's now regarded as one of the most talented receiver prospects in the 2012 draft.

Last year, Givens caught 83 passes for 1,330 yards and nine touchdowns. Givens proved he had the skill set to be a devastating second receiving option for an NFL offense.

One complementary receiver that has a big impact on games is Mario Manningham, who is surely going to parlay a huge Super Bowl catch into a sweet new contract this offseason.

Like Manningham, Givens is a scrappy, feisty receiver who will go all over the field to find space to make a crucial catch.

WR Stephen Hill: Jonathan Baldwin

Stephen Hill has the combination of size (6'4'', 216 pounds) and speed (4.36 40-yard dash) that will make scouts drool, but because he played in a triple-option offense at Georgia Tech, teams will have to figure out if they can trust him to be a No. 1 option in the NFL. 

Many receiver-needy teams were asking themselves about Jonathan Baldwin last season. Baldwin is the same type of tall, speedy receiver as Hill, and it was Kansas City who ended up believing in him the most, as the Chiefs selected him with the No. 26 pick in the 2011 draft.

Hill and Baldwin both pass the eyeball test, but each of them still has some developing to do if they truly want to flourish in an NFL offense. 

WR Alshon Jeffery: Mike Williams

Alshon Jeffery has seen his stock slip over the past year after entering the 2011 season as a projected top-10 pick.

Make excuses about the quarterback position all you want, but the fact is, Jeffery didn’t produce as expected in 2011. Remember, Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd didn’t have much consistency at the quarterback position either, and he still caught 100 balls last year.

After a strong performance against Nebraska in the Capital one Bowl, Jeffery’s got some momentum going for him, but his 40 time will really be a big deciding factor in just how far he drops.

Jeffery seems like he’s destined to be a Mike Williams-type of receiving weapon in the NFL.

Like Williams, Jeffery is a big, thick receiver who doesn’t exactly explode off the line, but he does offer quarterbacks a big target and radius to throw to when he does manage to get open.

WR Mohamed Sanu: Eric Decker

There's a lot to like about Mohamed Sanu, but there's also a few things to be concerned about. Sanu doesn't explode off the line, he doesn't have great top-end speed down the field, and for his size, he gets roughed up by smaller defensive backs more often than he should.

Still, you can't deny Sanu's production from his time at Rutgers. The 6'2'', 211-pound junior caught 115 passes for 1,206 yards and scored seven touchdowns last year.

One NFL receiver that shares Sanu's faults but still finds a way to be productive is Denver's Eric Decker.

Decker may not be the fastest or the most savvy receiver in the NFL, but he's a valuable target to have in the passing game nonetheless.

TE Coby Fleener: Greg Olsen

This year’s tight end class has no true No. 1 prospect that stands out above the rest, but there are three key players—Stanford’s Coby Fleener, Clemson’s Dwayne Allen and Georgia’s Orson Charles, who will pique the interest of a lot of teams.

While he may not be a guaranteed first-round pick, Coby Fleener has a great chance to be the first tight end picked in the 2012 draft.

Fleener is a great weapon to have for a predominantly passing offense, and he plays the game in a similar fashion to Carolina’s Greg Olsen. 

Like Olsen, Fleener is a great route-runner who has the athleticism to cause mismatches with smaller defensive backs.  

TE Dwayne Allen: Jared Cook

Dwayne Allen may never win any blocking awards in his NFL career, but he should develop into a dangerous weapon in the passing game.

Allen is a terrific athlete and he looks more like a wide receiver in a tight end’s body than an actual tight end.

The 6’3’’, 255-pound junior out of Clemson is a lot like Tennessee’s Jared Cook.

Like Cook, Allen can burst up the seam and create mismatches in the passing game on a routine basis.

TE Orson Charles: Fred Davis

Orson Charles was favored to be the first tight end selected in the 2012 NFL draft before he skipped running at the combine, then ran a mediocre time in the 40 at his pro day and topped everything off with a recent DUI arrest. 

Charles' stock is tumbling right now, but no matter where the athletic Georgia tight end ultimately ends up being picked, the reality is he's got the type of rare speed and athleticism to be a star at the position in the NFL. 

Like Washington's Fred Davis, Charles is the type of athletic receiving tight end that can be a quarterback's best friend when things aren't running smoothly.

OT Matt Kalil: Jordan Gross

USC's Matt Kalil is this year's top overall offensive tackle prospect, and it looks like Kalil has all the makings of becoming a future franchise protector for the next decade. 

Kalil is one of the most athletic tackle prospects in years, and he has the strength and power to end up developing into a versatile and complete left tackle in the NFL. 

Physically, the 6'7'', 306-pound junior compares favorably to Jordan Gross who plays with Matt's brother Ryan in Carolina. 

Gross is a former top-10 pick who turned into a steady stalwart for the Carolina Panthers. 

OT Riley Reiff: Joe Staley

Iowa's Riley Reiff may not be as well rounded of a tackle as Matt Kalil at this point, but Reiff still has the chance to be just as good of a pro as Kalil.

The 6'6'', 313-pound Reiff is a quality athlete, but he is still a better run-blocker than he is a pass-blocker at this point. 

Reiff is at a similar point in his development as San Francisco's Joe Staley was when he entered the league out of Central Michigan a few years ago. 

Staley has since developed into an effective pass-blocker. Reiff should be able to do the same. 

OT Cordy Glenn: Jason Peters

Jason Peters is the type of big, strong physical offensive tackle that looks more like an athletic guard than a true tackle. 

The same can be said for fellow SEC product Cordy Glenn, who has the size and the run-blocking ability to thrive inside in the NFL, but he also has the athleticism and footwork to survive on the outside.  

It will be interesting to see which team ends up pulling the trigger on Glenn in the first round of the this year's draft, as it remains to be seen whether he'll end up at either guard or tackle in the NFL. 

OT Jonathan Martin: Duane Brown

Jonathan Martin is one of the most athletic tackle prospects in this year's class, and it's that athleticism that happens to be one of Martin's main selling points. 

While he's not as tough or as physical as his former Stanford teammate David DeCastro, Martin can move defenders around in the run game when he has to. His real claim to fame, though, comes as a quick-footed pass blocker. 

Houston's Duane Brown is another athletic left tackle who excels in pass protection.

Martin has the agility, footwork and base strength to develop into one of the best blindside protectors in the NFL some day.

OT Mike Adams: J’Marcus Webb

You don't see many offensive tackles as tall as Ohio State's Mike Adams that can move the way he does. 

The 6'7'', 323-pound Adams may not be the strongest tackle prospect, but he moves very well for his size, and he knows how to get his big frame into position to wall off his man. 

A tall NFL tackle that Adams resembles is Chicago's J'Marcus Webb. 

The 6'8'', 335-pound Webb has great body control and knows how to get in position to make his blocks and fulfill his assignments in both the running and the passing game. 

OT Kelechi Osemele: Jermon Bushrod

New Orleans offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod has been one of the most underrated linemen in the NFL since first arriving in the league in 2007. 

Bushrod has been a reliable starter since his rookie season, and he was finally rewarded for his solid play with a pro bowl invitation in 2011. 

One of this year's tackle prospects who could turn into a reliable, Bushrod-type starting tackle in the NFL is Iowa State's Kelechi Osemele. 

Osemele needs to learn how to play more disciplined and play with more consistency, but he has all the tools and physical skills to become a pro bowl tackle in the NFL one day. 

OG David DeCastro: Logan Mankins

David DeCastro is this year's top guard prospect, and he's a borderline top-20 pick. 

During his time at Stanford, DeCastro routinely dominated the competition and showed the type of elite traits that you look for in a first-round caliber interior offensive lineman. 

DeCastro has the same type of tenacity and competitiveness in the trenches that makes New England's Logan Mankins one of the best guards in the NFL. 

The 6'5'', 316-pound DeCastro has the chance to develop into one of the top run-blockers in the NFL very early on in his career. 

OG Kevin Zeitler: Marshal Yanda

Kevin Zeitler is the typical kind of old school, smash mouth-type guard you would expect to play at a Big Ten school like Wisconsin. 

Zeitler was one of the key blockers that helped RB Montee Ball run all the way to New York City in 2011.

The 6'4'', 314-pound Badger resembles another former Big Ten lineman, Baltimore's Marshal Yanda. 

Like Yanda, Zeitler excels at driving his man off the ball and creating wide running lanes for backs to sprint through.

C Peter Konz: Eric Wood

Peter Konz is this year's top overall center prospect, and like the Pouncey brothers over the last two years, he has a chance to be a first-round pick this April.

Konz will be expected to turn into an instant leader of an NFL offensive line, just like he was at Wisconsin over the last few years.

As far as what type of lineman Konz can develop into, he should become a similar type of player to Buffalo's Eric Wood. 

Like Wood, Konz has great intangibles and he possesses the ability to make crucial offensive line calls and have the entire unit execute them with precision. 

DT Dontari Poe: B.J. Raji

Dontari Poe has been one of the 2012 draft's biggest risers over the past few months. Poe has proven that when it comes to his combination of size, strength and athleticism, there's no other prospect that can compare to him. 

Poe could fit in as a nose tackle in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 front, but he could really excel in a 3-4, as he could blossom into force in the middle of an NFL defense. 

One NFL nose tackle that Poe bears a resemblance to is Green Bay's B.J. Raji. 

Like Raji, Poe is more than just a big body taking up space. He's got the quickness and intelligence to get off blocks and create plays at the line of scrimmage. 

DT Michael Brockers: Jonathan Babineaux

LSU DT Michael Brockers only started for one year in Baton Rouge, but he showed enough flashes of his prodigious potential to warrant top-20 interest in the 2012 draft. 

Brockers may have disappointed onlookers with his performance at the NFL combine, but the 6'5'', 322-pound redshirt sophomore should still be a highly coveted commodity in April. 

Physically, Brockers is built like Atlanta DT Jonathan Babineaux, as he's impressively quick for his size, and he has the strength and tenacity to hold his own against the run. 

DT Jerel Worthy: Sedrick Ellis

Jerel Worthy didn't have as many flashy plays as some expected in 2011, but Worthy still proved to be an effective run stopper at Michigan State, as he was constantly battling double teams all season long. 

The 6'2'', 308-pound Worthy is extremely athletic for his size, and like New Orleans' Sedrick Ellis, he's got the quickness and agility to cause disruption all over the line of scrimmage.

Worthy is still a work in progress, but if he ends up in the right scheme and keeps getting better, he'll have the chance to develop into an Ellis-type of tackle in the NFL.   

DT Alameda Ta’amu: Antonio Garay

Washington's Alameda Ta'amu seems like he should fit in perfectly as a 3-4 nose tackle in the NFL. Because of Ta'amu's size and strength, teams in need of help at nose will likely be taking at early look at him in the 2012 draft. 

The 6'3'', 348-pound Ta'amu is built in a similar way to San Diego nose tackle Antonio Garay. 

Like Garay, Ta'amu excels at eating up blockers and clogging up running lanes. 

DT Devon Still: Alan Branch

Devon Still may not be the most refined defensive tackle prospect in the 2012 class, but he just might be the scariest. Still made plenty of frightening hits this past season. 

The 6'5'', 305-pound Still racked up 17 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 2011, and really helped boost his pro stock as a senior. 

Still may only be a borderline first rounder, but he's definitely got future starter potential. 

Seattle's Alan Branch is the type of disruptive run-stuffing NFL tackle that Still most resembles. 

DT Brandon Thompson: Sen’Derrick Marks

Clemson has produced plenty of notable defensive line prospects in recent years, and one of the Tigers' latest big exports is Brandon Thompson. 

Thompson enjoyed a spotlight campaign in 2011 as he flourished as the defensive line's new key leader. 

Tennessee's Sen'Derrick Marks is a similar type of tackle to Thompson. 

Like Marks, Thompson is an athletic run stuffer who can move well, shed blocks and be a much needed security guard at the line of scrimmage. 

DT/DE Fletcher Cox: Darnell Dockett

Fletcher Cox had a monster campaign at Mississippi State in 2011, leading the Bulldogs with 14.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. 

The 6'4'', 298-pound Cox seems like he could play either defensive tackle in a 4-3 system or defensive end in a 3-4. 

If Cox does end up at end, he could follow the same path that Arizona's Darnell Dockett forged, as both Dockett and Cox share many attributes. 

Cox plays with passion, and his motor never appears to stop. He should develop into a similar kind of terrorizing 3-4 defense end as Dockett.

DT/DE Jared Crick: Justin Smith

Jared Crick was being talked about as a first round pick before the start of the 2011 season, but a torn pectoral muscle shortened his senior campaign and likely knocked him down a few notches on the draft food chain. 

Still, Crick is certainly an impressive-looking prospect, and the fact that he's versatile enough to play either defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme or defensive end in a 3-4 scheme should only enhance his value. If Crick ends up in a 3-4, he could develop into the type of impact player that DE Justin Smith is for the San Francisco 49ers. 

Like Smith, Crick knows how to stay stout at the point of attack and he also knows how to penetrate into the backfield and make a play when called upon. 

DE Melvin Ingram: Tamba Hali

Melvin Ingram played with a wild side this past season, as Ingram often ran around with reckless abandon during his breakout 2011 campaign. Ingram proved to be simply unblockable at times, as the 6'1'', 264-pound senior stormed his way through offensive lines, racking up 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. 

Ingram has the skill set to line up all over the defensive line, and he could even end up as a 3-4 outside linebacker depending on what team picks him. 

The former Gamecock is the same type of versatile pass rusher as Kansas City's Tamba Hali.

Hali started off his career as a 4-3 defensive end before switching to 3-4 edge rusher, and Ingram should be capable of playing either position effectively as well. 

DE Quinton Coples: Richard Seymour

After an impressive junior campaign in 2010, North Carolina DE Quinton Coples failed to live up to expectations in his final season at Chapel Hill, as Coples just coudn't handle double teams and chip blocks properly. 

Still, even though the ultra-athletic end didn't have the type of showcase season he was hoping for, NFL teams still know he's a top-15 talent. 

If Coples reaches his potential in the NFL, he could very well develop into the next Richard Seymour. 

The 6'6'', 284-pound Coples and the 6'6'', 310-pound Seymour don't just share similar body types, they also play the game with a similar style. 

DE Andre Branch: Robert Quinn

Andre Branch really took his game to the next level during his senior season at Clemson in 2011. Branch led the Tigers with 9.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss last season. 

Branch gave plenty of glimpses of his terrific athleticism and pass-rushing skills. At times, Branch played in a similar dominant fashion to former North Carolina Tar Heel and current St. Louis Ram Robert Quinn. 

Branch and Quinn are cut from the same mold of pass rushers, and both possess intriguing athleticism and edge-rushing skills. 

DE/LB Nick Perry: LaMarr Woodley

Nick Perry is going to have to hit the weight room if he wants a physique like the one LaMarr Woodley scares offensive tackles with every Sunday, but Perry is already well on his way to developing into a Woodley-type pass rusher in the NFL. 

Possessing outstanding speed and quickness, Perry routinely found a way to get a step advantage when he was battling slower tackles while at USC. 

He can still improve on his overall strength and power, but Perry already has the basic package that you look for in a future star pass rusher. 

DE/LB Whitney Mercilus: Anthony Spencer

Illinois junior defensive end Whitney Mercilus caught a lot of teams off guard last season when he came out of nowhere to lead the country with 16 sacks. Mercilus also racked up 22.5 tackles for loss as he proved to be just too much for opposing offensive lines to handle. 

The 6'4'', 261-pound one-year wonder is still very raw at this stage, but he's got obvious potential. He also has the versatility to put his hand in the ground as a 4-3 end or stand up and man an outside linebacker spot in a 3-4 scheme. 

Mercilus resembles another former Big Ten pass-rushing demon, Anthony Spencer, who has racked up 21.5 sacks during his five years in Dallas. 

DE/LB Chandler Jones: Aldon Smith

Chandler Jones may not be the same type of athletic freak as Aldon Smith, but make no mistake about it, Jones is one of the most athletic defensive linemen in this year's draft, and teams playing a 3-4 defense should have their sights set on him. 

Jones may have manned the defensive end position at Syracuse, but he has the perfect makeup and skill set to develop into a natural 3-4 rush linebacker. 

The 6'5'', 266-pound Jones may not rack up as many sacks as Smith in his first season in San Francisco, but he definitely will have the opportunity to make an instant impact as a pure pass-rusher for whatever team scoops him up. 

DE/LB: Bruce Irvin: Brooks Reed

Bruce Irvin may not be the biggest pass-rusher in this year’s draft, but it’s hard to overlook Irvin’s natural explosion and burst off the edge.

During his two years at West Virginia, Irvin ran right by plenty of overmatched tackles who couldn’t keep up with him, racking up 22 sacks in his short Mountaineer career.

The 6’3’’, 245-pound Irvin is a perfect candidate to move to outside linebacker in a 3-4 system just like Houston’s Brooks Reed did last year after playing defensive end at Arizona.

The 6’3’’, 260-pound Reed notched six sacks in his rookie campaign, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Irvin finished with a similar total in 2012.

DE/LB Ronnell Lewis: Robert Mathis

Ronnell Lewis didn't exactly seem like he was big into the school part during his time at Oklahoma, but when Lewis was out on the field for the Sooners, he was a chaos causer.

The 6'2'', 253-pound junior had to leave Oklahoma early because of academic issues, but after racking up 13 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 2011, he likely would have left anyway. 

Lewis is an undersized pass rusher who will likely have to make the move to outside rush linebacker in the NFL, and he could end up developing into a Robert Mathis-type rusher. 

Like Mathis, Lewis uses his combination of strength and speed to make up for his lack of size. 

LB Courtney Upshaw: Ahmad Brooks

Courtney Upshaw was a frightening presence coming off the edge of Alabama's 3-4 defense, especially in 2011 when he racked up 9.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss.

Upshaw has the look of the NFL's next great pass rusher. 

He's built a lot like San Francisco's Ahmad Brooks, but he's much more adept at getting into the backfield and causing mayhem. 

Upshaw would look great in a Pittsburgh Steeler uniform, but it's unlikely that he'll make it out of the top-15. 

LB Luke Kuechly: Brian Cushing

Luke Kuechly is destined to be the NFL's next great inside linebacker, as the Boston College tackling machine has shown everything you want to see from a true defensive playmaker at the inside 'backer position. 

Kuechly racked up over 500 tackles during his time at Boston College. 

He's shown that he can make plays, and he's displayed many of the same traits as Houston's Brian Cushing. 

Kuechly may not be as physically intimidating as Cushing, but he definitely knows how to make critical stops on a consistent basis. 

LB Zach Brown: Lance Briggs

Zach Brown is the type of defender who almost seems like he was born to play weakside linebacker in the NFL, which is the same thing you could say about Chicago veteran Lance Briggs. 

Both Brown and Briggs have the speed and recognition skills to make standout plays from the weakside 'backer position, and both are seemingly the perfect size with the perfect amount of athleticism. 

Brown is definitely capable of having as good of a career as Briggs, especially if he ends up in a Tampa Cover 2 defense like the one Chicago runs (the Bucs at 36?).

LB Dont’a Hightower: Karlos Dansby

Dont'a Hightower may not be the fastest linebacker on the planet, but that certainly didn't stop the versatile Alabama 'backer from making a ton of plays during his career in Tuscaloosa.

Hightower showed he can line up all over the field and find ways to impact the game, and he did just that in 2011 when he led the Tide with 85 tackles.

The 6'2'', 265-pound junior would be a great fit as a 3-4 inside linebacker in the NFL, but he could also man the middle in a 4-3 scheme as well.

Hightower is a lot like Miami's Karlos Dansby, another SEC product who rose to stardom at Auburn.

Dansby manned the inside 'backer position when the Dolphins played a 3-4 last season, and he'll likely now move to the middle spot now that they're moving to a more traditional 4-3 set.

LB Vontaze Burfict: David Harris

Vontaze Burfict had a very disappointing final season at Arizona State in 2011, and given how much his stock has dropped since last summer, it would have been wise for him to stay in school for another year.

Nonetheless, Burfict does have a lot to like about him, even though he's certainly rough around the edges.

Burfict runs well, hits hard and plays the game with great intensity when his motor is running.

If Burfict ends up on a team with a great coaching staff and solid veteran leadership to help him transition into life in the NFL, he could end up developing into a David Harris-type linebacker.

LB Lavonte David: Jonathan Vilma

Lavonte Davis may not have been the biggest linebacker in college football, but just because he lacked size that didn't stop him from making a huge impact at Nebraska these past two years.

The 6'1'', 233-pound David racked up 285 tackles over the past two seasons.

David was seemingly built to play weakside linebacker in the NFL, but from a physical standpoint, he actually shares a lot in common with New Orleans middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

Like Vilma, David has no problem diagnosing plays and finding the football. When he does, ball-carriers can rarely escape his grasp.

CB Morris Claiborne: Champ Bailey

I've heard some people say that when Champ Bailey was playing at his best, he was basically a perfect cornerback. While that may be a bit of a stretch, Bailey is certainly a rarity for the position, as he seems to have all the traits you look for in an elite, shut-down corner. 

Even though the former two-way star at Georgia is getting up there in age (Bailey will be 34 this summer), he's still got the size, speed, length, instincts and recognition skills to go toe to toe with any receiver. 

This year's top cornerback prospect, LSU's Morris Claiborne, shares a lot of similarities with Bailey, and he also has the size, speed and length to develop into a shut-down corner some day. 

CB Janoris Jenkins: Johnathan Joseph

Janoris Jenkins has been heavily criticized for his marijuana-based run-ins with the law, and that he has four kids with three different women. However, when it comes to pure talent and potential, Jenkins is one of the top overall prospects in this year's class. 

I know Jenkins is far from perfect, but still, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that he won't be the first NFL player whose smoked pot and had a baby out of wedlock. 

If Jenkins cleans up his act and is committed to building a successful future, he could be one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL some day soon. 

His ultimate ceiling would be to turn into a cornerback similar to Houston's Johnathan Joseph. Like Joseph, Jenkins loves to compete and loves to show off his coverage skills on every snap.

CB Dre Kirkpatrick: Sean Smith

Very few quarterbacks chose to test Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick this past season, as most of them simply took one look at Kirkpatrick's tall, long frame and thought it would be best to shy away from his side of the field. 

The 6'2'', 186-pound Kirkpatrick certainly possesses rare size for the position, and it helps that he's also been blessed with top-notch instincts and playmaking skills.

Another physically imposing cornerback that shares a lot in common with Kirkpatrick is Miami's Sean Smith. Like Kirkpatrick, the 6'3'', 214-pound Smith excels in zone coverage, and he has the type of long frame that makes quarterbacks think twice about trying to fit in a tight pass to a receiver he's on.

CB Trumaine Johnson: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

This year's No. 1 non-FBS cornerback is Trumaine Johnson, and boy he is a good one. 

One of the best defensive prospects in this year's class, Johnson has the look of a future first rounder. The question is, will any team bite on him on draft night?

The last team to take a non-FBS corner in the first round, the Arizona Cardinals, who took Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie out of Tennessee State at No. 16 in 2008, have since sent their investment to Philadelphia. 

Johnson and DRC are two very similar types of prospects. It's easy to see how scouts were able to spot the two of them in the non-FBS ranks, because both are big, fast and physical corners who dominated weaker competition in college. 

CB Stephon Gilmore: Terrell Thomas

The word solid comes to mind a lot when you watch South Carolina CB Stephon Gilmore.

Not spectacular, but solid.

Gilmore isn't physically special, but his technique and fundamentals are the best out of any of the corners in this year's draft.

Terrell Thomas is another not so physically gifted corner that still finds a way to get the job done for the Giants defense in both coverage and run support because he plays with strong fundamentals. 

Like Thomas, Gilmore may not be spectacular, but he's definitely solid. 

CB Alfonzo Dennard: Devin McCourty

Alfonzo Dennard didn't drop many jaws in his senior season, but he still showed scouts that he's one of the most athletically gifted corners in the 2012 class. He's a reliable defensive leader. 

Dennard can be a starting cornerback in this league for a long time, there's no doubt it.  He may never be a star, but he should be something.

From a physical standpoint, he's really similar to New England's Devin McCourty. 

Like McCourty, Dennard can turn and run with any receiver, and he has the ball skills to make a play when a pass is thrown his way.

S Mark Barron: Quinton Carter

Mark Barron may not have elite physical tools like former top-10 picks in Laron Landry or Eric Berry, but he has strong leadership traits and always was a menacing presence on the field during his time at Alabama.

Denver's Quinton Carter is a similar type of safety to Barron, as both of them have a great radar for the football and both know where they're supposed to be on every snap.

Barron won't be a top-10 pick like Landry or Berry, but he does have the chance to turn into an annual pro bowl defender in the NFL.

S George Iloka: Adrian Wilson

Boise State's George Iloka is one of the true athletic freaks in this year's draft.

The 6'4'', 225-pound Iloka is a big, strong and speedy safety who can cover the entire field and make plays all over the place.

Iloka is a lot like Arizona's Adrian Wilson, another physically superior safety who has been blessed with rare gifts.

Iloka isn't a perfect technical safety, but he makes up for it with his size, range and physicality, just like Wilson.

S Harrison Smith: Morgan Burnett

There's a lot to like about Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith, who offers up an intriguing combination of size, athleticism, experience and instincts. Smith may never become a star, but he has the potential to be a long-time starting safety in the NFL.

If there's one safety that Smith really resembles it's Green Bay's Morgan Burnett.

Like Burnett, Smith has good size, he tackles well and he can shut down an entire area of the field in pass coverage.