NFL Draft 2012: 10 Prospects Whose Stock Has Risen After Free Agency

Organizations enter NFL free agency with a list of needs and a plan of attack. However, things don't always go as planned, which makes the draft sort of a fallback. Those teams that failed to make a major splash in free agency now must address their needs via the draft.

The aggressive moves by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers really impacted the draft stock of some prospects. It now makes sense to rule out Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon landing in Tampa, while increasing the likelihood of the Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Rams making a push for him.

The flurry of free-agency moves impacted many other draft prospects.

Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina

Potential Landing Spots: Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers

The free-agency pass-rusher market dried up pretty quick, with the Buffalo Bills landing the top prize in Mario Williams. With Williams off the market, the best way to add a top-notch pass-rusher is through the draft. North Carolina's Quinton Coples figures to be a highly sought-after prospect and is unlikely to fall out of the top 10.

Teams like the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars missed out on the available game-changing pass-rushers and would greatly benefit from adding Coples. Jaguars defensive coordinator Mel Tucker is the type of coach who's capable of motivating Coples. With the proper motivation, Coples could consistently surpass the double-digit sack mark.

Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

Potential Landing Spots: Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Cleveland Browns' decision to let Peyton Hillis leave via free agency created a major hole at the running back position. There's little chance they head into the season counting on the duo of Montario Hardesty and Chris Ogbonnaya. This makes Alabama's Trent Richardson a likely candidate to come off the board at No. 4.

If Cleveland decides to pass on Richardson, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will absolutely take a look at him at No. 5. Their free-agent additions of Vincent Jackson, Carl Nicks and Eric Wright give them the flexibility to add a dynamic playmaker like Richardson.

Richardson possesses the skills needed to be an every-down back. He runs behind his pads, which allows him to pick up yards after contact. His breakaway speed complements his ability to run between the tackles. Richardson's pass blocking and receiving skills mean he can remain on the field in third-down situations.

Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

Potential Landing Spots: Cleveland Browns, St. Louis Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars

The free-agent wide receivers scored some massive deals, but there are still plenty of teams that failed to add a playmaker. Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon becomes the top wide receiver available and a likely target for teams like the Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Rams. Both the Rams and Browns need a dynamic player on the outside to help their young quarterbacks.

If, for some reason, both teams pass on Blackmon, he comes into play for the Jacksonville Jaguars. They added Laurent Robinson via free agency, but still must address the wide receiver position. All three of these teams have young quarterbacks in place but lack the weapons to help them succeed.

Blackmon would be a great help for a young quarterback. He's a physical player whose run-after-the-catch ability turns short passes into big gains. His body control and strength help him out-battle defenders for the football. Quarterbacks can count on him being in the right position.

Melvin Ingram, Defensive End/Linebacker, South Carolina

Potential Landing Spots: Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers

South Carolina's Melvin Ingram is in a similar situation as Quinton Coples. Teams in the top 10 will highly value his pass-rushing abilities. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins seem like logical landing spots for Ingram, as both teams missed out on adding a pass-rusher via free agency.

Mark Anderson is the top pass-rusher still available in free agency after Kamerion Wimbley signed with the Tennessee Titans, as reported by The Tennessean's Jim Wyatt. Anderson isn't a consistent performer, and teams might be better off targeting a younger player like Ingram.

Ingram plays with a lot of intensity, always working his way to the football. His quick burst off the line helps him attack the edge and generate pressure. He's a versatile player who can line up at defensive end, defensive tackle and linebacker.

Ryan Tannehill, Quarterback, Texas A&M

Potential Landing Spots: Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns

The quarterback carousel has just about stopped, with only Alex Smith remaining on the market. Peyton Manning reportedly joining the Denver Broncos (according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter) will have a major ripple effect, but it's unlikely to impact the rising draft stock of Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill.

The Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns are two teams in need of quarterback help. At this point, if either team wants to bring in another quarterback, they have to turn to Tannehill.

I personally have Tannehill rated as a third-round prospect, but others like ESPN's Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. have him coming off the board in the first round. No matter where you rank Tannehill, it's easy to see he's in higher demand because of the way free agency played out.

Dontari Poe, Defensive Tackle, Memphis

Potential Landing Spots: Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams and Carolina Panthers

The Miami Dolphins re-signing Paul Soliai took the top nose tackle option out of the mix for several teams. Memphis' Dontari Poe is now the best option for teams looking to find a massive space-eater. The Kansas City Chiefs appear to be a likely landing spot for Poe. A defensive line featuring Poe, Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey has some real potential.

However, Kansas City isn't the only team looking to upgrade along the defensive line. The Carolina Panthers could also use a dominant inside presence. Poe's versatility is what puts him in play for the Panthers, as he not only eats up space but also can penetrate the pocket.

It might be a reach, but don't rule out the St. Louis Rams as a potential landing spot. The fact that they missed out on Jason Jones only intensifies their need at defensive tackle.

Stephen Hill, Wide Receiver, Georgia Tech

Potential Landing Spots: New York Jets, Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans

There aren't many receivers who possess the physical abilities of Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill. At 6'4", 215 pounds, he posted a blazing 4.36 40-yard dash time. Hill's stock continues to rise as teams fail to find an explosive playmaker via free agency. It's not out of the question for the New York Jets to consider selecting Hill with the No. 16 pick.

However, it seems more likely that a team in the late first-round pulls the trigger on Hill. The Chicago Bears make a ton of sense, even though they already added Brandon Marshall. Marshall's off-the-field issues make him unreliable. He only has two years remaining on his deal, making it possible the Bears add Hill as more of a long-term solution.

Coby Fleener, Tight End, Stanford

Potential Landing Spots: Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos and Houston Texans

The Kansas City Chiefs signing Kevin Boss and the Minnesota Vikings landing John Carlson really impacted the tight end market. Both teams weren't expected to make a push to land a tight end via the draft. The fact that they landed the top free agents means other teams will have to look to the draft to find a solution. These developments have significantly aided the stock of Stanford's Coby Fleener.

Fleener possesses the size and quickness needed to create mismatches. His experience at Stanford helped him understand the ins and outs of blocking. Fleener is a three-down tight end who will provide plenty of big plays in the passing game.

Teams like the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans might have to pull the trigger on Fleener in the first round if they hope to land the draft's top tight end.

Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, USC

Potential Landing Spots: Minnesota Vikings

Jared Gaither, who re-signed with the San Diego Chargers, was the lone solid left tackle available on the free-agent market. Others, like Demetrius Bell, are inconsistent and may not offer much of an upgrade for those teams in need of help. This fact helps the draft stock of USC's Matt Kalil, who's talented enough to immediately make an impact.

The Minnesota Vikings should take Kalil with the No. 3 pick in the draft, unless the Vikings trade the pick. However, the limited talent available in free agency shows how hard it is to land an elite left tackle.

Other left tackle prospects like Stanford's Jonathan Martin and Iowa's Riley Reiff also see a boost from the lack of options. Expect to see both come off the board before the 15th pick.

Peter Konz, Center, Wisconsin

Potential Landing Spots: Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens

The St. Louis Rams landing Scott Wells and the Houston Texans retaining Chris Myers left a few teams without great options at the center position. Wisconsin's Peter Konz will gain a lot of consideration from several teams picking late in the first round. The Green Bay Packers and Tennessee Titans could be the most likely landing spots for the top-rated center.

Green Bay lost Wells and were unable to find a replacement. The Titans hosted both Wells and Myers but were unable to agree to terms. Konz boasts the football IQ and physical abilities needed to immediately step in as a starter.

Keep an eye on the New England Patriots, who have needs along the interior of the offensive line and have plenty of draft assets.