2012 NFL Draft: Bold Predictions for NFL's Top Draft Prospects

The NFL draft is drawing nearer by the day, and after the three-day media circus that the draft has become packs up its tents and leaves town, the National Football League will welcome a new class of rookies into the fold.

Some of these rookies will shine in their inaugural seasons, while others will struggle mightily.

Let's take a look into the future of these first-year pros with a fistful of bold predictions for the 2012 NFL draft's top prospects.

Robert Griffin Will Have a Better Rookie Season Than Andrew Luck

There's very little question as to who the first two selections in the 2012 NFL draft will be.

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck and Baylor signal-caller Robert Griffin III will all but certainly be taken by the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins, respectively.

Luck is one of the most NFL-ready quarterback prospects in the past several years, but with a stronger supporting cast around him, it will be Griffin that puts up the bigger numbers as a rookie.

Griffin will electrify the National Football League in much the same way that Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers did a season ago.

Trent Richardson Will Rush for over 1,500 Yards

Alabama running back Trent Richardson gained over 2,000 total yards as a junior for the Crimson Tide, and the 5'10", 228-pound All-American is widely considered the top player at his position in this year's draft class.

Richardson will carry over his collegiate success into the NFL in 2012.

He will lead all rookie backs in rushing yards by a significant margin en route to being named the 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Justin Blackmon Will Fail to Top 700 Receiving Yards

Wide receiver Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State is a two-time winner of the Biletnikoff Award as college football's top pass-catcher, and the 6'1", 207-pound wideout was ridiculously productive over the past two seasons, amassing over 3,300 receiving yards over that stretch.

However, if Blackmon is chosen fourth overall in the 2012 draft by the Cleveland Browns as many expect, then he will be hard-pressed to come anywhere near that level of production on an anemic Browns offense.

Through no fault of his own, Blackmon will struggle through a rocky rookie campaign.

Melvin Ingram Will Be Named Defensive Rookie of the Year

South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram was a force up front for the Gamecocks in 2011, as the 6'1", 264-pound senior tallied 48 tackles and 10 sacks en route to being named a first team All-American.

Ingram will almost certainly be selected in the first half of the 2012 NFL draft's first round after a strong showing at the NFL scouting combine.

Although LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne may have a bigger impact on his new team, it will be Ingram that brings home Rookie of the Year honors after he notches double-digit sacks in his first season in the NFL.

Quinton Coples Will Be a Bust in 2012

At 6'6" and 281 pounds, North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples has the prototypical size for a  defensive end that makes NFL scouts drool.

The Tar Heels standout also possesses a tantalizing combination of speed and athleticism.

However, a drop-off in production from his junior to senior seasons has led some to question Coples' motor.

Those criticisms will resurface when, for the second time in five seasons, the Jacksonville Jaguars spend a top-10 pick on a defensive end only to see that player struggle mightily as a rookie, much like Derrick Harvey did in 2008.