2012 NFL Draft: Trent Richardson and the Best Available Running Backs

Alabama running back Trent Richardson is the cream of this year's running back crop. But he is one of four guys I think could make an impact on the NFL next season.

Here is my breakdown of the top talent at the position in the 2012 NFL draft.

Trent Richardson, Alabama

There isn't much more than can be said about Richardson. He is the most complete running back to enter the NFL since Adrian Peterson in 2007. He is a power runner between the tackles who almost never goes down on first contact, but also has the speed to run away from defenders on the second level.

Richardson's vision and instincts are improving rapidly and could reach an elite level soon. He is a hard worker who seems to relish contact and laying the wood to defenders. 

He has solid hands out of the backfield and is also useful as a blocker in pass protection. He has everything you could want in a running back and could be the NFL's next great one. Whoever lands him will be set at the position for years. 

If the Cleveland Browns pass up Richardson with the No. 4 pick, the entire front office should be fired. He's too good to let go by at that spot.

Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

While other backs in this class may be more ready to make an impact immediately, Miller has the highest upside of anyone other than Richardson. At 5'11" and 212 pounds, the Miami product has decent size for the position but possesses outstanding top-end speed. 

Simply put, Miller is a home run threat who could develop into a phenomenal all-around running back. He only had one full season as a starter in college so his instincts, vision and balance still need work, but if deployed in the right system on a team that has patience, he could become a Pro Bowler.

Miller has dropped out of the first-round in some mocks, but I think he'd be a steal in the 20s.

Doug Martin, Boise State

Martin is small in height (5'9") but possesses outstanding bulk (223 pounds) and above average speed for the position. He was very productive at Boise State, rushing for 3,324 yards and 43 touchdowns during his final three years on campus.

Martin is fiercely competitive and is a north/south runner who isn't a bulldozer but is strong with the ball. He gets up to top speed quickly but doesn't have the breakaway ability of some of the other backs in the class.

He projects as a very solid back who will do everything you ask of him and can also be a lot of help in the passing game, as a receiver and blocker. I have given him a second-round grade.

David Wilson, Virginia Tech

Wilson only spent one season as the starter at Virginia Tech, but that's all he needed. In 2011, he rushed for 1,709 yards and nine touchdowns for the Hokies. After that year and a phenomenal showing at the combine in drills and interviews, he is perched just outside the first-round right now.

Wilson measures in at 5'10" and 206 pounds, which is slightly below average size-wise for an NFL running back. I think he could add a little more bulk to his already muscular frame and still maintain his good top-end speed.

He has been durable throughout his career, has off-the-charts intangibles and is a very hard worker. One thing that stood out about Wilson on film is how much he doesn't like to get tackled. It's not that he doesn't like contact, it's that he does whatever he can to avoid going down. He fights hard for extra yards. 

He doesn't have a great initial burst, but he seems to glide smoothly up to full speed while running. I like Wilson a lot, but he does have some developing to do.