2012 NFL Draft Projections: Predicting Future All-Pros from This Year's Class

Expecting future All-Pro appearances might be far-fetched for most rookies, but this year's NFL draft class has a few players that could make the jump.

There is a lot of upside in this draft, and the teams that make the right selections will be set at those positions for years.

As is always the case, not every young player will pan out, but these athletes have the best chance to become elite by the prime of their careers.

Andrew Luck, Quarterback

Andrew Luck is everything you look for in a quarterback.

Not only does he have the arm strength and accuracy to succeed at this level, but he has surprising speed to keep defenses on their toes.

Most importantly, he is smart enough to quickly adjust to the NFL and start right away.

There are quite a few elite quarterbacks blocking his path, but Luck is ready to become one of the best in the league in no time.

Robert Griffin III, Quarterback

While it should not be too much to expect the top two picks in the draft to become All-Pro, two quarterbacks from the same draft is much less common.

However, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III will be forever linked, and not in the Peyton Manning/Ryan Leaf way.

Griffin does things that few others can, and his unique skills will translate into being a very successful NFL quarterback.

Players that can run a 4.41 40-yard dash and complete 72.4 percent of their passes do not come along very often.

Melvin Ingram, Defensive End

One of the easiest transitions from college to the NFL is that of a pure pass-rusher.

Melvin Ingram already has the size and speed to compete at the highest level, and he should be able to rack up sacks as soon as next season.

It will not be long before coordinators have to game-plan against him as one of the best defenders in the league.

Trent Richardson, Running Back

With the last few drafts being underwhelming at running back, Trent Richardson could have a very quick rise to the top of his position.

The career of an NFL running back is incredibly short, so as the current Pro Bowl players start to fade, Richardson will still be going strong.

He has an elite combination of strength, agility and speed that will make him a threat regardless of who is blocking in front of him.

Fletcher Cox, Defensive Tackle

There are a few defensive tackles projected to be taken in the top half of the draft, including Michael Brockers and Dontari Poe, but Fletcher Cox might be the best of the bunch.

With the strength of a defensive tackle but the speed of a linebacker, he will be able to break up a lot of plays in the backfield.

His productive career at Mississippi State shows he can handle the interior defensive line without having to make many future adjustments.

Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback

Teams are scared of his past, but Janoris Jenkins has as much talent of any cornerback in the past few years.

The former Florida cornerback was dismissed from the school after arrests for drug-related charges, so he needed to find a home at Division II North Alabama.

This and other character issues will prevent some teams from drafting him, but whoever takes a chance on Jenkins will receive great returns on the field.

The troubled youth might end up being a distraction in the locker room, but his ability to shut down opposing receivers should make him All-Pro at least once.

David DeCastro, Guard

There are enough talented offensive tackles in the NFL to prevent any player from this draft class to reach All-Pro status.

However, there are not too many guards as talented as David DeCastro from Stanford.

His run-blocking ability can transform an offense, and scouts will quickly recognize him as one of the top players in the NFL at his position.

Luke Kuechly, Inside Linebacker

Luke Kuechly is not the most intimidating linebacker off the field, but his statistics are impossible to ignore.

In his last two seasons at Boston College, Kuechly totaled 374 tackles and led the nation each year.

He is a tremendous tackler in open space, and he will continue to rack up statistics regardless of where he lands.

Linebackers on bad teams are often overlooked, but Kuechly might have enough tackles that it will be impossible to ignore.

Vinny Curry, Defensive End

An under-the-radar prospect that could eventually become All-Pro is Marshall's Vinny Curry.

He had a very productive college career, finishing third in the nation in tackles for loss and sixth in sacks.

It is unknown whether Curry will stay at defensive end or move to linebacker, but he has a great motor and is likely to succeed anywhere.

His ability to get to the quarterback will be useful on any NFL team.

Joe Adams, Wide Receiver/Kick Returner

Joe Adams did not have as much production at wide receiver as scouts would like, but there is no denying his skill in the return game.

Even if he never reaches his offensive potential, the Arkansas product could become All-Pro on special teams.

His return against Tennessee shows the type of elusiveness that could make Adams the next Devin Hester.