2012 NFL Draft: 15 Prospects Teams Will Fight for on Draft Day

With the 2012 NFL draft only weeks away, prospects will begin meeting with head coaches and general managers at team headquarters.

Where will Morris Claiborne and Justin Blackmon land in this year's draft?

I have completed a list of 15 prospects teams will be fighting over during the first and second rounds of the upcoming draft.

15. Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State

Brandon Weeden has been a quarterback on the rise since the draft process began heating up.

He has the leadership qualities of an NFL quarterback and is the definition of a "student of the game."

The Cleveland Browns appear to have the biggest connection to Weeden. However, he is expected to command plenty of interest between now and the draft.

There is a possibility of Weeden being selected in the late first round.

14. Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Lamar Miller is projected to become the second running back selected in this year's draft behind Trent Richardson.

He is a prospect on the rise for teams in need of a running back, especially those who don't want to spend a top-10 selection on Richardson.

Miller possesses excellent speed and awareness on the field, as he is considered to have similar athleticism to Chris Johnson. He also knows when to cut back and avoid tacklers in similar ways to Ray Rice.

Based on recent mock drafts, it's a legitimate possibility for Miller to be drafted in the first round.

13. Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Dont'a Hightower is among the multiple defensive prospects from Alabama who will be drafted in the first round.

As an inside linebacker, Hightower does have a high draft value because he brings the overall package to the table.

He clearly shows the awareness that a linebacker should have by being a leader on and off the field. As for his production, he is a hard hitter who also displays good pass coverage.

There are questions about athleticism, but his intelligence for the game makes up for his weaknesses in other areas.

12. Cordy Glenn, G, Georgia

It is very difficult to find viable linemen who can succeed at the guard position.

The guard prospects aren't too deep in this year's class, and Cordy Glenn is setting himself up to be a top-15 selection.

He is rated as the second-best guard in the draft and isn't expected to fall past the Cincinnati Bengals.

There will be plenty of teams that will consider Glenn with their first-round draft choices.

11. Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Dontari Poe made teams show interest after his brilliant performance at the combine.

He has the size to disrupt opposing running games and create unbalanced offenses.

There is no doubt he is going to be a first-round pick, but the question is where could he potentially fall.

He could go as early as ninth overall to the Carolina Panthers.

10. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Michael Floyd is another prospect who benefited from a good combine performance.

There is no question he is a receiver who can physically dominate many opposing cornerbacks. However, the speed he displayed at the combine entices many teams in the first round.

I believe there is a team that could potentially select Floyd within the top 10 of this year's draft.

9. Janoris Jenkins, CB, Northern Alabama

Janoris Jenkins will be one of the more coveted prospects in this year's draft. He is a top-15 prospect and arguably the best cornerback in this year's draft.

Unfortunately, his draft stock will be affected as a result of his off-field issues.

If Jenkins drops to the second round of the draft, he won't fall much further. There will be a team that will take a chance on his potential as a second-round prospect. 

The New England Patriots certainly come to mind.

8. Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Today's NFL is becoming a pass-rusher-driven league. It is crucial to have the ability to put constant pressure on the opposing quarterbacks.

Melvin Ingram only needed to start one year in college to prove that he can be a dominant pass-rusher.

Ingram could go early to the Jacksonville Jaguars (seventh overall) and isn't expected to fall past the Seattle Seahawks (12th overall).

7. Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

While Quinton Coples is a high-ceiling prospect who has the potential to be a dominant pass-rusher due to his athleticism, there are some teams that are not fond of his work ethic and overall performance in live game action.

Apparently, Coples has shown enough to teams that warrants a top-15 overall selection. There are plenty of teams in need of a pass-rusher, and Coples is in a similar position to Melvin Ingram.

Recent mock drafts have the Miami Dolphins selecting Coples to team him alongside Cameron Wake.

6. Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Mark Barron is in a perfect position from a prospect standpoint. In this year's draft, there are not too many quality safeties who will go in the early rounds.

Teams that are in severe need of safety help, specifically the Dallas Cowboys, will seriously consider drafting the safety out of Alabama.

Despite his sports hernia injury, Barron is expected to be selected within the first 15 picks.

5. Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

Whitney Mercilus' performance last season skyrocketed him into the first round of the draft. As a result, many teams are targeting the defensive end out of Illinois.

He led the nation in sacks and always shows his motor on every single snap he takes.

The San Diego Chargers are a team in the middle of the first round that could use another pass-rusher. Mercilus won't fall past the New England Patriots.

4. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

It would be a shocker if Ryan Tannehill isn't a top-10 selection in the draft. His athletic ability as a quarterback stands out after converting from wide receiver two years ago.

His accuracy and arm strength impress the handful of teams that are considering selecting Tannehill. There are flaws in his game that need improvement, most notably his pocket presence—though it won't be a concern on draft day.

The Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins are the most likely destinations for Tannehill.

3. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Here is a guarantee: Trent Richardson won't fall out of the top 10.

In fact, it appears that falling outside the top five would be a shocker for Richardson. He is clearly the best running back in the draft, as his ability to bounce off tacklers and be an explosive runner cannot be taught.

He will land either with the Cleveland Browns or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It also wouldn't be a shocker if teams are attempting to trade up for Richardson.

2. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Who said Morris Claiborne could fall in the draft due to his performance on the Wonderlic test?

Every team would be prepared to make a phone call to trade up for the future All-Pro cornerback.

He is by far the best cornerback in the draft. Claiborne is athletically gifted and is able to learn defensive schemes very well.

The logical destination is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though other teams could get into the mix in the next few weeks.

1. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Across the NFL, teams always buy high into the elite receivers in each draft class. Justin Blackmon is an explosive specimen who is similar to Michael Floyd.

Physically, he can dominate any cornerback he faces. In the red zone, he has the potential to make an impact right away.

He needs to work on his overall speed and route running, but he will learn over time in the NFL.

It seems logical to think the St. Louis Rams will select Blackmon sixth overall. However, the Cleveland Browns might select Blackmon fourth overall, but they could also deal the pick to a team that is in need of a No. 1 receiver.