2012 NFL Mock Draft: Trent Richardson and Prospects Who Will Shine on Any Team

Some basic and universal qualities translate to just about any scheme in the NFL's vast world of strategies and ideologies. North-south runners, elite pass-blocking offensive tackles and kickers with big legs and solid accuracy are widespread commodities.

There isn't a team in the NFL that couldn't use players with these traits.

And there are a few prospects who fall into this category of universal appeal in the 2012 NFL draft. (Though none of the players spotlighted here are kickers—this is only a first-round mock draft—they all have a skill set that makes them attractive to several teams.)

In some instances, teams that are possible suitors for players employ contrasting styles and schemes. However, some of the prospects below fit in, and thus could be selected at a variety of different spots.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)

2011 Stats: 3,511 passing yards, 37 TDs

Andrew Luck could play for any coach in the NFL. If you took all 32 head coaches, analyzed their schemes, disregarded their current QBs and their significant contractual commitments, Luck would be on all 32 teams' radars.

Luck is a pure passer with above-average arm strength and the ability to read defenses. He displayed strong leadership skills at Stanford, and he's impressed in team interviews.

Even if there is a coach who prefers a mobile QB he can roll out, Luck has the capabilities to be effective there as well.

He is a universal talent.

It's too bad for the other 31 teams in the NFL, because Luck will certainly be rocking the horseshoe after the NFL draft.

2. Washington Redskins (via St. Louis): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)

RG3 is gifted, but he won't catch the eye of every NFL talent evaluator. Some prehistorically thinking coaches and organizations still doubt that a mobile QB can win a Super Bowl.

Obviously, the Redskins aren't one of those organizations.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)

2012 Combine Numbers: 4.99 40-yard dash, 30 bench press reps of 225 pounds

Kalil projects as a bookend offensive tackle, and those fit any scheme. It's especially the case if they are solid as pass-blockers.

Kalil is just that, and the 4.99-second 40 time at the combine further solidified his place as the top offensive lineman in the draft.

Almost any team that has a need for a tackle would take Kalil if they were in the third spot, but he's the Vikes' to have and to hold.

Kalil will be looked at to keep Christian Ponder from eating the turf with the regularity he did in 2011.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)

2011 Stats: 1,679 rushing yards, 21 TDs; 29 receptions, 339 yards, 3 TDs

I believe this is too high to select a RB if you're the Browns. They have so many holes, and I just don't see the RB position as one that will be impactful enough for such a high selection.

That said, it's easy to see why Cleveland would target Richardson. He is a great north-south runner, and there is security in that skill set. He won't have many negative plays since he runs with great pad level, and he is freakishly strong. You could put him anywhere in the NFL, and he'd be effective with that running style.

Richardson is also a good enough receiver and blocker to fit in with offenses that throw to their backs and require them to block often.

The Heisman finalist is the most solid RB prospect in the draft. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)

Claiborne is still the best CB prospect in the draft.

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

2011 Stats: 121 receptions, 1,522 yards, 18 TDs

Blackmon has great hands, he runs good routes and he's tough after the catch. There were some concerns about his speed, but Blackmon blew those away at his Oklahoma State pro day. He ran a sub-4.5 40, and that served to somewhat put those concerns to rest.

Blackmon has tremendous desire and competitiveness, and he's quite the physical specimen. He has a build like Anquan Boldin, but his recent display of speed would suggest that he's a faster version of the Ravens star.

A player with that profile can fit in with any team.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

Ingram will be the extreme. He'll either be a perennial Pro Bowler or a bust—there will be no in between.

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB (Texas A&M)

Tannehill has shot up the draft board, and he can thank Matt Barkley for his bloated draft status. If Barkley had come out of USC, Tannehill would be a second-round pick or lower.

9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

I still like Coples for the Panthers. He could be a great force opposite Charles Johnson.

10. Buffalo Bills: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

Floyd dazzled at Notre Dame's pro day. Could he sneak up on Justin Blackmon as the draft's top receiver?

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)

Poe is Melvin Ingram, Part II; it will be boom or bust.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, MLB (Boston College)

Kuechly is a solid and safe pick for the Seahawks. If they do select him here and Matt Flynn pans out at QB, this could be a huge offseason for Seattle. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)

I believe Reiff will be a solid, if not great, offensive lineman for the next 8-10 years. This would be a solid pick for the Cardinals. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)

Jenkins will surprise some people with his maturity this season.

Okay, maybe that's just what I'm hoping for. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Fletcher Cox, DT (Mississippi State)

The Eagles would be wise to continue shoring up their run defense. Cox is a huge, yet athletic prospect at defensive tackle.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB/DE (Alabama)

There are some rumblings about the Jets taking a safety here. That would be a mistake; they need a top-notch pass-rusher, and Upshaw has that potential.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via Oakland): David Wilson, RB (Virginia Tech)

Wilson has big-time speed, and that would give the Bengals offense an element they didn't have with Cedric Benson.

18. San Diego Chargers: David DeCastro, OG (Stanford)

Double D—okay, maybe that isn't a great nickname for an offensive lineman.

How about DeCast? Yeah, that's better.

I love his approach to the game; he's nasty and no-nonsense. That is what you want from your stud guard. 

19. Chicago Bears: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)

Wright would be an excellent complement to Brandon Marshall in the Bears offense. He could be the Alvin Harper to Marshall's Michael Irvin.

20. Tennessee Titans: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)

This would be a solid and safe pick for the Titans. The running game will be center stage again in Tennessee, and Glenn only makes them better in that area.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)

The Bengals have a huge need at CB, and Kirkpatrick figures to be the best available.

22. Cleveland Browns (via Atlanta): Stephen Hill, WR (Georgia Tech)

Hill is one of the three most intriguing prospects, with his mix of size, speed and lack of production. He has perhaps the most boom-or-bust potential of any prospect.

23. Detroit Lions: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)

If the Lions select Barron and pair him with Louis Delmas, they may have the best young safety tandem in the NFL.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Nick Perry, DE (USC)

Perry would make James Harrison expendable after this season. "The Fined One" will be 34 next month, so it's time to find his replacement.

25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)

Denver wants to replenish its run-stoppers, and Still is a great get for that purpose.

26. Houston Texans: Rueben Randle, WR (LSU)

I like Randle a lot. He could have been a more highly touted prospect had he played for a more pass-oriented offense in college.

27. New England Patriots (via New Orleans): Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

I'm not sure if Gilmore will be here for the Pats, but he'd be a great fit.

28. Green Bay Packers: Chase Minnifield CB (Virginia)

It's time to think about life A.W. (after Woodson). The Packers' future Hall of Famer will be 36 years old shortly after the season starts.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)

Ray Lewis can't play forever, unfortunately. It's important the Ravens get his replacement on the roster so he can learn from a legend. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Coby Fleener, TE (Stanford)

Vernon Davis and Fleener could be the best young dual-TE set in the NFL.

31. New England Patriots: Whitney Mercilus, OLB/DE (Illinois)

Mercilus' name has been mentioned from the middle of the first round into the second. He is a solid pass-rusher, and the Pats could really use him.

32. New York Giants: Chris Polk, RB (Washington)

It is time for some fresh blood in the Giants backfield.