Predicting Stat Lines for the Top 12 Skill Position 2012 NFL Rookies

The 2012 NFL draft proved to be crucial for many teams in need of playmakers on offense. The Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars drafted offensive skill-position players who made major contributions at the college level.

Also, the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers were among the contending teams who added more receivers to their strong units.

I believe there are 12 rookies that can potentially stand out early on in camp and make a significant impact on their new teams.

Here are my stat-line predictions for the top-12 skill-position players for the upcoming season.

12. Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Dolphins

2012 prediction: 80 carries, 490 yards, 3 TDs

The Miami Dolphins could greatly benefit from the selection of Lamar Miller in the foreseeable future. Injuries bumped Miller to the fourth round, which certainly leaves Miller with a chip on his shoulder.

Will he get an opportunity behind Reggie Bush? There have always been questions about Bush's health, and thus, it would be no surprise if Miller is involved in Joe Philbin's offense.

It will be intriguing to watch Miller in the passing game, as he could be the Dolphins' version of Ray Rice, catching passes out of the backfield.

11. A.J. Jenkins, WR, San Francisco 49ers

2012 prediction: 32 receptions, 500 receiving yards, 2 TDs

The San Francisco 49ers were very high on Illinois standout A.J. Jenkins. Jim Harbaugh and his staff were committed to improving the offensive playmakers around Alex Smith, and selecting Jenkins in the first round was one of the multiple improvements.

Jenkins is already standing out in mini camp and has received advice from Harbaugh and veteran receiver Randy Moss.

There is no question that Jenkins can make an impact in his rookie season. However, will he be given the opportunity to contribute early on in a 49ers uniform?

With Mario Manningham and Randy Moss ahead of Jenkins on the depth chart, the rookie wide receiver won't garner as much attention in comparison to other rookie wide receivers.

10. LaMichael James, RB, San Francisco 49ers

2012 prediction: 750 all purpose yards, 3 TDs

LaMichael James was a standout at Oregon during his college career, and the case could be made that he was the best playmaker in college football.

The San Francisco 49ers were fortunate to have James available with their late second-round pick. 

How can James contribute? He can be a dynamic game-changer in the backfield by catching short passes from Alex Smith or when given the opportunity of a few carries per game. 

There is no question that he can be lethal while returning punts or kickoffs.

However, he is in a similar position to A.J. Jenkins. There will be limited opportunities in the backfield with Frank Gore and newly signed Brandon Jacobs being higher on the depth chart.

The team also re-signed Ted Ginn Jr., which should eliminate more opportunities for James to make an impact early on.

9. Mohamed Sanu, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

2012 prediction: 50 receptions, 600 yards, 4 TDs

Mohamed Sanu entered rookie mini camp with a chip on his shoulder after falling to the third round of the draft.

Once considered a first-round selection, Sanu enters a perfect situation in Cincinnati with plenty of young stars on the offensive side of the football.

Sanu will compete to be among the three best receivers on the depth chart and can make an impact early opposite A.J. Green.

8. Stephen Hill, WR, New York Jets

2012 prediction: 62 receptions, 677 yards, 5 TDs

When the New York Jets selected Stephen Hill in the second round, they recognized that his physical tools give him the potential to make an impact early on in his NFL career.

With the departure of Plaxico Burress, Hill will have the opportunity to compete for the second spot on the depth chart behind Santonio Holmes.

The Jets are expected to be a run-first offense this season. However, after playing for a run-oriented team while at Georgia Tech, Hill could adjust very quickly to Tony Sparano's offense.

7. Coby Fleener, TE, Indianapolis Colts

2012 prediction: 65 receptions, 750 yards, 5 TDs

The Indianapolis Colts reunited former Stanford standouts Andrew Luck and Coby Fleener through the NFL draft.

With the departure of Dallas Clark, Fleener will not only get an opportunity to start, but also to make a major contribution to a young Colts offense.

Luck will need to utilize Reggie Wayne effectively, but the young tight end must step up and chip in for this unit to be productive.

In his first season, Luck will learn the value of a tight end who can make an impact down the field.

6. Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago Bears

2012 prediction: 68 receptions, 720 yards, 6 TDs

Alshon Jeffery enters a perfect situation with the Chicago Bears, a team that improved significantly on the offensive side of the ball.

The acquisition of Brandon Marshall makes the offense respectable and will open up plenty of opportunities for Jeffery, who seems committed to losing weight in the offseason and becoming a viable No. 2 receiver in the passing game.

Jay Cutler has never been accompanied by this many offensive playmakers during his tenure in Chicago. He will become a fan of Jeffery very quickly.

5. Rueben Randle, WR, New York Giants

2012 prediction: 72 receptions, 800 yards, 7 TDs

Rueben Randle will replace Mario Manningham on the depth chart for the defending Super Bowl champions. Randle displays great hands and very good speed, which could potentially be an immediate upgrade over Manningham.

Certainly, the jury is out if Randle can make the same impact that Manningham did in the postseason. Nonetheless, Randle will receive his opportunities in a high-powered offense orchestrated by the Eli Manning.

He could potentially have the best season of any rookie skill-position player in 2012.

4. Justin Blackmon, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

2012 prediction: 78 receptions, 900 receiving yards, 8 TDs

Justin Blackmon was the first wide receiver selected in the draft due to his fantastic career at Oklahoma State.

Blackmon lands with the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team that is in desperate need of talented wide receivers. He will be given the opportunity early on to be the No. 1 target for second-year starter Blaine Gabbert. 

Head coach Mike Mularkey knows how to deal with talented receivers, as he worked with Roddy White and Julio Jones last year in Atlanta.

There is no question that Blackmon has plenty to learn, but he will improve the Jaguars' offense as a whole in 2012.

3. Michael Floyd, WR, Arizona Cardinals

2012 prediction: 80 receptions, 950 yards, 8 TDs

Michael Floyd landed in the best possible situation in Arizona; he gets the opportunity to learn from one of the game's more elite receivers in Larry Fitzgerald.

Floyd will have the luxury of playing alongside Fitzgerald, which will lead to many one-on-one matchups.

At times, Floyd has shown the ability to turn short-yardage passes into long-yardage gains through his great speed burst.

However, look for Floyd to make a major impact in the red zone this year for the Cardinals. Despite the question marks at the quarterback position, their offense will create trouble for opposing NFC defenses.

2. Kendall Wright, WR, Tennessee Titans

2012 prediction: 80 receptions, 1,000 yards, 8 TDs

At one point, many scouts considered Kendall Wright the best wide receiver in the draft. His elite speed made him stand out while at Baylor, and there seemed to be no reason why the success wouldn't translate to the NFL.

It was quite the surprise on draft night when the Tennessee Titans selected Wright in the first round of the draft. With questions regarding Kenny Britt's health becoming a major concern, Wright could potentially become the No. 1 wide receiver on the depth chart.

If Britt does return 100 percent, Wright can be even more explosive down the field and make life easier for either Jake Locker or Matt Hasselbeck.

1. Trent Richardson, RB, Cleveland Browns

2012 prediction: 250 carries, 1,256 yards, 11 TDs

Trent Richardson was considered the most talented offensive skill player before the draft took place.

He landed with the Cleveland Browns, a team that has lacked consistent production from the offense during the Tom Heckert era.

Richardson's style of running will make him very valuable in Cleveland, and there is no doubt he will become the focal point of the Browns' offense.

He will be expected to make life much easier for Brandon Weeden, who will replace Colt McCoy as the starter.

Richardson will produce early and often in Cleveland, and his statistics will speak for themselves.

Matt Miselis is an NFL Featured Columnist for BleacherReport.com. Follow him on Twitter.