2012 NFL Draft: 6 2012 Prospects and Their NFL Equivalents

The NFL is said to have no offseason.

That's how we feel about the NFL draft at Bleacher Report.

Once the 2011 draft ended our team of draft experts quickly started working on position rankings for the 2012 draft class, and with that comes the fun task of trying to compare those college juniors and seniors to current NFL players.

What follows is a look at our top six college prospects for the 2012 draft and their NFL comparisons.

6. Alshon Jeffrey, Wide Receiver, South Carolina

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COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 06: Alshon Jeffery #1 of the South Carolina Gamecocks is tackled by Elton Ford #9 during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Alshon Jeffrey is big (6'4", 232 lbs), fast and has amazing strength in his release off the line of scrimmage and in overpowering defenders to the ball.

NFL Comparison: Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

You can't help but see Megatron when you look at Jeffrey's tape. While Jeffrey has yet to dominate the college football landscape statistically, neither did Johnson during his days at Georgia Tech.

Jeffrey is a lock at this time to be a top-10 pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

5. Jerel Worthy, Defensive Tackle, Michigan State

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Jerel Worthy #99 of the Michigan State Spartans moves past a block attempt by Brian Mulroe #72 of the Northwestern Wildcats with his sights set on Dan Persa #7 at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan St

Jerel Worthy has a lean, athletic build for a defensive tackle. He also has a burst that creates havoc in the trenches.

His ability to explode off the ball, split the gap and pressure the backfield is remarkable.

NFL Comparison: Kevin Williams, Minnesota Vikings

While many will want to compare Worthy to Gerald McCoy or Nick Fairley, two fairly good comparisons, we see Kevin Williams when watching Worthy. His athleticism and hand use are top-notch.

4. Cliff Harris, Cornerback, Oregon

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Terrell Zachery #81 of the Auburn Tigers runs against Cliff Harris #13 of the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by

Cliff Harris is the next big thing in college football.

His combination of cover skills, speed and game breaking ability with the ball in his hands will make Harris among the most dangerous players in college football this year.

Many have compared Harris to Patrick Peterson, which is close, but Peterson has almost 40 lbs on Harris.

NFL Comparsion: Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos

A young Champ Bailey, that is. Many forget how athletic and smooth Bailey was in his first 10 years in the NFL. Harris could have a similar impact.

3. Vontaze Burfict, Linebacker, Arizona State

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MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 18: John Clay #32 of the Wisconsin Badgers is tackled by the face mask by Vontaze Burfict #7 of the Arizona State Sun Devils at Camp Randall Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Image

Take the hardest hitting linebacker in college football and give him a blessing of size, speed and instincts. What do you get?

Vontaze Burfict.

NFL Comparison: Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers

It's very hard to compare Burfict to anyone in the NFL. He has the vision of a Patrick Willis with the athleticism of Von Miller. We believe he could play any linebacker position in both a 3-4 and 4-3 scheme.

Burfict's 2011 season will put him firmly on the map as an NFL prospect.

2. Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 18: Quinton Coples #90 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Quinton Coples may become the highest drafted defensive end since Mario Williams went No. 1 overall in 2006.

While everyone loves Andrew Luck, he's only a redshirt junior and is not a lock to enter the 2012 draft. It's also possible that a team with an established quarterback will hold the No. 1 overall pick and decide to draft a superb defensive end prospect.

NFL Comparison: Julius Peppers, Chicago Bears

You might think we are taking the easy way out by comparing Coples to a former Tar Heel, but it goes much deeper. Their size, playing style and athleticism are eerily similar when you look at Julius Peppers when he was at North Carolina.

What's more ironic is that we believe the Carolina Panthers are an early favorite to draft Coples.

1. Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal looks to pass under pressure from Chris Drager #33 and Jack Tyler #58 of the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Flori

It will be a sad day if the preseason hype surrounding Andrew Luck—all of it deserved—causes folks to overlook or become conditioned to just how good he is.

Having written about the draft since 1997 and working as a scout at the NFL, CFL and AFL levels over the past five seasons Andrew Luck remains the highest graded prospect I've ever seen.

That's about Peyton Manning and Ndamukong Suh, if only slightly.

Luck just has it all.

NFL Comparison: Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers

Ok, so Young is retired, but there is no one in the NFL like Luck. Maybe if you combine a few players will you find the right mix.

Luck is a legitimate threat to run, has a great arm and can make every NFL throw with ease.