2012 NFL Mock Draft: 5 Underclassmen Who Will Make a Big Splash in the NFL

As always, seniors will be a bit of an endangered species at the top of the 2012 NFL draft. Stanford superstar Andrew Luck is the most prominent player who will be entering the draft ahead of his class, but far from the only one.

Another big name to look for in Round 1 is Alabama running back Trent Richardson. Mark Ingram’s erstwhile understudy has already carried more times than he did all of last year, and has the 11 rushing TDs to prove it.

Read on for a look at Richardson and four more juniors who will be instant hits at the next level.

5. WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina

The big-body possession receiver has become a staple of NFL offenses, and Alshon Jeffery is built to order for that role. The 6’4”, 229-lb Jeffery isn’t a speed merchant, but he can catch anything in his zip code.

Like stud wideouts A.J. Green and Julio Jones from last year’s draft, Jeffery is a virtual lock to start from the get-go. He may face a learning curve trying to get separation from NFL corners, but his red-zone value will make him a hot commodity even as a rookie.

4. CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

By the same token, the trend toward big receivers has created a serious demand for bigger corners who can still get back in pass coverage. In the deepest CB draft pool in years, Dre Kirkpatrick stands out as the biggest and most physical corner to be had.

The 6’3”, 192-lb Kirkpatrick is a beast in run support and can also make plays in coverage. He doesn’t rack up tons of INTs, but he’s a better cover man right now than plenty of NFL starters.

3. RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

In his first season as the main man in the Tide backfield, Trent Richardson has been more than up to the challenge. He’s averaging 6.3 yards a carry and has gained 729 yards (with 11 TDs) through just six games.

The player Richardson replaced, Mark Ingram, has stepped directly into a running back rotation with the Saints. Richardson is likely to get at least as much playing time, if not more, in his first year in the league.

2. LB Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State

There have been questions about whether the sometimes hot-headed Vontaze Burfict will have the discipline to succeed as a pro. There have been no questions about whether he has the talent.

The 6’3”, 250-lb Burfict has both the speed and the strength to shine at the next level. In six games for the Sun Devils this year, he’s recorded four sacks and an interception.

1. WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

The showiest of showtime receivers in the college game this year, Justin Blackmon, looks like he’ll actually do justice to his absurd sophomore year stats.

After posting 111 catches for 1,782 yards and 20 TDs last season, Blackmon has already racked up 46 catches for 534 yards and six TDs (not counting his performance against Texas, in progress at this writing).

Blackmon is a big-play threat at least on par with ex-Cowboy (and current Dallas Cowboy) Dez Bryant, who had a fairly impressive rookie year in his own right. Don’t be surprised to see Blackmon eclipse Bryant’s numbers with ease next season.

*Draft order determined by combination of current record and projected finish.

No.	Team (Record)	Player, Pos.
1.	Miami Dolphins (0-4)	Andrew Luck, QB
2.	St. Louis Rams (0-4)	Justin Blackmon, WR
3.	Denver Broncos (1-4)	Quinton Coples, DE
4.	Indianapolis Colts (0-5)	Matt Kalil, OT
5.	Jacksonville Jaguars (1-4)	Alshon Jeffery, WR
6.	Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)	Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB
7.	Seattle Seahawks (2-3)	Landry Jones, QB
8.	Arizona Cardinals (1-4)	Jonathan Martin, OT
9.	Carolina Panthers (1-4)	Vontaze Burfict, LB
10.	Minnesota Vikings (1-4)	Morris Claiborne, CB
11.	Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)	Riley Reiff, OT
12.	Cleveland Browns (2-2)	Michael Floyd, WR
13.	Oakland Raiders (3-2)	Matt Barkley, QB
14.	Cleveland Browns (via Falcons 2-3)	Jared Crick, DT
15.	Chicago Bears (2-3)	Dave DeCastro, OG
16.	Washington Redskins (3-1)	Trent Richardson, RB
17.	Philadelphia Eagles (1-4)	Manti Te'o, LB
18.	Dallas Cowboys (2-2)	Dre Kirkpatrick, CB
19.	Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)	Alfonzo Dennard, CB
20.	New York Jets (2-3)	Brandon Jenkins, DE/OLB
21.	Tennessee Titans (3-2)	Brandon Thompson, DT
22.	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2)	Dont'a Hightower, LB
23.	San Francisco 49ers (4-1)	Janoris Jenkins, CB
24.	Buffalo Bills (4-1)	Luke Kuechly, LB
25.	Houston Texans (3-2)	Stephon Gilmore, CB
26.	San Diego Chargers (4-1)	Alameda Ta'amu, DT
27.	New York Giants (3-2)	Cordy Glenn, OG
28.	New England (via Saints 4-1)	Michael Brewster, C
29.	Baltimore Ravens (3-1)	Mohamed Sanu, WR
30.	Detroit Lions (5-0)	Zach Brown, LB
31.	New England Patriots (4-1)	Chase Minnifield, CB
32.	Green Bay Packers (5-0)	Cliff Harris, CB