2012 NFL Draft: 50 Best Offensive Prospects

Ranking players for the 2012 NFL draft is not an exact science. Several things could still happen that may shuffle the "Big Board" a bit.

And while all the draft pundits may know who is the top selection overall (like we average fans did not know the answer to that question) will be, who comes next and who fills the needs of the teams slotted to select in that order will change over the course of the next six months.

Now, we sit and wait to see which team "sucks" enough to draft Andrew Luck. We wait to see if Peyton Manning comes back from his neck injury and if he does, will he veto a potential replacement for arguably the greatest quarterback of this generation.

Other positions like receiver and offensive lineman will get plenty of attention this year, as those positions are deep and rich in talent.

The order of rank is also a question of subjection, but I am taking a shot at this based on performance while in college, reputation and the impact the prospect has made while on campus.

Kellen Moore, Quarterback, Boise State

OK, we have seen the charts on Moore. Too small. Odd mechanics. All the things they said about other quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Tim Tebow.

Last time I checked, both were starters in the NFL. A far gap between them, but starters.

I think Moore has better mechanics than Tebow and he will succeed on the next level.

Orson Charles, Tight End, Georgia

A big, mobile target for the Bulldogs offense.

At 6'3", he looks to be a good over-the-middle receiver and will get plenty of looks in the red zone.

If someone snatches him up in the middle of the second round, they will get a steal.

Jeff Demps, Running Back, Florida

Demps is a spark plug just waiting to go off.

He is fast, elusive and provides a great change of pace to any team that needs to infuse some much-needed excitement into their offense.

Kendall Wright. Receiver, Baylor

He can thank Robert Griffin for making the Bears offense more exciting.

Wright is only 5'10" but has been the target of many passes from Griffin.

Matt Reynolds, Tackle, Brigham Young

Reynolds follows a tradition of big, strong BYU linemen.

Reynolds will help a pro team in run blocking and will stand his ground against pass rushers.

DeVier Posey, Receiver, Ohio State

The main target in the Buckeyes passing attack.

On the next level, Posey may help out in the return game as well.

Isaiah Pead, Running Back, Cincinnati

He has good size and speed. He can break tackles with his 200-pound frame.

Should be a good backup until he can take over a game.

Greg Childs, Receiver, Arkansas

The Razorbacks are a high-powered offense.

Childs is one of their gears.

The 6'2" Childs is a good match up against smaller defenders in the red zone.

Kirk Cousins, Quarterback, Michigan State

Finally, a senior passer in the bunch.

Cousins is accurate with his passes and manages a game well.

Playing against strong defensive lines like he does in the Big 10 has made him stronger.

He could be a solid backup until he learns the pro position for a year or two.

Doug Martin, Running Back, Boise State

You didn't think Kellen Moore did it by himself, did you?

Martin helps to balance the Broncos' offense.

He has nice size at 5'9" and 209 pounds.

He must prove he can be an every-down back in the NFL.

Ben Jones, C, Georgia

He helps anchor the offensive line and open holes for the many running backs Georgia uses during the game.

Jones calls a great game from the line and can block for the running game coming out of his stance effectively.

Mohamed Sanu, Receiver, Rutgers

A key player in Greg Schiano's offense.

Sanu is tall and rangy and can be a matchup problem for smaller defensive backs.

He may be a good target in the red zone in the pros.

Montel Harris, Boston College

One of the better backs in college football and in the ACC.

Harris gives the Eagles a threat to score every time he touches the ball.

That is all you can ask of your top runner.

Coby Fleener, Tight End, Stanford

He is a nice target for Andrew Luck to have.

A match-up problem at 6'6", he could be used in the red zone often against smaller secondaries.

Cyrus Gray, Running Back, Texas A&M

With Ryan Tannehill throwing it and Gray running it, the Aggies offense is pretty well-balanced.

At 5'10" and 200 pounds, Gray can carry an NFL-type load and still keep moving the chains.

Zebrie Sanders, Tackle, Florida State

He and Andrew Datko make the running game go and provide great protection for EJ Manuel.

Now the question becomes, will he play on the right side or the left in the pros?

T.Y. Hilton, Receiver, Florida International

I believe he will be the star of the draft and the sleeper all in one.

Small in size at 5'9" but great speed.

He will be the small-college stud everyone wants to draft.

Mike Adams, Tackle, Ohio State

Every year, the Buckeyes produce good offensive linemen.

This year is no exception. Adams is a leader on the line, opening holes for the running game and helping to pass protect as well.

Chris Polk, Running Back, Washington

Good size at 214 pounds. He is one of the better runners in the Pac-12.

Polk will be a good fill-in on offense and will learn about the kicking game, like most rookies do in the NFL.

Jeff Fuller, Receiver, Texas A&M

A prime target for Ryan Tannehill.

A nice, tall target to wrestle the ball out of the air or to go up over a defender for a score.

He will be a solid second- or third-round pick.

Lucas Nix, Guard, Pittsburgh

Strong and powerful.

He is tall for a guard at 6'6". Could he see time at right tackle?

Dwight Jones, Receiver, North Carolina

Teams will love him for his size at 6'4".

Another long and tall receiver in the ACC who will create matchup problems against smaller defensive backs.

Levy Adcock, Tackle, Oklahoma State

Adcock is solid.

Oklahoma State has a high-powered offense in which the line must work together to protect the quarterback and open holes for a strong running balance.

Adcock is instrumental in making that happen.

Andrew Datko, Tackle, Florida State

Datko has great size and strength.

He has played in a system with two starting quarterbacks this year.

Look for him to continue his strong technique in the pros.

LaMichael James, RB, Oregon

He is short, fast and quick to the hole.

Don't let anyone tell him he cannot get anything done.

Running backs like James Brooks, Warrick Dunn and Joe Morris all had success in the NFL.

James is better than them.

Kelechi Osemele, Guard, Iowa State

He is a very wide load at 347 pounds, but he can move a pile and open holes for the running game.

He is one of those graders you hope for coming out of the Midwest.

Lamar Miller, Running Back, Miami

He is a redshirt sophomore, so he has time to play in the system.

He could be the best back coming out in five years if he gives up his eligibility.

His 4.42 speed is attractive to many pro teams.

Nick Toon, Receiver, Wisconsin

At 6'2", he has good size and can move across the middle or be a medium-range threat with 4.52 speed.

On a team that is better known for its ground attack, teams stand up and take notice of this talented receiver.

Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State

Brewster is the anchor of the Buckeyes offensive line.

Big and thick, the 6'5" 305-pounder has helped to open holes for the running game and help in pass blocking protection.

A solid player and hard worker.

Peter Konz, Center, Wisconsin

You do not usually see a center ranked this high, but that is a testament to how good Konz is.

Wisconsin prides itself on strong blocking up front, and it starts with Konz as the leader of the offensive line. As a redshirt junior, he could come back for one more season.

D.J. Fluker, Tackle, Alabama

There are reasons why the Alabama rushing attack is so good. It has tackles like Fluker opening holes for it.

Fluker is a redshirt sophomore, so he could play two more years in the Crimson Tide system.

He has been instrumental in Alabama's offensive success this season.

Ryan Miller, Guard, Colorado

Miller is a road grader like NFL scouts want.

Someone who can open lanes and keep the running game moving.

He is strong and powerful and a solid contributor on the line.

Ryan Tannehill, Quarterback, Texas A&M

Tannehill has proven he can be a good, dependable passer and could make a difference in the NFL.

He is tall at 6'4" and needs to add some weight to his frame, but Tannehill could be a good serviceable starter in the NFL.

Dwayne Allen, Tight End, Clemson

Some would agree that Clemson can score in bunches and keep up with the best teams in the country.

Allen is one of the main offensive targets for the Tigers' offense.

He can also provide decent blocking on the line with his 255-pound frame.

Nate Potter, Tackle, Boise State

Someone has to keep Kellen Moore off the ground. 

Potter is an immovable object in the Broncos offensive line.

At 6'6" and 300 pounds, he is quite an imposing sight.

Ryan Broyles, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma

He and Landry Jones make it look so easy on the field.

A decent route runner, but not a burner.

He will be a slot receiver in the pros and help with the return game.

Nick Foles, Quarterback, Arizona

He is a solid 6'5" and 245 pounds and has some mobility.

The Wildcats have not been a great team this season, but they have had their moments, and Foles has helped to direct some of them.

While I don't necessarily think he will be taken in the first round, he is a solid player who can shine in the NFL spotlight.

Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

The best receiver to come out of the Irish program since Tim Brown.

He is the third best receiver on the board right now, but he might have the best upside of any of the receivers taken in the first round.

At 6'3" and 224 pounds, he can block a linebacker or help in the run game as well.

David DeCastro, Guard, Stanford

You do not see a guard ranked this high in a draft class, but DeCastro is that good.

He helped protect Andrew Luck and open up holes in the middle of the offensive line for the Stanford running game.

He is a little tall for a guard at 6'5" and 315 pounds, but he is one of the best linemen in the draft.

Robert Griffin, Quarterback, Baylor

Here is a questionable pick for any team. What do you do with this guy?

Griffin has proven he can be a lot of things to the Baylor Bears offense and has made great progress as a passer and runner.

Is he a true quarterback in the NFL, or does he have a place as a Wildcat player or does he fit at another position?

Either way, you cannot deny his talent.

Cordy Glenn, Guard, Georgia

Glenn has been a positive on the offensive line all season for the Bulldogs.

With great size at 348 pounds, he has helped to open running lanes for the Bulldogs' young tailbacks and has helped Georgia to be one of the better running teams in the SEC.

Landry Jones, Quarterback, Oklahoma

From the moment he started playing, he was the future of this ball club.

Jones does everything right in the Sooners system for coach Bob Stoops and is a main reason the Sooners are one of the top programs year after year.

The 6'4" redshirt junior could be a top selection in 2012.

Riley Reiff, Tackle, Iowa

A Big-10 tackle from the Midwest.

Sounds familiar.

Reiff is a load to move and he will bear down and block tackles and ends with ease.

He has the height and size to dominate on the pro level for years.

Matt Barkley, Quarterback, USC

He has played better than Mark Sanchez did at USC. Will that translate to better play in the pros?

Barkley was a heralded passer coming out of high school and has lived up to the expectations and has gotten better over the past three years.

But because he is a USC guy, he will be compared to both Matt Leinart and Sanchez.

Jonathan Martin, Tackle, Stanford

He keeps Andrew Luck's blind side clean.

A huge tackle who is just a grade below Matt Kalil.

Playing against great defenses in the Pac-12, Martin knows a thing or two about playing in the trenches.

Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

Because of the run on quarterbacks and receivers in this draft, some team is going to get a steal with Richardson.

A strong, powerful back who can block and catch.

Richardson, if he comes out, will excel at the next level.

Justin Blackmon, Receiver, Oklahoma State

Great size to speed ratio.

While Blackmon runs a 40-yard dash in over 4.5 seconds, he uses his size to get separation and provides a great red-zone target.

Terrell Owens with better skills and none of the baggage.

Alshon Jeffery, Receiver, South Carolina

He has been ready to play in the NFL since his freshman year at South Carolina.

The ability to play against top talent in the SEC made him the best receiver to come out in the draft since Calvin Johnson.

If Jeffery lasts longer than the fifth pick overall, there is something wrong with the way scouts rank players.

Jeffery is special.

Matt Kalil, Tackle, Southern California

At 6'6" and 300 pounds, Kalil is a tackle in the mold of former USC studs Tony Boselli and Anthony Munoz.

He is clearly the best tackle in this draft and can be plugged into a starting lineup for the next decade or more.

Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

Surprise!

OK, you knew this was going to happen. Is there a better quarterback to come out of the college ranks since the man he may replace, Peyton Manning?

Is that irony or just Karma?

The Colts, or every team sans five or six, could use Luck and his array of skills.