2012 NFL Draft: 10 Prospects Who Could Help Teams Immediately

As we've entered the second half of the 2011 NFL season, each team's specific positional needs come more and more into focus. With teams already mathematically out of the playoff picture, some of the league's franchises are in need of potential game changers.

Though free agency is always an option to fill almost any hole, most teams will look to the NFL Draft to satisfy their needs.

With each draft class, most prospects take time to progress into a high level of play or even a starting role all together. Ideally, each team would like their first-round pick to become an immediate starter, but that isn't always the case.

At the same time, each class has their own standouts that become immediate stars at the professional level.

The 2012 class is full of talent and potential stars, but the question is, which players have the potential to make an immediate impact on the team that drafts them?

10. Courtney Upshaw, LB Alabama

Courtney Upshaw could end up being one of the most coveted linebacker prospects in the 2012 class.

The Alabama product has the ability to play almost any linebacker position in any system, but would be best suited for an OLB role in a 3-4 defense. That's not to say that he wouldn't excel in another system, though. Upshaw's versatility allows him to play well sideline-to-sideline while also providing the downhill explosiveness to make tackles in the backfield.

Upshaw is relentless and could end up being one of the league's most feared pass-rushers one day. Because of his raw power and athleticism, his style of play could have him compared to Green Bay's Clay Matthews.

Upshaw will make an immediate impact on whatever team drafts him because of the determination that he brings to a defense. He plays through the whistle on every play and hits as hard as any other guy in his class.

Courtney Upshaw will make some defensive coordinator a happy man next year.

9. Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame

Despite a slow start to the 2011 season, Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd will enter the 2012 NFL Draft as one of the top receiver prospects.

Floyd isn't the fastest guy in his class, but he possesses the big play ability that is necessary to be a star at the NFL level.

The kid is an athletic freak and will turn some heads with his strength and surprising agility for his 6'3" 227 lb. frame. Not only does he have ideal size for his position, he can use his speed to create space down-field and use his strength to catch in traffic.

For teams like the Browns, Rams, Vikings, Jaguars and Titans, who all have a lot of potential with their passing games but lack the talent at WR necessary to excel, Floyd could be the piece that pushes a team across that threshold.

8. Alshon Jeffery, WR South Carolina

Alshon Jeffery is battling with Justin Blackmon to be considered the WR prize of this draft class.

The South Carolina product has great size at 6'4" 233 lbs. He uses his height and jumping ability to become one of college football's best deep threats and would like to replicate that same ability at the NFL level.

Jeffery has already been compared to Calvin Johnson for his ability to go up and get the ball, but his stock has fallen a little bit because of lack of production this season. This lapse no doubt has to do with the uncertainty at QB on South Carolina's roster.

If a team is willing to look past his ugly stats from this season, they might land one of the next great NFL wide receivers.

Jeffery will become a deep threat for any team that takes a chance on him. He will not only make an immediate impact in the NFL, but he could be the difference in winning or losing some games. Jeffery has all the makings of a star WR.

7. Manti Te'o, LB Notre Dame

Manti Te'o is one of the best LB prospects for the 2012 NFL Draft.

The Notre Dame prospect will enter the 2012 draft as not just the best ILB prospect, but perhaps the best LB prospect all together along with Vontaze Burfict, and Courtney Upshaw.

The guy has a high-motor and tuned mechanics to be a very polished prospect, but it is his moxie and swagger that give him the potential to be a leader on whatever defense he plays in.

While he is best suited for a 3-4 defense, Te'o has the ability to make an impact in almost any system.

You may not hear his name often, but that is because he is always doing his job - exactly the kind of impact you want from any player.

6. Jonathin Martin, LT Stanford

Jonathan Martin is the second-best LT prospect in his class.

The Stanford tackle watches Andrew Luck's blindside, and by all accounts, does a pretty good job of it.

Other than QB, there is no more important a position than the left tackle. That being said, even if Martin isn't the best in his class, he will still have a great impact on whatever team drafts him.

For a team like the Minnesota Vikings, the addition of Martin would completely refurbish their offensive line.

The combination of his size and athleticism would benefit any team in need of a new tackle. He will make a big difference on whatever offense takes a chance on him.

5. Morris Claiborne, CB LSU

Morris Claiborne is arguably the best cornerback prospect in his class. The LSU Tiger lead his team with five interceptions in 2010 and has tallied four so far this season.

Claiborne has the potential to be a lock-down-type corner and has perfect size at 6'0" 185 lbs.

Claiborne's ball-hawking ability will make him a playmaker in the NFL. The way he always has a sense for where the ball is sets him apart from other DBs in his class and will help him to make a splash his rookie season in the NFL.

4. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB Alabama

I know that I just said that Claiborne is the best CB in the 2012 draft class, but Dre Kirkpatrick will have more of an impact his rookie season in the NFL.

The Alabama product near 6'3" and almost 200 lbs., Kirkpatrick uses his size to be a great bump-and-run type corner and will create havoc for opposing offenses by throwing off the timing on routes. He's already being compared to Antonio Cromartie for his size and physical style of play.

Despite the fact that he's as big as some linebackers, Kirkpatrick has the deceiving speed to keep up with most receivers. If he's able to show that same speed and ability in the NFL, he will be considered one of the game's elite in no time.

Kirkpatrick is a potential sleeper in the draft, but will likely still be selected within the top 10. The guy will give OCs headaches for years to come.

3. Matt Kalil, LT USC

Matt Kalil will be an elite LT at the NFL level.

The USC Trojan is the best LT in his class and will likely be a top three pick.

All of the same things I said about Martin apply here, but Kalil is simply better than Martin, and it isn't even close. As a sophomore at USC, Kalil came in and moved junior Tyron Smith over to the right side of the offensive line. Smith was drafted 10th overall in 2011 by the Dallas Cowboys, and Kalil makes him look like a chump.

The QB that ends up with this guy on his blindside next season will be a happy camper. Kalil will make a silent impact on whatever team comes in second place for the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

2. Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State

Justin Blackmon is the best wide receiver in his class. The Oklahoma State Cowboy has the ability to stretch the field, but he is very well known for using his size and speed to make plays all over the field.

Blackmon likely would've been taken in the top 10 of the 2011 draft with 20 receiving touchdowns and nearly 1,800 yards in his 2010 season. He is on his way to replicating those same stats and will be selected somewhere in the top five in 2012.

Blackmon will be a very coveted prospect, and for good reason.

He will be a playmaker in the NFL and will make an immediate impact on any team that drafts him. With so many teams in need of a top wideout, Blackmon could easily find his way onto Rookie of the Year ballots in 2012.

1. Andrew Luck, QB Stanford

To those of you that are surprised by this take, you all deserve a "C'mon Man!" from Cris Carter.

Luck is the most sought-after pick in the last 10 years.

The Stanford QB is already being praised as the next Peyton Manning and is pretty much the consensus No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft.

Luck will make any team that drafts him astronomically better. Because it will take the NFL's worst team to land this guy, he will turn a 2-14 team into possibly a 7-9 team or even better. The guy just wins and wins and wins.

So here's to hoping that Andrew Luck isn't the next Ryan Leaf.

Thanks for reading.