2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Where the Top RBs Will Land

The 2012 NFL Draft is loaded with quite a bit of offensive talent. The only thing, however, is that the rarest of talent will be at the RB position.

That being said, drafting a running back in the second or third round is not a bad idea. Just look at what DeMarco Murray has done for the Dallas Cowboys since getting his shot as the starter. And Murray was a third rounder.

So despite the lack of depth among RBs in the 2012 draft, the level of talent is still there. To that end, here are the four best RBs you'll see this spring and where they end up.

4. Arizona Cardinals: Trent Richardson, Alabama

Alabama RB Trent Richardson is going to be a top 10 pick at worst. However, after him we won't see another back get taken until early second round at the earliest.

Getting back to Trent, the Crimson Tide Brahma Bull is arguably the top Heisman candidate this season and has the potential to be better than former Tide RB—now New Orleans Saint—Mark Ingram.

Richardson hasn't had to deal with the brunt of getting hit three straight seasons like Ingram, as Trent only acted as his relief RB the past two seasons. Now he's come in at full force and will be healthier and stronger as a rookie.

If the Arizona Cardinals take him, he will welcome the challenge of their weak rush offense. Yes, their O-line is weak, but RB Beanie Wells wasn't that good when they had a decent run-blocking scheme anyway.

Richardson doesn't even need blockers half the time as he continually breaks tackle after tackle. Obviously it will be more difficult in the pros, but his combination of size, speed, quickness, strength and acceleration is going to take the NFL by storm.

42. Washington Redskins: LaMichael James, Oregon

The only other RB who might get taken in the first round will be Oregon's LaMichael James. He's arguably the fastest back in the nation and has unparalleled quickness and acceleration.

A team such as the Washington Redskins could use him solely because he's already better than anyone they have. His versatility will significantly help Washington's offense keep opposing defenses off-balance.

James' acceleration is perhaps his best attribute. It allows him to take a sweep or a toss and beat any defender to the edge, and on any play between the tackles, he can generate enough speed to use that kinetic force and plow through bigger defenders.

LaMichael is also quite swift and agile, thus giving him the luxury of weeding his way through a cluttered line if the play gets broken up. The Redskins can also use him for screens and draws, which only adds to the dimension of an offense.

Before they draft James, however, Washington needs a QB. That said, with a QB-loaded draft they really can't go wrong. Combine that player with James, and the Redskins offense has high hopes in 2012.

56. Chicago Bears: Doug Martin. Boise State

Despite his size, Boise's Doug Martin is a smash-mouth RB who goes downhill more than most tend to believe. Although he's fast and quick enough to run the rock outside, going up the gut is his forte.

Now, being in an offense where his QB (Kellen Moore) is a Heisman candidate, Martin has definitely gone under the radar. For one, he's not receiving nearly as much exposure being that he's on Boise State, and two, the offense doesn't require him to dominate.

In comparison to Trent Richardson at Alabama and LaMichael James in Oregon, both those RBs are the focal point of their respective offensive schemes. Martin is an unknown product in Boise, Idaho playing in the Mountain West Conference. Hence, exposure is limited.

That being said, however, since he's more of a grunt back as opposed to finesse, he'll be ideal for the Chicago Bears. Right now the Bears offense focuses around RB Matt Forte, but backup Marion Barber isn't giving offensive coordinator Mike Martz a threatening two-back tandem.

And if there's one area where you can gain an edge in the NFL today, it's to have two RBs to keep a defense off-balance. Chicago needs that to really get the most out of their West-coast offense, and Martin will suffice.

Chances are he'll be more of a third-down back, but he gives coach Martz the dimension of going shotgun with two RBs instead of one, which is a formation most defenses don't see much of anymore. In other words—advantage Windy City.

82. New York Jets: Chris Polk, Washington

Now if we're talking straight dominance up the middle, Washington's Chris Polk is that guy. He's bigger than Doug Martin but not quite as fast; however, he's arguably just as great as Trent Richardson when it comes to breaking tackles.

He's not an outside runner, nor is he much of a receiving RB. But his top speed allows him to hit another gear if in open space. Also, when running up the middle, provided that he finds a hole in the defense, no DB has a shot at bringing him down one-on-one.

Playing for the New York Jets would be the perfect fit. New York likes to run the ball between the tackles and is not a spread/pass-happy offense. That said, with their lack of pass protection, Polk is here to help.

Pass blocking is arguably his best asset and easily his most underrated. With so many teams going four and five wide, there's usually never a running back blocking to allow the QB to buy time, and we all know Mark Sanchez needs that.

To that end, Polk will help the Jets pass offense improve and give them a back who can move the chains as a great complement to Joe McKnight. Although Shonn Greene has been their guy, Polk is already on another level, and who knows how much longer LaDainian Tomlinson can play.

2012 NFL First Round Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stan.)	17. Buffalo Bills: Janoris Jenkins, CB (N. Ala.)
2. Miami Dolphins: Landry Jones, QB (Okla.)	18. New York Jets: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
3. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	19. Cleveland (From ATL): Jeff Fuller, WR (Tex. A&M)
4. Arizona Cardinals: Trent Richardson, RB (Ala.)	20. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, G (Stan.)
5. Seattle Seahawks: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	21. Detroit Lions: Kevin Reddick, LB (UNC)
6. Cleveland Browns: Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)	22. Cincinnati (From Oak): Jonathan Martin, OT (Stan.)
7. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Okla. St.)	23. Dallas Cowboys: Jarvis Jones, LB (Georgia)
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (N.D.)	24. Chicago Bears: Nick Toon, WR (Wisc.)
9. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, DB, (LSU)	25. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio St.)
10. Washington Redskins: Brandon Weeden, QB (Okla. St.)	26. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S (Ala.)
11 .Philadelphia Eagles: Manti Te'o, LB (N.D.)	27. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cliff Harris, S (Oregon)
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Brandon Thompson, DT (Clem)	28. N.E. (From N.O): Cam Johnson, DE (Virginia)
13. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Ala.)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Luke Kuechly, LB (B.C.)
14. Denver Broncos: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Neb.)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Boykin, CB (Georgia)
15. Kansas City Chiefs: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Ala.)	31. Houston Texans: Jeff Fuller, WR (Tex. A&M)
16. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (So. Car.)	32. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (S. Car.)

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