NFL Mock Draft 2012: Trent Richardson and Players Getting Too Much Love

Football season is almost over. I know that is a sad day for all of us, but the good news is that means the NFL draft is rapidly approaching. This looks to be one of the deeper draft classes in recent memory, assuming most of the eligible underclassmen declare. 

As is the case with every NFL draft, there are players who are getting too much love.

Now when I say that, I don't mean they aren't good/great players. Rather, I think that where they are projected to go does not offer good value for the team that is making the selection. 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so these teams can do whatever they want, but you have to get the best value relative to position. 

With that in mind, here are three players who are projected to go far too high in the 2012 NFL Draft. 

Trent Richardson, RB

If you have watched Richardson at Alabama this season, it is hard not to love him. He is tough, physical and has moves like very few running backs in college football. 

But running back is such an easy position to fill that unless you know you are getting Adrian Peterson 2.0, there is no reason to take one in the first round. 

We have him going to the Browns with the No. 8 pick, but they have more pressing needs on offense—particularly at quarterback and wide receiver—and with Landry Jones and Alson Jeffery still on the board, they would be foolish to go with a running back. 

Robert Griffin III, QB

Much like Richardson, Griffin has been one of the most exciting and dominant players in college football this season. He has catapulted himself into the first-round mix thanks to his performance at Baylor. 

However, he is putting up great numbers against a soft group of Big 12 defenses. His measurements leave a lot to be desired—6'2", 220 pounds—though it is not impossible for him to succeed being a smaller player. 

Griffin's greatest asset is an ability to scramble in the pocket, but will he be able to do that against fast defenses in the NFL? 

He should be a late first-rounder instead of a mid-first-rounder. 

Matt Barkley, QB

Barkley has the same measurements as Griffin, though he is regarded as the much better prospect and will likely end up going in the top five when all is said and done. 

But there are a few red flags that NFL teams should focus on before taking him that high. He has had some injury problems throughout his career, though he has been able to stay healthy this season. 

Plus, he has had problems throwing the ball down the field. He tries to show off his arm a lot more than he should. He is being talked about as the second-best quarterback in the draft, but I think that Landry Jones has better attributes right now.

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

No.	Team (Record)	Player, Pos.
1.	Indianapolis Colts (0-11)	Andrew Luck, QB
2.	St. Louis Rams (2-9)	Justin Blackmon, WR
3.	Carolina Panthers (3-8)	Quinton Coples, DE
4.	Miami Dolphins (3-8)	Matt Barkley, QB
5.	Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8)	Michael Floyd, WR
6.	Arizona Cardinals (3-8)	Matt Kalil, OT
7.	Minnesota Vikings (2-9)	Jonathan Martin, OT
8.	Cleveland Browns (4-7)	Trent Richardson, RB
9.	Washington Redskins (4-7)	Landry Jones, QB
10.	Seattle Seahawks (4-7)	Morris Claiborne, CB
11.	Philadelphia Eagles (4-7)	Alshon Jeffery, WR
12.	San Diego Chargers (4-7)	Dre Kirkpatrick, CB
13.	Kansas City Chiefs (4-7)	Riley Reiff, OT
14.	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)	Alfonzo Dennard, CB
15.	Buffalo Bills (5-6)	Robert Griffin III, QB
16.	Tennessee Titans (6-5)	Vontaze Burfict, LB
17.	Denver Broncos (6-5)	Lamar Miller, RB
18.	Chicago Bears (7-4)	Peter Konz, C
19.	Detroit Lions (7-4)	Luke Kuechly, LB
20.	New York Jets (6-5)	David DeCastro, OG
21.	New York Giants (6-5)	Zach Brown, LB
22.	Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK) (7-4)	Cordy Glenn, OG
23.	Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)	Janoris Jenkins, CB
24.	Cleveland Browns (via ATL) (7-4)	Jarvin Jones, LB
25.	Houston Texans (8-3)	Mark Barron, S
26.	Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)	Dont'a Hightower, LB
27.	Dallas Cowboys (7-4)	Devon Still, DT
28.	New England (via NO 8-3)	Chase Minnifield, CB
29.	Baltimore Ravens (8-3)	Courtney Upshaw, DE
30.	San Francisco 49ers (9-2)	Kendall Wright, WR
31.	New England Patriots (8-3)	Mohamed Sanu, WR
32.	Green Bay Packers (11-0)	Brandon Thompson, DT