NFL Draft 2012: 10 Prospects Who Can Immediately Turn a Franchise Around

Every team approaches the NFL Draft with the mentality to improve at their weakest position and bring in prospects that can help build the team for the near future. Some prospects need a couple of years to develop and get used to to speed and physicality of the NFL game.

Others, however, have characteristics that are easily transferable to the NFL and allow them to make an immediate impact for their teams.

In last year's draft, players like Patrick Peterson, Von Miller, A.J. Green, Cam Newton and Ryan Kerrigan have made an immediate impact for their new teams.

So which players in the 2012 NFL Draft will be able to have the same effect next year?

Let's take a look.

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

To many, Andrew Luck might be the best quarterback prospect since John Elway. To others, he's the best quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning. Either way, Andrew Luck is a great prospect and will look to make an immediate on his new team.

If he is drafted by the Colts, it is very possible that he sits out a couple years and learns from Peyton Manning, but otherwise, he will probably be starting from Day 1.

This year Luck has thrown for 3,170 yards with a completion percentage of 70 percent. He has also thrown 35 touchdowns and nine interceptions with a passer rating of 167.5.

Oh, and he also had a ridiculous catch. What can he not do?

Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Now, I know left tackle isn't the sexiest position out there. You won't see one of these guys score a touchdown or breaking someone's ankles. But they are one of the most important pieces, if not the most important, to an offensive line. Matt Kalil is one of the best left tackle prospects in recent memory and will help any franchise improve.

If a team like the St. Louis Rams were to take Matt Kalil, their offensive production would drastically improve. Sam Bradford proved that he has the capability to be a franchise quarterback last year, but a bad offensive line has slowed his progress this year.

Kalil has the ability to secure the quarterback's blind side for many years, and will be able to contribute right away.

Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Matt Barkley is probably the first quarterback taken in a draft that doesn't have Andrew Luck. Barkley will most definitely be drafted in the first round if he decides to come out this year and will make an immediate impact. Some analysts have him right with Andrew Luck as far as talent and ability for the next level. He has played in a pro style offense at USC and is NFL ready.

This year, Barkley has thrown for 3,528 and has completed 69.1 percent of his passes. He has also thrown for 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions with a passer rating of 161.2.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Robert Griffin III, better known as RG3, is one of the most exciting prospects in college football. He has amazing athletic ability and incredible accuracy. I mean, at one point in the season, he had more touchdowns than incompletions. Ridiculous.

He is still a raw quarterback as compared to Barkley and Luck but will bring excitement and a bright future to any team that drafts him. It may be possible that he is picked before Matt Barkley, but many people have him going right after. He may sit out his first year or maybe even his first two years, but if a team needs him to start right away, he will make a big impact and surprise many people.

This season he has thrown for 3,678 yards while completing 72.6 percent of his passes. He has also thrown 34 touchdowns and five interceptions with a rating of 133.4.

Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Alshon Jeffery is a curious case. He was absolutely incredible last year as he was a runner-up for the Biletnikof award. This year, however, he has not been the same player. Some have accredited this to poor and inconsistent quarterback play at South Carolina. When Marcus Lattimore went down, Jeffery was constantly being double teamed, and at times, triple teamed.

He has prototypical size for the position and has underrated speed. He catches anything that is thrown his way and will win almost every battle in the air. If Jeffery is taken by a team that has an established young quarterback, say Minnesota or St. Louis, he will instantly give him a No. 1 target for years to come.

This season, Jeffery has 45 catches for 614 and seven touchdowns. None of these stats jump off the page, but the wide receiver relies a lot on his quarterback and Jeffery hasn't been able to have the luxury of having a Matt Barkley or even a Brandon Weeden.

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Justin Blackmon has been one of the best wide receivers in the country this year. His productivity is off the roof and will probably be a top 10, if not top five pick in the upcoming draft. He will be able to come in and contribute right away with a team that has an established quarterback. He provides a smaller target than Jeffery, but he has amazing hands and range.

This year, Blackmon has 103 catches for 1,241 yards and 15 touchdowns. He will have to bulk up some for the next level, but he will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Trent Richardson is hands down the best running back prospect in this year's draft. He might be the best prospect since Adrian Peterson. He has an amazing blend of size, power and speed that make him a versatile running back. He can run around you, through you or over you. He is also a great pass catching receiver, which makes him dangerous on every down.

His productivity for Alabama has been unbelievable and will most definitely be a top pick in this year's draft. He will provide any team with a running back that can come in right away and carry the load at the position.

This year, Richardson has ran for 1,583 yards with a 6.0 yards per carry average. He has also scored 20 rushing touchdowns while adding three more through the air.

Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL)

Lamar Miller is a running back prospect that has recently entered the conversation as a first round pick. He has great speed for a running back and has the ability to run through the tackles with ease. He shows patience and an incredible burst of speed when he hits the hole. He is not the prospect that Richardson is, but this guy is special.

Miller will probably drop to the middle or late first round, giving him the ability to play for a more established team. He will come in and be the lead back right away for whoever drafts him and will provide them with a running back for years to come.

This year, Miller has ran for 1,272 yards with a 5.6 yards per carry average and nine touchdowns.

Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame

Manti Te'o is one of the best inside linebackers in a class that has plenty of talent at the position. He has good size and speed to play inside linebacker in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defensive scheme. He is a sure tackler and is always around the ball to make plays.

Te'o might sneak into the first 10 picks, but it's most likely he goes in the 10-15 range. He will bring instant stability at the position for whatever team drafts him and give them a player with great work ethic and attitude. Some have compared him to Ray Lewis, but I would say it's a bit early to be making that comparison.

This year, Te'o has 106 tackles this year and has recorded 4.5 sacks.

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Morris Claiborne is one of the top players in one of the top defenses in the country. That's in itself already a great accomplishment. Claiborne has been solid all year long, but has been overshadowed by his partner in crime, Tyrann Mathieu. He has solid coverage skills and a nose for the ball. He also has great work ethic and ideal size to play the position in the NFL.

Claiborne will most likely be a top 10 pick this year and will make an immediate impact at the next level. He won't be making the impact that his former teammate, Patrick Peterson, has made in special teams this year, but he will become a shut down corner in the near future. He will most likely start from Day 1 and won't look back.

This year, Claiborne has 43 total tackles and five interceptions.