2012 NFL Mock Draft: 10 Players Destined for NFL Stardom

We're all probably sick of hearing how good Andrew Luck is going to be in the NFL.

When creating a list of the top 10 players destined for superstardom at the next level, he has to be at the top.

The Stanford quarterback is the No. 1 prospect in the country two years running and has as much potential, if not more, than any quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning.

But he's not alone in this 2012 draft class. In fact, there are a number of future superstars in this class.

Some will dominate early, others will need some time to develop, but when all is said and done they'll be superstars on Sundays.

Here are the top 10 players destined for superstardom in the 2012 NFL draft class.

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Andrew Luck has nowhere to go but down as an NFL prospect.

That happens when you sit atop the big board for all of two years.

People always want to find something wrong with the top player.

The most common knock on Luck is that he doesn't have elite arm strength.

That is hardly the case, and his combination of anticipation and ball placement will make up for any perceived lack of strength that may exist.

Having said that, the rest of Andrew Luck is simply incredible. He's an above-average athlete with prototype size and experience in a pro-style offense.

Whichever team drafts him—likely the Colts at this point—will have a superstar franchise quarterback to build around for years to come. 

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The LSU cornerback is often overshadowed by Heisman finalist teammate Tyrann Mathieu, but it is the 6'0", 175-pound Claiborne that's set up for a top-five draft selection.

The Tigers defensive back isn't in the same vein as Patrick Peterson (PP is nearly 45 pounds heavier), but the lighter Claiborne is a gifted cover cornerback all the same.

Unfortunately we won't get a chance to see him take on another player on this list in the national title game, but he'll still be all over the field.

Claiborne has the ability to score any time he touches the football, and his versatility can be attributed back to his high school days. He arrived in Baton Rouge with the intention of playing wide receiver and possesses great ball skills for a defensive back.

He'll grow into his frame and will be a player to watch immediately.

Matt Kalil, OT, USC

It is hard to get excited about an offensive tackle, but Kalil is far from ordinary.

More often than not, there is at least one tackle to get excited about in every draft, but Kalil demands you to be excited.

At 6'7", 295 pounds, he has the ideal frame and size to excel at the next level.

Kalil has phenomenal feet, excels in both the run and pass game and plays with a mean streak necessary to dominate in the NFL.

His brother is a Pro Bowl center for the Carolina Panthers.

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The second player on this list that will appear in the BCS National Championship Game, Richardson is a better NFL prospect than former teammate and Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram.

We see Ingram doing a lot of good with the New Orleans Saints, but Richardson will be drafted higher this year.

His combination of size, speed, balance, power and overall versatility will keep him in the top 10 despite a decreasing value on the running back position in recent years.

Richardson is tenacious and does everything needed to succeed early and often in the NFL.

There are more than a few teams in need of his services early in the draft.

Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

People can be down on Coples all they want.

At 6'6", 272 pounds and with great speed for the position, Coples is an athletic prospect that coaches simply cannot wait to get their hands on.

The UNC Tar Heel hasn't been as productive as you'd like this season, as he faced double-teams more often than not, but his overall potential and versatility at the next level should keep him around the top 10 players taken in the draft.

Players with his combination of size and speed don't come around very often, and if he can put it all together going into the NFL, he has the potential to be an elite sack-artist for a long time.

He's not an elite athlete per se, and some have questioned his motor at times this year, but he's too gifted and just needs a coach to help him along the way.

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The video highlights of Justin Blackmon do more justice than words could ever do.

At 6'1", 211 pounds, he's not physically imposing nor is he an elite speedster.

Blackmon is simply a football player with elite football speed and playmaking ability.

He's been uber-productive in Stillwater and has dominated some top competition during his time in the Big 12.

He can make plays deep down the field and can also turn a quick slant into an 80-yard touchdown.

Blackmon has top 10 talent and will be a star in the NFL immediately.

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Michael Floyd doesn't get the national recognition he deserves, but the Notre Dame playmaker is going to be an immediate star on Sundays.

At 6'3", 230 pounds, Floyd has the size necessary to dominate defensive backs every snap and the playmaking ability to take over a game.

In the video, you'll notice Floyd has a propensity to make difficult catches with regularity.

He does a phenomenal job of climbing the ladder and high-pointing the football, and he uses his size to shield defenders at the same time.

Floyd set records for receiving touchdowns and receptions during his time in South Bend.

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Dre Kirkpatrick is nearly 6'3", 190 pounds.

His long, wiry frame can be seen all over the field and, as expected at Alabama, he's very active and productive in run support.

The Crimson Tide cornerback hasn't played up to his full potential yet, either.

With his great range, he often finds himself in position but doesn't always capitalize, as he continues to develop recognition skills.

Kirkpatrick's potential outweighs his complete body of work right now, but it is really hard not to get excited about a cornerback with his combination of size and athleticism.

He's only going to get better, and when he does he will be a star in the NFL.

Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Matt Barkley is quite the intriguing prospect.

The USC quarterback was snubbed as Heisman finalist despite posting better numbers than former Trojan winners Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer.

The true junior took over the starting duties early in his freshman season and has continually gotten better with each and every game.

Despite the sanctions levied against the program, Barkley chose to stick around and became the leader of the Trojans team that went 10-2 this season.

He's developed into an elite draft prospect and could find himself off the board in the top five picks, depending on team needs.

No quarterback closed the season on a higher note (not even RG III) and his development in a pro-style system will only help his transition to the NFL.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Speaking of RG III, no player in the nation did more for his draft stock down the stretch than the Baylor quarterback.

The junior is now the leading candidate to win the Heisman Trophy and has worked his way up to mid-first-round consideration for the 2012 NFL draft.

The current success of Cam Newton and Tim Tebow has teams realizing (despite as small of a sample size as it is) that the athletic and possible run-first QB can succeed in the NFL.

RG III isn't a run-first guy, though. He prides himself on making plays with his arm first and is noted for being very efficient with the football.

He doesn't force things, rarely makes mistakes and the little things—like throwing balls away and knowing where the blitz is coming from—don't show up on the stat sheet but is noted by coaches and scouts.

Heisman Trophy winner or not, RG III is going to be a star at the next level if he continues to progress at his current rate.

Honorable Mention

Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Gifted athlete and playmaker with great resume against top competition during his time at Florida. Scouts and coaches haven't forgotten about him despite being kicked off the Gators.

David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

It is even harder to get excited about a guard, but DeCastro is the nation's best interior lineman and will be an immediate starter in the NFL.

Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

One of the more underrated and unknown stars in the country, Sanu caught 109 passes this year, more than doubling his career total in receptions.

The cause of that is because the Scarlet Knights needed him to do so many other things, like play Wildcat quarterback and running back, in his first two seasons. He's a unique utility man with great athleticism at worst, but could become an elite receiver as well.

Complete Mock Draft

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

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