NFL Draft 2012: 15 Prospects Who Can Make Immediate Impacts in the NFL

It is never too early to start thinking of the NFL draft.

For us draft pundits, it gives us a chance to follow college players, their progress and see who may be the next John Elway or Bruce Smith.

It also gives us something to talk about during the the NFL offseason.

This year, the draft appears to be loaded at receiver and quarterback. There is good depth in the secondary as well.

Teams will be hard pressed to pass on All-American players like Morris Claiborne, Robert Griffin III, Matt Kalil and, of course, Andrew Luck.

Because of what appears to be decent depth, there are players who could go in the middle of the first round and still have a chance to make a major impact on a team needing a spark in their offense or a run stopper or safety valve on their defense.

These players have a chance to come right in and make an impact.

15. Jonathan Martin, Offensive Tackle, Stanford

Martin is one of the main reasons for Andrew Luck being so successful this season.

Martin is a beast and can move defenders out of the way to open holes for the Cardinal running game.

Martin's size at 6'6" and 305 pounds makes it possible for him to add weight and still be effective.

14. Janoris Jenkins, Defensive Back, North Alabama

The former Florida product is an exceptional athlete and defender.

The question will be whether a team will take a chance on him in the first round.

If they do and he has taken care of his past demons, he will be a steal.

13. Devon Still, Defensive Tackle, Penn State

He is still a shining star for the Nittany Lions defense.

At 6'4" and 310, he can move the pile and stuff the run.

He will be the first tackle off the board.

12. Zach Brown, OLB North Carolina

He is a terror for the Tar Heels defense.

At 6'2 and 4.48 40-yard speed, Brown could be used as an edge rusher or a run stuffer.

He could also track down a tight end in pass plays.

11. T.Y. Hilton, Wide Receiver, Florida International

When everything is said and done, and we look at this draft in five years, Hilton and Michael Floyd could be the best receivers in this bunch.

Hilton is a good slot or outside threat who may have played in a small college program, but coaches and general managers have him on their radar.

10. Riley Reiff, Offfensive Tackle, Iowa

This born, bred and corn-fed tackle is huge at 6'6" and 300 pounds.

Right now, he is rated the second best tackle prospect by www.cbssportsline.com and should come off the board quickly for a team that needs a tackle for the next decade.

9. Matt Barkley, Quarterback, Southern California

Understand that he will be compared to Matt Leinart and Mark Sanchez before him.

Barkley seems to be a better pro prospect who got better as the season progressed.

At 6'2" and 220, he has a solid foundation to absorb punishment in the pocket.

He could be a Top-5 selection.

8. Morris Claiborne, Cornerback, LSU

He is a true junior prospect who helped the toughest defense in the country knock off some pretty impressive opponents along the way.

Morris' size, at 6' and his 4.48 speed make him ideal as a kick returner in the NFL.

7. Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina

He will be the first defensive end taken off the board.

Strong and agile at 285 pounds, he can be an edge rusher or possibly a stand up linebacker in a 3-4 defense.

He may not be Julius Peppers, but he is no slouch either.

6. Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

No back has been better this year with maybe the exception of Montee Ball of Wisconsin.

Richardson played for one of the premier teams in America, played behind a Heisman Trophy winner in Mark Ingram and then set the world on fire himself.

He could be the only back selected in the first round.

5. Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

Dez Bryant was pretty good. Blackmon is even better.

He is threat to take it to the house every time he catches a pass.

He does not have top-rate speed, but in the open field he is hard to catch.

4. Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor

He could be the next big thing in the NFL.

Good arm, strong body and can run.

Maybe he takes away from of Tim Tebow's hype next season.

Whoever drafts him will have a great passer and runner in their offense.

3. Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, South Carolina

He has fallen down a bit on some draft boards, but the Gamecocks changed passers in mid-season and Jeffrey is the primary target on offense, drawing plenty of secondary attention.

He will be a Top-5 selection come draft time.

2. Matt Kalil, Tackle, Southern California

Kalil is another one of those huge tackles in the mold of Tony Boselli and Anthony Munoz.

Plug him into the hole on your offensive line, and wait another 10-12 years before replacing him.

He is clearly the best line prospect in this draft.

1. Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

The next John Elway. The next Peyton Manning. Just fill in the blank.

He is that good.

Robert Griffin III may provide more of a spark, but if you want the best passer in the country and the best pro prospect, he is your guy.