2012 NFL Mock Draft: Latest Projections for College Football's Top Playmakers

This year's draft is loaded with guys who can change the game with a single play, especially on the front end of the draft. Teams that are looking for playmakers on the offensive side of the ball will have a lot of extremely talented players to choose from. 

If you are a fan of the Redskins, Browns, Broncos, or any other team that needs a shot of talent to their skill positions, you may want to take a closer look at some of the guys on this list, because you can bet your general managers are doing just that.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the top playmakers in college football this year. 

Trent Richardson, Running Back, Alabama

Trent Richardson is the most polished running back in the draft, hands down. He has tremendous balance and can make cuts that few backs his age are able to make. Richardson is physical and is not afraid to grind out extra yards, and is a good receiver out of the backfield. 

In other words, Richardson is the full package. 

Richardson doesn't blow people away with speed, but any team looking for a feature back for their franchise need look no further than Trent Richardson.

Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

The 6'1" reciever is not the deep threat everyone assumes he is, but he is certainly a talented player with a lot of upside. He reminds me a lot of Brandon Marshall in that regard; Blackmon is a physical reciever that has great route-running ability and can make the toughest catches in traffic. He is strong enough to beat press-man coverage, which has become an important attribute in today's NFL receiver. 

However, unlike Marshall, Blackmon has yet to develop a habit of dropping easy passes.

David Wilson, Running Back, Virginia Tech

Easily the most valuable player on this year's Virginia Tech team, Wilson is one of the most dynamic backs in the draft, should he decide to come out. 

Wilson has amazing elusiveness and lateral agility. For his size, he posses a lot of power, especially in his lower body, and is not afraid on contact. He can run routes as well as a receiver and has good hands. He can be a big factor in the return game.

The knock on Wilson is that he tends to take a while to get into a "rhythm," which often results in slow starts. Still, his ability to break a game open with a single touch of the football will push him up draft boards.

Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, South Carolina

Alshon Jeffery's numbers this year were certainly disappointing (and are largely attributable to terrible quarterback play), but Jeffery's upside is all that matters to draft scouts. 

Jeffery has all of the tools to be a vertical reciever in the NFL: he shows great concentration on the ball and has the ideal frame to get jump balls. He does, however, lack elite speed and there have been some questions about his work ethic and conditioning. 

Depending on your team's needs, it is between Jeffery and Blackmon for the top receiver in the draft.