2012 NFL Draft: Latest Stock Watch for College Football's Top Playmakers

When you think of playmakers, guys such as Charles Woodson, Devin Hester, Calvin Johnson and Michael Vick come to mind.

It's a broad term, as it can relate to anyone who has a knack for finding the football and/or constantly making exciting things happen with the ball. That being said, here are five of college football's best playmakers in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Carolina Panthers: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)

Arguably the best DB in the nation, LSU's Morris Claiborne averages almost 29 yards per interception return (six for 173 yards) and also has 46 tackles on the year.

Claiborne is a guy the Carolina Panthers could certainly use in the secondary, as his play resembles plays current Panther Chris Gamble would make in college. Being that the Panthers need help defensively to assist the offense, a guy like Claiborne can only help.

The past two seasons he's picked off 11 passes, and with his physical play, Claiborne will surely become a thorn in the side of NFL WRs—especially the slot receivers since he's quick enough to keep the coverage tight.

On the outside Morris would be a great zone drop defender, as his instincts and awareness will allow him to make plays and help with run support. To stop high-powered offenses like New Orleans and Atlanta in the NFC South, Carolina needs playmakers on defense.

Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

Although the Green Bay Packers have some good playmakers on defense in Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews, they need a second stud pass-rusher who knows how to find the football in the trenches.

That man is South Carolina's Melvin Ingram.

The past two seasons Ingram has accounted for 17.5 sacks, 71 tackles, has picked off two passes (both in 2011) and has scored three TDs this year.

The man just knows how to get pressure on the QB and find the football. It's something the Packers have thrived on all this season from a defensive standpoint, but Ingram also has the football IQ to keep containment and provide a DE dropping into coverage.

It's arguably his best attribute and will give Green Bay the luxury of more talented depth (at the very least) on their defense.

Plus, can you imagine another solid pass-rusher coming opposite Matthews?

Winning in the trenches and taking pressure off the vulnerable pass-defense can only help in Titletown.

Buffalo Bills: Jayron Hosley, CB (Virginia Tech)

It's definitely a fair assessment to say that the Buffalo Bills need help everywhere on defense. The pass-defense needs to become more consistent at making plays because the offense is only good enough to move the ball effectively—not explode each week.

To that end, CB Jayron Hosley from Virginia Tech will suffice.

Around the middle of the second round you can expect Buffalo to take a guy like Hosley for his ball-hawking skills. In 2010 he led the nation with nine INTs and returned them for a total of 110 yards.

In 2011, he has been challenged much less for his ability, but Hosley still picked off three passes and has also forced two fumbles. He's a rarity for the 2011 Hokies defense and simply knows how to find the football.

Hosley's footwork is solid, and his hand technique is perhaps his best skill. You don't get nine picks in one year without knowing how to properly use your hands to get into playmaking position without getting called for pass interference.

Needless to say, against stud WRs in the AFC East such as Wes Welker, Plaxico Burress and Brandon Marshall, knowing how to get into position is vital. Hosley will go overlooked for his size, but his awareness is better than most.

Denver Broncos: Marvin McNutt, WR (Iowa)

Late in the draft and roughly around the end of Round 4, there will be a WR from Iowa named Marvin McNutt who will be available.

McNutt goes overlooked not only for playing in the Big Ten but because of other Big Ten WRs such as B.J. Cunningham and Nick Toon being more notable.

Well, in addition to that, McNutt was the No. 2 WR in an Iowa offense that featured QB Ricky Stanzi and WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos in 2009 and 2010.

As for 2011, McNutt had a breakout year with a new QB (James Vandenberg) under center and Iowa being a more balanced offense as opposed to pass-happy. Nevertheless, McNutt still compiled more than 1,200 yards and scored 12 TDs on 78 receptions. Against solid Big Ten pass-defenses such as Michigan State, Nebraska and Penn State, that's quite impressive.

As for the draft, the Denver Broncos could use him, as they lack talented depth at WR. Denver needs defense early on,—as proven by New England on Sunday—but getting Tim Tebow a WR who can stretch the field far and wide will make Tebow's job that much easier.

Baltimore Ravens: Keshawn Martin, WR/Return Specialist (Michigan State)

Another underrated WR is Michigan State's Keshawn Martin. Martin definitely goes under the radar as a Big Ten WR, but he has excellent playmaking skills to help out a team like Baltimore.

Most likely late in the fifth round is when Martin will get picked, and as a punt return man, Martin will do wonders (555 yards, two TDs). He's been one of the best in college football the past few years and has even put in some work at running the ball (121 yards on 17 carries, two TDs in 2011).

Martin's versatility will benefit the Ravens the most, and with their average (at best) punt return numbers, he will contribute the most on special teams.

That being said, Martin is a reliable slot receiver because of his excellent quickness, lateral agility and reliable hands (62 catches, 742 yards). He'll most be used offensively on third down, and his ability to help Baltimore win the field position battle will be of great use.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Chicago Bears: Nick Toon, WR (Wisconsin)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	18. Tennessee Titans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. New York Giants: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)	20. Cincinnati Bengals: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)	21. Dallas Cowboys: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)
6. Cleveland Browns: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	22. New York Jets: Brandon Thompson, DE (Clemson)
7. Miami Dolphins: Matt Barkley, QB (USC)	23. Denver Broncos: Chase Minnifield, CB (UVA)
8. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin, QB (Baylor)	24. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
9. Carolina Panthers: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	25. Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)	26. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
11. Buffalo Bills: Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)	27. Cleveland (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)
12. Kansas City Chiefs: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	28. New England Patriots: Cam Johnson, DE (UVA)
13. San Diego Chargers: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
14. Arizona Cardinals: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	30. New England Patriots (From NO): Jayron Hosley, CB (Virginia Tech)
15. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	31. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
16. Cincinnati (From OAK): Cordy Glenn, OG (UGA)	32. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

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