2012 NFL Mock Draft: Elite Running Backs Destined for Great NFL Careers

In today's pass-happy NFL, running backs are a very interesting commodity. While a great running game can be very valuable in terms of enhancing the passing game and sustaining long drives, the majority of the league's better teams pass with great frequency.

Even so, it never hurts to have a playmaker in the backfield. In order to get a reliable running back, some teams look to the first round, but it has become easier and easier to find quality backs in the mid-to-late rounds and even as undrafted free agents.

We may think we know who the top backs are in terms of first-round talent, but that doesn't always tell the entire story. Here are three elite running backs destined for great NFL careers, some of whom are more highly-touted than others.

Bernard Pierce - Temple

While Temple running back Bernard Pierce may not be well known by casual football fans, he has all the tools to be a great NFL running back. Pierce is only projected to go somewhere around the fourth or fifth round, but he has a fantastic pedigree. It could be argued that he played against inferior competition in the MAC, but he ran for nearly 1,400 yards and an incredible 25 touchdowns while averaging 5.6 yards per carry last season.

Pierce has ideal size for the position at 6'0" and 217 lbs., so he can certainly take a pounding. Injuries may be a bit of a concern and they may drop him down in the draft a bit, but when healthy Pierce is a dominant force. Some teams may bite on runners in the first or second round that never develop into anything, but somebody is going to get incredible value out of the underrated Pierce.

Montee Ball - Wisconsin

I think it's fair to say that there is no more complete running back that could potentially enter the draft than Wisconsin workhorse Montee Ball. It took all season, but Ball finally began to receive his due credit, as he was named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. It was well earned, as he rushed for over 1,700 yards and scored 38 total touchdowns.

Still, Ball is projected by most to remain on the board until the second round. It's somewhat curious why, as he has proven himself against top-level competition and has very good size at 5'11" and 214 lbs. On top of that, he is a good receiver out of the backfield and a solid pass protector as well. Ball may not be as highly-touted as Trent Richardson or Lamar Miller, but he could be the best running back in the entire draft.

Trent Richardson - Alabama

Throughout the 2011 season Alabama running back Trent Richardson was the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. He ultimately came up short, but he proved why he is one of the best offensive players in the nation. Playing against a host of tough SEC defenses, Richardson excelled to the tune of nearly 1,600 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns.

Richardson has a wonderful mix of size and speed with a 5'11", 200 lb. frame and 4.4 speed. He is incredibly tough to bring down thanks to his lower body strength, and he can play every down at the next level thanks to his receiving ability. Teams will have to pay a premium for Richardson if they want him with an early first-round pick. He may be the lone back who is worth it at this point, though, as he has the potential to be the cornerstone for an offense immediately.

* Draft order based on current record and projected finishes

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