2012 NFL Mock Draft: Biggest Impact Players That Will Start Right Away

Cam Newton, A.J. Green, Aldon Smith, Von Miller and Andy Dalton prove that rookies can not only be viable starters, but can make a huge impact from the moment they enter the building as well.

Striking gold in the draft can make all the difference in the world, bringing hopeless teams from the ashes and making fringe playoff teams contenders.

The 2012 class doesn't have a shortage of players who'll be difference-makers and assume a starting role from day one.

Andrew Luck is doomed to struggle on a drowning Colts team in his rookie campaign. Just because he's the best player in this draft doesn't mean he's going to resurrect the team a la Sam Bradford in 2010.

Here are the three who'll have the biggest impact.

Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Landing Place: Miami Dolphins

Pick: No. 8 

The disparity between Luck and Matt Barkley isn't nearly as significant as many perceive it to be. He's a player whose succeeded at every level of football and has a ridiculous understanding for the game.

He's got an underrated arm, shows tremendous poise in high-pressure situations and has the power to become the first star quarterback Miami has seen since Dan Marino hung up his cleats.

With Jake Long protecting his blind side, Brandon Marshall at his disposal and a home-run hitter like Reggie Bush in the backfield, the underachieving Dolphins will make tremendous strides under a new head coach and a quarterback of Barkley's caliber.

Trent Richardson, CB, Alabama

Landing Place: Cleveland Browns

Pick: No. 6

With Peyton Hillis kicking and screaming his way through the 2011 season, it's clear the Cleveland Browns need a big change in the backfield.

What better player to draft than the most complete back to come out of the draft since Adrian Peterson?

The Browns need playmakers, and Richardson has a unique skill set that makes him an early favorite for Rookie of the Year honors. He's got the power to blow through a defender, the break-away speed to take any carry to the house and the elusiveness to plant a defender in the ground without ever touching him.

Some will say the No. 6 overall pick is too high to spend on a running back. Richardson will prove early on that he warrants the selection.

Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Landing Place: Carolina Panthers

Pick: No. 10

Quinton Coples has the potential to fill the void that Julius Peppers left in Carolina. Ron Rivera has his star offensive weapon to build around. The defensive mastermind will undoubtedly be enticed with the thought of putting the best defensive player in the draft opposite Charles Johnson.

The Panthers have a number of holes, but with offensive talent pushing a talent like Coples down draft boards, they shouldn't hesitate to make the pick.

Coples has a great combination of size and quickness. Edge rushers with his upside only come around every so often, and he has the power to make teams fear the Panthers' defensive line once again.

2012 Mock Draft according to Wes O'Donnell

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.	Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10)	Morris Claiborne, CB
5.	Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10)	Dre Kirkpatrick, CB
6.	Cleveland Browns (4-10)	Trent Richardson, RB
7.	Buffalo Bills (5-9)	Riley Reiff, OT
8.	Miami Dolphins (5-9)	Matt Barkley, QB
9.	Washington Redskins (5-9)	Robert Griffin III, QB
10.	Carolina Panthers (5-9)	Quinton Coples, DE
11.	Philadelphia Eagles (6-8)	Michael Floyd, WR
12.	Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)	Jonathan Martin, OT
13.	Seattle Seahawks (7-7)	Landry Jones, QB
14.	San Diego Chargers (7-7)	Alfonzo Dennard, CB
15.	Arizona Cardinals (7-7)	Devon Still, DT
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.	Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)	Janoris Jenkins, CB
20.	Dallas Cowboys (8-6)	Luke Kuechly, LB
21.	Detroit Lions (9-5)	Melvin Ingram, DE
22.	New York Jets (8-6)	David DeCastro, OG
23.	Denver Broncos (8-6)	Fletcher Cox, DT
24.	New York Giants (7-7)	Zach Brown, LB
25.	Houston Texans (10-4)	Mark Barron, S
26.	Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)	Cordy Glenn, OG
27.	Cleveland Browns (via ATL) (9-5)	Alshon Jeffery, WR
28.	New England (via NO 11-3)	Courtney Upshaw, DE
29.	Baltimore Ravens (10-4)	Dont'a Hightower, LB
30.	San Francisco 49ers (11-3)	Kendall Wright, WR
31.	New England Patriots (11-3)	Mohamed Sanu, WR
32.	Green Bay Packers (13-1)	Nick Perry, DE/OLB

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