2012 NFL Mock Draft: Comparing Top Prospects to Current NFL Stars

Number grades and star rankings are great when it comes to NFL Draft prospects. It puts something substantial next to them with which we can argue, debate, agree upon and judge the players with.

But player comparisons can be great too for those who can't see everything the way an evaluator does.

It also gives a projection of how good a player can be.

We're going to compare some of the top prospects in this year's draft with current NFL stars.

Mind you, this is a best-case scenario for the draft prospect and an in-their-prime for the current stars.

We won't hit everyone in the full mock draft this time around, but we certainly will cover everyone before the draft season is upon us.

*Draft order determined by combination of current record and projected finish.

1. Indianapolis Colts (1-13): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Best Case - Aaron Rodgers, Packers

Many have considered Luck the best quarterback prospect to come out of college—if he declares, of course—since Peyton Manning.

Luck, however, is a far superior athlete to Manning, on top of his other physical gifts.

Rodgers has been playing like something out of Peyton Manning's prime, this year. He has shown his overall athleticism, as well.

The No. 1 overall prospect in the draft could potentially be as good as the league's current No. 1 player.

2. St. Louis Rams (2-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Best Case - Anquan Boldin, Ravens

Blackmon is no burner or physically imposing force; he's simply a football player.

At 6'1", 215 pounds, he has a similar build Boldin, and the two aren't noted for their straight line speed. They are, however, noted for making tough catches and doing everything their teams need. 

The Oklahoma State Cowboy is a similar playmaker to what Boldin was like at Florida State, and Blackmon will be an immediate help to whichever quarterback he plays with.

3. Minnesota Vikings (2-12): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Can't-miss left tackle prospect to protect Christian Ponder for years to come.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Best Case - Champ Bailey, Broncos

The draft's top cover cornerback is actually more skilled in coverage than his former teammate and last year's No. 5 pick, Patrick Peterson.

Claiborne is nearly 40 pounds lighter than PP, although and fits more in the mold of Champ Bailey—arguably the league's top cover corner of the last decade.

The LSU Tiger checks in at a similar size to the Bronco at about 6', 180 pounds and can show cases the overall coverage ability to one day be an elite shutdown cornerback.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

A bit of a reach, but they desperately want a cornerback.

6. Cleveland Browns (4-10): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Best Case - Ricky Williams, Ravens

Trent Richardson is an absolute beast and as complete a running back prospect as we've seen in a while. Although Ricky Williams wasn't able to maintain his dominance for personal reasons, his three-year peak in Miami was remarkable.

Similar to Ricky, Richardson is extremely powerful but can run right by you as well as over you.

The Crimson Tide junior is an excellent receiver out of the backfield, has similar size at 5'11", 225 pounds, and is one of the few running back prospects capable of carrying a full load by himself.

7. Buffalo Bills (5-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa 

Bills could opt for a QB here and would be able to get out of Fitz's contract. If they don't, then they take best available tackle.

8. Miami Dolphins (5-9): Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Perfect fit and would be a lucky draw for Miami if he fell this far. Could easily be a top 3 pick if another team trades up.

9. Washington Redskins (5-9): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor 

Fastest-rising prospect on the board goes to a team that needs to draft a QB this year.

10. Carolina Panthers (5-9): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC 

Plain and simple, he's best available defensive player for a team that needs defensive value.

11. Philadelphia Eagles (6-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Big, strong, physical receiver with the knack for making the tough catch.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Best Case - Ryan Clady, Broncos

The key comparison between Martin and Clady is agility. The two are big, big men but very light on their feet.

Martin is 6'6", 305 pounds and excels in pass blocking. Clady is a bit bigger, but Martin will get bigger and stronger in the NFL.

People don't talk about Clady as much as they should and the same goes for Martin. The Broncos tackle is one of the league's best and Martin has that potential as well.

13. Seattle Seahawks (7-7): Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma 

Jones has shown enough to coaches for someone to take a chance on him.

14. San Diego Chargers (7-7): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Solid, all-around cornerback and defensive player with top-notch experience.

15. Arizona Cardinals (7-7): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Fast-rising prospect with elite versatility for his size.

16. Tennessee Titans (7-7): Vontaze Burfict, LB, ASU

Unpredictable and a bit immature, but Burfict has tremendous upside and is extremely physical.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 7-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Best Case - Reggie Bush, Dolphins

Don't be upset; this isn't bust material. Bush has actually really found himself as a runner in Miami this year. Another close comparison could LeSean McCoy of the Eagles, but Miller appears to be more of a narrow, up-and-down runner like Bush in comparison to McCoy's lateral quickness.

They all have tremendous speed and agility, but Miller's quickness, footwork and how he his the hole reminds more of Bush.

He's also a viable target out of the backfield and rumors indicate he could run sub 4.4 in the 40-yard dash.

18. Chicago Bears (7-7): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Best center in the draft allows the Bears to shuffle the interior of their line to where everyone is better suited.

19. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Best Case - Asante Samuel, Eagles

The former Florida Gator likes to get physical in press coverage and is a gifted player around the football. Had he not gotten himself thrown off the Gators' football team, he'd be much higher on the draft board.

Jenkins is also a bit of gambler though, and that rings true of Asante Samuel.

The two are extremely similar in size and will ultimately be very similar players if Jenkins can keep his head on straight.

20. Dallas Cowboys (8-6): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Most instinctive interior linebacker in the draft.

21. Detroit Lions (9-5): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

A bit undersized, but uses leverage well and knows how to get after the passer.

22. New York Jets (8-6): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Best interior lineman in the draft.

23. Denver Broncos (8-6): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Super versatile defensive lineman can excel in any scheme.

24. New York Giants (7-7): Zach Brown, OLB, UNC

Speedy linebacker with potential to make plays in every area of the game.

25. Houston Texans (10-4): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Best Case - Kenny Phillips, Giants

Before Phillips' injury, he was on track to a star. The Giants have had to make some serious adjustments in their secondary in recent years, but he still has that overall star potential.

Barron, like Phillips, can excel near the line of scrimmage but is also more than athletic enough to play in coverage. 

Similar in size at 6'2" and under 220 pounds, Barron is the most complete safety prospect in this class and has been making plays in an elite defense for several years now.

26. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Massive offensive lineman with the ability to offensive tackle or guard.

27. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 9-5): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Big, potentially dominant receiver who can take over a game with his size and skill. Doesn't always perform though.

28. New England Patriots (via NO 11-3): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

A bit undersized, but Upshaw knows how to get after the passer and has played in Nick Saban's defense for years. He'll be ready to play right away.

29. Baltimore Ravens (10-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

Another one of Saban's potential first round studs, Hightower is a huge, athletic linebacker at 6'4", 260 pounds. He's an ideal potential replacement for Ravens star Ray Lewis.

30. San Francisco 49ers (11-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Best Case - Chad Ochocinco, Patriots

This is a big "best case" scenario, but if Wright can utilize his speed and become a complete route runner there is elite potential for him.

The Baylor receiver has been overshadowed by RG3, but he's been phenomenal this season.

He's a quick-twitch athlete, with good leaping ability, great speed and shows no hesitancy to make plays over the middle or down the field.

31. New England Patriots (11-3): Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Extremely versatile offensive weapon with size and speed.

32. Green Bay Packers (13-1): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

Fast-rising pass rusher with great rumored speed.