10 NFL Prospects We Simply Can't Wait to See in the Pros

It seems the 2012 NFL Draft has been on the minds of all of us for some time. Maybe it is the way our professional teams are playing (mine is the Jaguars).

Maybe it is the fact that there are three quarterbacks that could make as much of an impact as Cam Newton and Andy Dalton have this season.

Maybe we just can't get enough of football, and when the season ends in early February, the next thing we hang our hat on is the NFL Draft?

For whatever the reason, there are some players we know can make an impact in the league now.

Here a few we cannot wait to see play in the pros.

Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

He could be the most exciting receiver to come out of the draft since Randy Moss.

I said he "could" be.

Blackmon appears to be first on everyone's receivers list. He helped make the Cowboys offense go in 2011.

Blackmon can take it to the end zone each time he touches the ball, something NFL scouts and coaches love seeing.

Andrew Luck, Stanford

He is the most anticipated quarterback to come out since Peyton Manning. And it looks like the Colts will have a chance to choose his successor.

Luck comes from a great pedigree (his father Oliver is a former NFL quarterback). If he is as good as advertised, he could start for about 10 teams in the NFL right now...and win!

Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

Tannehill benefited from Matt Barkley's decision to stay at USC next season.

Could he sneak into the late first round? Maybe, but unlikely. Could he be another Andy Dalton like last season? Possibly.

This season, Tannehill proved he could be mobile as well as stand in the pocket and pass the football. And if he is anything like Dalton next season, the team that drafts him will be a very happy camper.

Trent Richardson, Alabama

The running back exploded on the scene this year.

He is strong, physical and powerful, and he proved he could pick up the load when former-Heisman winner Mark Ingram left for the pro game.

Now, let's see if Richardson can be just as good or better than Ingram on the next level.

Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama

He may be the biggest wild-card in the entire draft. And may be the most athletic player.

Jenkins was a star at the University of Florida who was a sure-fire first-round pick last season. But he decided to remain in school and then got in trouble with the law and was cut from the team.

Jenkins signed with North Alabama and now is ready to see where his draft fate lies.

If he has cleaned up his act, then he will be the player everyone hopes he will be. He certainly has talent and could be a first-round steal.

Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State

He may not go in the top of the first round, but his talents will be displayed every Sunday.

If a team selects him in the top 10, it could be a reach.

He has been immature at times on the field, but some team will take a chance on him and try to teach him to play within himself.

If he can do that, some team may have another Ray Lewis in the next three years.

Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

It is my belief that when the receiving class of 2012 is looked at in five years, Floyd will be the best of the bunch.

At 6'3" and 225 pounds, he is big and strong and a great red-zone target. Some team will scoop him up in the middle of the first round and have a steal for the next decade.

Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

Upshaw, a linebacker, has been one of the reasons why the Crimson Tide defense has been one of the best in the country all year. And that is one of the reasons why the Tide are playing in the National Championship game.

What makes Upshaw appealing is, at 6'2" and 265 pounds, he can play standing up at linebacker or with a hand on the ground in a 4-3 defense.

Upshaw has a lot of "upside," and I see him as a Terrell Suggs-type player. Not too bad a comparison if you ask me.

Alshon Jeffrey, South Carolina

He is actually slipping on some big draft boards.

How can a talent like his, with the changes that Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier made this season in changing quarterbacks, prove he is slipping?

Didn't everyone see the talent in the SEC this season? There may be more talent in the SEC than half the teams in the NFL at times.

Let's see what he does in the bowl game and the combine before we make these predictions.

Robert Griffin III, Baylor

The Baylor quarterback beat out all-season front-runner Andrew Luck in the Heisman vote.

Griffin is a highlight waiting to happen.

Will he be the next Michael Vick, or will he be a Tim Tebow with better skills?

The NFL is waiting to see. And so are we.