2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Where Trent Richardson and Top RBs Land

The following are the top-five running back prospects for the 2012 NFL draft, with projections on where each may go in April:

1. Trent Richardson, Alabama

Richardson may in fact be one of the safest all-around picks in the 2012 draft.

Richardson excels at everything you want in a back: He's physical, fast, elusive and powerful. He can catch the ball, blocks in the passing game and hardly fumbles. Most will agree that Richardson is a better back right now than his former teammate Mark Ingram was at this time last year. 

As long as no major red flags are found between now and April, Richardson should be the first back off the board, somewhere in the first 20 or so picks.

2. Lamar Miller, Miami (FL)

Somewhat of an unknown before this season, Miller has burst onto the scene as one of college football's most explosive running backs in 2011. 

He has shown elite-level burst, top-end speed and lateral quickness, a package that is rivaled by only Richardson. All reports say that Miller will enter the 2012 draft, so that should make him a solid bet to be the second running back drafted.

A solid showing at the combine will ensure he's a first-round pick.

3. Montee Ball, Wisconsin

Certainly, some of the credit for Ball's success over two seasons has to do with Wisconsin's dominant offensive line. He's run behind some of the nation's best fronts in his time in Madison. 

However, Ball isn't just some product of the system like we've seen with other UW backs. He's well-built, patient setting up blockers and a vulture near the goal line.

Only Ball's top-end speed will keep him from being a top-32 pick. He's a safe choice in the second to third rounds at this point.

4. Chris Polk, Washington

There's a lot to like with Chris Polk. 

He has the size (5'11", 225 pounds), vision, patience and initial burst that every team is looking for in a three-down, No. 1 type running back. The production is also present, even behind an average offensive line at Washington. In two seasons, Polk has rushed for almost 2,500 yards with 20 total scores. 

With strong workouts in the pre-draft process, Polk could very well end up in the first 40-50 picks.

5. David Wilson, Virginia Tech; LaMichael James, Oregon

Despite their size limitations, both Wilson (5'10", 205 pounds) and James (5'9", 195 pounds) should have bright futures in the NFL as third-down backs.

Neither are likely to carry the load of a starting NFL running back (Wilson has the best chance of the two), but there's certainly proven value in having an explosive change-of-pace guy. Wilson and James fit that mold.  

With fast workouts after the season, both Wilson and James have the chance to be drafted within the first 100 picks.  

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

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