Final NFL draft Big Board

Here is a final ranking of the top 25 prospects for the 2012 NFL draft

Originally Published: April 25, 2012
By Mel Kiper Jr. | ESPN Insider

Looking back at the first Big Board for the 2012 class, released just a week after last year's draft, there's no change at the top. Andrew Luck has gone wire to wire as the top prospect on the board. That's no major surprise, but other players held up well, too. Trent Richardson held up as the top running back prospect. Morris Claiborne I considered the likely top corner, and he held up well over the year. There were a number of others.

And it's saying something, because for those guys the microscope has always been turned on. But now they'll be rewarded for another year of great play. Keep the board around during the draft, because this is a reflection of where I have the guys lined up, and it does factor into how I grade the teams based on how well they accrued value. Thanks so much for another year of reading and feedback and, as always, read on and let me know who should be higher or who has been passed over. Juniors and draft-eligible sophomores are noted with an asterisk.

More Kiper NFL draft content:

Final Mock Draft | 'Grade A' AFC Draft | 'Grade A' NFC Draft | Final Big Board
Top 5 players by position | Regrading the 2011 NFL draft

1
Andrew Luck *
AGE: 22
DOB: 9/12/89
HT: 6-4
WT: 234
POS: QB
Comp 288
Att 404
Pct 71.3
Yds 3,517
TD 37
Int 10

A confirmed lock to go No. 1, Luck has worked hard during the draft process, backing up a lot of what evaluators felt about his mentality. No change in profile. Arm strength, size, smarts, demeanor all there. Ready to play.

LAST WEEK: 1 | PLAYER CARD

2
Robert Griffin III *
AGE: 22
DOB: 2/12/90
HT: 6-2
WT: 223
POS: QB
Comp 291
Att 402
Pct 72.4
Yds 4,293
TD 37
Int 6

Another guy we've had penciled in for a while. Washington will expect him to start in Week 1. He's accurate, throws a fantastic deep ball, is a proven leader and has shown evaluators he's a QB first, athlete second. Great kid, great pick.

LAST WEEK: 2 | PLAYER CARD

3
Trent Richardson *
AGE: 20
DOB: 7/10/91
HT: 5-9
WT: 228
POS: RB
Car 283
Yds 1,679
Avg. 5.9
TD 21

As good of a running back as we've seen in the past few years. He's powerful and fast, has vision and pass-catching skills; he's a beast and explodes from and through contact. Total-package RB, a great fit at No. 4 if Cleveland wants him.

LAST WEEK: 3 | PLAYER CARD

4
Morris Claiborne *
AGE: 22
DOB: 2/7/90
HT: 5-11
WT: 188
POS: CB
Tkl 51
Sack 0
Int 6

Claiborne's aptitude for the game, his instincts for the position and his approach to preparation are sound. A true technician, he's an exceptional pure corner with impeccable instincts. Ready to start.

LAST WEEK: 4 | PLAYER CARD

5
Justin Blackmon *
AGE: 22
DOB: 1/9/90
HT: 6-1
WT: 207
POS: WR
Rec 121
Yds 1,522
Avg 12.6
TD 18

Steady stock, and has been for months. Blackmon isn't as big as some had him listed (he's actually under 6-foot-1), but he's still a lock for the top 10. Great route-runner, versatile, explosive; really works to get open. Has a high floor.

LAST WEEK: 5 | PLAYER CARD


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Mel Kiper Jr.

Football analyst
  • ESPN NFL Draft analyst since 1984
  • Contributes to SportsCenter and ESPN Radio
  • Writes weekly for ESPN Insider

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