It's cream of the crop time. After looking at players ranked 21-30 and 11-20 over the past two days it's time to unveil a very strong top-10 for the 2012 draft's skill positions. Aside from the obvious elite names, there are some high upside talents that could emerge as fantasy stars at their respective positions, including a field-stretching tight end, two long, athletic receivers and a do-it-all tailback.
All told, my ranking of the 30 best skill players in the draft totaled 5 QBs, 10 RBs, 13 WRs, 2 TEs and at least one extremely anxious and excited draft lover who can't wait for the Colts to literally go on the clock. Hopefully there are many more of you out there who feel the same way.
1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford Cardinal (6-4, 234 ; 4.67 40)|STAR|
- Though Luck has ginormous shoes to fill in Indy, there really is no other young quarterback that is more fit for the job. The best draft prospect since Peyton Manning entered the league, Luck will win games and Colts fans' hearts with an understanding of the game and an arm that will rival Manning's early years. Luck brings good mobility, strong pocket awareness, the ability to read a defense and make correct audibles and supreme accuracy to the pro game. He is simply a can't miss future star who will live up to the high expectations.
PROJECTED: 1st Overall
2. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama Crimson Tide (5-9, 228 ; 4.47 40)|STAR|
- There is simply nothing to not love about Richardson. He is the most complete back to enter the league since Adrian Peterson, and while those comparisons are lofty and a bit premature, there's also just no one else to compare him to. It will take a Cam Newton-esque rookie season from Luck or RGIII to pry the Rookie of the Year award out of this dynamo's steel grip. Because of the huge early returns, look no further than Richardson for investment in any dynasty leagues, as it would be a surprise for him to not be a top-5 rusher at some point in the very near future.
PROJECTED: Top 5
3. Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor Bears (6-2, 223 ; 4.41 40)|STAR|
- Michael Vick 2.0 should follow closely in the footsteps of another highly athletic dual-threat quarterback who won the Heisman. Though he won't go first overall and may not win Rookie of the Year as Newton did, Griffin brings all the speed and superior athletic gifts of Vick but in a more prototypical package. His extra height and weight should keep him more durable than Philly's finest, while his strong pocket presence and accurate arm should allow him to put up terrific passing numbers. Griffin's ability to extend plays with his feet is matched by few quarterbacks in the league and will allow him to both steal first downs with his legs and burn secondaries with a beautiful deep ball.
PROJECTED: 2nd Overall
4. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-3, 220 ; 4.47 40)
- An extremely productive college receiver, Floyd was at times a man among boys, simply outmuscling defensive backs in the red zone and dragging corners after the catch on intermediate routes. At the next level his tremendous size, strong hands and deceptive speed project him to be a true No. 1 target wherever he goes. Floyd can line up all over the field and beat corners up on hitches, outs and crossing patterns with his big frame or run by them for deep balls. His ability to high point the ball and adjust for back shoulder and fade throws will also make Floyd a red zone terror.
PROJECTED: Top 15
5. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-1, 207 ; 4.46 40)|STAR|
- Blackmon's measurables and two-year college production are eerily similar to the last two-time Biletnikoff winner, Michael Crabtree. But Blackmon is a dedicated worker who displayed stronger hands and better ability after the catch than the aforementioned first-round bust. He compares much more favorably to Hakeem Nicks, and should produce immediately as an all-around talent who can separate from defensive backs on all routes, catch the ball cleanly away from his body and rack up yards after the catch with his physicality and quickness.
PROJECTED: Top 10
6. Doug Martin, RB, Boise State Broncos (5-9, 223 ; 4.55 40)
- If Richardson is the next AP, then Martin is the next Ray Rice. Right now, he's a bulkier, poor man's version of Rice, and he carries a similar ceiling to the Ravens superstar. Martin's running style is incredibly similar to Rice's, as both players rely on a low center of gravity and are aggressive North-South runners whose shifty legs are perpetually churning as they spin and bounce off tacklers. While Martin is obviously not the finished product that Rice is, his ability to step into a starting backfield and contribute immediately as an every-down back gives him the upside to become a similar total yards machine.
PROJECTED: Late 1st to Early 2nd Round
7. Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-4, 215 ; 4.36 40)|STAR|
- After an NFL coaching staff, quarterback and receiving corps has gotten an offseason or two to work with this young man and polish his route running and get him into the playbook, watch out defensive backs. Hill is a nightmare of a mismatch with his blend of size, blazing speed and explosive leaping ability. Toss in his strong, reliable hands and you've got the combination for a future star in the right system.
PROJECTED: Late 1st Round
8. Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford Cardinal (6-6, 247 ; 4.45 40)
- With elite straight line speed for a player his size, Fleener is basically a gigantic wide receiver. At Stanford he lined up all over the field, including as an H-back, and given his ability to burn linebackers down the seam and his extremely soft hands to pluck the ball away from his long frame, Fleener should become an immediate weapon for whatever passing attack is lucky enough to add him.
PROJECTED: Late 1st Round
9. Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor Bears (5-10, 196 ; 4.46 40)
- Despite his smaller stature, Wright is a very difficult cover because of his exceptional quickness and acceleration to begin separating from corners as soon as the ball is snapped. His ability to blow by a defender on deeper routes also aids him in getting cushion and finding soft spots underneath. Though he needs to increase his route tree, his foot speed will allow Wright to line up anywhere on the field, and his ability to make would-be tacklers miss in space will make him a nightmare after the catch in the mold of a Steve Smith.
PROJECTED: Late 1st Round
10. Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian State Mountaineers (6-4, 220 ; 4.55 40)
- His limited football experience and low level of collegiate competition make Quick one of the biggest risk/reward players in this draft class. But his physical tools and skills as a receiver could translate immediately with good coaching and in the right system. Quick has a huge catch radius, displays great acceleration and balance after the catch to pick up extra yards and plucks the ball easily with his powerful hands. He hasn't even scratched the surface of how good he can be and he has as high an upside as any receiver in this draft.
PROJECTED: Early to Mid 2nd Round
|STAR| Denotes early entry.