NFL Draft 2012: Who Are The Drafts Safest Picks?

The 2012 NFL draft is only a day away.  For many teams, this is the most exciting, and terrifying three days of the entire year.  The correct draft pick (see Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning) can change an entire franchise around.  However, the wrong draft pick (see JaMarcus Russell) can bury a franchise for years and years.

In every draft, there are picks that are basically seen as “can’t-miss” picks.  Here’s a quick look at the “safest” picks of the 2012 NFL draft.

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Not only is Luck going to be the best rookie quarterback drafted this year, he is likely going to establish himself as the most promising young quarterback in the league. He’s simply that good.

While Luck may not have much talent around him, there hasn’t been a “safer” quarterback draft pick since Peyton Manning.

Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Coming out of Boston College, Kuechly has the instincts to become a tackling machine in the NFL.  When you throw in his athleticism and elite playmaking ability, you have a linebacker who could make the Pro Bowl his rookie season.

There isn’t much to not like about Kuechly as a player, and he’ll start from day one for a team without any trouble at all.  If that isn’t safe, then I don’t know what is.

David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

Not only is DeCastro the best guard prospect available in this year’s draft, he may be one of the best overall players too.  There hasn’t been an NFL-ready offensive lineman like DeCastro to come out of college in years.

Whoever ends up drafting DeCastro will get an All-Pro guard from day one.  He can block successfully in both the run and pass game, and should dominate the NFL for many years.

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

It’s risky to call a running back in the NFL a “safe” pick, but that is exactly what Richardson is.  Some say he is the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson.  Others say that Richardson is even better than Peterson.

Either way, Richardson should provide his new team with a huge boost on offense instantaneously.

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