2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Under-the-Radar Cornerbacks

Cornerback is arguably the deepest and most talented position in the 2012 NFL Draft.

With four potential first-round selections and potentially 13 off the board before the Round 4 begins, it's almost a can't-miss draft pick.

That said, with so much attention going toward those projected in Round 1, others are going under the radar. Such as the following.

(Round 2) Green Bay Packers: Leonard Johnson, Iowa State

Although he's considered a second-round pick, Iowa State's Leonard Johnson isn't nearly as well known as some of the top cornerback prospects.

Then again, the Cyclones were an average team and he didn't put up any sexy stats such as numerous interceptions, forced fumbles or defensive touchdowns.

However, with good size at 5'10, 200 pounds, Johnson was rarely challenged as he matured through college. After defending 15 passes, recording four picks and forcing five fumbles through his first two seasons, Johnson defended just 17 more passes and made one interception while forcing another fumble.

He did finish his career with 241 tackles, so the ability to provide edge run support exists more than at first glance. Now, Johnson does need to get stronger, but he is built to come in and contribute as a No. 2 cornerback or, at the very least, a nickel/dime back.

Johnson's not your big-play game-changer because he doesn't record too many picks; however, he can get a palm on the rock and prevent most would-be catches from occurring.

In other words, Johnson is as basic as it gets and simply knows how to react when a quarterback tests him.

(Round 4) Washington Redskins: Dwight Bentley, Louisiana-Lafayette

If there's one area of concern about Louisiana-Lafayette's Dwight Bentley, it's his size of 5'11", 175 pounds.

The height is fine but stronger wide receivers will overtake him and prevent any shot at run support.

Still, Bentley is a proven fighter and scraps his way to making tough tackles. He finished with 231 in his career and had 26 passes defended.

Let's put it this way: Despite lacking a bit in size, Bentley more than makes up for it with speed, agility and lateral quickness.

Not to mention Bentley is an excellent playmaker having picked off three passes in 2011, returning two for touchdowns and gaining interception return yards.

And he forced two fumbles, so the capability to tackle, pass defend, cause turnovers and change games is there. With the Washington Redskins, Bentley would be a good nickel/dime back to start, and with development, has the potential to be their No. 1 corner.

Lest we forget about two small and fast Washington corners named Darrell Green (5'9", 184 pounds) and Pat Fischer (5'9", 170 pounds).

(Round 5) Carolina Panthers: Shaun Prater, Iowa

Another slightly small corner, Iowa's Shaun Prater comes in at 5'10", 185 pounds but is a great zone-coverage defender and is best in press coverage as he's stronger than meets the eye.

If anything, Prater is great at re-routing a wide receiver with his feet. This then allows him to peek in the backfield which has benefited him as a reliable run-supporter.

Prater does, however, become vulnerable to play-action pass and the deep curl routes when peering in the backfield, so improving his man-coverage awareness is needed.

For his career, Prater finished with 171 tackles, seven interceptions and 24 passes defended, and in 2011 he forced four fumbles. Therefore, add the helmet-on-ball/strip-the-rock aspect to his defensive repertoire.

Perhaps his most impressive aspect, though, resides in interception return yards. With 173 return yards, Prater averaged almost 25 yards after each interception and took two back for touchdowns.

The Carolina Panthers would welcome this type of ability because facing pass-heavy offenses in Atlanta and New Orleans, as much help as possible is needed to improve their No. 24 pass defense ranking.

Worst-case scenario, Prater begins as a special teams playmaker then moves into a dime back spot or, because of his zone-coverage awareness, free safety.

(Round 6) New Orleans Saints: Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt

If there's one area that the New Orleans Saints need to improve, it's at causing turnovers.

In 2011, the Saints only picked off nine passes and four came from Patrick Robinson. Well, Vanderbilt's Casey Hayward is a feasible candidate for The Big Easy's secondary and to remain atop the NFC South.

Between 2010 and 2011, Hayward recorded 13 interceptions and returned them for 126 yards. Considering how explosive New Orleans' offense is, there's not much of a need to change the field position, but instead just get the rock into Drew Brees' hands.

Also, Hayward was challenged quite often in the SEC on a rebuilt Commodores defense. There, Hayward successfully defended 34 passes between the last two years, and Vandy ranked No. 33 in pass defense (out of 120 schools).

As part of a defense that allowed just 201 passing yards per game, Hayward still remains a potential mid fifth-rounder at best. With decent size at 5'11", 188 pounds, Hayward's ball instincts and playmaking abilities on a vulnerable defense like the Saints could propel him to a starting role in 2012.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

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

John Rozum on Twitter.