2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing Mid-Round, Non-BCS School Defensive Game Changers

In football, there are playmakers and then there are game-changers. To some extent, both are one in the same, however, game-changers take the whole "playmaking" attribute to another level.

In short, the biggest difference of playmakers and game-changers lies in when that respective player step up in the game. Is it early on, before the half or late when crunch time is in full force?

Here, let's take a look at some non-BCS school defensive mid-rounders that can change games at any time.

Josh Robinson: CB, UCF

Rather unknown prior to the NFL scouting combine, Central Florida's Josh Robinson really turned some heads by hitting almost 4.3 seconds flat in the 40-yard dash.

The man also soared to 11'1" on the broad jump and leaped 38 inches on the vertical. Before the combine, though, Robinson proved consistency and reliability as part of the Knights' secondary.

In three seasons, Robinson defended a total of 46 passes, returned two of his 10 picks for touchdowns and made 176 tackles. Robinson also returned 27 punts for 355 yards and six kickoffs for 108 yards.

He's quick while backpedaling and recognizing the developing play, has great ball awareness and body control, but also has excellent closing speed. Robinson does need to improve upon strength and press coverage, however, his agility and balance allows him to defend in zone and man quite well.

Dwight Bentley: CB, Louisiana-Lafayette

Coming in a little undersized, Louisiana-Lafayette's Dwight Bentley saw continuous improvement throughout his college career.

From 2009-2011, Bentley picked off seven passes while defending a total of 23, returned three back for touchdowns and forced three fumbles. Also, for his career, Bentley recorded 232 tackles, 186 of which were solo.

If anything, Bentley's ability to change the field position after making a play is the most impressive. He averaged just over 28 yards per interception return, which equates to almost three first-downs. That's more than 25 percent of the field and thus allowing the offense to be in a much better position.

Bentley has excellent play recognition skills, can change directions on a dime and reacts immediately when the ball is in flight. Provided that he builds some muscle and includes being more physical to his repertoire, Bentley has potential to be a starter in 2012.

Jonathan Massaquoi: DE/OLB, Troy

If there's one interesting thing about the Troy Trojans; it's that both DeMarcus Ware and Osi Umenyiora have been products of their program and are two of the best pass-rushers in pro football today.

So, it's fitting that the next product of that program is Jonathan Massaquoi, who has recorded 18.5 sacks in the past two seasons. He can rush from a 3-4 spot or as a 4-3 defensive end, but gets the job done nonetheless.

Massaquoi also collected 128 tackles in two seasons, while adding 12 quarterback hurries and recording 31 tackles for loss.

For a guy who has a great pass-rushing skill set, Massaquoi's agility and preparedness are the most impressive. Not too many young pass-rushers like him can constantly be a backfield presence and force running plays elsewhere.

Now he can get himself out of position at times and is occasionally vulnerable to draws and screens. However, that will come with development and maturity, because his ability to apply pressure on the quarterback is appealing.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

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

John Rozum on Twitter.