2012 NFL Draft Projections: Overrated Players Sure to Be Taken Too High

The NFL draft will feature several overrated players. Many NFL teams will do the right thing and pass on these players.

But there are exceptions to every rule. Players will be overdrafted in the 2012 NFL draft, just like every year.

These five players will stick out, making fans cringe when their names are called.

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Tannehill will be taken too early in the 2012 NFL draft. The Miami Dolphins at No. 8 will take a chance on his services.

Tannehill possesses a tantalizing combination of athleticism and arm strength. He is a former wide receiver and has above-average mobility.

The problem lies in Tannehill's polish. He does not always make sound decisions and tends to get himself into bad situations. Tannehill's confidence frequently backfires by trusting his arm too much.

The Dolphins should not consider Tannehill at No. 8 for one second. But former Texas A&M head coach Mike Sherman will make them think otherwise. Sherman is familiar with Tannehill, but that should not be enough to risk your franchise's future on a major question mark.

Quarterbacks are frequently taken too high. Jake Locker and Christian Ponder were taken too high in 2011, and Tannehill will be taken too high in 2012.

Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Kuechly led college football in tackles this past season. He will be extremely underwhelming in the NFL.

Kuechly's prolific college numbers will cause a team to take him in the top half of the first round.

There is no doubting Kuechly's form tackling or defensive instincts. He is fundamentally sound and diagnoses plays with stunning acuity.

However, Kuechly is not overly athletic and struggles in space. He does not have the speed to chase down running backs in the NFL. Chasing down opposing runners is how he got most of his tackles at Boston College.

Kuechly's size will hinder him in the trenches of the NFL. He will get swallowed up by larger blockers. Kuechly will not have the strength to shed offensive linemen unless he bulks up.

Kuechly is a great tackler, but you need more than that in the NFL. He does not have NFL speed or strength, and he will taken too early in the 2012 NFL draft.

Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples is a physical specimen with a questionable motor. Count him on the long list of NFL draft busts with the same pedigree.

Coples is 6'5'' and 270-plus pounds. He is built like Julius Peppers with the speed to match.

He is a top-10 pick just by looking at him. But Coples' production leaves something to be desired.

He has never shown the desire to be excellent. Coples takes plays off and does not have the heart to match his incredible physical attributes.

Coples tended to look to bored as a member of North Carolina's football team. Maybe he had the NFL on his mind, but who would want that guy on their team?

Coples' potential is undeniable. He will be as good as he wants to be.

The only question is, how good does he really want to be?

Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron will be the NFL's next Roy Williams. He is a linebacker who happens to line up in the defensive backfield.

The 2012 NFL draft is not heavy with safeties. Barron will be the first safety off the board. He will go way too high because of the draft's lack of depth at the position.

Barron can knock anyone's head off in run support. He is put together physically and loves to seek out opposing ball-carriers. 

If you are looking for an extra body in run support then take Barron. But a one-dimensional safety does not warrant a high first-round pick.

Barron struggles in coverage because of his questionable speed. He does not read quarterbacks well. Barron benefited from Robert Lester's coverage ability at Alabama. Lester's ability covered up many of Barron's shortcomings.

Hard-hitting safeties are a great asset to a hard-nosed defense. But they are not worth wasting a high draft slot on.

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon has been consistently overrated for two years straight. His statistics were eye-popping at Oklahoma State, but he will not live up to the hype.

Blackmon's straight-ahead speed is up to snuff, but his football speed is questionable. He is not explosive and is not an exceptional athlete.

Oklahoma State's pass-happy attack amplified Blackmon's numbers. His situation is very similar to Michael Crabtree's situation at Texas Tech. We all know how Crabtree has fared since.

Blackmon has outstanding hands and an NFL body. His lack of explosiveness will force him to play the slot in the NFL, or fight for a spot as a future No. 2 receiver on an average team.

It is tough to deny a two-time Biletnikoff Award winner, but it is not tough to imagine Blackmon's average NFL career.