2012 NFL Draft Projections: 3 Overlooked Prospects That Will Be Top-10 Picks

The 2011 regular season is in the books, as the NFL now has the order projected for the 2012 NFL Draft.

Teams with top-10 selections will be carefully watching those players outside the top 10 in projected rankings, as keeping an open mind and evaluating each first-round prospect will be key in recruiting for the draft.

These are the three players outside of the top-10 list for prospects that will get taken as top-10 picks in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor Bears

Despite entering the 2012 NFL Draft somewhat undersized at the position, his production has been significant this season as his stocks have risen immensely.

There is no question that despite his lack of height at 5'10'', Wright will be a top-notch receiver in the NFL. Size makes a difference when it comes to catching balls in the pros, yet there are also those receivers like a Wes Welker (5'9'') that have even led the league despite not topping six-feet.

This season Wright poured it on for the Bears, putting up 1,663 yards and 14 touchdown receptions this season. In their bowl game victory over Washington, Wright recorded 91 yards and a touchdown to help his team triumph in a come-from-behind victory.

Make no mistake about it, Wright is the real deal.

Expect a team like the Miami Dolphins to take a risk and draft Wright with their No. 9 selection in the 2012 NFL Draft. Wouldn't it be just something if expected starting QB Matt Moore had both Brandon Marshall and Wright on either side of him.

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Dre Kirkpatrick is projected as a top-10 prospect by several sources including CBS Sports, but of course that doesn't guarantee Kirkpatrick will be taken in the top 10.

In fact, his chances are slim, as he currently ranks as the No. 2 CB in the draft class and it seems unlikely that two CBs will be taken in the first 10 picks.

Yet with the NFL Draft combine set to take place before the draft, Kirkpatrick will likely up his marketability. He is a more athletic cornerback than is LSU's Morris Claiborne, the No. 1 CB in the draft.

Expect Kirkpatrick to make a jump this offseason into the top 10.

Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina

Melvin Ingram has had a solid senior season with his Gamecocks, as he is the No. 1 OLB in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Although he is a prospect ranked in the top 20, there are several teams in the top 10 that could use his play at the position on their respective teams.

The Rams, Vikings and Buccaneers are all teams drafting in the top 10, and are all teams that could use improvements in their linebacking core. Expect one of these teams to grab Ingram in the top 10 in this year's draft.