2012 NFL Draft Order: Predicting the 5 Most Underrated DBs

With teams like the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints changing the NFL landscape to a passing league, drafting the correct defensive back to enhance the defense is vitally important.

Even teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were a ground and pound franchise for years on offense have become a more pass-oriented offense. That being said, here are five underrated defensive backs in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Markelle Martin: FS, Oklahoma State

Let's put it this way, Markelle Martin was tested in 2010 by opposing quarterbacks and picked off three passes while also recording 55 tackles. This season, Martin hasn't been challenged nearly as much, however, he's played up to run support and rolled down to make up for the blitzing linebacker.

To that end, Martin ended up with 74 tackles, two forced fumbles and deflected 11 passes. He's currently slated as a early third-round pick but should be closer to the front end of round two.

Martin is solid in man and zone coverage while also proving to be a sure tackler and is great for run support. On the defense that forced the most turnovers in college football, Markelle Martin faced some of college football's most prolific offenses, such as Oklahoma, Baylor and Stanford.

Brandon Boykin: CB, Georgia

Standing at just 5'10" and weighing only 183 pounds, Georgia's Brandon Boykin easily goes overlooked because of his size.  However, lining up across SEC wide receivers, Boykin locked it down.

His sophomore through senior seasons, Boykin recorded three picks each year, and averaged 45 tackles per season. In addition, he forced two fumbles in 2011 and defended nine passes.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect about Boykin is his versatility as a complete player. In 2011, he pulled double duty as the Bulldogs kickoff and punt returner. It was his first year as a punt returner and he collected 180 yards on 32 attempts taking one back for a touchdown.

Three seasons as a kickoff returner, Boykin averaged 886 yards per season taking four kickoffs back to the house. He also was a reserve wide receiver in 2011 and caught five balls for 71 yards and two touchdowns.

Coryell Judie: CB, Texas A&M

Had it not been for a hamstring injury causing him to miss six games in 2011, Coryell Judie would be getting a lot more recognition.

As a junior in 2010, Judie picked off four passes, recorded 57 tackles and returned 20 kickoffs for 605 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Despite the injury in 2011, Judie still managed to record one sack, 22 tackles, force a fumble and return eight kickoffs for 201 yards. He's a solid technique tackler with a good football IQ and is a lot better than given credit for.

The fact that he's still considered a mid-fourth round pick after missing a lot of time and only receiving playing time in 2010 and 2011 displays how much raw talent Judie has to offer.

Harrison Smith: SS, Notre Dame

Slated to be an early fourth-round pick, Note Dame's Harrison Smith stands at 6'2" and weighs 215 pounds. A solid size for a strong safety, however, his ball-hawking skills may pay better dividends as a free safety in the pros.

The man has excellent awareness and knows how to time up a hit virtually every time the ball is tossed in his zone. In 2010, he recorded seven interceptions and defended 14 passes while collecting 55 tackles.

As for 2011, he didn't have a pick. However, that's an attribute to quarterbacks not testing him as much either. So, Harrison made up for it by forcing two fumbles, defending nine passes and recording 91 tackles.

Anyone needing a sure tackler who can read a quarterback and wide receivers like a book while also providing the ability to roll down in coverage and run support is getting that with Mr. Smith.

Matt Daniels: SS, Duke

Arguably a more complete safety than Harrison Smith, Duke's Matt Daniels was responsible for 126 tackles, one forced fumble and two picks in 2011 while also defending 14 passes.

As a junior in 2010, Daniels recorded 93 tackles, forced three fumbles and picked off another pass. Forcing three fumbles and recording 75 tackles as a sophomore, it's clear that although he plays for Duke (a not-so well-known football program) the Blue Devils were able to be competitive defensively with Daniels in the lineup.

Definitely fits the mold to be an NFL strong safety by rolling down in coverage as well as starting in the nickel/dime back schemes. He'll be solid in zone coverage and provides the ability to blitz, while also helping with run support as well.

He's a hard-hitter with a great football IQ. But because he played at Duke, Daniels is going underrated and should be a early fourth-rounder as opposed to a mid sixth-rounder.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati (From OAK): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	18. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Nick Toon, WR (Wisconsin)
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, QB (Baylor)	22. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Cleveland (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)
8. Miami Dolphins: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)	24. Denver Broncos: Chase Minnifield, CB (Virginia)
9. Carolina Panthers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	25. New York Giants: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)
10. Buffalo Bills: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)	26. Houston Texans: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	27. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	28. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)	30. New England Patriots (From NO): Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	31. New England Patriots: Cam Johnson, DE (UVA)
16. New York Jets: Brandon Thompson, DE (Clemson)	32. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)

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