NFL Draft 2012: Senior Prospects Who Will Be Steals on Draft Day

Senior prospects in college football tend to get overlooked at times because of their age. It happens less in the NFL than in other sports such as the NBA, but it still happens.

Here's a quick look at three senior prospects who will make owners sorry they passed on them. 

Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin Badgers

Toon's career numbers don't jump out at you, but remember he's a wide receiver in the Big Ten. It's not exactly easy to put up huge numbers there.

What's more important are Toon's tools. That's fun to say. At 6'3", Toon has the ability to be a future No. 1 receiver.

Numbers and injury concerns have likely dropped him out of the first round as many other receivers have passed him, but whoever grabs Toon on Draft Day will consider themselves lucky. 

Jared Crick, DE, Nebraska Cornhuskers

We'll stick in the Big Ten as Crick has the ability to be a top-15 talent. Unfortunately, Crick tore his pectoral muscle and has missed the whole second half of his senior season. 

Crick will likely be healthy by the time the Combine rolls around, so he'll be able to prove he hasn't lost a step. However, the injury will likely hurt his stock big time.

Whoever drafts him will be taking a risk, but it's a risk with a very high ceiling. 

Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington Huskies

Coming into the season, this Husky was looked at as a mid-to-late first-round pick. However, after a mediocre season anchoring Washington's defensive line, his stock has really dropped.

Like "third-round pick" dropped.

However, you have to remember that Ta'amu had essentially no help around him and it's hard to anchor a defense all by yourself, no matter how big and quick Ta'amu is.

If he gets scooped up by an NFL team with some current talent on the defensive line, he'll be an absolute steal to insert into the middle of a defense.