2012 NFL Draft Projections: Potential 1st-Round Picks That Lack Elite Talent

There are always a couple players drafted near the end of Round 1 which cause analysts to scratch their heads. Usually it's because a team is attempting to fill a void and would rather reach for a player at that point than hope he falls to them in the second round.

Here are three players who could fall into that category in the 2012 NFL draft.

Mark Barron

Barron is the best available pure safety on the board and it really isn't even close, but that's more about the other safeties than him. The Alabama senior has had three straight solid seasons in the Crimson Tide secondary, including a breakout sophomore campaign when he picked off seven passes.

Since he's so far ahead of the other safeties in terms of talent level, a needy team will probably take a chance on him in the first round. The most likely landing spot right now would appear to be the Houston Texans, who are only a few pieces away from a dominant defense.

Current Projection: No. 25 to Houston Texans

Mohamed Sanu

Sanu officially declared for the draft earlier this week. It was an interesting decision because most wide receivers would've elected to return to school in an attempt to boost their stock with another big statistical season, but he probably figured he wasn't getting much publicity at Rutgers anyway.

Even though Sanu is a solid possession receiver, he doesn't have any traits that will wow scouts. He doesn't have blistering speed or amazing size. Based on how many teams are looking for depth at the position, he should be taken near the end of the first, but he's probably a second-round talent.

Current Projection: No. 31 to New England Patriots

Chris Polk

Polk has been making a mad dash up draft boards in recent weeks after a strong finish to his career at Washington. He rushed for 147 yards in the team's hyped bowl game against Robert Griffin III and Baylor, which led to increased interest in the workhorse.

This happens every bowl season. A couple players who weren't considered elite talents have a monster game and their stock skyrockets. Polk is a dependable back who will attack defenses up the middle, but he doesn't have those game-changing abilities most teams usually target early.

Current Projection: No. 32 to Green Bay Packers