2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Players Will Be Overlooked?

Picking players has always been and will likely always be an inexact science, to say the least. The NFL draft is a prime example of how countless hours and millions of dollars spent combing over prospects ultimately boils down to an expensive guessing game.

So while Mel Kiper, Jr. and folks of his ilk spend the coming months fawning over the likes of Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Trent Richardson, guys like the five below will continue to fly under the radar, just waiting to make their mark at the next level while proving their doubters wrong.

Kellen Moore

Rumor has it that DJ Khaled is a big fan of Kellen Moore.

Yep, that's right—all he does is win. Moore finished his career at Boise State as the winningest quarterback in NCAA football history, with 50 victories to his name.

And not simply by accident, either. Moore completed nearly 73 percent of his passes over his last two seasons as a Bronco, including a whopping 74.3 percent as a senior, while making stars out of any and every receiver who set foot on the Smurf Turf with him.

You'll hear all about Moore's deficiencies in the weeks leading up to the draft—how he's not big enough, his arm's not strong enough to be effective at the next level, his collegiate success was the product of Chris Petersen's system more so than his own efforts.

Of course, many of the same concerns were raised about Drew Brees coming out of Purdue. I wonder how that's worked out for him...

Chris Rainey

Speaking of Drew Brees, he'd undoubtedly give Darren Sproles at least some credit for his record-breaking season with the New Orleans Saints.

As for the next Sproles, many will point to Oregon's LaMichael James, but the most likely culprit to rise up as the next dangerous NFL scatback may yet be Chris Rainey.

You can't teach speed, and Rainey just so happens to have plenty of it. The 5'9", 174-pounder chipped in on the ground, through the air and on special teams during his time with the Florida Gators. He figures to do much the same as a pro, serving as just the sort of change-of-pace-type 'back that Sproles has made so fashionable in the NFL.

Terrance Ganaway

As far as more traditional, bruising running backs are concerned, those teams looking for a steal would do well to take a flier on Terrance Ganaway.

While Robert Griffin III and Kendall Wright soaked up all the attention for Baylor this season, Ganaway simply went about his business out of the backfield, racking up 1,547 yards at a 6.2 yards-per-carry clip along with 21 rushing touchdowns.

There will be concerns about Ganaway as a one-hit wonder, as a guy who was the benefactor of the overwhelming attention paid to RG3 without a track record of sustained success prior to his senior season.

Then again, it's tough to argue with a ball-carrier who's six feet tall and carries 240 pounds about as well as you'd hope an every-down 'back would. 

Juron Criner

Do you like big, athletic receivers who can make acrobatic catches with the greatest of ease? How about guys who can do all that and leave defenders in the dust?

Well, guess what? You don't have to spend a first-round pick to get one for your team. Just wait around for Arizona's Juron Criner.

The former Wildcat led the Conference Formerly Known as the Pac-10 in receiving as a junior and followed up that campaign with another 956 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior. He may not have the sex appeal of a Justin Blackmon, a Michael Floyd or an Alshon Jeffery, but that certainly won't preclude him from being a productive pass-catcher in the NFL.

Cliff Harris

Enough with offensive players. What about prospects to look out for on the other side of the ball, you ask?

All the talk about bad boys and head cases in the 2012 NFL draft figures to center on Vontaze Burfict and Janoris Jenkins, but don't forget about Cliff Harris. An All-American in 2010, Harris was kicked off the Oregon Ducks football in 2011 after crossing the law multiple times and violating team rules in the process.

On the field, though, there's no doubting Harris' tremendous talent as a ball-hawking corner. That much was made clear when he notched six picks in 2010 to go along with five touchdowns, four of which came on punt returns.

That's not to say Harris was or is the perfect corner. He's been known to make poor decisions on the gridiron as well and isn't always the surest tackler around.

Still, guys with Harris' size and agility don't exactly grow on trees. Someone will recognize as much come draft day and groom Harris to be an NFL defensive back, faults and all.

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