NFL Draft 2012: 5 Underrated Prospects in the Draft (Part I)

This is the first installment in a series of profiles examining five of the most underrated players who will enter Radio City Music Hall this April.

In the past decade, some of the most dominant NFL talent to come out of the college draft has come in the later rounds, well after most fans have turned the channel and their attention to the preseason.

As the Tim Tebows and Arian Fosters of the world continue to amaze the football world with their play, it’s clear that the talent pool produced by the college football machine has never been so deep.

As players begin to prepare for senior days, pro workouts and combine testing, more potential hidden treasures will be explored here in future installments.

Kellen Moore, Quarterback: Boise State

In a manner very similar to Tim Tebow, Kellen Moore is a magnet for success in the win column. Many draft forecasters see the Heisman Trophy finalist finding a home late in the second or early in the third round.

I think if there was ever a moral that should be learned from this NFL season, it is that you cannot put a price tag on victory. A truckload of quarterbacks in college football history have thrown for a gazillion yards, dazzled crowds and scouts alike with their athleticism and strength, yet were unable to transfer that to success on an NFL field.

I may be in the minority, but I believe the former Boise State Bronco may have the tools to be the next diamond in the rough to make his way to the professional ranks.

While his size may cause most teams to balk at selecting him in April, Moore’s statistics are stellar: 14,667 total passing yards in four years as a starter, 142 touchdowns and an average 169.15 QB rating over his four seasons at Boise with only 28 interceptions.

More significantly, in his 53 starts at Boise, Moore only failed to lead his Broncos to victory three times! His 50-3 record include three bowl wins in for trips, nipped only by TCU in Moore’s freshman season.

He brought a team to the forefront that was, until his arrival, known only for the quirky color of their football turf. They defeated nationally-ranked opponents in highly competitive bowl games including TCU in a 2009 rematch of the previous year’s Poinsettia Bowl.

Moore has the intangibles that can make him a relative steal in the upcoming draft. Some teams will be able to snag a potential starting quarterback as late as the third round.

Kirk Cousins, Quarterback: Michigan State

Another quarterback that might have been a first-round pick if it were not for the arrival of Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck and even Nick Foles, Kirk Cousins is the product of a phenomenal coaching mind in Michigan State Head Coach Mike Dantonio.

Cousins, possessing a solid 6’3” 205-pound frame and a respectable 4.8 40-yard dash, will serve an NFL team that has the luxury of drafting a project quarterback.

In Cousins’ four years as a Spartan, he threw for 9,131 yards and 66 touchdowns while maintaining an average 146.02 passer rating.  Cousins’ pension for throwing the occasional interception (on average he throws about one interception for every two touchdowns) and his inaccuracy may be a cause for concern for potential NFL suitors and explain his lower draft status.

Cousins is a raw football talent, but his footwork and mechanics have a lot of room for improvement. If improved upon though, the erratic errors in decision-making can be rectified.

Cousins would be an immediate contributor to a team that stretches the football field on the edges, as his strength under the Michigan State offensive system has been in the short to intermediate passing levels. He shows an innate ability to read check-downs with speed and decisiveness, and anticipates defensive combination coverage well.

Cousins has the potential to be a solid starter in the NFL later than sooner, needing time to repair the small holes in his game. There is certainly an upside to his game though that makes him a marketable commodity around the middle of the second round.

Michael Brewster, Center: Ohio State

As many offensive line coaches in the NFL will tell you, a strong offensive front is contingent on a capable center leading the charge. He is the equivalent to a quarterback on the O-line, calling out signals and identifying defensive sets. The center position might just be the most intricate of all the brutish positions on the football field.

The 6’4”, 305-pound Ohio State Buckeye Mike Brewster is exactly the type of player that a budding offensive squad can build its line around. Brewster, a native Floridian, passed on the opportunity to show his wares in the SEC, instead opting for the Big 10.

Brewster has remarkably quick feet for a center, possesses strong pass pro technique and is an incredibly cerebral lineman able to diagnose defensive line stunts and adjust his protection accordingly.

His noticeably slim frame allows him to gain strong position on defenses while run blocking and he uses his leverages and hand placement to move defensive lineman with ease.

Centers the likes of Nick Mangold, Maurkice Pouncey and Jeff Saturday can attest to the importance of their role on an NFL offense. Brewster may soon add his name to this select list.

Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback: North Alabama

The only thing that kept Janoris Jenkins from collegiate superstardom in 2011 is his performance off the field. The former First Team All-SEC corner was removed from the Florida Gators squad prior to his senior season, leaving him with little alternative but to transfer.

The Gators' loss was the North Alabama Lions gain, as Jenkins produced an AP All-American season. He finished his 2011 Division II campaign with 53 tackles and two interceptions.

The former counterpart to current Cleveland Brown cornerback Joe Haden, Jenkins became only the second Florida Gator in school history to earn a starting roster spot in his first game. A Freshman All-SEC award winner in 2008, Jenkins accumulated 77 tackles, five interceptions and 17 pass deflections in his first two seasons with the Gators.

Jenkins has all of the tools that can make him a top-performing defensive back on NFL Sundays. He has tremendous field vision that allows him to read quarterback progressions with ease and regularly breaks on the ball quickly thanks to his ability to anticipate.

On a technical level, Jenkins has all the intangibles required for premier pass defenders; he has tremendous flexibility, maintains a very low center of gravity in his backpedal and changes direction on a dime. Jenkins’ combine workout should prove to be a valuable insight into his skills set.

Jenkins' game also provides a rarity as far as current NFL corners are concerned. He has become known for his aggressive, fearless run-stopping support.

Chandler Jones, Defensive End: Syracuse

The Jones clan may be quickly approaching superstar status as the first family of American professional sports. Chandler’s older brother Jon continues his dominance of the Ultimate Fighting Championship rings and older brother Arthur continues to contribute to the Baltimore Ravens' push to the Super Bowl, playing in 14 games this season.

Let it be known that the runt of the litter (runt defined by a huge 6’5” 265-pound build) is about to embark on his own professional career, one that could be very productive for the right defense.

Chandler amassed 31 solo tackles and 4.5 sacks for the Syracuse Orange this season, in spite of missing five of the year’s games due to injury.

A first-team all-Big East defensive end in 2011, Jones finished his three-year college career with 147 tackles and ranks among the top 10 in every measurable statistic in Syracuse history among down linemen.

Built very much in the image of Jason Taylor, Jones has tremendous up-field speed as an edge pass rusher and has a tremendous first step out of his stance. Jones also has a variety of pass-rush maneuvers that he employs, a skill that often goes unnoticed yet is indispensable at the higher levels. Jones’ quick feet and agility allow him to be used in a range of stunts and zone blitzes, making him a very versatile threat.

A team like the New York Jets would benefit greatly from the addition of Jones as a compliment to resurrected defensive end Aaron Maybin. Other teams looking for a solid pass rush could put Jones’ talents to good use as well.