2012 NFL Draft: 5 Underrated Players with 1st-Round Potential

All the talk about the 2012 NFL Draft focuses on the likes of Andrew Luck and Justin Blackmon, but the next great player is just as often found in a later round. Tom Brady wasn't selected until the sixth round in 2000, while Kurt Warner went undrafted in 1994.

There are a number of excellent college football players who (for whatever reason) are not expected to be drafted until the later rounds in April. However, some of them still have the potential to be as good as their counterparts taken in the first round. Here are five of them.

Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech Hokies

Jayron Hosley's draft stock dropped a bit after an injury-plagued season hurt his production in 2011. However, he still has the talent that made him a second-team All-American in 2010, the year when he led the FBS with nine interceptions.

Despite an inconsistent season beforehand, Hosley was phenomenal for the Virginia Tech Hokies in the 2012 Allstate Sugar Bowl. The entire Hokies defense was good (as they held the Michigan Wolverines to just 184 yards), but Hosley was perhaps the best.

Though he had two interceptions called back, he shut down whomever he was guarding all night long. He has the potential to be as good as former Hokies cornerback and current Kansas City Chief Brandon Flowers.

LaMichael James, Oregon Ducks

LaMichael James is only projected to be a second- or third-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Certain scouts have raised questions about his vision and size, along with his ability to succeed in an NFL offense after playing in the spread in college.

However, he was nearly unstoppable in his career with the Oregon Ducks. He rushed for 1,805 yards and 18 touchdowns in just 12 games this season.

With his shiftiness and unbelievable speed, it's hard to imagine him not having success at the next level. After all, Darren Sproles is even more undersized than James. If James can improve his hands, he could be very dangerous as a hybrid runner/receiver in the NFL.

Dont'a Hightower, Alabama Crimson Tide

Playing on a defense loaded with the likes of Courtney Upshaw, Dre Kirkpatrick and Mark Barron, Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dont'a Hightower has perhaps not gotten the attention he deserves this season.

That's not to say that Hightower is being entirely overlooked; he is projected to be a second-round draft pick by plenty of experts (including Bleacher Report's own Matt Miller).

However, he has as much talent as any inside linebacker in the 2012 NFL Draft, including projected first-rounders Luke Kuechly and Vontaze Burfict. With his future Pro Bowl potential, Hightower could be a steal for whichever team gets him after the first round.

Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State Cowboys

Brandon Weeden was phenomenal for the Oklahoma State Cowboys this year and was a huge reason they finished the season ranked No. 3. Weeden did an excellent job of utilizing the weapons he had (namely wide receiver Justin Blackmon). He finished the season with 4,727 passing yards and 37 touchdowns.

Like LaMichael James, there are questions about his ability to switch to a pro-style offense. Moreover, some teams will probably shy away from him since he is 28 years old and has a shorter shelf life than the other quarterbacks available in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Still, he has good size (6'3'') and a live arm. Andrew Luck aside, he has the potential to be as good as any other quarterback in the draft.

Nick Toon, Wisconsin Badgers

Nick Toon has the tools to be as good an NFL wide receiver as projected first-rounders Alshon Jeffery, Michael Floyd or Kendall Wright. He didn't get as much attention playing in an offense with Montee Ball and Russell Wilson, but he is an elite playmaker. He had 64 receptions for 926 yards and 10 touchdowns this year for the Wisconsin Badgers.

Toon doesn't have Percy Harvin-type speed, but he's fast. And more importantly (in today's short passing NFL), he runs good routes, he uses his body well, and he's got great hands. As a smart, hard-working player, it's easy to see Toon as a Pro Bowler in the near future.