2012 NFL Draft: 5 Late-Round Picks Who Could Have a Huge Impact

Every team in the NFL is looking for that late-round steal in the 2012 NFL draft like Tom Brady (Brady was selected in the sixth round).

Are there any players who aren't projected to go early that have a ton of potential? Of course there are.

All of these guys had fantastic college careers, but for some reason or another, no one thinks they should go in early in the draft.

Wide receiver, defensive end and outside linebacker are three of the deepest positions in this year's draft, so that explains why three of the five guys showcased here could drop to a later round.

The other two, a quarterback and a running back, didn't play against the toughest competition. They might deserve to go higher, but both players will just have to prove their worth on the NFL field.

Julian Miller, DE, West Virginia

Julian Miller doesn't give up on plays.

Is he one of the best pass-rushing defensive ends entering the NFL? No. 

But is he very good at getting to the quarterback? Yes.

Miller can come in and provide depth at defensive end right away. He isn't likely to lead the NFL in sacks anytime soon, but he will get a few by season's end if given enough playing time.

The 6'7", 256-pound Miller could also play outside linebacker and help provide a rush standing up as well.

Miller is currently projected to go in the sixth to seventh round as the 18th defensive end selected by CBSSports.com. Whoever grabs Miller will be getting great value that late in the draft.

B.J. Cunningham, WR, Michigan State

B.J. Cunningham is a stud.

This draft is loaded with great wideouts, and that is the only reason he is projected by CBSSports.com to go in the sixth or seventh round as the 30th wide receiver selected (and he runs a 4.59 40-yard dash, which isn't elite speed).

In most years, Cunningham would have been taken in one of the middle rounds.

Cunningham has had a stellar career at Michigan State, and he was Kirk Cousins' top target this season.

He finished the year with 79 catches for 1,309 yards and 12 touchdowns.

While the Michigan State standout won't burn by many cornerbacks, his sturdy 6'1", 209-pound frame will allow him to become a solid possession receiver in the NFL.

Cunningham can be had late in the draft, so he offers little risk and an astronomical reward.

Bobby Rainey, RB, Western Kentucky

While Bobby Rainey didn't go up against the best competition every game playing at Western Kentucky, I have no doubt he would have produced at a larger institution.

Rainey is a quick, but tough runner at 5'7", 208 pounds.

He has been a workhorse in the last two years of his career. Think of Rainey more of a Maurice Jones-Drew type players and less of a Darren Sproles type (although both are spectacular players).

This season, Rainey carried the ball 369 times for 1,695 yards and 13 touchdowns.

He did just as well last season. He ran for 1,649 yards on 340 attempts and scored 15 rushing touchdowns.

CBSSports.com has him going in the fifth round as the 15th best running back. If your team need a running back late, be happy if it grabs Rainey.

Darius Fleming, OLB, Notre Dame

Darius Fleming started off at Notre Dame as a pure pass-rusher. He was undersized, but as a freshman he played mainly as a 4-3 defensive end.

Fleming was slowly worked into an outside linebacker role, and it became his permanent position when Notre Dame transitioned to a 3-4 his sophomore year.

While his best attribute is still his rushing ability off the edge, Fleming has gotten better at pass coverage each year he has played as well.

He stands at 6'2", 255 pounds and could end up playing either defensive end or outside linebacker in the NFL.

Fleming is extremely versatile, and his ability to play multiple positions will help him earn playing time on any NFL roster.

CBSSports.com says that Fleming is the 19th-best outside linebacker and will be taken in the fifth or sixth round. That sounds like a pretty good deal for a player of Fleming's talent level.

Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

Kellen Moore probably won't have the immediate impact that these others players could have.

Moore will likely sit the bench for a few years behind a veteran, but he has the ability and intelligence to be a starting quarterback in the NFL one day.

He finished his career with 142 touchdowns and just 28 interceptions. He is a player who can learn any system quickly, and when he does, he will take care of the ball.

CBSSports.com projects Moore to go in the sixth or seventh round as the 12th player at his position selected.

While Moore doesn't have all the physical tools a NFL quarterback should have like a cannon arm, he still could end up leading a franchise one day.