2012 NFL Mock Draft: Most Overlooked Senior Bowl Sensations

The Senior Bowl is an excellent chance for under-the-radar NFL draft prospects to break out. Many prospects some scouts haven't even heard of put themselves on the map with just one good week.

The obvious question is why these players are overlooked. The answer isn't always as obvious as the question is.

Nonetheless, many of these guys who were garnering no hype at all end up receiving a ton of attention. 

That's what makes the Senior Bowl so great. 

Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas

Okay, Joe Adams wasn't exactly overlooked, but he wasn't receiving his fair amount of publicity. The speedy wideout is only now being discussed as a second-round draft pick, when he should have been in that discussion all along.

Adams dominated the game, catching eight passes for 133 yards. 

How's that for getting some attention.

Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati

Though he played well on offense, Isaiah Pead's excellence really came on special teams. The Cincinnati star returned two punts for a combined 98 yards. 

Weighing just 193 pounds, Pead isn't an every-down back in the NFL, and that has hurt his value. However, Pead can contribute on passing downs and as a returner. 

Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State

Because he played at Utah State, Bobby Wagner did not garner any attention at all. Wagner recorded nearly 450 tackles in college and has great instincts.

In the Senior Bowl, Wagner was all over the field. He dominated on special teams and made plays in coverage and run support on defense.

This linebacker may have moved himself into the second round. 

Emil Igwenagu, TE, Massachusetts

Emil Igwenagu's problem is that he isn't really a tight end. The UMass product is more of an H-Back, but he could even end up as a full-time fullback.

In Mobile, Igwenagu impressed with his catching and blocking ability. Igwenagu isn't a great athlete by any means, but he has consistent hands and can block a linebacker. That skill set will find Igwenagu a place in the NFL.

T.J. Graham, WR, North Carolina State

Before the Senior Bowl, no one was talking about T.J. Graham.

During the Senior Bowl, everyone was talking about T.J. Graham.

Graham weighed in at only 182 pounds but looked explosive. The NC State wideout stretched the field vertically and made sharp cuts underneath. 

A week ago, not many would have projected Graham to be drafted. Now, he is being discussed as a third-round pick.

Full First-Round Projections

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

6. Washington Redskins: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

9. Miami Dolphins: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

10. Buffalo Bills: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

11. Seattle Seahawks: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

13. Arizona Cardinals: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

18. San Diego Chargers: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

20. Tennessee Titans: Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

25. Denver Broncos: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

26. Houston Texans: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

28. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

29. Baltimore Ravens: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

30. San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

31. New York Giants: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

32. New England Patriots: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin