NFL Draft 2012: Winston Guy and Potential Undrafted Free Agents to Watch for

When the 2012 NFL Draft is mentioned, obviously players such as Andrew Luck, Justin Blackmon and Robert Griffin III come to mind.

And rightfully so, because those are all top five draft picks. Even mid-rounders such as LaMichael James and Brandon Boykin will receiver much more exposure as we progress through the 2012 offseason.

Well, every year there are those undrafted free agents who make some noise in the NFL. This past season it was Seattle's Doug Baldwin and Giants fullback Henry Hynoski. That being said, here are some potential undrafted free agents to keep on your radar.

Chris Marve: LB, Vanderbilt

A great run-defender who can bring power and pain with every hit, Vanderbilt's Chris Marve was a standout figure on a sound Commodores defense that allowed just 21.6 points per game.

A solid four-year contributor, Marve totaled 398 career tackles but 226 came after his first two seasons. Being the most dominant defender in the front seven, Marve was schemed by offenses and others were forced to make plays.

Well, the rest of Vandy's defense rallied around him and Marve still accounted for an additional 172 tackles between 2010 and 2011. He also forced eight career fumbles (seven from 2008 and 2009) and recorded 30 tackles for loss.

To have a legit shot in the NFL, Marve will need to improve as a pass-defender and gain some quickness. He does, however, have solid instincts and would be a great fit as a No. 2 inside linebacker in a 3-4 front.

Another option would be for him to lose roughly 12-15 pounds but still manage to keep his strength. Then he could make the move to strong or free safety. In turn, it would make him more dynamic and appealing to NFL teams.

Lance Dunbar: RB, North Texas

Easily one of the most underrated running backs in college football, North Texas' Lance Dunbar accumulated over 4,000 rushing yards between his final three seasons and scored 41 career rushing touchdowns.

The man simply knows how to find the end zone and has the ideal size at 5'9", 203 pounds to slam the trenches hard between the tackles.

In addition to his running game, Dunbar also collected 1,033 career receiving yards and scored eight touchdowns. His duality in the backfield created problems for every defense he faced. However, without much talent around him, Dunbar was subject to four straight losing seasons.

Still, he has Maurice Jones-Drew like potential because of his size, ability to pound the rock and act as a reliable receiving outlet.

He'll go undrafted as North Texas doesn't play a dominant schedule either, but there's no denying a high level of consistency in the FBS.

Winston Guy: S, Kentucky

A 6'1", 216-pound safety, Kentucky's Winston Guy has the size you want in an NFL defensive back who can roll down with run support and man-up on tight ends.

After not contributing much as a freshman or sophomore, Guy recorded 226 tackles between 2010 and 2011 along with five picks and 20 tackles for loss.

His good speed allows for decent coverage against slot receivers, but being a more edge-run support safety, zone is Guy's best bet in the pros. Provided that he's given an opportunity, Guy will be used as a nickel/dime back against three receiver sets.

There, he'll either line up over the tight end or slot receiver, or he will serve as an outside linebacker if it's a two-running back formation (no TE and opposite the slot WR).

Guy can also be used as a threatening run-blitzer off the edge to force plays back inside, or to try pick off wide receiver/running back screens. On a weak Kentucky defense, though, especially as part of the SEC, it's no surprise that Guy is going overlooked.

That said, Guy's potential to develop and contribute as a monster back will pay a franchise dividends.

Da'Jon McKnight: WR, Minnesota

It's no surprise to see a receiver from Minnesota go overlooked; however, Da'Jon McKnight has great potential.

For one, he never had a gunslinger tossing him the rock during his tenure, and it's not like the Golden Gophers were known as a passing team. In addition, Minnesota plays in the Big Ten—a rushing conference—and nowhere near a major-market city.

Yes, Minneapolis is great; however, it's not nearly as popular or well-known as Columbus, Ann Arbor or Madison when it comes to Big Ten/BCS conference football, not to mention other major conferences such as the SEC and Pac-12.

So, McKnight had both variables and invariables working against his exposure. Still, he caught 99 passes for 1,510 yards and scored 14 touchdowns between 2010 and 2011. His 6'3, 211-pound frame will get noticed as well as his explosiveness and leaping ability.

A potential reliable No. 2 target in the pros, McKnight has the size to go over the middle and out-jump defensive backs on the fade route. With that said, McKnight will get an opportunity this offseason. 

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati (From OAK): Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	18. San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	20. Tennessee Titans: Mohamed Sanu, WR (Rutgers)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	22. Cleveland (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	25. Denver Broncos: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Nick Perry, DE (USC)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)	31. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, Safety (Alabama)
16. New York Jets: Brandon Thompson, DE (Clemson)	32. New York Giants: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)

John Rozum on Twitter.