NFL Draft 2012: Projecting the Under-the-Radar Rookie of the Year Candidates

Yesterday, I pieced together a mock draft that featured the top Rookie of the Year candidates in 2012. 

These were the high-profile guys that will receive a great deal of attention the moment they step on NFL turf. 

Historically, the offensive and defensive rookies of the year are guys selected near the top of the draft.

Let's look at a few guys who may be picked later in the first round or even later in the overall draft, that could potentially make a run at the top rookie honors. 

Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers 

Sanu is a tremendously fluid athlete and at 6'2'' and 215 pounds, he possesses ideal size to become a legitimate No. 1 target in the NFL. 

He'd make perfect sense for the San Francisco 49ers at No. 30 overall. 

They have the most well-rounded defense in the NFC and Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter and Vernon Davis are all established weapons on offense. 

To continue quarterback Alex Smith's progression, he'll need a guy on the outside to stretch the defense while running those simple, chain-moving routes. 

While Sanu doesn't necessarily excel in any one area of the game, he's well-rounded and can make an impact on the game in a variety of ways. 

Although the 49ers offense won't be Packers- or Saints-esque, Sanu could frequently be put in situations conducive to success.

Andre Branch, DE, Clemson 

While my mock drafts are only one round, Branch is a guy I see being selected early in the second round. His explosiveness off the ball and athleticism is comparable to any of the probable first rounders and isn't a liability against the run at  6'5'' and 260 pounds. 

The only knock on Branch though, is his tendency to vanish for stretches of time, but with the potential to be dominant, teams may want to take the chance on him. 

If placed in the right system, on a team that possibly already has a legitimate pass-rusher, Branch could explode in 2012. 

Doug Martin, RB, Boise State 

Trent Richardson will be a workhorse-type runner in the NFL and has a great chance to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year next season. 

Because the award goes to quarterbacks and running backs almost automatically, I'll go with Martin as a more underrated candidate. 

He is capable in many phases of the game and his 5'9'' and 215 pound frame will allow him to take the punishment between the tackles. 

Although he's not as shifty in the open field, he conceivably could be used in a similar way to that of Ray Rice. 

Keep an eye on him, he could be grabbed early in the second round or even later in the first if a team feels like reaching for a potential star.

Follow @ChrisTrapasso