2012 NFL Draft: 7 Later-Round Prospects with the Best Chance to Start as Rookie

Every NFL team is looking for that "someone," the one that defies the odds.

Maybe not the free agent like a Larry Izzo who was a special teams demon for the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots, but someone taken in the later rounds of the NFL draft who comes in and earns a starting spot on a roster and makes it happen.

The Dolphins Mark Clayton was drafted in 1983, the same year as Dan Marino. He lasted until the eighth round that year and had a pretty good career.

Is there another player on this draft board who could surprise us all and have a impact like that? Ask every NFL scout out there, and they probably would tell you if they can find one player in the draft to be "that" type of player, then the draft they put together becomes that much more meaningful.

Here are some players who could surprise scouts and fans when they are drafted.

Joe Adams, Receiver, Arkansas

I'm not sure why Adams is not more coveted as a receiver in this draft.

At 5'11" and a 40-yard sprint time of 4.38 seconds, Adams could be a true "breakthrough" player who could excel in the slot and on kick returns.

Adams could be a Wes Welker-type player in the NFL with better speed. All Welker did was catch 122 passes this past season. And if he moves on to another team in free agency, could a team like New England be tempted to select the Arkansas speedster and insert him in the lineup?

James Brown, Offensive Lineman, Troy

Looking for an offensive lineman you haven't heard much about, but could make the transition to the pro game and be a force?

Say hello to James Brown.

The offensive lineman from Troy could be the next star from the small school (DeMarcus Ware is from Troy) in Alabama. At 6'4" and 307, he has the size to play tackle in the NFL. But a 5.37 time in the 40 makes him a bit slow. Could we see him play guard to start? Possibly.

Either way, a team that takes Brown late in the third round or fourth round will have a steal and a lineman they can plug into a lineup for a number of years.

Tommy Streeter, Receiver, Miami

I have Streeter ranked in my top 100 prospects in this year's draft. Surely he will get a look as a returner and a slot receiver.

I don't think Streeter has the ability, although at 6'4" and 215 pounds, to develop into a No. 1 receiver, but you never know.

I liken his ability to Marques Colston, but he still needs to refine his skills. Remember Colston was a late round addition to the Saints, and look what he has done.

He can still be a solid starter as a second option.

LaMichael James, Running Back, Oregon

He was a great running back in college who was once considered a Heisman candidate. Could he be a nice triple-threat option in the pros?

I like his skills and think he could be a Warrick Dunn-type of player in the NFL. At 5'9" and 191 pounds, he must prove he can be durable against bigger, stronger defenders and can catch the ball more out of the backfield.

I also think with the success of smaller backs like Ray Rice, Darren Sproles and Maurice Jones-Drew, he really has a chance to be an effective runner on the pro level.

Bobby Massie, Tackle, Mississippi

Bobbie Massie is just massive.

At 6'6" and 325 pounds, he can be the road block teams need to help in pass protection.

SEC schools get a handful of stellar defenders to cover over the year, and Massie was not different in playing against the nation's best. Hopefully that has translated to a strong ability to block faster linemen and rushing linebackers.

If he can hold the line at the point of attack, he could be a great find.

T.Y. Hilton, Receiver, Florida International

He has been high on my draft board all season long and still remains a top 50 prospect.

With the influx of receivers coming into this draft, Hilton could benefit from being selected lower and going to a team in better shape than others.

Hilton did not play against stellar competition, which means All-Star games and the Combine will greatly benefit him. He needs to show he is durable and can return kicks to make him that more attractive to teams.

If he latches on with the right one (Jacksonville or Miami), he could start in year one.

Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

Martin was already a solid prospect coming out of Boise State, then helped himself in the Senior Bowl.

But running back as we all know is a strange position where teams can wait until the later rounds and find a gem. Martin may be a second-round prospect that sits for a while and is selected in the third or fourth round and then becomes an instant success.

I think a team like Chicago, Green Bay or even Denver would look to him and find he is a great fit for their offenses, running, catching passes and helping on special teams.