2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing and Projecting the Best Underrated Playmakers

Each NFL draft has clear prospects who stand out because of their playmaking abilities.

Whether it's guys like LSU's Morris Claiborne making an interception then changing the field position thereafter or Robert Griffin III tossing numerous touchdown passes while rushing for a bunch of yards, these players obviously can change the game.

That being said, here are some of the draft's most underrated—yet equally dangerous—playmakers.

Green Bay Packers: Dwight Bentley, CB (Louisiana-Lafayette)

Late in Round 4 is where you can expect to see Louisiana-Lafayette's Dwight Bentley get selected. There, a suitable fit are the Green Bay Packers.

Throughout his collegiate career, Bentley consistently made plays for the Ragin' Cajuns, but none were more impressive than his 2011 campaign.

On the year, Bentley recorded a career-high 71 tackles, made three interceptions returning them for 90 yards and made two touchdowns. In addition, Bentley defended nine total passes and forced two fumbles—helping the Ragin' Cajuns to a 9-4 record.

As for Green Bay, Bentley at the very least provides talented depth in the secondary and will make a splash in defensive specifics such as a nickel or dime back. He has solid awareness, and despite being undersized, has the quickness and wherewithal to consistently make plays.

If there's anything the Packers need to desperately improve on, it's pass defense.

Denver Broncos: Vick Ballard, RB (Mississippi State)

Knowshon Moreno is a bust and Willis McGahee will be 31 years old by the middle of the 2012 season, so the Denver Broncos need to add youth and depth to the running back position.

Therefore, expect them to take Mississippi State's Vick Ballard in Round 5 as a solid late steal.

Although Ballard only received the majority of his playing time in 2010 and 2011, he made the most of it by compiling 2,157 rushing yards, averaging 5.7 yards per carry and scoring a total of 31 touchdowns.

He also added 293 receiving yards on 30 receptions, so his dynamic ability on screens and as a check down will be greatly beneficial.

We also have to remember that Ballard put up these numbers with not much talent around him and playing in the SEC West of all places. So, having to run the gauntlet against teams like LSU and Alabama each week clearly displays how talented Ballard is.

In Denver, he'll certainly be a solid replacement for whenever McGahee decides to hang it up and will likely be the third-down/short-yardage back as a rookie.

If there's one area where the Broncos can really take pressure off Tim Tebow, it's building an even more threatening ground game with their actual running backs.

Chicago Bears: Marvin McNutt, WR (Iowa)

Early in the draft, the Chicago Bears need to address their defense and tight end needs—as having receivers like Roy Williams and Johnny Knox can be improved later on.

Hence, Iowa's Marvin McNutt in Round 5.

He's 6'4", 215 pounds and can stretch a defense much better than advertised. In 2011, McNutt amassed 1,315 receiving yards on 82 receptions while scoring 12 times despite being the Hawkeyes only real threat on offense.

Prior to that, he was greatly overlooked at Iowa and was led by quarterback Ricky Stanzi and receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos in 2009 and 2010. There, McNutt still produced well by gaining over 1,500 yards on 87 catches and scoring 16 touchdowns during that two-year span.

His size is great to help as a edge blocker in the running game and is also reliable over the middle.

Include his ability as a deep threat and wide receiver screens to Knox and Hester become a more viable option. All this being said, the Bears need a lot of help in the vertical passing game to take advantage of Jay Cutler's arm strength.

And McNutt is an ideal player with his size to significantly contribute in 2012.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Asa Jackson, CB (Cal Poly)

Not until Round 7 will we hear Asa Jackson's name get called, but nonetheless, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can use all the help they can get on defense.

Easily one of the most underrated small school prospects, Jackson accounted for 54 tackles and nine defended passes in 2011.

Two of which were interceptions he returned for a total of 152 yards and both were also touchdowns. On top of that, Jackson acted as a serviceable return man on punts and kickoffs.

There, Jackson collected 505 total return yards for an average of 22 yards which equates to more than two first-downs. Considering that the Buccaneers offense wasn't overly explosive in 2011, having to get two less first-downs would only pay dividends to improved special teams.

And despite being under a new head coach in Greg Schiano, there's no reason why Asa Jackson can't contribute to Tampa Bay. The secondary has vastly underachieved and any additions would help the rebuilding process.

Plus, with the Bucs in arguably the most pass-oriented division in pro football, adding talent and depth to the pass defense will only improve a team desperate to make quick strides in the 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: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)
4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	20. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
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, S (Alabama)
16. New York Jets: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)	32. New York Giants: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)

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