NFL Draft 2012: 4 Underrated Prospects Who Won't Disappoint

It’s time to get into full-blown combine mode. Put aside all free agency rumors, and focus on the fresh batch of young blood that is getting revved up for that first-round of the NFL draft on April 26^th.

And today, we’ll take a look at a couple underrated prospects headed to this year’s draft.

You know, those guys that are super impressive athletes, without having any of the extra hype.

Heck, one of these guys doesn’t even have accessible college stats on ESPN.com

These are first-round-caliber players who have perhaps done an interview or two, but whom sports channels don’t obsess over. However, they're sure to still make a splash at the 2012 Scouting Combine.

You’d best believe, with so many NFL hopefuls flooding the combine this week, it could be hard not to get lost in the shuffle. But these players are sure to make an impression that’ll last until the draft in April.

Here’s a look at four underrated prospects who won’t disappoint:

Dontari Poe

Already dubbed Mel Kiper Jr’s mock draft “sleeper pick,” mercurial defensive tackle Dontari Poe is sure to garner attention at this year’s scouting combine.

Poe is a bit of a mystery: He played at Memphis, which is not a BCS conference team. The general college football viewing public might not be familiar with him.

It’s even difficult to look up his college stats online.

Dig around on the Memphis Tigers website and you’ll learn that the red-shirt junior started 12 games for the Tigers in 2011, totaling 33 tackles and 18 solo stops. He won the team's Defensive Player of the Year award before deciding to leave Memphis for the 2012 NFL Draft.

And although Poe’s stock is rising, he isn’t expected to be scooped up until the end of the first round—or maybe not even until the second round.

David DeCastro

While not being as widely revered an offensive lineman as outside tackle Matt Kalil, David DeCastro is certainly worthy of a top-15 draft spot. Top-20 at the very least.

A beastly outside guard with what DraftBreakdown.com refers to as a “seek-and-destroy attitude,” outside guard DeCastro is a mix of strength and intelligence that would benefit any NFL team looking to beef up their O-line and protect a younger quarterback.

He did, after all, spend three years at Stanford protecting teammate, and No. 1 prospect, Andrew Luck.

The 310-pound guard is not only noted as having an expertise in run-blocking, but also not getting fooled by the blitz. DeCastro is consistently competitive, while maintaining a fundamentally sound level of play.

Kendall Wright

Like DeCastro, Baylor wide receiver Kendall Wright knows a little bit about playing college ball with a nationally-known quarterback.

While sharing the field with Heisman-winner Robert Griffin III this past season, Wright posted 14 touchdowns with 108 receptions for 1,663 yards.

And despite being short for his position—wide receivers are normally over 6 feet; Wright is only 5’10’’—his speed and acceleration are sure to wow scouts. Aiming to show teams that he’s force to be reckoned with in spite of his size, Wright is certain to work extra hard to have a successful combine

Wright would be an ideal draft pick for a team looking to get behind the defense and expand their passing game.

Whitney Mercilus

He hasn’t garnered as much attention as fellow defensive end prospect Quentin Coples, and is considered to be a bit of a “one-year-wonder.”

But with a super solid combine, Whitney Mercilus could be a first-round-bound player.

Mercilus had a break-out season in 2011, leading the nation with 16 sacks and 9 forced fumbles. While there is concern that he can’t repeat that success, he’s a player with room to grow.

And if he stays competitive in the combine, Mercilus could find himself with better draft odds as we near April 26^th.