2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing Late-Round Return Specialists to Keep an Eye on

Game-changer is pretty much how you can sum up a dangerous return man.

Whether it's on punts or kickoffs, changing the field position and regaining the momentum for their team is vitally important to enjoying consistent success in the pros.

And, if a current NFL prospect is fortunate, much like Brian Mitchell and Devin Hester, they can make a career out of it.

Marquis Maze, Alabama

A solid and reliable slot/No. 2 receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide, Marquis Maze is more dangerous as a return specialist.

In 2011 he compiled 778 return yards while averaging 8.72 yards per punt and 26.3 yards per kickoff return. 2010 though was the year where Maze set himself up for greatness last season.

There, Maze accounted for only 456 total return yards, but it was enough to keep that duty for his senior season. His 5'10", 180-pound frame is ideal for a return man as well, because Maze can accelerate quickly, and if need be, can dodge would-be tacklers who come downfield unblocked.

So, with the skills to make the first couple of guys miss is what makes Maze so dangerous.

Devon Wylie, Fresno State

As a freshman in 2007, Devon Wylie returned 14 kickoffs back for 311 yards which averaged out to just over 22 yards per return.

He never struck it big as a dominant return man but did have minimal success as a receiver through 2010. Wylie was then put on punt-return duty in 2011 and took advantage of every opportunity.

Compiling 446 yards (ranked No. 1) on 40 punt returns, Wylie took two back for touchdowns and added 716 yards on 56 catches as a receiver. His average per return was 11.15 yards which ranked No. 2 only to LSU's Tyrann Mathieu.

Despite being only 5'9" and 185 pounds, Wylie is a bolt of lighting that exploded on the return scene last year. Provided that he continue to develop as a receiver, he'll make some noise in 2012.

Keshawn Martin, Michigan State

The most impressive aspect about Keshawn Martin's development as a dangerous return man is that it never affected his development as a receiver.

Each season Martin simply improved at both and has established himself as one of the more consistent returners in the nation. Proving to have more success on kickoffs, Martin compiled 1,020 kickoff return yards between 2009 and 2010 with 384 addition yards on punts.

2011 was where he was limited as a punt returner but Martin still improved with 274 yards and one touchdown. All together Martin took back three total returns for touchdowns while scoring 13 more on offense (10 receiving, three rushing).

If anything, it's Martin's versatility on offense and explosiveness on punts that will be more appealing to NFL scouts. Not to mention his 5'11", 190-pound frame is ideal for a primary return man and No. 2 receiver.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati Bengals (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 Browns (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: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
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: Coby Fleener, TE (Stanford)

John Rozum on Twitter.