Mel Kiper Jr. 2012 NFL Mock Draft: Athletes ESPN Guru Is Overlooking

While Mel Kiper Jr. might be the preeminent voice on the NFL draft, he seems to be discrediting athletes with his second mock.

Granted, athletes are the hardest players to evaluate because they are mostly filled with untapped potential. Indeed, while you can see the skills they possess, something doesn't always translate when they are on the field. 

However, this year's class has a number of intriguing athletes that should be taken much sooner than Kiper has them going in his latest mock. 

Here are the best athletes that the ESPN guru needs to give more love to. 

Vontaze Burfict, Linebacker (Not in Kiper's First Round)

While the questions on Burfict are vast, and he is at least two years away from being able to handle a starting role in the NFL, there is not one athlete in this draft that can match the Arizona State linebacker's raw athleticism. 

He has prototypical size, strength and speed for a linebacker. There is nothing he can't do on the field when he wants to. 

NFL teams have put a premium on high-character players in recent years, but Burfict's problems are strictly on the field. He has never been in trouble with the law. 

As long as he can contain his temper, he should be a star in the league for a long time. 

Mohamed Sanu, Wide Receiver (Not in Kiper's First Round)

Sanu made a lot of teams happy when he decided to declare for the NFL draft after posting 115 catches for 1,206 yards with Rutgers in 2011. 

However, part of the problem he faces is that this receiving class is loaded with high-end talent. Therefore, it will be difficult to break into the top 20-25 picks. That said, there are enough teams at the bottom of the round that need a pass-catcher, including San Francisco.

Sanu has a great body for a receiver. He is listed at 6'2", 220 pounds and can run faster than you would think. He is a ball hawk that deserves to be taken in the first 32 picks. 

Dontari Poe, Defensive Tackle (No. 24 Pittsburgh Steelers)

Credit Ndamukong Suh for revolutionizing the defensive tackle position by being an incredible athlete, with the speed and lateral quickness to make plays anywhere on the field. 

Poe is not as talented or as athletic as Suh, but he will sneak up on a lot of teams at the NFL Scouting Combine this weekend. 

He is one of the fastest defensive tackles in this draft. He can run as fast as some premier defensive ends who are going to get paid to come off the edge. Poe's tackling and run-stopping skills are second to none. 

With a strong workout in Indianapolis, he is going to end up being taken in the first half of this draft. 

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