2012 NFL Draft: 2 Relatively Underrated Prospects Who Will Become Stars

While it's not easy projecting underrated draft prospects to NFL stardom, I have identified these two somewhat overlooked skill-position players from the 2012 NFL draft class as guys who will blossom into stars at the professional level. 

Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M

Gray isn't extremely underrated coming out of Texas A&M, but there are a handful of running backs who will probably be selected before him in this year's draft. 

He was a steady force in the Aggies offense the last three seasons and scored 30 rushing touchdowns during his collegiate career. 

He averaged 5.5 yards per carry over the last two seasons and, what NFL coaches will really like, caught over 30 passes in 2010 and 2011. 

Gray is an elite athlete, but he doesn't let that stand in the way of being a good runner. He's instinctual with the ball in hand and seems to understand when and in which direction to make cuts based on blocks in front of him. 

At the NFL Scouting Combine, the Texas A&M product ran a solid 4.47 in the 40-yard dash, and we saw many breakaway runs with the Aggies. 

He was fluid in the on-field drills and seemed to be the most focused runner in his group. 

I see a mix between Steve Slaton and LeSean McCoy when I watch Gray. At 5'10'' and 206 pounds, he should initially be a nice change-of-pace back that slowly steps into a multi-dimensional feature-back role (a la Ray Rice) after being selected somewhere between the second and fourth round. 

Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Sanu is another guy that, in the eyes of many, is in the "second-tier" of prospects for his position. While Justin Blackmon, Michael Floyd, Kendall Wright, Alshon Jeffery and now Stephen Hill have taken center stage, Sanu has drifted into the shadows. 

There's no need to feel bad for the Rutgers standout. He's still considered a second- or third-round pick by most draft experts. 

When watching him on the field and closely examining his combine performance, I can't find any glaring negatives. 

Well, he's not a premier deep threat, that's for sure. However, Sanu is well-rounded in all other areas required of a legitimate NFL wide receiver.  

At 6'2'' and a sculpted 211 pounds, Sanu's upper body was the most impressive of any wide receiver I watched in Indy on Sunday. 

He ran a relatively "slow" 40-yard dash at 4.67, but was solid in the gauntlet drill and looks the part of a possession wideout with explosiveness. 

Because of his large and built frame, Sanu is totally fearless going across the middle and doesn't shy away from catching the ball between linebackers and safeties inside the numbers.

That's where he shines. 

This Scarlet Knights star is a throwback-type receiver who will make a living overpowering smaller corners and picking up first downs on intermediate routes.

He's a guy I'd love to have on my team and would represent great value in the second or third round. 

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