NFL Draft 2012: Finding the Next Cliff Avril, Wes Welker, and Dwayne Bowe

Cliff Avril, Wes Welker and Dwayne Bowe were three players hit with the franchise tag hours before Monday's 4 PM deadline. 

Let's try to uncover prospects in the 2012 draft class that could be the second-coming of these guys.

(Last week, I identified the next DeSean Jackson, Dashon Goldson and Tyvon Branch, three others who were also franchised by their respective clubs.)

Cliff Avril

Whitney Mercilus, Illinois

Avril has become one of the most menacing edge rushers in the NFL, and has the ideal body type to be successful at his defensive end position at 6'3'' and 260 pounds. 

Mercilus stands 6'4'' and weighs 261. 

Both utilize their outstanding burst off the ball and nonstop motor to create havoc in the backfield. 

Last year for the Fighting Illini, Mercilus led the nation with 16 sacks. 

Avril has improved his sack numbers in each of his four years in the NFL, and tallied 11 last season. 

Mercilus forced nine fumbles in 2011 and Avril created six. They're unquestionably playmakers once they reach the opponent's backfield.  

Wes Welker

Joe Adams, Arkansas

It's hard projecting players to Wes Welker, because the Patriots' wideout is extremely unique. He's a stupendous route-runner with elite quickness, but he's not necessarily the greatest athlete and doesn't have terrific straight-line speed. 

Adams exudes athleticism, but is comparable in size to Welker and will probably be used in a similar way at the next level.

The Razorbacks slot guy and return man was one of the most dynamic and frightening players in the nation last season. 

He caught 54 passes for 652 yards with three receiving touchdowns and also took four punt returns to the house. 

As a shifty athlete with sudden acceleration, expect Adams to be targeted when facing weaker nickel corners or linebackers next season, just like Welker. 

Dwayne Bowe

Juron Criner, Arizona 

Other possibilities here are Iowa's Marvin McNutt and LSU's Rueben Randle. However, Bowe is a dynamic downfield guy that has exhibited a tremendous ability to come down with catches in traffic, and that was Criner's specialty during his time in the desert. 

Bowe is currently listed at 6'2'' and 221 pounds, and Criner weighed in at 6'3'' and 224 pounds at the combine. 

Both guys fully understand how to use their bodies to their advantage and are competent chain-moving possession wideouts. 

They're superb red zone targets as well, due to their bigger frames and deceptively explosive leaping ability. 

I see many Bowe-esque attributes in this dangerous Arizona product. 

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