NFL Draft 2012: Underrated College Studs Who Will Make Instant Impact

With seven weeks to go before the NFL Draft, players are starting to make their presence felt to teams and scouts around the league. Still, there are some underrated studs who need to get talked about more than they have been. 

We know that everyone is going to focus on Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and all those other marquee players will steal the headlines, but that doesn't mean they should be the entire story. 

Looking at the talent in this draft, there are a number of intriguing players that have the talent to step in right away to make an impact. 

Here are the best of the underrated players in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Dontari Poe, Defensive Tackle

Playing at Memphis doesn't exactly make you a household name. Being 347 pounds and running a 40-yard dash in under five seconds is going to put you on the map. 

Poe has the luxury of playing a position that has taken on increased importance in the NFL. With more teams switching to a 3-4 defensive scheme, tackles have become paramount to the success or failure of the whole system. 

Not only did Poe make himself a lot of money with his outstanding workout, but he has likely earned himself a starting job right away. When you look at his tools, technique and natural ability, it will be hard to keep him on the bench. 

Stephen Hill, Wide Receiver

Hill really came out of nowhere to take the Combine by storm, but honestly we should have been paying attention to him all along. He has the size and speed to make plays anywhere on the field. 

The biggest knock against him is that he played in a run-oriented offense at Georgia Tech, so his numbers weren't going to look as good as someone like Justin Blackmon or Michael Floyd. 

He only had 28 catches last season, but 820 yards. That is a ridiculous 29.3 yards per catch. He is the ultimate big-play receiver in a draft loaded with talent on the outside. 

Like Poe, he probably made himself a lot more money with his workout. He should be a No. 2 receiver this year, eventually growing into a No. 1. 

Vontaze Burfict, Linebacker

No one's stock was affected more negatively at the Combine than Burfict, who already had a lot of questions to answer due to his work ethic and effort at times in college. 

Teams and analysts are down on him right now, but the raw athletic potential is there. He is a big hitter that uses his instincts more than anything else. Eventually he will have to show more effort to get better, but he is going to be a steal in the second round. 

Inside linebacker is not a deep position in this draft, so teams are going to be more likely to take a risk after the first round with a talent like Burfict. He has to prove himself to everyone in workouts after the draft, and should be more motivated to do that than ever before. 

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