NFL Draft 2012: 6 Top Pass-Rushers No One Is Talking About

Pass-rushers aren't cut from the same cloth as they were a few years ago.

They are bigger, stronger, faster. They hit with as much intensity as a Mack truck and come from all over the field to make a game-saving tackle.

They are fluid in their motion off the snap of the ball and know only one direction, straight to the quarterback.

And now, NFL scouts, general managers and coaches have to assess the talents of the "hybrid" pass-rusher who can play with a hand on the ground or can play standing up from the middle of the defense.

While NFL scouts and draft specialists prepare for the April event, there are certain pass-rushers (Quinton Coples, Courtney Upshaw, Melvin Ingram) who remain high on everyone's list of players to draft. Then, there are those who will fly under the radar.

Not all of them are going to be lining up on the front line. Some may come from the linebacker position and some may even come from the interior of the defense. But nonetheless, these are players who scouts should be looking to if they want to find a pass-rusher who can aid their team.

Cam Johnson, Virginia

He could be a steal in the second or third round.

Once you take the top three off the board, then it becomes a guessing game of who gets chosen next. I think Johnson is one of the top five defensive ends in this draft, and the team that selects him in the second tier of linemen will have a great player for the next decade.

He could be another Jeff Lageman with a better skill set.

Tyrone Crawford, Boise State

Boise State did not win games by their offense alone.

Crawford fits into that middle-of-the-pack player who will make the team and then prove he is better than most thought he would be.

The Broncos played some tough competition the past few years, so Crawford is not immune to matching up with huge talent.

He could be a great situational edge rusher in this league.

Jared Crick, Nebraska

The Cornhuskers defensive end has great skills and should be considered amongst the best in the draft. A sure-fire second-round talent.

If Crick can become a stand-up linebacker as well, similar (not in the same class) as Terrell Suggs, then he becomes that much more valuable to a team drafting him.

At 279 pounds, he will be one of the first five ends taken off the board.

Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State

I know his stock has fallen, and it looks like he is a third- or fourth-round pick, but at some point, I think the light goes on for this kid.

He is way too talented not to be drafted and not to be given a chance.

If the draft was predicated on potential alone, he would be a top-five pick. Other factors are factored into the draft process, making him a reach. But if some team takes a chance on him and he pans out, he will be a little Lawrence Taylor and a lot of Ray Lewis.

Chandler Jones, Syracuse

At 6'5" and 266 pounds and speed to burn, Jones is my sleeper pick in this draft.

Teams may take a swing at him in the end of the first round (New England). He fits a certain type of mind set that coaches like Bill Belichick love to groom.

He can play on the outside, reminds me of Mike Vrabel a bit and a little bit of AJ Duhe.

Nigel Bradham, Florida State

He tore up his pro day and wowed the scouts. This could mean he gets recognized and drafted higher than originally thought.

At 6'2" and 241 pounds, he can play inside or outside and blitz from the middle of the defense.

I think his stock soars at some point, and he becomes a second-round talent.