2012 NFL Mock Draft: 4 Most Underrated First-Round Prospects

There are some picks in this year's draft that have all the front offices, coaches and pundits alike drooling, and then there are some who are falling way under the radar.

They are the reverse-Matt Leinarts, if you will, the players who will make some team very lucky when they fall to a spot far below their true value. They are the players who are getting no love or attention now, but will be getting lots of it once the 2012 NFL season gets underway.

Here is a full 2012 NFL mock draft, in realistic order, with a little bit more elaboration allowed to those who are likely to fall under the radar.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

So underrated. Have you heard of him?

Now that Peyton Manning is officially becoming entrenched in his new home, it is time for Colts fans to look to Luck as the quarterback of the future. Not that they haven't been doing it for eight months now.

2. Washington Redskins (from Rams) (5-11): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

That other quarterback who's getting no shortage of attention from the NFL world will be headed to Washington, where he will revamp the franchise into a playoff contender. Griffin has the intangibles—intelligence, work ethic—necessary to excel in the NFL.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is an NFL-ready left tackle who can fill a big void for the Vikings immediately. Because Kalil was so good, former Trojans teammate Tyron Smith—now a Cowboy—played the right side for USC.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

The Browns need a quarterback in a bad way now that they lost out on RGIII, Peyton Manning and the quarterbacks who are now staying put in Arizona and Tennessee because Manning opted to take his talents elsewhere.

And though Tannehill isn't getting the same breed of attention afforded to a Luck or a Griffin, he's a solid pick for a Browns team that needs a young guy who can lead the franchise for years to come.

Tannehill, a former wide receiver, is a natural quarterback and has a high ceiling—he's super athletic and has great instincts, and that potential makes him a valuable asset.

He transitioned to quarterback halfway through his junior season and started 19 career games, but he has the size and the intangibles necessary to pay off in a big way in the pros.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Another underrated prospect in the top five. Many have the Bucs selecting Trent Richardson with the fifth overall pick, but coming off a tough season; they need a replacement for Ronde Barber, who will be 37 when the 2012 season begins.

Though he was overshadowed during his college career by Tyrann Mathieu, Claiborne might just be the superior pro prospect because of the impact he will undoubtedly have on the opponent's passing game.

Claiborne could go as high as fourth or fifth or fall to ninth (and whatever team claims him at that point will be lucky). He's the top cornerback in the draft, which makes it hard for him to be underrated, but the impact he could have on a team like Tampa Bay is underestimated.

6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington) (2-14): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon could go to Cleveland if they opt not to select a quarterback, but the Rams will luck out if they get him, too. Blackmon was hugely impressive at his pro day, and St. Louis has a big need for a receiver. At 6'1", he'd be the shortest receiver selected in the top 10 since Ted Ginn.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Popular opinion states that the Jaguars will take a defensive end or a wide receiver in the first round, and Floyd—who could fall as low as 13th—can be an asset to complement Larry Fitzgerald.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Dolphins need a pass-rusher, and though Coples had a bit of a down year during his senior season, he has great size at 6'6" and can be a sack machine. One concern with him, however, is his tendency to underachieve.

9. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Here is another underrated prospect. The Panthers' run defense is in dire need of an upgrade, and Poe can provide it. He is one of a handful of players who have improved their stock the most over the last month, and a lot of that was due to his performance at the NFL Combine, where he displayed the type of speed commonly uncharacteristic of a nose tackle and dominated in the bench press.

That should be enough to move him into the top 10, but one thing that could hold him back is his apparent lack of production. He had just 33 tackles and eight for a loss in 2011, and he struggled at the tail end of the season. His presence on the line, though, makes him a gigantic benefit to a team in need of someone who can make an immediate impact on the run defense.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, DE, North Carolina

The Bills need a defensive end, and if Quinton Coples is no longer available, Upshaw is the next-best option. He doesn't have ideal length or speed, but he's the kind of presence on the pass rush that the Bills need.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

If Dontari Poe goes earlier to Carolina, the Chiefs will take Kuechly, by far the most dominant linebacker BC has had since Mark Herzlich, and probably even better. He gained some weight before the combine, silencing those who worried he was too small, and his athleticism didn't suffer as a result.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The Seahawks would be fortunate to have him fall this far. If Ryan Tannehill does get scooped up early, leaving limited options at quarterback, Reiff offers them an unbeatable option to improve the offensive line and is athletic for a lineman, though some scouts have worried about his short arms.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Underrated alert. The guy who served as protection for the venerable Andrew Luck deserves some love, too. Martin has displayed an extremely high football IQ, and his quickness is another one of his greatest assets.

His run-blocking skills have scouts raving, but his size (6'6", 304 pounds) has caused him to slide down the boards. His footwork needs some improvement as well.

Some pundits (ahem, Mel Kiper) don't even have him in the first round, and he's been dubbed overrated by some, but a team like the Cardinals can move Levi Brown to right tackle with the acquisition of Martin.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-8): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron is a playmaker with size, speed and intangibles, and Dallas is desperate to build a complete, competent secondary.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson falling this far seems a bit out of left field and unlikely, but if he does—and history does show, after all, that selecting a running back early in the draft isn't necessary because there tends to be a backload of talent—the Eagles would have to take him. He would offer them another great running back and he is just too good to pass up on.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Again, Ingram would have to fall in order for the Jets to be able to snag him, but if he is available at this point, the Jets need him. They paid their defense a lot of money last year for very little impact, and Ingram—who can switch among defensive end, outside linebacker and defensive tackle—will provide just the versatility they need.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland) (8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Size (6'3") is Kirkpatrick's best asset, and he isn't afraid to hit. Unfortunately, he seems to be plagued by character issues (he was arrested in January), which might move him down some draft boards. But maybe not in Cincinnati.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

Mercilus is an impact pass-rusher who really developed during his junior season, upping his production substantially. He got even better as a senior, and he could give the Chargers a boost on the D-line.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The Bears could stand to upgrade their wide receiving corps further, even after acquiring Brandon Marshall. He's speedy, had a great senior year and has long been regarded highly among NFL scouts.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

The Titans will benefit if he falls past Cincinnati at No. 17. Offensive guards are finally starting to be valued in the NFL draft, and DeCastro belies the logic that teams shouldn't spend first-round picks on this position. He can also provide Tennessee with the kind of pass-rush stopper it really needs.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Cincinnati's offensive line wasn't a problem area by any means in 2011, but now it needs upgrading with Bobbie Williams gone. Glenn wowed scouts at the combine with his athleticism, a feat given his size (6'5", 345 pounds).

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta) (4-12): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers is one of the top defensive tackles available and could be a steal for the Browns in this spot. At a massive 6'5" and 322 pounds, he can play inside or outside.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Lions need a corner, and if Dre Kirkpatrick is unavailable, Gilmore offers major value at this point in the draft—if he's still there. They really need an improved pass rush, and Gilmore's coverage skills are above average.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Steelers need someone young who can step in immediately, and Hightower is a physical player who is completely unafraid of contact and can be a huge disruption on the line of scrimmage (in a good way).

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still is the consensus pick for the Broncos, who need an interior lineman. He's shot up the draft boards in the last several months and could go as high as No. 15, so if he's still available here, Denver is getting great value.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

If Kendall Wright is already off the board, Hill is the next-best option for a team that still needs to replace Andre Johnson. Hill is an excellent blocker and did himself plenty of favors at the combine, running a 4.36-second 40.

27. New England Patriots (13-3): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

If Cox falls to No. 27, the Patriots will be in luck. New England needs to bolster its defensive line and the pass rush, and Cox would be a steal down this far in the order, since he pushed himself to the top of the heap during the combine and could even go in the top 10.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Nick Perry, LB, Southern Cal

The Packers would love to take Stephon Gilmore if he falls this far, but if he doesn't, they'll settle for bolstering the linebacking corps with Perry. He's a versatile talent who also played defensive end in college and is an excellent pass-rusher.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

The Ravens need a center, and Konz is simply the top option. At 6'5" and 315 pounds, he has great size for a center and is terrific in pass protection, as well as when he's exploding into defenders.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The 49ers tend to expend a lot of picks on offensive lineman, and if Adams falls this far, they'll be ecstatic. Adams can play on the right or left side. Despite inconsistency, his talent is undeniable.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut

The Patriots will luck out if Reyes is still on the board at No. 31, seeing as they would've loved to take him with their first pick at 27. They must build up the defensive line during this draft, and Reyes is an interior playmaker who can perfectly complement Vince Wilfork.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

If he falls down to 32, the Giants will take him—they need a tight end. Fleener is an offensive playmaker who is a great receiver and could replace Jake Ballard, who tore his ACL.