2012 NFL Draft Predictions: 10 Prospects That Will Go Higher Than Experts Expect

Every year, sports media "experts" make predictions on NFL draft prospects that will fall to late rounds. 

And every year, the “experts” are wrong.

There are many reasons for drastically wrong predictions, but chief among them is teams reaching for athletes rather than skill players. 

There’s also the high-risk franchises that gamble on a prospect with a plethora of talent but a checkered past—high risk, high reward.

With that in mind, here are 10 prospects that will go much higher than experts are predicting.

Jonathan Massaquoi, OLB, Troy

Jonathan Massaquoi has been projected to go in Rounds 4-6, but if one closely examines his tape, that simply won’t happen.

Massaquoi is a freak athlete that is a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. In two seasons at Troy, Massaquoi accumulated 128 tackles, 31 of them for a loss and 19.5 sacks.

At 6’2” and 260 pounds, he doesn’t have ideal height to play the defensive end position, but he should be able to flourish as a linebacker if placed in an ideal situation.

Massaquoi is an untapped talent to be sure, but some team will see shades of another great Troy pass-rusher that recently entered the NFL—DeMarcus Ware.

Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia

Brandon Boykin’s draft stock has been all over the place. Experts can't seem to agree on whether his fractured leg at the Senior Bowl will hurt him in the eyes of NFL teams.

Here’s a hint: It won’t.

Boykin is a freak athlete that is worth taking a risk on as early as the beginning of the second round. He didn’t get to wow scouts with a great 40-yard dash time at the combine because of his injury, but film from his time at Georgia should tell teams all they need to know.

Boykin is a versatile player that is a serious threat in the return game, something that should transition well to the NFL.

He’s also solid in man and zone coverages, making him an ideal early pick.

DeQuan Menzie, CB, Alabama

DeQuan Menzie is one of those players that gets lost when thinking about Alabama last season. That’s one of the reasons he is projected to go no sooner than the fourth round.

Menzie’s teammate Dre Kirkpatrick is getting all the attention right now, but what Menzie did as the starter across from Kirkpatrick is more impressive.

He was thrown at more, because teams were aware of Kirkpatrick’s talent, and Menzie performed admirably.

Add in the fact that Menzie has played all positions in the secondary, including both safety spots, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him go as early as the second round.

Markelle Martin, FS, Oklahoma State

Markelle Martin has a checkered injury history that has continued leading up to the draft. 

When actually on the field, Martin has been an absolute stud and teams will recognize that when they put on the game tape.

Last season, he had 74 tackles, 11 pass breakups and two forced fumbles. He is extremely fast, known to be a big hitter and effective in any type of coverage.

Add in the fact that this year’s draft class at the safety position is one of the weakest in recent memory, and a team with a need at safety could reach for Martin early.  

Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona State

Everyone knows Vontaze Burfict’s story by now.

He’s a hot-headed player that got called for stupid penalties in big moments. He had a horrific scouting combine and an even worse pro day.

Burfict is self-destructing, but some team will take a risk on him based on potential alone. There are always teams that think they can save talented players with attitude problems, and Burfict definitely falls into that category. 

He has great read and react skills, which is impressive for a middle linebacker of his size. Burfict is also good at stuffing the run and a force when rushing the passer.

His overall skills will entice a team to overlook his personality concerns come draft day.

DeVier Posey, WR, Ohio State

DeVier Posey has battled adversity en route to the NFL after being suspended by the NCAA for allegedly selling championship game memorabilia—something that has experts believe will make him to fall into the later rounds of the draft.

Put on the game film of Posey’s time at Ohio State, and any off-field issues quickly evaporate. Posey has good size, standing at 6’2”, and great hands. He runs crisp routes and is extremely quick off the line, reaching top speed in as little as three steps.

Posey won’t have an issue finding a home in the NFL. 

Bruce Irvin, OLB, West Virginia

Bruce Irvin is well-known for his rough upbringing and his off-field issues, which has caused his draft stock to plummet.

With that being said, he’s also the best pass-rusher in the draft, which will ensure he gets picked higher than most think.

Irvin was a nightmare for offensive lines as he rushed from several different positions while at West Virginia. 

His explosiveness off the snap is second to none in this year’s draft, and his versatility will be very attractive to a multitude of teams looking for a pass-rushing specialist this year.

Juron Criner, WR, Arizona

Juron Criner isn’t the fastest receiver in the draft, but he is the best when it comes to going up and getting the ball at its highest point.

Standing at 6’4" and 215 pounds with a 39” vertical, Criner is a quarterback’s dream red-zone target.

Criner grabbed 75 passes for 956 yards and 11 touchdowns last season at Arizona. He has a big frame that allows him to get separation from defenders, and his sure hands are arguably his best attribute.

In a top-heavy wide receiver class, expect Criner to go much higher than most predict.

Ladarius Green, TE, La.-Lafayette

The NFL is quickly continuing its progression into a pass-heavy league, and the way the New England Patriots terrorized the league with two-tight end sets last year is something other teams are going to try to reproduce.

It’s hard to imagine that a 6’6”, 250-pound tight end with sure hands, good speed, crisp route-running and great jump-ball skills will fall very far in the draft.

Ladarius Green isn’t expected to go very high, but experts might be shocked come draft day.

Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Alshon Jeffery has battled criticism of his weight all offseason, but he continues to prove the doubters wrong.

He has been predicted to fall into the second round, but that simply won’t happen because of his unique skill set.

Jeffery is a big receiver with great hands that caused headaches for defenders during his collegiate career. He makes difficult catches look easy and can easily be found on highlight reels because of his amazing body control and leaping ability.

Jeffery will sneak into the first round this year because of his game-changing ability—a huge need for a lot of teams in a pass-heavy league.