2012 NFL Mock Draft: Under-the-Radar Rookie of the Year Candidates

Quarterbacks and linebackers have owned Rookie of the Year voting in recent years. The signal-callers under center have won the award five times in the last eight years, while linebackers have won the award seven out of the last eight years.

We can never discount running backs because they have arguably the easiest transition from college to pro in the league, and defensive linemen—pass-rushers especially—can take to the Sunday gridiron somewhat easily too.

The 2012 NFL draft is centered around two big-name quarterbacks with monster expectations. However, their likely destinations don't offer them a great chance at immediate success.

The lone running back in the first round of this mock, Trent Richardson, is a solid favorite to win the offensive award in the coming year regardless of which team he plays for. And defensively, Luke Kuechly's collegiate production and potential scream for a possible rookie of the year nod.

Getting away from the favorites and picking a few under-the-radar rookies, or darkhorses if you will, is rather easy this year too. There are a number of players who could flourish immediately depending on their surroundings and they won't stay under-the-radar for very long.

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

There is nothing under-the-radar about Andrew Luck.

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

Or Robert Griffin III for that matter.

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

The former Trojan will be very good, but no lineman has ever won rookie of the year honors.

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is one of the favorites for the award.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Mo isn't very under-the-radar, but it would be a surprise to see him take the honor. He'd have to make a lot of noise as a return man to have a shot.

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

The draft's top wide receiver has a great shot to take home the honor.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

One of the true enigma's in this class, Coples would have to show another level of intensity to make something happen.

8. Miami Dolphins (6-10): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

It wouldn't be shocking to see a quarterback take the award, but it would be a surprise to see that quarterback be Ryan Tannehill.

The incoming rook is a gifted athlete with elite potential, but he's going to be overdrafted because of need. If the team that drafts him is the Dolphins, he makes something happen.

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

The big man won't have big numbers, but he could have a big impact.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff will help the Bills immediately, but again, lineman don't win this award.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro could actually be one of the steals of this draft with his ability to boost a run game.

12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

He has big-time potential and could make a lot of noise early. Ingram's combination of size, speed and athleticism make him a potential candidate to win rookie of the year honors.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The linebacker position reigns supreme and Kuechly is the best in this draft.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Mark Barron will aways be good, possibly very good, but good doesn't win rookie of the year awards.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

It would be a surprise to no one if Floyd put up big numbers immediately and was in contention for the award.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The Crimson Tide pass-rusher will be an immediate contributor in the NFL, and in Rex Ryan's defense could be a force to behold. He's not an elite athlete, but he is one hell of a football player.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Dre has elite potential, but he won't be great in his rookie campaign.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry, DE, USC

Pass-rushers are always a threat and Perry's overall athleticism and nose for quarterbacks make him a solid candidate for ROY.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

Glenn is going to be a huge help for this team as they try to keep Jay Cutler healthy.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

The big, versatile defensive lineman is going to make an immediate impact in Tennessee. It won't reflect in numbers, and it won't turn into ROY honors, but he'll make this team much better.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The speedy, athletic Wright would join a Bengals team looking for another weapon opposite A.J. Green. Because the second-year pro will command so much attention, Wright should see plenty of opportunities and could make a ROY-like impact.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Browns would love to add another playmaker here, but Martin will help the playmaker they took at No. 4.

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

Rookie cornerbacks will get picked on, but Gilmore helps a Lions team that needs depth and talent in the secondary.

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

Another top linebacker, Hightower is a great fit in the Steelers' defense and could rack up tackles immediately. Big numbers could give him a chance at the award.

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

The run-stopper isn't going to pile up numbers, but he'll help this team.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Any player opposite Andre Johnson is going to see opportunities, and Jeffery has elite potential. He'll only be as good as he wants, though, and could be a disappointment as well.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers could be Richard Seymour version 2.0, but it won't happen immediately.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

Playing opposite Clay Matthews Jr. will open things up for anyone and Branch could get a chance to shine immediately.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

The former Florida defensive back is a top-notch playmaker, but needs a strong locker room to keep him grounded. Baltimore is a perfect place and, having him opposite Jimmy Smith, the Ravens could boast one of the best young cornerback tandems in the league. It won't come with ROY honors for Jenkins though.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Playing opposite Randy Moss will do wonders for anyone and, although Hill has a lot to learn, his speed and playmaking ability could turn him into a big weapon early.

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

Reyes is a big help to the Pats, but that won't reflect in ROY voting.

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

The Giants threaten every secondary in the league with Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz making plays on the outside. Eli Manning is playing the best football of his career and any offensive weapon who joins the reigning champions is going to be a big threat.

Fleener's pass-catching abilities make him a very dangerous under-the-radar ROY candidate considering the injuries the G-Men suffered at the position last year.

*Rams trade No. 2 overall pick to Redskins for 2012, 2013, 2014 first-round picks and 2012 second-round pick.