2012 NFL Draft Projections: Potential Starters That Will Fall out of First Round

NFL teams expect to find players that will play immediately in the second and even third round of the NFL draft.

Andy Dalton of the Cincinnati Bengals, DeMarco Murray of the Dallas Cowboys, Stefen Wisniewski of the Oakland Raiders and Chris Conte of the Chicago Bears were drafted in the second round or lower.

Yet, all of these players started a significant amount of games in their rookie seasons. 

All but Murray were placed on the All-Rookie team, and he would have been there had he not suffered an ankle injury in Week 12.

Which players will make an immediate impact in 2012, despite being drafted outside of the first 32 selections?

Underrated Wideouts?

Alshon Jeffery

Jeffery could be the second coming of Mike Williams—and that's exactly why his draft stock has slipped. Like Williams, Jeffery is a big receiver who put up huge numbers in college.

Teams are afraid his effectiveness in the NFL will pale in comparison to his collegiate exploits—just like Williams'.

Last season, his numbers fell drastically. He had only 49 receptions for 762 yards at South Carolina. That isn't a bad stat line for most receivers, but when it follows an 88-reception, 1,517-yard season—it's a falloff.

Teams have concerns about Jeffery's speed, conditioning and work ethic, but he is very talented. He has great hands and leaping ability. At 6'5" 245 pounds, he has the physical attributes to be a force.

He'll likely be taken in the second round, and he could make some teams regret passing on him.

Mohamed Sanu

I love this guy's game. He runs great routes, has excellent body control and amazing hands. That said—he doesn't have great speed, and I believe that has him set as a second-round selection.

This Rutgers product was insanely productive in college. He had 115 receptions for 1,206 yards in 2011.

He is a pure possession receiver with a thickly built frame. At 6'2" 215 pounds, Sanu has the size to play the position in the NFL.

The team that snags him will have a player that can play right away. He'd be an excellent addition in Denver with Peyton Manning.

Worthy of a Higher Selection

Jerel Worthy

The Michigan State product is a 6'3" 310-pound DT with potential to dominate as a run-stuffer, and a decent pass-rusher. Worthy was once thought of as a solid first-round selection, but questions about conditioning have caused him to slip.

Worthy had 10.5 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks in 2011.

He could be a second- or third-round selection, but I see him as a solid fit in a 4-3 defense. He could be the type of run-stuffer that makes life easy for a MLB to roam and make tackles with limited issues from guards and centers.

Old, Rookie QB

Brandon Weeden

If Weeden were six years younger, he'd be in the discussion with Ryan Tannehill as the next QB off the board after Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III.

But he's 28 years old, and teams are understandably hesitant about drafting a player so close to 30. Some may make references to former Florida State Seminole and Carolina Panther Chris Weinke, as he was 28 when he was drafted in 2001.

Let the comparisons stop there.

Weeden is a better prospect than Weinke, and I believe he could start for a few teams from Day 1. He has the maturity, the physical traits (6'4" 220 pounds) and the arm strength to play the position.

In 2011, he threw for 4,727 yards and 37 TDs and was in the Heisman conversation most of the season.

Weeden would be a solid second- or third-round pick.

Teams must look at him like a free agent signing rather than a draft pick. You don't have the tremendous upside, but his maturity should make him ready to play sooner.