2012 NFL Mock Draft: Most Underrated Player at Each Position in First Round

Being a first-round pick in the NFL draft doesn't leave a lot of room for underrated players to sneak into the mix.

We all have opinions about whom we like, but given the popularity of the event and the fact that so much information comes out about all these players, you struggle to find an underrated player in the bunch. 

Still, there are some diamonds in the rough that don't get quite as much credit as they deserve. Here is my latest mock draft with a special emphasis on the players who are flying under the radar. 

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

There might be some way to declare Luck underrated if he turns out to be the best quarterback of all time. For now, he is still one of the best quarterback prospects in draft history. 

2. Washington Redskins (from STL): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Griffin is in danger of reaching a point of becoming overrated, especially considering the package the Redskins gave up to make sure they get him. 

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil could end up being the most productive rookie next season, that's how good he is already. 

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

When people compare you to Adrian Peterson, there is no doubt that you are ready to take the NFL by storm. Richardson will save the Browns offense by himself. 

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Claiborne has the size, speed, athleticism and instincts to become one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. It won't take him long to reach that ceiling, either. 

6. St. Louis Rams (from WAS): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

The Rams are going to fall in love with Blackmon. He is the kind of playmaker on the outside they haven't had since Torry Holt left before the 2009 season. 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples would make the list of overrated players. His raw skills are as good as anyone in this draft, but his effort and desire to get better leave a lot of questions about what his future will be. 

8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M  

Despite being a top-10 pick, Tannehill has actually managed to become underrated thanks to impressive workouts and better-than-expected measurables in his Pro Day at Texas A&M. 

There might be some backlash from NFL fans—specifically, Dolphins fans—because he is not Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III. 

Get over it. 

Does Tannehill have the upside and potential of those two? No, but that doesn't mean he can't be a good NFL quarterback. Given what the Dolphins have under center right now, Tannehill would be a significant upgrade. 

9. Carolina Panthers: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Poe went from being one of the most underrated players in the draft to a potential superstar as soon as he dominated the combine in February. 

10. Buffalo Bills: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

Given the Bills' lack of star-power on the offensive line, DeCastro will make everyone around him, including Ryan Fitzpatrick, significantly better. 

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

With Romeo Crennel poised to bring back the power-running style that worked so well for the Chiefs, Martin is just as good, if not as versatile, as his Stanford teammate David DeCastro. 

12. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Ingram is a one-dimensional player—he can get after the quarterback as well as anyone in this draft. It is how his all-around game develops that will ultimately determine his ceiling. 

13. Arizona Cardinals: Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia

Glenn is going to be a hero for Kevin Kolb and the rest of the Arizona offensive line. He doesn't have the upside that someone like Kalil or DeCastro does, but he is a tremendous athlete on the offensive line. 

Plus, Glenn can play anywhere up front. That versatility is something NFL teams love from young players. 

The Cardinals are desperate to keep Kolb healthy, because they have to if they want to compete in the NFC West. 

14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron might be sliding a bit because his overall technique isn't great, but he has great instincts and isn't afraid to hit someone in the mouth. The Cowboys need that kind of swagger in the secondary. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

Even as the top linebacker in this draft, Kuechly still doesn't get the respect that he deserves. He proved his raw athleticism at the combine with a great workout and better speed than we were expecting. 

In addition to his athletic prowess, Kuechly has the instincts and coverage skills to be a dynamic force on defense.

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Upshaw doesn't bring a dynamic skill set, but he is fast and brings the heat off the edge. He is versatile enough to play defensive end, if need be. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Think of Floyd as a slightly lesser version of Blackmon, though he will have a better feel for the red zone thanks to his size and hands. 

18. San Diego Chargers: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB, Illinois

In the Chargers' 3-4 defensive scheme, Mercilus will end up being a steal. He has an electric burst off the defensive line, with power to overwhelm offensive lineman. 

San Diego's biggest problem in 2011 was inconsistency everywhere on the field. Mercilus brings some stability to a defensive line that hasn't had a dynamic pass-rusher since Shawne Merriman was traded away. 

As long as the Chargers allow him time to make the necessary adjustment, Mercilus is going to be a star. 

19. Chicago Bears: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa  

Given the Bears' woes on the offensive line for the last two years, Reiff would be a dream scenario. There could be some concern about his ability to block big defenders because his arms are short, but his skill and technique make him a first-round talent. 

While the Bears could go after another playmaker at wide receiver or on the defensive side of the ball, offensive line is still the biggest area of need for them. 

Reiff is going to be the player that kickstarts their rebuilding process. Jay Cutler is going to thrive with him blocking up front. 

20. Tennessee Titans: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama 

Kirkpatrick isn't as physically imposing as Claiborne, but no defensive back reads quarterbacks better than he does. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore is shooting up draft boards thanks to his pure cover skills and athleticism. With the Bengals getting older in the secondary, he will be a significant upgrade. 

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Despite running a less-than-stellar 4.6 40-yard dash at the combine, Wright is still one of the best playmakers in this draft. 

He isn't going to be the burner everyone was hoping for, but Wright does bring terrific route-running and outstanding hands that will allow him to go get the ball wherever it is thrown. 

The Browns need to find offensive stalwarts they can build with to help Colt McCoy develop. Wright's stock may not be quite as high as it was when he declared, but he is still a star in the making. 

23. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

It is rare to think of a player with Jenkins' raw talent being thought of as underrated. That just goes to show how much his problems off the field have altered his stock. 

Still, teams don't appear to be as concerned about Jenkins following the combine. Certainly, the Lions have never been hesitant to take a talented player they feel can help them win right away. 

Jenkins has the potential to be a top-flight cornerback in the NFL. All of the baggage that comes with him could be a deterrent, or it could end up making him the best value pick of the first round. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dont'a Hightower, ILB, Alabama

Hightower is a bit overrated because of where he played college football, but the Steelers have a habit of finding stars at the linebacker position. 

25. Denver Broncos: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

With Poe grabbing all the defensive tackle headlines, it is easy to forget just how dominant Brockers is going to be in the NFL. 

Not only does he possess the physical skills required to be a dominant up-the-middle player for the next decade, but he has grown considerably as a teammate since his first year at LSU. 

The Broncos might feel a need to make moves to appease Peyton Manning, but Brockers is the right fit for a defense that has no one to stop the run or plug holes in the gaps. 

26. Houston Texans: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery's weight may or may not be a problem, but the Texans can focus on having him learn the position from Andre Johnson, who is still the best receiver in the game. 

27. New England Patriots (via NO): Nick Perry, DE, USC

Perry's not going to be as good as we thought when he came out of college, but he does have the technique off the edge to make a difference as a pass-rusher in a 3-4 defense. 

28. Green Bay Packers: Andre Branch, DE/OLB, Clemson

Branch doesn't have the profile of a dominant edge-rusher. He can be an effective outside linebacker for a Packers defense that needs a lot of help in that area. 

29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Konz is a star in the making. He has the size and athleticism to play center with the skill and technique to move to guard if need be. 

30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Hill's size and blazing speed make him one of the best deep threats at wide receiver in this class. He just has to learn how to run routes in the NFL. 

31. New England Patriots: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard's solid tools across the board will fit right in with a New England secondary that is built on high-risk, high-reward players who may not pan out. 

32. New York Giants: Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

The NFL has evolved into a tight end league. Wide receivers are great, but unless you have a versatile, pass-catching tight end who can come off the line or play in the slot, it is going to be hard to have sustained success. 

It's not like the Giants are desperate for more offensive weapons, but Fleener is 6'6", 240 pounds. There are no linebackers or defensive backs in the NFL who can possibly compete with that, especially in the red zone. 

Follow @adamwells1985