2012 NFL Mock Draft: 5 Studs Todd McShay Is Underrating

Todd McShay's big board is loaded with key players that can change any team, but some players have been lost in the list. From quarterbacks to ball-hawking safeties, here are some highly underrated players that are gems for the 2012 NFL draft.

Brandon Weeden

The quarterback position is one of the most important positions for NFL teams who are looking to win a championship or to just get over the hump. With quarterbacks like Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III taking the entire spotlight, Brandon Weeden has been left out. Yes, Weeden is 28, but age means nothing when there is talent.

After all, most teams would still take a chance on Brett Favre today.

With age comes maturity, and Weeden has shown a lot of that while playing in the Big 12 for Oklahoma State. Not only is he a leader, but he can throw the ball, which he showed in the Tostitos Bowl against Stanford. Weeden should be the third quarterback taken during the NFL draft.

LaMichael James

With Nike making the new NFL jerseys, LaMichael James should feel right at home in them after playing three years at Oregon. After being a Heisman hopeful, things have been very quiet for James, who led Chip Kelly and the Oregon Ducks in rushing two years in a row.

James might not have the size of the ideal running back, but he will definitely make the defense pay. What Darren Sproles did in San Diego and New Orleans is what James could do anywhere in the NFL.

 Ryan Broyles

After becoming the all-time leading receiver in the NCAA earlier this year, Ryan Broyles suffered a devastating ACL tear. This injury has caused Broyles' draft stock to drop since he hasn’t been able to work out for any NFL teams yet.

Before the injury, Broyles would have been a definite first-round pick, with great hands and knowledge of the game, as well. He is also a tough player that will move the chains for any team that takes the chance on him. A perfect fit for any team looking for a second or third receiver to free up the middle.

Josh Robinson

Josh Robinson might be the most underrated player on this list, but he is also the most athletic.The corner from UCF ran the fastest time during the NFL Scouting Combine, with an official time of 4.33 seconds.

Robinson had a great showing in Indianapolis, shooting up the draft boards, but teams are still not sold on him. This might be because he didn’t attend one of the power schools, or because he wasn’t really on the radar until the combine.

Whoever snags Robinson will have a great defender for years to come.

Harrison Smith

In a pass-heavy NFL, you would think that more teams would be raving about Harrison Smith, a ball-hawking safety. He might not be better than Mark Barron, but he is right on his heels to be top safety in the draft.

Smith was not on anybody’s big board before his stellar performance at the Senior Bowl. Smith is a classic late bloomer, only starting to perform in an exceptional way at the end of the Irish season.