2012 NFL Draft: Dynamic Mid-Round Prospects That Will Go Overlooked

Whether you like to call them steals, gems or whatever, there are always going to be mid-round prospects in the NFL draft that get overlooked. Dallas Cowboys' running back DeMarco Murray is perhaps the best current example.

Murray averaged over 1,300 total yards per season while at Oklahoma and scored 63 touchdowns. He even acted as the Sooners' kickoff returner with almost 1,500 yards on 53 returns and two touchdowns. Dallas snagged him in Round 3, but Murray clearly displayed first-round potential.

As a rookie, he accounted for 1,013 total yards in just 13 games played. Looking ahead to the 2012 NFL draft and season, here are expected mid-rounders that get overlooked just like Murray.

Vick Ballard, RB, Mississippi State

For one, Vick Ballard is coming from a Mississippi State team that went 9-4 in 2010 with high expectations, but fell in 2011 by going just 7-6.

He was basically the Bulldogs' lone offensive threat and exploded on the SEC scene as a junior with 1,074 total yards and 20 touchdowns. Last season Ballard increased his performance with 1,376 total yards, but had just 11 touchdowns.

He did struggle against the better SEC defenses like Alabama, LSU, South Carolina and Georgia. Still, Ballard remained consistent as a dual-threat back and was zeroed in every week. He possesses the size to hit the trenches in short-yard situations and reliability to contribute on third-down.

Provided that Ballard becomes more agile and better after first contact, he'll have a solid rookie season.

Devon Wylie, WR, Fresno State

It's going to be easy for any franchise to overlook Fresno State's Devon Wylie. He's an undersized receiver at 5'9", 185 pounds and wasn't a dominantly consistent performer in the WAC.

Nonetheless, Wylie's broadened skill set warrants consideration as he shined in 2011. There, Wylie recorded 716 yards on 56 receptions but more impressively, compiled 446 punt return yards—two of which went back for touchdowns.

If anything, Wylie is an explosive player that possesses excellent acceleration and body control. This pays dividends as a slot receiver and double-duty return man. His speed will widen defenses as a horizontal rushing threat on jet sweeps and give another dimension to the play-action pass.

Through his development, as long as Wylie becomes a more polished route-runner, he'll emerge quicker than expected in the pros.

Leonard Johnson, CB, Iowa State

Easily the most overlooked corner in the draft, Iowa State's Leonard Johnson enjoyed a consistently impressive college career.

He was a solid four-year contributor and produced 241 tackles, six interceptions, 32 defended passes and six forced fumbles. 180 of his tackles were solo, so even when allowing a catch Johnson didn't give up many yards thereafter and he was reliable against the run as well.

Also, before strictly relying on defense, Johnson was a return man in 2008 and 2009. He collected over 1,400 kickoff return yards for the Cyclones and averaged almost 25 yards per attempt.

Possessing good size, speed and the knack for stepping up in big games (see Oklahoma State from 2011), Johnson has the potential to be a No. 2 corner in 2012. He'll at least contribute on special teams and as a nickel/dime back, so as early as 2013 Johnson can earn a starting role.

Emmanuel Acho, LB, Texas

One of the faster and more laterally nimble linebackers in the draft, Texas' Emmanuel Acho enters as a late fourth- or early fifth-round projection.

The Longhorns weren't defensively sound in 2011 having ranked No. 47 against the pass and allowing an average of 22 points per game (25-plus against tougher offenses like Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor and Texas A&M).

Still, Acho performed well last year with 110 tackles, three sacks, six defended passes and one forced fumble. From 2009-2011, Acho recorded 32.5 tackles for loss and simply has a knack for making plays in the backfield.

His athleticism bodes well against the pass, therefore leaving potential to play the middle on third down. Acho's mental acumen of the game is his most impressive attribute, which coincides with excellent preparedness and being a coachable player.

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