2012 NFL Draft: 6 Young Prospects with the Most to Gain

The NFL draft is based on the potential of the players in it.

When it comes to the players' potential alone, age is always going to be a factor—and some of the youngest players can be the best picks in the draft despite their production in college (or lack thereof).

Some of the top players in the NFL today entered the league almost 10 years ago at the ripe age of 21.

So let's explore some of the young players in the 2012 NFL draft who should make some amazing impact in the league.

Bernard Pierce, RB: 5/10/1991

Bernard Pierce will just be 21-year-old running back by season's start. He's an all-around RB out of Temple who will provide a team with someone who can play in either the man-blocking or zone-blocking schemes.

He has potential in the passing game as a blocker and a receiver too.

The team that drafts him will be ecstatic.

By getting a running back who is young and has "low mileage," as teams would put it, they could end up with a franchise running back for the next five to eight years.

Stephen Hill, WR: 4/25/1991

Stephen Hill. That name just means raw to a lot of NFL scouts this year, but he will still end up as a likely first-rounder because of his talent level.

When you have a guy who could have a 20-year NFL career like the one Jerry Rice had, you tend to not worry about how raw they are coming out of college.

Hill is only 21 years old and has all the talent and intelligence in the world to learn and be successful in the NFL game.

He has all the drive that Rice had, but his body style is closer to Randy Moss. Maybe he can answer the question of what Moss could have been with a work ethic.

Dontari Poe, DT: 8/18/1990

Dontari Poe earned his fame for being one of the biggest monoliths ever to run a sub-5.00 40-yard dash in NFL combine history.

Poe is arguably the best DT prospect in the draft and could really make an impact at the next level.

He is young, and though he is a good bit of a project, his age will only help.

He has more time than your typical prospect to pick up the NFL game due to his young age; he could end up as a Casey Hampton-type player and anchor a defensive line for over a decade.

Fletcher Cox, DL: 12/13/1990

Mississippi State's Fletcher Cox is being reported as high as the sixth overall pick and as low as the 14th overall pick in mock drafts.

Cox can play defensive end or defensive tackle in either formation and could end up as one of the top players who come out of this draft.

Cox also will be an instant contributor and could really make whoever drafts him happy for a decade-plus

Then he'll turn 31 and then find another team to make happy for four to five years.

Luke Kuechly, LB: 4/20/1991

When you are looking for a franchise middle linebacker, you have to take into account multiple factors.

Can the guy hit? How does he play the run? How long will we have with him? Is he mature?

Luke Kuechly answers all of those questions well and can even be your starter for 15 years.

Kuechly is only 21 years old, having just turned 21 a few days ago. He can really give a team a leader on defense and will end up as a long-term option who will contribute right away as well.

Stephon Gilmore, CB: 9/19/1990

Cornerback is one of those spots where you have to look at a guy who isn't going to be a Pro Bowler initially, but can turn into one.

Stephon Gilmore is being looked at as a top-10 pick not because he is a solid corner, but because he has the potential to be a top-five corner in the NFL.

Part of his potential lies in his young age and how advanced his understanding of the game already is. He has all the physical tools and will only get better with more reps and experience.