2012 NFL Draft: Breaking Down the Best Players Left on the Board

With the filet mignon portion of the NFL draft over and done with, we can start getting into the meat and potatoes of the process. Rounds 4-7 are where teams really set themselves up for a championship run.

Depth is just as critical to any team's success as star power. We all know that teams ultimately win based on talent, but in order to get to the playoffs you must have players who can step in and play as necessary.

There are plenty of talented, high-risk high-reward players left on the board as the fourth round gets set to start. Here are the best of the best. 

Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

Despite not always playing up to his raw potential at Miami, Miller is much better than a third-day pick. His speed alone gives him the ability to start in the NFL, but he is much more than just a fast running back. 

With the right system Miller can be a 1,000-yard running back. He has good hands to catch the ball out of the backfield, giving him the versatility that teams crave. 

The drawbacks to Miller's game are his inability to block and lack of lateral quickness. In some ways the latter problem serves him well, because he won't be tempted to dance around in the backfield trying to make something happen. 

As a fourth-round pick, Miller would have great value for a team that is searching for a change-of-pace running back. 

Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State

If you are looking for a quarterback with great raw skills and a lot of upside, Cousins is probably not the player for you. 

However, if you want a quarterback who has good command of the huddle, comes from a pro-style offense and has shown a knack for playing smart, Cousins will fit your system perfectly. 

Right now, Cousins is a backup quarterback who will only be used in the event of a blowout or injury to a starter. But give him time to get acclimated to the speed and schemes of the NFL and he could develop into at least an average starter.

Bobby Massie, T, Mississippi State

Looking at Massie, you wonder how he is still sitting on the board. You would think that a 6'6", 315-pound mountain of a man would be able to find some team willing to take a chance on him in the second or third round. 

Unfortunately, Massie's performance leaves a lot to be desired. He has the physical skills to be a high draft pick, he just rarely shows it on the field. 

Evan Silva of Pro Football Talk described Massie perfectly, saying he "...plays more like Jane than Tarzan." He just doesn't have that aggressiveness needed to handle himself up front against NFL defensive linemen. 

It is going to take a lot of work for Massie to get where he needs to be, but some team could get a great bargain if they can tap into his physical side. 

Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia

You have to believe that a leg fracture has held Boykin down thus far, because on talent and potential he has great potential. 

Boykin was unable to workout at the scouting combine, but on tape he looks like a potential star in the making. As a cornerback, he is not going to be an elite cover man. He has great instincts, but tends to commit too early, leaving himself exposed to big plays. 

Even if you don't think Boykin can be a starting cornerback, he brings the versatility to play on special teams. He had a very successful career as a return man at Georgia, showing good top speed and excellent vision of the field. 

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