2012 NFL Draft Projections: 4th-Round Steals Who Will Be Impact Players in Pros

As we've learned throughout the years, there are plenty of diamonds in the rough late in the NFL draft. Whether you are searching for a run stopper in the middle or a franchise quarterback, never count out prospects in the later rounds.

This year, plenty of high-caliber players dropped far...too far. The teams that drafted these players will be happy before long and the rest of the league will regret not picking them up.

Here's a look at some fourth-round steals who will prove their worth in the National Football League.

Washington Redskins, No. 102 overall: Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State

I feel bad for Kirk Cousins. He could have gone as early as the second round and dropped to the fourth, for no apparent reason. He doesn't have the greatest arm strength, but he has everything else, including incredible poise and leadership, and he impressed at the combine.

It's very odd that he would drop this far and the Redskins simply couldn't pass up a player of his caliber this late in the draft, even if they already drafted Robert Griffin III.

Pittsburgh Steelers, No. 109: Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington

Nothing like grabbing a second-round prospect in the fourth round. The Steelers have to be giddy with their picks, highlighted by Alameda Ta'amu and first-round pick David DeCastro. For a player whose draft stock supposedly was soaring, this is a steal for the Stealers (I'll be here all week, folks).

Ta'amu has great strength, with the ability to knock blockers back, and he displayed surprising pass-rushing ability at Washington as well. The Steelers just got scarier.   

Miami Dolphins, No. 97: Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (Fla.)

Mark my words: Lamar Miller will be a star before long in the NFL. I honestly wouldn't have been surprised if Miller was selected in the first round. Instead, he fell all the way to the fourth round, and the Dolphins will consequently have a good one for years to come.

Miller, with his speed, agility, vision, patience and ability to catch balls out of the backfield, has the potential to be as big a steal as former Hurricane Frank Gore was in 2005. 

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