2012 NFL Draft: Analyzing the Biggest Impact Picks of Round 4

The NFL draft has entered its third and final day, as teams turn their attention from adding stars, starters and studs to trying to acquire depth for their rosters or attempting to find the always elusive diamond in the rough.

However, that doesn't mean that players weren't available in the fourth round who could make a significant dent for their new teams in 2012. Here's a look at a trio of youngsters who will make an immediate impact in the National Football League.

Lamar Miller, RB (Miami)

Drafted to: Miami Dolphins (97th overall)

A few months ago, Miami running back Lamar Miller was viewed as a potential first-round prospect in some pundits' eyes after a 2011 season in which the 5'11", 212-pound redshirt sophomore tallied more than 1,200 rushing yards for the Hurricanes. Miller certainly didn't seem to hurt his stock with a 4.38 40-yard dash time at February's NFL Combine, so it was a bit surprising to see him still available when the draft's final day began.

Miller's struggles in the receiving drills in Indianapolis may have been partially responsible for his draft day(s) slide, but his loss could be the gain of the Miami Dolphins, who got an excellent value in drafting Miller just inside the Top 100 picks.

Miller will join a crowded backfield in South Florida with Reggie Bush and second-year pro Daniel Thomas, but given that Thomas managed a measly 3.5 yards per carry as a rookie, Miller should (at the very least) receive enough early down work in 2012 to showcase his talents and carve out a bigger role for himself in the Miami offense.

Alameda Ta'amu, DT (Washington)

Drafted to: Pittsburgh Steelers (109th overall)

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the better drafting teams in the National Football League, and the team's acumen has been on display again in 2012.

The Steelers first turned their attention to their biggest weakness by bolstering the offensive front with guard David DeCastro and tackle Mike Adams before trading up in the fourth round to address a hole on the other side of the ball.

Washington defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu racked up 30 tackles and 3.5 sacks plugging the middle of the Huskies line in 2011. At a robust 6'3" and 348 pounds Ta'amu has the bulk to do the same in the middle of Pittsburgh's 3-4 defense.

2011 starter Casey Hampton is 34 years old and coming off an ACL injury, so Ta'amu will all but certainly see significant playing time as a rookie. While his play may not show up on the stat sheet, if Ta'amu can hold the point of attack while the Steelers linebackers wreak havoc, then his impact as a rookie could be as big as his belt size.

Bobby Massie, OT (Mississippi)

Drafted to: Arizona Cardinals (112th overall)

Only one team in the National Football League allowed more sacks in 2011 than the Arizona Cardinals, so the offensive front was an offseason priority that the team somewhat curiously chose not to address until midway through the draft's first round.

Fortunately for the Redbirds, a player who meets their needs quizzically slid into the fourth round.

Ole Miss offensive tackle Bobby Massie, who was generally considered a second-round prospect in the days leading up to the draft, somehow made it all the way to the Cardinals with the 112th pick, and as Massie told Sports Illustrated, he intends to use this draft drop as motivation in the upcoming season.

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"It just makes me hungry,'' Massie said in a conference call. "I was projected to go higher and earlier in the draft. It just makes me hungry. I'm just ready to strap on the pads and show teams why I should have been drafted earlier.''

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Starting left tackle Levi Brown finally showed some signs of life in the second half of last season, but the Cardinals have a hole at the end of the right side of the line. That hole will open the door of opportunity for the 316-pound Massie to be a Day 1 starter, and I believe the big man will stroll right through it.

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