NFL Draft 2012 Results: Power Ranking Biggest Steals of Day 3

After three of the wildest days in NFL draft history, the results of the 2012 edition of the show are set in stone. Now it’s all over and it’s time to look back and power rank the biggest steals of day three.

Players like Lamar Miller, Alfonzo Dennard, Bobby Massie all fell on the board, but they will be stars in the NFL over time after developing for a few seasons.

No. 1 Steal: Round 4—Lamar Miller, RB, Dolphins

As good as the group of running backs already is in Miami, there is no reason for a team like the Dolphins to pass up on a Miami U grad like Lamar Miller.

Also slated as a possible first-round talent, Miller was arguably the best pure running back in this year’s draft. Falling to the fourth round may only add fuel to that young man’s fire.

Miller was already a runner that had an attitude behind his running style, but the new aggression he will feel about being passed up on the first two days of the draft will give him an edge as a Dolphin.

No. 2 Steal: Round 7—Alfonzo Dennard, DB, Patriots

Before off-field trouble and injuries derailed the talk of Alfonzo Dennard being a top cornerback in this draft, many experts had him slated as a first-round pick.

Dennard has the abilities to be a viable No. 2 or 3 CB for a team in the NFL, but the very real character issues are something the CB must work out before finding success with New England.

There is no question Dennard has the raw talent, but the questions surround him will mean nothing when this first-round prospect turned seventh-round pick walks into Patriots camp with a huge chip on his shoulder about falling down the boards.

No. 3 Steal: Round 4—Bobby Massie, OT, Cardinals

While the Arizona Cardinals should have addressed their needs on the offensive line earlier, the team got one of the steals of the draft by taking standout tackle Bobbie Massie in the fourth round.

Massie was slated by most experts in the mock draft arts to be a late first- or second-round pick, but it was 17 picks into the fourth round before the big Ole Miss lineman heard his name.

I understand Massie needs to develop his raw skills at the NFL level, but it’s hard to fathom why he would fall this far. Whatever the reason, the Cardinals got an absolute steal here that could pay off for years to come.

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