Undrafted Free Agents 2012: Neglected Players Who Will Start

The 2012 NFL draft is finished, and there were some undrafted free agents that will end up starting after teams neglected to see their value.

These players will have huge chips on their shoulders and will strive to prove to the league that they deserved to be drafted. 

The NFL already features stars who came from the same humble origins. Arian Foster, James Harrison and Wes Welker are fine examples of players who overcame the stigmas that caused teams to overlook their talent.

Here are this year's hidden gems who didn't get drafted.

Chris Polk, Running Back, Signed with Philadelphia Eagles

Todd Milles of the News Tribune reported via Twitter that Polk has a degenerative hip issue, shocking everyone in the media and dropping Polk—a late-first to early-second round pick—out of the draft completely.

Polk has since denied those rumors, via CBSSports.com:

"

I know teams are concerned about my shoulder, but I also heard somebody say something about a degenerative hip and there is just no truth to that. I had labrum surgery on the shoulder a year ago and it didn't slow me down last season.

"

He is a powerful runner who was wildly successful during his time at Washington. In addition to his ability to make big plays in the running game, Polk is also an extremely gifted pass-catcher out of the backfield.

Polk won't likely see any time as a starter this year unless LeSean McCoy gets injured, but he's a sure-fire starter at some point in his career. 

Chase Minnifield, Cornerback, Signed with Washington Redskins

The Redskins should be charged with first-degree theft after landing Minnifield as an undrafted free agent. They had a suspect secondary last year, and Minnifield has a good chance to earn a starting spot on their roster as long as his knee holds up.

Minnifield was considered to be one of the top prospects at the cornerback position before the 2011 season. He struggled to perform up to the high standard he had previously set and then had minor knee surgery following the season.

He then looked bad at his pro day and ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash, dropping from a second-round grade all the way out of the draft.

He has time to fully heal now from his knee surgery, and I expect him to become a solid starter for the Redskins either this year or next.

Jarrett Boykin, Wide Receiver, Reportedly Signed With Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are suddenly flush with new talent at the wide receiver position after trading up to draft Justin Blackmon and signing Laurent Robinson as a free agent.

They also made a savvy pickup by signing Boykin to an free-agent contract (h/t Butler Bulldogs, via Twitter).

Boykin is a big, strong guy who won't be a huge vertical threat, but who will be strong underneath coverage as an "X" receiver for the Jags.

I expect him to work his way into the starting lineup at some point during the 2012 season, and I expect Blaine Gabbert and the Jaguars to show signs of life in the passing game.

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