NFL Draft 2013: Fringe First-Round Prospects Who Will Make Biggest Impact

With the 2013 NFL draft on the horizon, much of the talk is surrounding the top part of the draft and prospects such as Luke Joeckel, Dion Jordan and Geno Smith. In a draft that is short on elite talent but extremely deep, however, it is important to look toward the end of Round 1.

There are a number of players with similar grades that will be taken in the latter portion of the first round or the early part of the second round. They may not be particularly heralded at the moment, but with so much uncertainty surrounding this year's draft, some of them could easily end up being instant contributors and stars for seasons to come.

Here are three fringe first-round prospects who will make the teams that pick them very happy as they'll play an important role from day one.

Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee

One of the deeper positions when it comes to first-round talent in this year's draft is wide receiver. A number of talented pass-catchers figure to be taken in the first round or early in the second, and Tennessee wideout Justin Hunter is one of them. Most of the hype has been directed toward teammate Cordarrelle Patterson, but Hunter is more polished and could be a better NFL player.

The main concern regarding Hunter is an ACL injury that kept him out for most of the 2011 season. Hunter came back in 2012 and had a great year as he posted 73 grabs for 1,089 yards and nine touchdowns. He wasn't quite as explosive as he was early in 2011, but the further removed from the injury he becomes, the more likely a return to form becomes as well.

Hunter has ideal size at 6'4" and 196 lbs., but that size doesn't hinder his speed and quickness. If not for that injury in 2011, Hunter would almost certainly be coming off two 1,000-yard seasons and he would potentially be considered a much higher pick. With elite teams like the Houston Texans, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens possibly seeking a receiver late in the first round, look for Hunter to make a splash right away.

Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington

Most draft experts seem to agree that Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner is easily the best player at his position in the 2013 class with Florida State corner Xavier Rhodes checking in next, but beyond that it's somewhat of a crap shoot. With so much emphasis on passing in the NFL right now and the utilization of the spread offense becoming more popular, it is important to stock up on quality cornerbacks.

One player who hasn't received as much attention as Milliner and Rhodes, but who may end up being just as good is Washington cornerback Desmond Trufant. The younger brother of NFL cornerback Marcus Trufant, Desmond has great bloodlines and a history of success at Washington to fall back on. Trufant isn't as big or physical as some of the other corners in the draft, but he is extremely fast and should be a great slot corner at the very least.

The one mark against Trufant is that he didn't make a lot of big plays in college in terms of interceptions and creating turnovers in general, but a lot of that had to do with the fact that teams threw away from him. Trufant will get picked on as a rookie in the NFL, but his skill set suggests that he'll be able to handle it and be a difference maker.

Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford

While the consensus seems to be that Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert is easily the best player at his position in the 2013 NFL draft, Stanford tight end Zach Ertz isn't far behind. The talented pass-catcher was overshadowed by Coby Fleener in 2011, but Ertz was the main receiving target for the Cardinal in 2012 and he made the most of it by totaling 69 receptions for 898 yards and six touchdowns despite uncertainty at quarterback.

The most appealing thing about Ertz is that he is truly an all-around tight end. It isn't difficult to find a pass-catching tight end or a blocking tight end, but discovering a guy who can do both is extremely rare. Ertz was a big reason for Stanford's success in the running game last season and he posed a big threat in the passing game to boot. With tight ends becoming such a huge part of NFL offenses, Ertz will definitely be in the conversation as a late first of early-second-round selection.

Whether or not he is better than Eifert at the NFL level will probably have a lot to do with where they end up, but from a talent perspective the gap isn't as wide as the difference in their projected draft positions suggest. Ertz has the potential to be a Pro Bowl-caliber tight end in the NFL, and the team that nabs him will be happy it did so.

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