College Football Week 9: The 8 Most Overrated NFL Draft Prospects

Every year there are overrated prospects in the NFL Draft. The question is trying to find who's overrated and who's underrated.

As we know the draft is an inexact science and any pick could be boom or bust. Think about how many first-rounders don't pan out, but there's the mid/late-rounders who get the job done.

However, it's never too early to debate the draft, so with that said, here are eight overrated prospects in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Dre Kirkpatrick: CB, Alabama

The concern about Dre Kirkpatrick is how well would his production be if safety Robert Lester wasn't behind him?

He's still developing as a CB and right now would only be used as a nickel/dime back in the NFL. That being said, is it worth drafting him so high if he's only going to be limited in use?

Patrick will still be a first round pick for his agility and catch up speed, but don't be surprised if he drops to the end of the round.

Ryan Broyles: WR, Oklahoma

Ryan Broyles may be Oklahoma's best receiving target and QB Landry Jones' favorite target, but he's dominating in a conference that significantly lacks in pass defense.

Also, with a slower top gear than most NFL teams would like as well as size, Broyles is more of an ideal slot receiver.

However, the concern is whether he's able to make the transition from out-wide to underneath.

Now, it's not that Broyles can't make the adjustment, but without having much experience at the slot position, the transition will only be that much more difficult in the pros.

Jeff Demps: RB, Florida

When Tim Tebow was under center, it was clear that RB Jeff Demps was a legit threat for the Florida Gators.

However, since the days of Tebow, Demps hasn't emerged as the versatile back that Florida needed him to be.

He'll most likely be more of a kickoff returner in the NFL to utilize his track speed, but nothing more as he's also undersized and lacks lateral acceleration and agility.

Bruce Irvin: OLB/DE, West Virginia

Bruce Irvin may be a sack-master, but other than that he's not that impressive.

In 2010 he compiled 14 sacks and forced one fumble, but excluding the sacks as tackles, he only accounted for eight more tackles.

Yes, being a stud pass rusher will get him a good look in the NFL, but lacking any ability to stop the run hurts his potential.

Pro offenses will be able to force Irvin into getting himself out of the play, which only causes more problems for a defense.

If Irvin can't improve in simply just becoming a run stopper, he'll significantly disappoint in the NFL.

Jerel Worthy: DT, Michigan State

Although the Michigan State Spartans have a solid rush defense, it's mainly because teams aren't trying to throw the ball against them.

Sparty ranks No. 2 in pass defense heading into Week 9, and with no one attempting to burn them deep, it only makes it easier to stack the box with eight defenders.

Therefore, DT Jerely Worthy has a vehement amount of help behind him no matter how many times he takes himself out of a play.

He's also lacking a bit in size and strength, but is quicker than meets the eye. He'll be an okay 4-3 DT but Jerel is not a first round pick.

Expect him to go mid-second round at the highest.

Riley Reiff: OT, Iowa

If Riley Reiff were to stay for his senior season then he'd be a much safer and better draft pick. For 2009 and 2010 he was the blindside OT for QB Ricky Stanzi who has excellent mobility and pocket awareness.

But, although his size it prototypical, the NFL has much stronger and quicker ends that can take advantage of his lack of strength and awareness.

Also, he doesn't have the lateral quickness to pull inside on traps which are crucial to setting up the play-action with pro football relying so heavy on the passing game.

The Big Ten is a run-oriented conference, so he's not blocking sack-masters like he will in the NFL.

Ryan Tannehill: QB, Texas A&M

The Texas A&M QB is expected to be a late first round/early second round draft choice in 2012.

Only problem however, is that he's more of an option/veer read QB as opposed to a pocket passer. He does have two solid WRs in Jeff Fuller and Ryan Swope which pad his passing stats.

Tannehill has career backup written all over him because he's already matched his INT total from 2010, and he tends to take off earlier than he should.

He's not in a pro-style offensive system like Oklahoma's Landry Jones, and as we've seen more often than not, option-system QBs don't last long in the NFL.

Unless Tannehill quickly learns to have patience in the pocket against solid pass defenses (as there really aren't any in the Big 12), he won't see the field.

Jared Crick: DL, Nebraska

Combined in the last two seasons, Nebraska DT Jared Crick compiled 18.5 sacks and 140 tackles.

Well, that was all when the Cornhuskers had a first round pick by the name of Ndamukong Suh in 2009, and then a sick pass defense in 2010.

However, Crick has significantly underachieved in 2011 with just one sack and 22 tackles.

The Cornhuskers also lack as a collective rush defense, despite having a solid pass defense, so it's clear that Crick needs to pick up the pace. If not, well, then someone is drafting a bust.

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