2012 NFL Mock Draft: Looking at Mid-Round Steals

As we all know, the NFL Draft is an inexact science. Because if it were an exact science, then every year the No. 1 pick would be the rookie of the year and turn out to always be the best pick.

Thankfully that is not the case and each year a lot of talent goes overlooked, especially in the middle rounds. Perhaps the best example is current Dallas Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray.

Murray was a third round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and has taken pro football by storm the past few weeks. To that end, here are five mid-round steals in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Third Round: Brandon Boykin, CB (Georgia)

Due to the big secondary names coming out of LSU and Alabama such as Morris Claiborne, Dre Kirkpatrick and Mark Barron, as well as Alfonzo Dennard of Nebraska, Georgia CB Brandon Boykin is going vastly under the radar.

He's arguably the Bulldogs most improved defensive player from 2010 where he recorded three picks and 41 tackles. This season he has once again picked off three passes but has added two forced fumbles and has tallied 42 tackles.

Boykin is a quick shutdown corner who's not overly physical but a sure tackler. Perhaps his size works against him as a prospect. However, Boykin's versatility is quite possibly his best attribute.

Since 2009 he's been the team's kick returner and added punt returns to the repertoire this season. And on rare occasion coach Mark Richt has used Boykin on offense where he's scored two TDs this season while accounting for 153 total yards on nine touches (five rush, four catches).

Whoever drafts him is going to get a complete player with a tremendous upside.

Third Round: Marvin McNutt, WR (Iowa)

Even in 2010 when the Hawkeyes had Ricky Stanzi and Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, you don't automatically think of a dominant passing attack coming from Iowa. It's just not the identity of any Big Ten school to be honest.

However, in spite of Johnson-Koulianos and Stanzi's solid connection from 2010, fellow Hawkeye weapon Marvin McNutt was just as important. McNutt is proving that this season, as he's not only Iowa's best receiver but both Koulianos and Stanzi are gone.

In 2010 McNutt caught 53 passes for 861 yards and scored eight touchdowns. And that was in a much more pass-oriented offense with more talent. This season though, McNutt is the main man and has caught 74 balls for 1,240 yards and has reached the end zone 12 times.

Hi QB—James Vandenberg—is rather unknown to the masses that are even just average college football fans. This is Vandenberg's first full season as a starter, so McNutt having increased his numbers only proves his value more to the Hawkeye offense.

Whichever team takes McNutt is getting a stud WR who has great size (6'4", 215 pounds) to go with 4.5-40 yard dash speed. In other words, he can stretch the field combined with great size.

Fourth Round: Kirk Cousins, QB (Michigan State)

Thanks to being on a Big Ten co-champion team in 2010 and then having the chance to win the conference outright in 2011 is mainly why most are aware of Michigan State's Kirk Cousins.

Only problem though, is that he's not earning recognition he deserves, as the 2012 NFL Draft is just stacked with QBs. This draft we have Andrew Luck, Landry Jones, Kellen Moore, Brandon Weeeden, and Case Keenum, just to name a few.

Also, the Big Ten isn't known as a passing conference so being at Michigan State where they average just under 250 pass yards per game doesn't get noticed.

Cousins knows how to win games and is the perfect game-managing QB. He's mobile enough to buy time, feels the rush well, and has improved each season with his decision-making. This season he already has 19 TD to just five picks, and has just over 2,500 passing yards.

It's easily shaping up to be his best season and on top of all that, his intangibles are second-to-none. Cousins is a third-year starter, great leader, and has excellent football IQ.

Fourth Round: Cyrus Gray, RB (Texas A&M)

Arguably one of the most dynamic players throughout all of college football, Texas A&M's Cyrus Gray does just about everything for the Aggies.

Since his freshman campaign he's been a solid contributor and his numbers have significantly increased each season. In 2010, Gray compiled 1,133 rush and 251 receiving yards while accounting for 13 offensive touchdowns.

This season Gray has already accounted for 1,045 rush and 239 receiving yards along with 15 total touchdowns. And there's still two games left including a bowl game.

What's more impressive though, is Gray's returning ability. As a freshman and sophomore he had much more success than in 2010 and 2011. However, with Gray getting more carries and receptions you can't expect him to be in the return game very much.

That being said, Gray will be more like a Brian Mitchell-type NFL RB where he'll be a solid third down back and return man. Then when called up, he can contribute well as a starting RB.

His versatility is his greatest asset and someone is getting a dangerously explosive player.

Fifth Round: Tank Carder, OLB (TCU)

First off, if you go by the name "Tank" then you have no other option in life than to play football and be a linebacker, that's just the way life goes.

TCU LB Tank Carder isn't getting much recognition since the Horned Frogs are having a down year in terms of defensive production. In 2010 TCU had arguably the best defense in college football and Tank was literally a tank on the field.

In 2009 he recorded 89 tackles and two sacks, so opposing offenses game-planned to isolate him. Fortunately that just frees up his teammates more which led to TCU dominating in 2010. In 2010 Carder may have only recorded 61 tackles but he also got 3.5 sacks.

Now he's really the lone man to key on in a weaker defense. The Horned Frogs still upset Boise State in Boise and are once again the Mountain West Conference front-runners. Tank may be overlooked because of him being on a non-BCS team, but that's okay.

A lucky franchise will be getting an underrated LB that love to hit and punish ball carries. And being the more physical team is arguably the most important aspect of football.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.