2012 NFL Mock Draft: 5 WRs Ready for Next Level Leap

Regardless of who's expected to go in the first round of the NFL draft, there's always NFL-ready talent in subsequent rounds. Now, with the passing game relied on so heavily, WRs are more appealing than ever.

We know guys like Justin Blackmon, Michael Floyd and Alshon Jeffery are pro-ready.

But what about some of the later-round WRs? Here are five to keep an eye on during bowl season and leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft.

Marvin McNutt, Iowa

When you think of Big Ten football and the Iowa Hawkeyes, you don't normally think of dominant WRs and QBs. However, in recent years, the Hawkeyes have doled out some serious passing-game talent.

First, it was QB Ricky Stanzi and WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, who received much more attention than Marvin McNutt. Now that both Stanzi and Johnson are gone, McNutt not only has taken over the Hawkeyes' No. 1 slot, but he's also dominated.

As a sophomore and junior, McNutt scored eight TDs but did not receive nearly as many targets as he has in 2011. This season, Marvin has already compiled 1,269 receiving yards, 12 TDs and 78 receptions with the bowl game yet to play.

In Iowa, he's the man straight-up. Yet he goes overlooked not only because he's in a non-traditional passing offense and conference, but also because of the other stud WRs mentioned in the intro.

Whoever takes Marvin McNutt will get a complete WR who knows who to play the No. 1 and No. 2 WR roles very well and has a great deal of raw talent.

Ryan Swope, Texas A&M

In 2010, Ryan Swope's fellow WR Jeff Fuller was the main target at Texas A&M. However, since defenses prepared more for Fuller in 2011, Swope was left in a lot of single-coverage situations.

Swope has taken advantage of the respect defenses have given Fuller, and his 81 receptions for 1,100 yards with 11 TDs show that he's a legit target. Both Swope and Fuller complement one another very well—a big reason why QB Ryan Tannehill has had some solid success.

The thing about Swope is that he's big enough to play a No. 1 WR but also quick enough for the slot position. Considering that Tannehill is better at running the ball than throwing, Swope's numbers are quite impressive.

That being said, Swope will go overlooked due to playing in an average program this season—as well as Jeff Fuller's being opposite of him. Nonetheless, he's dynamic and will contribute quite a bit to any team needing a second reliable target.

B.J. Cunningham, Michigan State

Arguably the best WR in the Big Ten right now and with a sound QB in Kirk Cousins as his teammate and classmate, B.J. Cunningham has come a long way since his freshman campaign.

This is the first year in which Cunningham has reached 1,000 receiving yards in his college career, but this is mainly because he was second fiddle to Mark Dell for three straight seasons. Not to mention that the Spartans have had quite an effective rushing attack with Edwin Baker and Le'Veon Bell.

Cunnigham's size is what makes him so appealing. Standing at 6'2" and weighing 215 pounds, he is a solid candidate to line up opposite of any already-established No. 1 WR. He can out-leap virtually any DB in single coverage and is strong enough to come down with the rock every time.

Additionally, he'll be great as a stock-blocker because of his size and strength. Any team wanting to run the ball to his side will see solid success—because Michigan State doesn't run the ball well if the WRs don't block.

What's also interesting here is that he's big and fast enough to play the third TE in short-yardage situations. Throw in his blocking ability and Cunningham is a complete WR—but he's still overlooked.

Kendall Wright, Baylor

Thanks to the 2011 season that his QB Robert Griffin is having, Kendall Wright is also having one spectacular season.

Already with 95 receptions for just over 1,400 yards and 12 TDs, Wright still has two games left to increase those numbers and his draft stock. Wright has never had this type of success before in college, but the play of Baylor's other WRs and his QB has taken some pressure off him this season.

Even so, Wright is by far the best receiver on Baylor (the next-best target has 49 catches). Since he's a one-man wrecking crew downfield, you would think that opposing defenses could slow him down.

But this obviously has not been the case; and when he's provided with some help in the NFL, he'll become that much more effective. For one, Wright can help stretch the field; he can also run the intermediate routes from the slot.

Also, Baylor has kept defenses off balance by occasionally using Wright in jet-sweeps and read-option/play-action pass situations. Now, Baylor hasn't constantly used him in the ground game, but Wright does have 71 carries for 397 rush yards and two TDs in his college career—he can carry the ball successfully.

Jordan White, Western Michigan

This man, Jordan White from Western Michigan, has been increasing his level of consistency throughout college. In his junior year, he caught 95 passes for 1,378 yards and 10 TDs.

As dominant as he was in his junior season, White's senior campaign in 2011 has seen those numbers increase. With a bowl game still to play, White has caught 115 passes for 1,527 yards and scored 16 TDs.

White's receptions and yards lead the nation and his TDs are second—and he didn't even play in the Broncos' first game at Michigan in Week 1.

Sure he's in the MAC, but that mid-major conference has produced some of the NFL's best players—i.e., Greg Jennings (Western Michigan), James Harrison and Antonio Gates (who didn't even play college football).

The numbers are there—Jordan White is a supreme WR. He won't dominate the NFL right from the get-go, but his potential is legitimate and unlimited.

2012 NFL First Round Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stan.)	17. New York Jets: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Okla. St.)	18. Denver Broncos: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Neb.)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, DB (LSU)	19. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (S. Car.)
4. Miami Dolphins: Matt Barkley, QB (USC)	20. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
5. Carolina Panthers: Brandon Thompson, DT (Clem)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, G (Stan.)
6. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (ND)	22. Cleveland (From ATL): Jeff Fuller, WR (Tex. A&M)
7. Arizona Cardinals: Trent Richardson, RB (Ala.)	23. Cincinnati (From Oak): Jonathan Martin, OT (Stan.)
8. Seattle Seahawks: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	24. Chicago Bears: Nick Toon, WR (Wisc.)
9. Cleveland Browns: Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)	25. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)
10. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin, QB (Baylor)	26. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
11 .Philadelphia Eagles: Manti Te'o, LB (N.D.)	27. Houston Texans: Jerel Worthy, DT (Mich. St.)
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devon Still, DT (Penn St.)	28. N.E. (From N.O): Cam Johnson, DE (Virginia)
13. San Diego Chargers: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Ala.)	29. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, S (Ala.)
14. Kansas City Chiefs: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Ala.)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Chase Minnifield, CB (UVA)
15. Buffalo Bills: Janoris Jenkins, CB (N. Ala.)	31. Baltimore Ravens: Luke Kuechly, LB (B.C.)
16. New York Giants: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio St.)	32. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (S. Car.)

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.