2012 NFL Mock Draft: The Best Players That Won't Be Selected in the First Round

Usually a team's first-round selection is a top-level, elite prospect that did enough in college for coaches to believe he's ready to make an instant impact in the NFL. 

Some first-round guys bust; others turn into household names that we see on commercials every week. 

But guys picked later in the draft often become stars in their own right. 

Here are the guys in the 2012 class that could easily blossom into bright stars as professionals that won't be one of the first 32 picks. 

Jayron Hosley, CB Virginia Tech 

Hosley has been one of the most productive cornerbacks in the nation over the last two seasons. Although he's only 5'10'' and 170 pounds, he's tremendously athletic and possesses the instincts and ball skills to be a playmaker at the next level. 

He had nine interceptions last season and although quarterbacks didn't throw his way as often in 2011, he managed three picks. 

Hosley also had 59 tackles this season, as he's certainly not afraid to come down in run support. 

Because of his lack of size, he'll likely fall to the second or third round, but don't forget his name. 

Dwight Jones, WR UNC

Remember how Hakeem Nicks shot up draft boards a few years ago coming out of UNC? While I don't expect Jones to ascend to the first round, he's athletic with a bigger frame and fantastic hands. 

North Carolina has recently been an NFL factory and the 6'4'', 225-pound Jones is the newest top prospect. He's had an incredibly productive 2011, catching 79 passes for 1,119 yards with 11 touchdowns. 

He should go in the middle rounds, but he'll be a steal for whichever drafts him. 

Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB West Virginia

Talk about a pass-rusher. Irvin had 14 sacks in 2010 and followed it up with 7.5 sacks in 2011 with all his opponents game-planning against him. 

At 6'3'', 245, he is the ideal size to play the hybrid outside linebacker position in the 3-4 defense that's becoming the trendy alignment in today's NFL. 

He possesses ideal speed for the position but has the toughness to bull-rush bigger offensive linemen into the quarterback. 

Look early second for Irvin, a guy with a high motor that'll make his name known on Sundays.

2012 NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck	17. Cincinnati Bengals: Trent Richardson
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon	18. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd
3. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III	19. Denver Broncos: Lamar Miller
4. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne	20. Cleveland Browns: Cordy Glenn
5. Arizona Cardinals: Matt Kalil	21. New York Giants: Janoris Jenkins
6. Carolina Panthers: Vontaze Burfict	22. New York Jets: Alameda Ta'Amu
7. Cleveland Browns: Alshon Jeffery	23. Cincinnati Bengals: Chase Minnifield
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Johnathan Martin	24. Baltimore Ravens: Luke Kuechly
9. Seattle Seahawks: Matt Barkley	25. Houston Texans: Jerel Worthy
10. Miami Dolphins: Landry Jones	26. Detroit Lions: Alfonzo Dennard
11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro	27. Dallas Cowboys: Stephon Gilmore
12. San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff	28. New England Patriots: Courtney Upshaw
13. Buffalo Bills: Zach Brown	29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dre Kirkpatrick	30. San Francisco 49ers: Devon Still
15. Tennessee Titans: Melvin Ingram	31. New England Patriots: Quinton Coples
16. Philadelphia Eagles: Dont'a Hightower	32. Green Bay Packers: Brandon Jenkins