by: CJ Clayborne
Last Thursday in NYC many football dreams were came to life as the 2012 NFL draft was held. bringing the Congratulations to Robert Griffin and Andrew Luck, but every year there are some draft pics that fly under the radar but will have a bigger impact than most first rounders. Some of the guys on this list at one point in time were sure fire 1-2 rounders before various issues cost them millions. Some of these guys just slipped to later in the draft or out of the draft but will find a way to shine. Here is a look at who we think will make a bigger impact than what their status in the draft would indicate.
QB Russell Wilson, Seahawks 3rd round
I mean with a name like that who else would you want with his hands on the ball? Wilson may be short but has all the intangibles you need in a starting QB in the NFL.
QB Kellen Moore, Dolphins Undrafted Free Agent
How could you leave him off this list? Moore has been making lead out of gold his whole career so why would he stop now? Even though my nephew in 7th grade has a stronger arm, Moore will find a way to succeed because if anybody has that “It Factor” it’s Kellen Moore.
RB Chris Polk, Philadelphia Undrafted Free Agent
How this kid went undrafted is beyond me. He ran scalded dog tough between the tackles at Washington with a sub par line. Polk could be the next Arian Foster in short order.
HB Lamar Miller, Dolphins 4th round
Knee issues dropped him but the elite speed kept him from falling past the 4th round. While a burner, he is the most patient runner in this class and tough nosed as well. Dolphins got a real steal with Miller.
WR- Tommy Streeter, Ravens 6th round
6’5 running a 4.3 something and 25+ revievers go ahead of this guy? His ability to stretch the defense alone and open up the box make him worth an earlier. The Ravens may have a baby Moss in the fray.
WR Greg Childs, Vikings 4th round
It felt like he never fully recovered from a knee injury that happened at the end of his junior year. If Childs can regain his pre-injury form, then Minnesota just hit the lottery.
WR Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M Undrafted Free Agent
Big dominating reciever who the haters say has below average catching ability. When you are as fundamentally sound as Fuller is with a huge frame and decent speed why not? Always has leverage on his routes and awesome footwork for a guy his size.
TE Orson Charles, Bengals 4th round
Not that he is a big surprise, but I have nightmares thinking about Charles flexed out in our modern NFL. Charles might just approach scandalous levels of success with Andy Dalton and Jermaine Gresham next year.
DeAngelo Petersen, Rams Undrafted Free Agent
Another non-traditional “flex type” tight end that should really help open things up for St. Louis if they are smart enough to use him right. Petersen is everything Brandon Pettigrew at Detroit is and more, aside from Pettigrew’s non-existent blocking ability.
DL Malik Jackson, Broncos 5th round
Hell raiser with injury issues. Jackson played outside and inside for the Vols in college and really caused problems inside and outside. Jackson’s mobility in Denver’s 3-4 scheme could start a firestorm.
DL Jerel Worthy, Packers 2nd round
God gave Jerel Worthy the most ability of all the DTs in the 2012 draft. Unfortunatley, he takes breaks off from time to time. Worthy’s push and violence with his hands rivals a Chinese sensei. If he can get in the type of shape to stay on the field all three downs then look out.
DL Hebron Fangupo, Texans Undrafted Free Agent
Reminds me of Kelly Gregg before I saw that he reminded everybody else of Kelly Gregg (#Boomer). Fangupo fell into the lap of one of the NFL’s best defense. He’s an anchor that could be in the NFL a long time.
LB Travis Lewis, Lions 7th Round
Injuries prevented T-Lew from being the usual tackle machine he in his first three seasons at OU. Lewis is back to normal and now has a chip on his shoulder because he fell in the draft. Lewis might be the player that officially turns the Lions from damn good to contender.
LB Vontaze Burfict, Bengals Undrafted Free Agent
Bonehead of the decade but he deserves to be on this list. If Burfict gets his head on straight, he is the best LB in this class hands down. Burfict was born to be a linebacker and nothing else. I have a really good feeling that being away from Dennis Erickson and party minded Arizona State will be just the ticket for Burfict.
LB Tank Carder, Buffalo 5th round
Solid as a damn rock. Carder comes from great defensive bloodlines at TCU. Tank will bring the pain in the NFL.
LB Keenan Robinson, Washington 4th round
Needs to up the phisicality at the next level, but he is just so fluid in all his movements it is hard to see him not succeeding in the NFL.
CB Cliff Harris, Eagles Undrafted Free Agent
Smoked his way out of the second or third round but he’s still an intriguing prospect. Harris is a good DB with great hips but like Burfict seems to have his own agenda at times. Cliff Harris from Paris also brings elite return ability with him to Philly. If Harris adds maturity to his game and his life, the sky is the limit for this youngster.
CB Alfonzo Denard, Patriots 7th round
Yo Alfonzo, hit Trent Richardson as hard as you hit that cop and you’ll make the team son. Prime example of why you need to keep a cool head at all times. Denard will still be a good NFL player.
FS Janzen Jackson, Giants Undrafted Free Agent
Went undrafted, but was a damn good Saftey at Tennessee before transfereing to McNeese State to finish his collegiate career. Jackson can make his mark on special teams and then become a starter down the road.
Trumaine Johnson, Rams 2nd round
Johnson is a machine bar none. If he improves his man to man pass coverage and you are looking at an 7-8 year high quality saftey although he was drafted as a cornerback.