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Andrew Luck was the consensus, sure-fire No. 1 overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft. He was a can’t-miss prospect; a player sure to lead his new team for the next decade or more.
Luck, Luke Kuechly and Dontari Poe are the premier members of the class, but what about the college talent that was considered a reach? Or guys who were repeatedly passed over—perhaps for multiple rounds?
Three years later, five prospects have risen to respected status in the league, establishing themselves as a key contributor on their respective team. The list is organized strictly by where a player was drafted.
Ryan Tannehill, Quarterback, Miami Dolphins, No. 8 Overall
Courtesy of USA Today Sports: Tannehill has progressed and is now nearing Pro Bowl levels.
Tannehill being picked at such a high spot created widespread criticism, and the Dolphins were questioned on whether or not they reached for the Texas A&M product. After all, he was a wide receiver for some of his college career.
But through 48 NFL starts, Tannehill has amassed 11,252 yards and 63 touchdowns on a 61.9 completion percentage. The 6’4″, 220-pounder has added 760 rushing yards and four scores.
Additionally, he’s finished in the top 13 of Pro Football Focus’ (subscription required) position ratings during each season, peaking at No. 5 in 2013.
The debate surrounding his development into a franchise quarterback continues to rage on, but signing Tannehill to a long-term deal seems relatively obvious. While Miami’s gunslinger isn’t elite, the position drops off considerably behind the 26-year-old.
Tannehill has consistently performed in the top-third of the league at his position. No free agent or non-Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota prospect can match Tannehill’s ability. The Dolphins found their franchise quarterback in 2012, no matter if he was a supposed reach.
Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks, No. 75 Overall
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These days, every undersized, mobile, draft-eligible quarterback is compared to Russell Wilson. However, it’s critical to remember that Russ is the exception to the rule.
A 5’11”, 206-pounder who played quarterback at North Carolina State and Wisconsin, he slid down into the third round, largely due to his stature. All Wilson has accomplished since then is Pro Bowl honors in 2012 and 2013, a Super Bowl ring in 2013 and an NFC title in 2014.
Wilson has tossed 72 touchdowns to just 26 interceptions, completing 63.4 percent of his attempts for nearly 9,950 yards. He’s also tallied at least 400 rushing yards in each season, registering a total of 1,877 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Plus, Wilson has led 15 game-winning drives since 2012—the most in the league per Pro-Football-Reference, so he’s even shown the vaunted clutch gene.
Long story short, the Seahawks are stable behind center.
T.Y. Hilton, Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts, 92nd Overall
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Though it’s easier to strike late-round gold at receiver, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. The Indianapolis Colts snagged T.Y. Hilton, a small, speedy wideout from Florida International, a member of the lowly Sun Belt Conference.
At the time, the Colts were seeking a downfield threat to complement Reggie Wayne. Within just three years, the 5’9″, 178-pound Hilton made the fan-favorite Wayne expendable.
Hilton has racked up 214 receptions, 3,289 yards and 19 touchdowns, slowly becoming the No. 1 target for Indianapolis. To be fair, Luck’s superstar status has contributed to Hilton’s emergence, but that’s not meant to discredit his rise, either.
As long as Hilton is healthy, he’ll remain a versatile, dangerous target for a receiving corps that should again be one of the league’s most-prolific units.
Mike Daniels, Defensive Line, Green Bay Packers, 132nd Overall
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The Green Bay Packers have established a system or reloading through the draft. Mike Daniels is yet another product of that successful operation.
Daniels has become a difference-maker in the trenches, proving himself as a capable every-down asset. That doesn’t mean he’ll actually play every down—nor should he—but the 6’0″, 305-pound lineman can be utilized in any situation.
Per PFF, Daniels was Green Bay’s top-rated defender in 2014 and the No. 8 overall 3-4 defensive end, managing 5.5 sacks and a career-best 41 stops.
He’s logged 76 total tackles, 14.0 sacks and one defensive touchdown. Daniels has set himself up for a sizable extension and raise when his contract expires following the 2015 campaign.
Alfred Morris, Running Back, Washington Redskins, 173rd Overall
Courtesy of USA Today Sports: Morris has a chance to go down as one of the all-time great Redskins running backs.
Franchises rarely find a legitimate Pro Bowl-worthy talent in the sixth round. However, the Washington Redskins scraped the bottom of the draft barrel and found Alfred Morris.
A three-year starter at Florida Atlantic, Morris was the 12th running back drafted. He immediately exploded onto the league’s scene, recording 1,613 yards—the second-highest clip in the NFL—complemented by a 13-touchdown performance as a rookie.
To date, Morris has totaled 3,962 yards and 28 touchdowns, eclipsing the 1,000-yard barrier every year despite playing on inconsistent Washington teams the last two seasons.
Morris could use a resurgent campaign—and a bolstered offensive line—but he’s still one of 2012’s best picks.
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