NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks identifies 10 draft prospects widely projected as Day 2 picks who could sneak into the first round, including Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron.
"McCarron is one of the most polarizing prospects in the draft, despite a college resume that includes a .900 winning percentage and two BCS national titles as a starter," Brooks writes.
"Some critics question if he is capable of carrying an offense on the strength of his right arm, but the fact that he performed well in big games (see: the contests against Texas A&M, LSU and Auburn last season, plus the 2012 and 2013 BCS National Championship Games) suggests that he is underrated as a playmaker.
"McCarron is quite simply a superb game manager with a knack for guiding his team to the winner's circle. Thus, he could interest any team with the supporting cast in place to make a run at a playoff berth. With the uncertainty surrounding the top QB prospects in this class, it is quite possible McCarron goes at the end of Round 1 to a team in need of a cerebral playmaker at the position."
Others on Brooks' list of prospects who could be selected in the first round are Nevada tackle Joel Bitonio, Washington State safety Deone Bucannon, Virginia Tech cornerback Kyle Fuller, LSU running back Jeremy Hill, Indiana receiver Cody Latimer, Boise State defensive end/outside linebacker Demarcus Lawrence, LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger, Virginia tackle Morgan Moses and BYU outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy.
