Most fantasy football players will focus on the big-name rookies selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Trent Richardson, Justin Blackmon, Michael Floyd, and Doug Martin are the obvious rookies to consider adding to your fantasy team. However, there are often rookies taken after the first round who have surprisingly productive seasons and outperform the more heralded.

Marques Colston was a little-known seventh round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. All he did for the Saints in his rookie year was catch 70 passes for 1,038 yards (14.8 per minute) and score 8 touchdowns. Aaron Hernandez was taken in the 4th round of the 2010 NFL Draft and contributed 45 receptions for 563 yards (12.5 pp) and 6 touchdowns for New England as a rookie. DeMarco Murray (3rd round, 2011 NFL Draft) was the most impressive rookie running back last year before an ankle injury ended his season. Murray rushed for 897 yards, averaged 5.5 yards per carry, and scored 2 touchdowns in just 7 starts for Dallas. Here are six rookies who might be more productive than many fantasy football players expect:

TE Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts: The 2011 John Mackey Award winner was the best tight end in the draft. Allen has the size and strength to be a solid blocker. He also has the athleticism and hands to be a receiving threat. The Colts would like to play 2 tight ends, 2 wide receivers, and 1 running back as their base offense. That’s why they drafted Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen back-to-back. Allen believes he will play a lot in this offense. Indianapolis is wisely tailoring its offense around the talents of its quarterback, Andrew Luck. The former Stanford star is used to an offense that features tight ends. Stanford did not have a strong receiving core, but Luck thrived throwing to a deep and talented group of tight ends. A tight end can be a good security blanket for a quarterback. Dwayne Allen could become the target of a fair amount of passes from Andrew Luck.

WR Juron Criner, Oakland Raiders: The Silver & Black need a good possession receiver to complement some of their speed on the outside. Juron Criner may prove to be a steal for Raiders and fantasy football players alike. Criner caught 32 touchdown passes in college and has one hit for catching the ball in traffic. His ability to run routes allows him to play faster than the forty-yard dash. Carson Palmer should build the confidence to throw the ball to Criner because he has great hands. Palmer should also be better this year with a full offseason to learn the Raiders’ offense. Juron Criner could push for playing time as a rookie and be a surprising contributor to the Raiders.

WR Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears: The Bears were wasting Jay Cutler’s passing ability with a lackluster group of receivers. That changed this offseason. Brandon Marshall was signed via trade and Alshon Jeffery was drafted in the second round. Jeffery is a great target with big, soft hands. His ability to aim the ball high is very impressive. A lackluster conditioning effort and poor quarterback play led to a less productive 2011 season for Jeffery and he struggled to be a first-round pick. He is reportedly fit now and Jay Cutler can deliver the ball. Jeffery can be a factor in the end zone and a solid possession receiver for Chicago in 2012.

RB Lamar Miller, Miami Dolphins: There are a lot of changes in Miami with a new coaching staff. The West Coast offense will be used and that means a fair amount of quick, short passing. Naturally, Reggie Bush will be used more as a pass catcher this season. Lamar Miller didn’t catch many passes out of the backfield for the Hurricanes, but he did show some good hands. Miller has outstanding acceleration and speed. His pick was better than any other in the 2012 NFL Draft. The University of Miami product fell out of the draft due to concerns about his surgically repaired shoulder. Miller is recovering well from his December surgery and will be able to handle contact in time for training camp.

He could very well beat Daniel Thomas, who was very disappointing as a rookie last year. Thomas (581 rushing yards, 3.5 yards per carry and zero touchdowns) didn’t run with power or speed in 2011. Miller could carve out a nice niche in Miami’s offense as a complement to Bush. Plus, Reggie Bush has averaged just nine starts a season in his six-year career. It may have been an aberration that Bush started fifteen games last year. Miller is also a dangerous kickoff returner and his speed is a great play waiting to happen. A mediocre receiving group could mean the Dolphins must find a way to get the ball into the hands of their two most explosive players (Reggie Bush and Lamar Miller).

WR Rueben Randle, New York Giants: A rookie playing a lot on a Super Bowl-winning team doesn’t normally happen. However, the Giants lost Mario Manningham to free agency and need a third receiver to emerge. Randle could have put up much higher receiving numbers in college if he had been in a better situation. LSU wins a lot of games with its strong defense and running attack. This philosophy, combined with the quarterback’s erratic play, fails to highlight receiving talent. Randle ran several routes in college and has a good idea of ​​the wide receiver position. He has an NFL body and physically should be able to handle the press coverage. Randle isn’t a speed trader, but he has enough to make big plays on the field.

You’ll also notice a big difference between Eli Manning handing him the ball instead of Jarrett Lee or Jordan Jefferson (his LSU quarterbacks). The competition for the third receiver job isn’t too tough for Randle. Domenik Hixon has struggled with injuries and is actually a better kick returner than receiver. Ramses Barden hasn’t made an impact in three seasons. Jerrel Jernigan has speed and quickness, but he’s small. He may be better as a punt returner and slot receiver. Ideally, the Giants would like Victor Cruz to work in the slot and another receiver to complement Hakeem Nicks on the outside. Rueben Randle will have every opportunity to be the Giants’ third receiver this season.

WR Mohamed Sanu, Cincinnati Bengals: The free agency losses of Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell mean the Bengals need some young wide receivers to emerge. AJ Green is clearly the primary receiver and a rising star. It remains up in the air who is going to complement Green. Sanu has a good chance to emerge as a valuable contributor to Cincinnati’s passing game. Andy Dalton doesn’t have a great arm and the fact that Sanu lacks speed may not matter much.

Sanu uses his good size and toughness to execute leans effectively. Dalton can build confidence in the rookie to keep units alive with well-executed short passes. His competition for playing time is a lackluster group of receivers. Jordan Shipley (recovering from a serious knee injury), Marvin Jones (fellow rookie), Brandon Tate (better kick returner than receiver), Armon Binns and Ryan Whalen are not proven wide receivers in the NFL. Mohamed Sanu has an excellent opportunity to play a good number of snaps as a rookie.