NFL Combine 2012 Results: Alshon Jeffery and More Early Winners

The combine is just getting underway, but a few players have already guaranteed they will be big winners. 

For some, like Alshon Jeffery, that was as simple as just weighing. For other that involved impressing everyone in drill. 

Let's take a look at some early winners. 

Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery's weight has been a hot topic leading up to this combine. This is a tall and talented receiver with strong hands. He also has size.

Although, the speculation was that he had way too much size. 

And that speculation was well founded given that he ended his college season at 230 pounds. Needless to say, if he showed up at the combine carrying extra weight it was going to kill his draft stock. Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer tweets the good news for Jeffery.

"

Jeffery says he weighed 230 last season at USC. Knew he had to be lighter for NFL. Down to 216.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) February 24, 2012"

Jeffery still has plenty of work to do at the combine, and scouts will certainly be interested to see if he maintained his strength while losing weight, but this was easily the most important thing he could have done for his draft value. 

Orson Charles, TE, Georgia

Charles was listed at 241 pounds. This is on the light end for NFL tight ends. The concern was that Charles wouldn't be able to block anyone. 

He helped eliminate those concerns. Charles showed up at the combine weighing over 250 pounds, and it was quickly clear it wasn't fat he had added. Bleacher Report's Adam Kramer fills us in.

"

Orson Charles put up 225 35 times today, 8 more than any tight end. My goodness, what a freak.

— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) February 24, 2012"

Teams aren't going to be worried about Charles ability to handle NFL defenders now.  

Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California 

To be a huge winner at this combine, all Kalil had to do was prove what everyone already suspected, and that was that he was an athletic freak. 

Dion Caputi of NFL Draft Update tweets out that Kalil, who came in at almost 6'7" and 306 pounds, was proving everyone right.

"

#USC OT Matt Kalil ran his 2nd 40 time - unofficial 5.00 flat after a 4.96 on his 1st. His 2nd 10 yard split was an unofficial 1.70.

— Dion Caputi (@nfldraftupdate) February 25, 2012"

Kalil also showed that he isn't just all athleticism either.

"

#USC OT Matt Kalil makes it look about as natrual as you can get...stayed low, explosive, good range #NFLDRAFT

— Wes Bunting (@WesBunting) February 25, 2012"

If there was any doubt before, it is gone now. Kalil is going to be the first OL taken and a top five selection.