2012 NFL Draft: 7 Prospects in Danger of Falling out of First Round

Any time there is discussion of the 2012 NFL draft, it's a great thing.

Quarterbacks, running backs and safeties—oh my!

Players rise, players fall. Players surprise with great Pro Day performances and combine work.

And there is always a Mike Mamula among them.

And then there is the college star that looks the part, acts the part and plays the part—and, for some reason, slips out of the first round. This year won't likely be an exception, as with the rise of players toward the end of April, some big names could slip into the second or even third round.

For every Blaine Gabbert who rises on the board, there is Ryan Mallett, who, because of off-field issues and question marks, slips to the third round or beyond.

These players, for whatever reason, may offer first-round talent, but they are seeing or may see their stock slip, meaning less money and more to prove to the NFL scouts.

7. Alfonzo Dennard, Cornerback, Nebraska

This may be a case of numbers in the first round and how many defensive players from both Alabama and LSU are selected early.

Dennard is a great talent who has good size (5'10") and speed to help in coverage and in the return game.

I personally think he is going to be a star in this league.

6. Cordy Glenn, Guard, Georgia

He is on this list simply because of a numbers game.

Guards usually do not go high in the NFL draft and while David DeCastro of Stanford could be a top-10 selection, I do not see Glenn in the same talent pool. That said, he is still a great talent.

At 6'5" and 348 pounds, he can play inside and is the road grader all scouts look for. And having played in the SEC, he has played against some of the best defenders in the country on a weekly basis.

5. Alshon Jeffery, Receiver, South Carolina

He has more talent than any Gator receiver Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier coached at Florida. But he also did not have the talent around him that Ike Hilliard, Reidel Anthony, Jabar Gaffney or Chris Doering had around him.

Jeffery was a surefire top-five selection before the beginning of the season. But defensive players in the SEC keyed in on him, and with the quarterback changes in South Carolina, Jeffery did not have the season everyone thought he would.

I still believe he is a top-five talent, but he could fall to the end of or out of the first round.

4. Lamar Miller, Running Back, Miami

Miller declared for the draft as a redshirt sophomore. With 4.42 speed to go with his 5'11" frame, he could be a dangerous back in the NFL.

With all the talent on defense in this draft and the fact there could be four receivers or more taken in the first round, Trent Richardson may be the only runner taken in the first round.

Richardson and Miller are the only true first round talents at the position in this draft.

3. Landry Jones, Quarterback, Oklahoma

Jones was once thought of a top-10 selection in the upcoming draft.

Then Oklahoma took the field this season. There were times when Jones was an all-world talent. And then there were times when he could not make the big plays.

At 6'4" and 230 pounds, Jones looks to be the prototypical passer the scouts are craving, but his performances this season may cost him a spot in the first round.

2. Janoris Jenkins, Defensive Back, North Alabama

Jenkins has the talent and skill level to play on Sundays. He has the fire and passion to be the most talented player in this draft.

And he has the off-field issues to drive coaches insane.

Jenkins was an All-American performer in the Gators defense two seasons ago. Arrests in the offseason led to his being dismissed from the team. Now, he is ready for the NFL draft after a year at North Alabama.

He has the size, speed and skill to be the best defender in this draft. Will scouts take a chance on him in the first round?

1. Vontez Burfict, Linebacker, Arizona State

Let me be the first to say I think Burfict has the talent to be as good as Ray Lewis. That said, being Ray Lewis will never happen.

Burfict is a junior coming out for the draft. His play this year has been questioned because of his intensity on the field. Some have referred to it as "rage."

If he can contain that rage, he could be a real star in this league. If coaches and scouts fear his intensity cannot be controlled, then Burfict could take a hit himself in the draft process.