2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing Prospects in Need of Big Senior Bowl Performances

As far as pre-NFL draft events go, the Senior Bowl is outweighed only by the NFL Scouting Combine. Every year, multiple prospects see their stocks rise after the Senior Bowl, and many see their stocks fall.

The Senior Bowl is a week of nonstop evaluation. Scouts are watching every practice, every rep and every moment on the field. It's not just one game, but an entire week of games.

For many prospects, the Senior Bowl is incredibly important. Either they didn't play up to their abilities in college, or they didn't play against high-level competition.

The Senior Bowl can make or break a prospect, and here are several prospects whose stocks are on the line.

For an analysis of every pick, check out my most recent mock draft.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. St. Louis Rams: Matt Kalil, OT, USC

3. Minnesota Vikings: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

4. Cleveland Browns: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

6. Washington Redskins: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

9. Miami Dolphins: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

10. Buffalo Bills: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Throughout his career at North Carolina, Quinton Coples showed flashes of dominance, yet he underachieved as a senior. There's no doubting Coples' physical ability, but he has been criticized for his lack of burst and pass-rushing skills.

If Coples dominates at the Senior Bowl, he will be a top 10 pick. At 6'6", 285 pounds, Coples is far too talented not to be drafted early with a good week.

Buffalo is between a 3-4 and 4-3 defense, and Coples fits either scheme. The Bills' biggest need is their lack of pass rush, and in theory, Coples would help there.

11. Seattle Seahawks: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

13. Arizona Cardinals: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Until his senior season, Mike Adams was an underachiever. The 6'8", 320-pounder has all the physical ability in the world, but he often looked lazy and uninterested at Ohio State.

In his final season, however, Adams dominated, finally looking like the player he was supposed to be. Only Matt Kalil has more potential along the offensive line, and Adams could be a franchise left tackle for years to come.

It's no secret that Arizona's offensive line is awful. Kevin Kolb was brutalized before his season was killed by injuries. The Cardinals have talent on offense, but their line is holding them back.

14. Dallas Cowboys: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

16. New York Jets: Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

18. San Diego Chargers: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

19. Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

20. Tennessee Titans: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

A former Florida Gator, Janoris Jenkins is a talented but troubled individual. Jenkins was better than Joe Haden at Florida but was kicked off the team after multiple off-the-field issues.

At 5'10", 185 pounds, Jenkins is capable of playing in any defensive scheme. The Senior Bowl will go a long way towards establishing where Jenkins is mentally and whether he can still compete with elite players.

The Bengals have a history of drafting character risks, and Jenkins fits the bill. With Jonathan Joseph now a Houston Texan and Leon Hall recovering from a torn Achilles, Cincinnati needs a cornerback too.

22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

23. Detroit Lions: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

26. Houston Texans: Mark Barron, S, Alabama

27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

28. Green Bay Packers: Devon Still, DE, Penn State

In his senior season, Devon Still occasionally dominated. However, he looked downright bad at times and still didn't play up to his ability. The 6'5", 310-pounder has perfect size to play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.

At the Senior Bowl, Still needs to prove that he can consistently dominate. There are also questions about how interested in the game Still is, and his interactions with teammates will give scouts a good idea about how accurate this is.

Though they have an elite offense, Green Bay's defense struggled in 2011. The unit clearly held the team back and may have kept them from winning the Super Bowl. Cullen Jenkins needs replaced, and Still may be the guy to do it.

29. San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

30. Baltimore Ravens: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

31. New York Giants: Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State

Right now, Zebrie Sanders is competing to be a first-round pick. The 6'5", 307-pounder is certainly athletic enough to go that early, but he may not be good enough yet.

Sanders is raw, and he needs to play well in the Senior Bowl to show he is ready for the NFL. Teams will love Sanders' upside, and he just needs to play well enough to not scare any teams off.

Kareem McKenzie is leaving in free agency, and William Beatty is not the answer at offensive tackle. New York could use help at either perimeter position, and Sanders has the ability to immediately start on the right side.

32. New England Patriots: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin