East-West Shrine Game: Winners and Losers for the NFL Draft

Playing well or struggling in the East-West Shrine Game can literally be the difference between going in the third or fourth round of the NFL draft and going undrafted.

Some would disagree—stating that the combine is actually more important—and while I do agree to a certain point, there's something telling about a players performance when they know everybody's watching.

Every NFL scout and team is watching to see how these players can perform in the spotlight and against other high-quality prospects.

Which players helped their NFL draft stock and which players will find themselves slipping after their East-West Shrine Game performances? 

Check it out:

Winners

B.J. Coleman, QB, Tennessee-Chattanooga

For all intents and purposes Coleman may have been the biggest winner in this game, and he really needed that to be the case. 

He only played seven games this season due to a shoulder injury—which is obviously a huge concern for scouts—but he came out in this game completing 10-of-15 for 170 yards, including a span of throwing 6-for-6 ending in a touchdown.

This is a case where he needed to prove that he may be worth the risk and at least worth a developmental pick.

His NFL prospects aren't as a starter, but he may have the chance to be a solid backup and perhaps work his way up in time.

His performance in this game proved that he has the necessary intangibles.

B.J. Cunningham, WR, Michigan State

If there's a wide receiver coming into the 2012 draft with the most steal potential it would be Cunningham in my opinion, and his performance at the East-West Shrine Game went a long way in backing that up.

He has great hands and a good nose for the end zone, but he's not necessarily a speed threat at the NFL level, so he needed to step up and prove he can be a good possession guy.

He caught a 17-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and displayed all of the positive assets about him during his time on the field.

Many feel he can end up as a solid third-option in the NFL, but I think in time and in the right system he could develop into a very dangerous No. 2 possession receiver.

Bobby Rainey, RB, Western Kentucky

There are a ton of NFL teams that are desperately searching for a solid third-down, "scat-back" that can be a threat to run, but can also be very dangerous catching passes out of the backfield.

The catch is, nobody wants to take that player with a high pick.

Rainey may have done himself a huge favor with his performance at the East-West Shrine Game. He played an integral role in the West's win—catching at 10-yard pass and notching a 16-yard run in the drive that put the West ahead for good.

He finished the game with 36 yards on the ground on six attempts, and 24 receiving yards on four catches.

He proved that he may be a great option in the latter rounds of the draft for a team looking for a solid third-down back they can develop and use on special teams.

Losers

Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas

All week long I heralded Wright as easily one of the best NFL prospects in this game, but he didn't do himself any favors.

For a player that is so fast and talented he didn't really stand out, finishing the game with just two catches and 50 yards.

This is a player that may have late second-round talent, so he should have been able to dominate this game.

I think he'll bounce back in the combine, as he still possesses the speed and agility that makes him so dangerous, but overall I can't help but feeling disappointed.

John Brantley, QB, Florida

Brantley came into this game as a quarterback that dealt with injuries this season, but possessed the raw talent to make him intriguing enough for NFL scouts.

He was absolutely horrible in this game—completing 1-of-6 for just 21 yards— and he really hurt himself as far as the draft is concerned.

In a game like this you only have a small window to make an impact, and only completing one of your passes is not the kind of impact you want to make.

There were questions about Brantley coming into this game, and now there are even more.