2012 NFL Draft: 10 Most Intriguing Players in Senior Bowl

The Senior Bowl is a chance for players to improve their stock in the NFL draft, and this year's game has some players to watch.

Every year there are players that showcase their talent before scouts. Matt Forte, Philip Rivers, Larry Johnson and LaDainian Tomlinson have all won MVP of the Senior Bowl while going on to have success at the next level. 

While Saturday's game features talented players like Courtney Upshaw of Alabama and Melvin Ingram of South Carolina, the game will be more interesting to watch the athletes in the middle looking to move up draft boards.

These men will be looking to get noticed with stand-out performances.

Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

Kellen Moore has won more college football games than anyone else in history, but not many believe that he can do it at the next level.

He had incredible accuracy throughout his career, but his lack of size and arm-strength are what will hurt him on draft day.

Moore also did not face elite competition on a consistent basis while playing at Boise State, so the Senior Bowl will be a great opportunity for him to shine against the top players in the country.

With a good game, the quarterback has a chance to be taken in the middle rounds.

Chris Polk, RB, Washington

Chris Polk, who was academically a senior this season, is one of the best running back prospects in the country. 

He rushed for over 1,400 yards in each of the past two seasons, and he improved on his receiving ability this year with 31 catches for 332 yards.

While Polk has good size and speed, most defenses in the Pac-12 do not have the type of team-speed that can hang with a top running back. This game will prove his worth as a player that should be taken in the first two rounds.

Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

You never want to end your college career with an ejection, but that is what will happen when you start throwing punches in the bowl game. 

The lasting impression on scouts of Alfonzo Dennard is the fight he had with Alshon Jeffery, so Dennard will need to rebuild his credibility.

With an entire week of practice ran by NFL coaching staffs, the cornerback can prove that he is truly a hard worker and a great player, and that the incident with Jeffery was a mistake.

Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas

Joe Adams was one of the most exciting players in college football but his stats do not reflect his talent.

The Arkansas receiver finished the year with only 652 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

His outstanding punt return against Tennessee showed his agility that could translate to the NFL.

The Senior Bowl will give him one more opportunity to turn heads after being overlooked this season with such poor numbers.

Quinton Coples, DL, North Carolina

Quinton Coples was forced to change positions a couple of times during his career at North Carolina. At the Senior Bowl, the coaches will begin to find the best spot for him.

Coples spent time at both defensive tackle and defensive end and was successful at both. At 281 pounds, he might be too light to play inside in the NFL.

Either way, he should still be taken in the beginning of the first round and be an impact player for years to come.

Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Janoris Jenkins was an All-SEC cornerback at Florida but he was removed from the team following multiple drug-related arrests. 

He spent this season at Division II North Alabama and there are not as many scouts in attendance for those games.

Jenkins might be the player with the most to prove this week, as he needs to show that he still has the talent to be worth a first-round pick.

The cornerback will be a risky selection for whichever team selects him, But a solid game covering top receivers will make teams feel better about taking that chance.

Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State

Kirk Cousins could be one of the biggest quarterback sleepers in the 2012 NFL draft.

While he will not be taken until late, the three-year starter at Michigan State had a very successful college career. Cousins also has good height for the position, measuring at 6'2 1/2" during practices this week.

The quarterback could end up being similar to T.J. Yates with the Houston Texans, a confident quarterback who can come in off the bench and be a good game-manager.

Kelechi Osemele, OL, Iowa State

Kelechi Osemele was a very successful left tackle throughout his college career. 

He was selected first-team All-Big 12 and was a driving force behind Iowa State reaching a bowl game.

Unfortunately, scouts like Todd McShay believe that does not have enough lateral quickness to remain at this position in the NFL. If he moves to guard, he could be an elite force and possibly a Pro Bowl player.

This Saturday will be the first chance teams will get to see him at this new position.

DeVier Posey, WR, Ohio State

DeVier Posey was supposed to have a breakout year with Ohio State, but suspensions allowed the receiver to only play the last three games of the season. 

During his sophomore and junior season, Posey totaled 1,676 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. This year, however, he was only able to gain 162 yards.

Posey is an interesting prospect with solid size and above average speed.

But he will need a good performance in the Senior Bowl to remind NFL teams that he exists.

Nick Foles, QB, Arizona

NFL teams were upset when quarterbacks Matt Barkley and Landry Jones decided to return to school.

But Nick Foles was not.

The quarterback from Arizona has been on the radar of scouts for a few years, but he can now slide into the first round if NFL teams are desperate enough at the position.

Foles threw for 4,334 yards this season and completed 69.1 percent of his passes.

He needs to use this time to prove that he has the talent to be the third or fourth quarterback drafted.