2012 NFL Draft: Prospects Who Improved Their Stock at Senior Bowl

The Senior Bowl can be absolutely brutal. One bad week of practice or one bad game can simply plummet your draft stock.

Just think about that. Some players who had a bad two or three hours on Saturday quite possibly lost more than a million dollars.

Rough.

On the other hand, plenty of players made their week, well, not brutal. And since we're all about positivity here at Gobias Industries, here's a look at the players who improved their stock. 

Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati

Defenders just about Pead themselves when Isaiah was running over, around and through them on special teams. Not only did he return two punts for 60 and 38 yards, he had several nice runs on offense, exploding through the holes and then making guys miss in the open field. 

After a year in which Pead averaged more than a yard less per carry, he desperately needed a good showing. I'd say a solid week of practice and the game's MVP qualifies as that. 

Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State

Cousins completed just five of 11 passes for 115 yards, but that's not really what scouts are looking for. Timing with receivers is almost impossible to perfect in a week, so there are going to be plenty of incompletions. 

What was more important, however, is that Cousins made the throws out of the pocket, displayed good zip on the ball and put his throws on the money almost every time. 

There were plenty of questions surrounding Cousins coming into this game, but after this performance, he could easily see an Andy-Dalton like stock rise in the next few months. 

Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington

That sound you hear is another guard or center being pancaked. 

Ta'amu was an absolute force in the middle of the North's defensive line, as he constantly pushed right through defenders and collapsed multiple pockets. He had multiple QB pressures and by the end of the game the South had to double team him almost every time. 

Ta'amu's strength is uncanny.

He was seen by many as a third or fourth-round pick coming into this game, but that should change very soon.