Senior Bowl 2012: NFL Draft First-Rounders Taking Part in Senior Special

The Senior Bowl is a chance for borderline first-round picks of the 2012 NFL draft to get over the hump. This year there are roughly seven such players currently projected to be taken in the first round.

Some of them are locks, while others are still a strong Senior Bowl away from solidifying their spot. Here’s a look at all seven players that should be the top standouts on Saturday in Mobile, Ala.

Better play your best, scouts will be watching.

Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Adams has been one of the standouts thus far in practice. He has long arms and is able to control his blocks while sliding his feet well.

As long as he keeps it up on Saturday, Adams is going to end up being a top-20 pick despite being a member of the infamous “Tattoo Five” that forced him to miss the first five games of his senior season.

Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

It’s been a roller-coaster ride of a week for Dennard, who plays the ball spectacularly but has the tendency to give up way too cushion.

According to Wes Bunting of the National Football Post, receivers have been winning one-on-one battles against him all week long as his speed was less than stellar.

Will it be enough to knock him out of the first round? Saturday is a big test for Dennard.

Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Bunting called Jenkins a bit rusty overall on Wednesday, but he still has all the skills you look for in an NFL corner.

The Senior Bowl and combine are big tests for Jenkins.

Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama

The defensive MVP of the championship game has the sort of strength and leverage at the point of attack to be a dominant pass-rusher in the NFL.

There is little doubt that Upshaw has the ability to be a Pro Bowler sooner rather than later. His Senior Bowl performance really won’t have much effect on the potential top-10 pick.

Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

He has been incredibly solid in practice because of his impressive speed from the “Will” linebacker position.

Right now he is a borderline first-rounder that can solidify his status with a big game on Saturday.

Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples’ lateral quickness is off the charts and his length helps him blow by the offensive linemen in his way.

He has been one of the biggest ceilings of any player playing in the Senior Bowl and is a sure-fire first-round pick.

Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

He has great natural quickness and can control blockers with his long arms. He is ideal for a team like the Cincinnati Bengals, which incorporates a power running scheme.