Senior Bowl 2012: Quinton Coples and More Players Soaring at Senior Bowl

The Senior Bowl is our first taste of some big-time players hitting the NFL draft. Momentum on the big board is made far before the kickoff, though. Here are the future pros that are going off this week in practice. 

The biggest names in could-be's and might-pan-out's have been hitting it hard in Mobile, Alabama for the Senior Bowl. The big game is nice and all, but there isn't much that can be ascertained on a couple routes or a few snaps. 

The practices get a great deal of weight, and there have been some stars creeping out as draft board movers and shakers. 

Quinton Coples, North Carolina DE

The book on Coples was that he would take some plays off and just lacked the consistency needed to land on a team's first-round draft board. 

That has all changed with dominating practices for the North Carolina star. Russ Lande of The SportingNews reports: 

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For a 280-plus pound defensive end, he displayed an uncommon burst off the ball and quick hands to defeat pass blocks. He also showed good hand use and great strength to be a dominant power rusher.

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It would be hard for any team to ignore the skills and power that Coples brings to the table. If he slays the combine, you can see Coples land in the top 10. 

Kirk Cousins, Michigan State QB

There are plenty of teams that need starting quarterbacks. The more sure they are of second-round and later player, the less trading we might see for someone like Robert Griffin. 

Cousins had issues winning the big game at Michigan State, but he may well be on his way to a fine NFL career. 

Cousins is throwing the ball with accuracy and a great deal of power. His arm strength is turning heads and the only knock now is he is looking a little thin. 

Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama CB

Jenkins may be a shutdown corner, but he will have to shed the stigma of a small-program stud, as well as the fact he was dismissed from Florida for off-field issues. Well, he is on the right track in Mobile. 

Jenkins was fast and explosive on the ball. He may see a rise in his stock if he can convince teams he is a changed man. 

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