Senior Bowl 2012: 10 Players Who Most Damaged Their Draft Stock

The Senior Bowl is one of the biggest stages for collegiate football players to show their stuff to scouts. The likes of Andy Dalton and Von Miller really helped their draft stock in last years game. 

Struggles are even more magnified on this stage and there were a lot of those today. Some of the key players heading into the Senior Bowl came out with their draft stock plummeting after sub-par play. 

This article is going to focus on ten players who saw their draft stock take a dramatic hit today. 

10. Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri

I had Michael Egnew as the third ranked tight end entering Senior Bowl week. He comes out of it probably as nothing more than a fifth round pick in my books. 

The former Missouri tight end continually struggled to get open today, didn't show us anything in terms of receiving ability and whiffed on a few blocks. 

If his goal was to impress NFL scouts today, it failed miserably. 

9. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

His stat line wasn't too bad, but that isn't what I look at in regards to games like these. Rather, I take a deep look at what it takes to be considered an NFL caliber player. Right now I just don't see that in Kellen Moore. 

He didn't get much zip on ball today and struggled a great deal when pressure came up the gut, not stepping up cleanly in the pocket. 

I had Kellen Moore with a late sixth round grade prior to Senior Bowl week. He now seems more like an undrafted free agent. 

8. Donnie Fletcher, CB, Boston College

Ryan Lindley and the southern quarterbacks picked on Donnie Fletcher all game long. If they were more accurate with the ball, the former Boston College player would have been burnt for multiple touchdowns. 

He struggled staying with receivers on the outside, showed extremely stiff hips and couldn't make plays on the ball when he was actually in position to. 

What was a mid-round grade is now probably a sixth or seventh round grade. This is how bad Donnie Fletcher was today. 

7. Ryan Lindley, QB, San Diego State

Scouts were all over Ryan Lindley in regards to his accuracy since the 2011 college football season came to an end. Well, they weren't wrong. He struggled so bad today with that accuracy that it has become apparent that the former San Diego State signal caller is going to be a mid-round reach at this point. 

He missed multiple receivers up the middle, one in the end zone when A.J. Jenkins had beaten the aforementioned Donnie Fletcher. 

Accuracy is something you cannot teach and Ryan Lindley doesn't have it. What was a third round grade two weeks ago has now become a seventh round grade. 

6. Chris Polk, RB, Washington

I will disagree with my colleague, Matt Miller here. Chris Polk struggled a great deal and no longer has a first round grade in my book. He didn't show the patience in the backfield that is required at the next level. Instead, Polk struggled between the hashes and didn't follow his blockers through lanes. 

He also failed to get to the outside on a couple different occasions. This is only going to be magnified against better competition in the NFL. 

The good news is that Polk has three months to rebuild a draft stock that was previously on the rise. 

5. Jeff Fuller, WR, Texas A&M

Probably the most disappointing receiver during the 2011 season, Fuller has added more negativity to a stock that continues to plummet. He dropped a couple passes today, couldn't get separation at the line and didn't run crisp routes. 

He has all the athletic ability in the world, but just has not been able to put it together in front of scouts. Make no mistake about it, they sure noticed that this week. The former Texas A&M receiver has probably seen his draft stock fall three or four rounds and is now a seventh round prospect.

4. Kelechi Osemele, OL, Iowa State

One thing that we learned today is that Kelechi Osemele will only be drafted to play inside in the NFL. He doesn't have the necessary technique to hold his own on the outside. This was apparent against speedier pass rushers. 

He is more of a grabber, which doesn't translate well to playing tackle at the next level. Instead of being a late first round pick at that position, the former Iowa State linemen is probably the fourth best guard in the draft behind David DeCastro, Cordy Glenn and Kevin Zeitler. 

3. Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin

Having athleticism and being able to throw on the move outside the hashes is one thing. Being comfortable in the pocket and making accurate throws when not in motion is another story. 

Russell Wilson airmailed multiple passes today, looked horrible in the pocket and showed a lack of field awareness. This may not hinder his game in college, but it is sure to do that in the NFL. 

2. DeVier Posey, WR, Ohio State

DeVier Posey was suspended for the first ten games of the 2011 season, so these type of events are where he really needs to show his stuff. 

This didn't happen in the Senior Bowl. His route running was absolutely horrendous and he dropped multiple passes. His performance in the red zone also has to be cause for alarm. Dropped a beautifully thrown pass by Kellen Moore in the end zone and stopped mid-route on an interception towards the back of the end zone late in the first half. 

Being rusty is one thing. Making mental and physical mistakes in a real game situation is another thing. Posey really hurt his draft stock today. 

1. Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins got turned around a great deal, bit on double moves and struggled on man-coverage outside. His hips were extremely stiff going downfield and he struggled against really good competition.

 
It was so bad that I had to rewind my DVR a couple times to make sure that it was Jenkins that I was watching. 

We do have to realize that the Senior Bowl doesn't allow corners to play press coverage, which is a strength of Jenkins'. Still, he continually looked bad and didn't look comfortable out there. 
What was a late first round grade has now become a second round grade.