2012 NFL Mock Draft: Scouting Combine Invites Who Could Make Major Pushes
Every year a few NFL draft prospects drastically improve their stock with scouts, head coaches and general managers at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
This year is no different.
The following players have a great opportunity to put on a show in Indianapolis and shoot up draft boards in what will be the biggest job interview of their lives.
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Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
Jenkins began his collegiate career with the Florida Gators but he was dismissed from the team due to off-field issues.
He was given an opportunity by North Alabama and, not surprisingly, flourished in the Division II ranks in 2011.
At nearly 5'10'' and 195 pounds, Jenkins has the ideal NFL cornerback body type. He's a special athlete that that could really springboard up draft boards into the middle of the first round with a strong showing in the jumping and speed events, especially the ever-famous 40-yard dash where he should run a sub-4.4.
Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
Ingram was a key cog on the Gamecocks' defense for the last two seasons, racking up 19 sacks in 2010 and 2011 combined.
He's a shade below 6'2'' but is an elite athlete and carries his 278 pounds exceptionally well. Ingram hustles on every play and possesses the suddenness and tenacity to continual wreak havoc in opponent's backfields.
With a slew of talented pass-rushers in this draft class, he'll have to separate himself from the rest by demonstrating his immense athleticism in the 40-yard dash, the cone drills and jumping events.
With a solid Scouting Combine, Ingram has the potential to cement himself as a top-10 selection on April 26th.
He could really "wow" the scouts and coaches with his tight end-type explosive and deceptive quickness.
Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
We're all keenly aware of how much stock coaches and general managers put into the 40-yard dash. You can say they place too much stock into this ultra-hyped event, but that's how it is. The NFL wants speed, especially at the skill positions.
Justin Blackmon is the consensus No. 1 receiver and shouldn't disappoint in Indianapolis.
After him, no one is quite sure which wideout will be selected next.
Some like South Carolina's Alson Jeffery. Other's slot Notre Dame's big-bodied receiver Michael Floyd into the middle of the first round.
Baylor's Kendall Wright has a great chance to surge up draft boards and be the second wideout taken, mainly because of his premier flat-line speed.
He was a terrorizing deep threat in the Big 12 this season and if he runs faster than a 4.4 40-yard dash, he could be the talk of the combine and ultimately become a top-15 selection.
2012 NFL Mock Draft (Pre-Combine Edition)
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. Washington Redskins (trade with St. Louis Rams): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
6. St. Louis Rams (trade with Washington Redskins): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DL, LSU
9. Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama
10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
11. Seattle Seahawks: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB Illinois
12. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State
16. New York Jets: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, Southern California
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia
19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
20. Tennessee Titans: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama
23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
25. Denver Broncos: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
26. Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT, Penn State
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Mark Barron, S, Alabama
28. Green Bay Packers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
30. San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
31. New England Patriots: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia
32. New York Giants, Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
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