2012 NFL Mock Draft: Which Prospects Need Best Scouting Combine Showings?

It's certain to say that every 2012 NFL Draft prospect will need a strong showing at the combine in late February.

That being said, some need to impress more than others, whether it is because of injuries, attitude problems and/or lack of production. So, here are a few to really keep an eye on throughout the process.

Full view of NFL Scouting Combine list.

Cliff Harris: CB, Oregon

For one, Oregon's Cliff Harris is an underclassman. However, after some off the field issues he rarely saw the field in 2011 and his collegiate career was cut short.

So, despite completely dominating the 2010 season with four punt return touchdowns, six interceptions and 23 defended passes, Harris still needs to prove that on a more consistent basis. He didn't play in the East-West Shrine game and, as an underclassmen, obviously didn't play in the Senior Bowl.

Therefore, we haven't really seen his true self on the field since the 2010 National Championship Game against Auburn. The 2011 season in short, though, is hopefully not how Harris will want to be remembered.

He is, however, a solid lockdown corner in zone or man coverage and a reliable tackler. Harris' instincts and ability to quickly react make him a great athlete, so the tangible qualities are second to none.

Alshon Jeffery: WR, South Carolina

Considered a considered first-round pick that could easily slip into round two, South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery has a lot of room for improvement despite his raw talent.

His 6'4", 230-pound frame is monstrous for a rookie receiver and Jeffery will be, at the very least, a dominating threat inside the red zone. That said, he lacks quickness and effort on run-blocking, but has excellent hands and knows how to use his size against defenders.

Jeffery was also subject to having Stephen Garcia and the inexperienced Connor Shaw as his quarterbacks with the Gamecocks, so he will welcome an NFL quarterback. Jeffery still caught 137 passes for 2,279 yards and scored 17 touchdowns between 2010 and 2011.

At the combine he will simply need to prove the potential we all know is there, however, Jeffery has yet to really put it all on display.

Cyrus Gray: RB, Texas A&M

There is no doubt that Texas A&M's Cyrus Gray has solid talent to be an NFL running back and/or return man. In his final two seasons with the Aggies, Gray compiled 2,178 rushing and 490 receiving yards along with a career total of 2,349 kickoff return yards.

Gray, however, does have a lot to prove at the combine because he missed the Aggies' final two games of 2011 as well as the Senior Bowl. So, despite all his reliable production, what it mainly comes down to is recent health and numbers.

As he progressed through his college career, Gray saw less and less time on kickoff returns thanks to a greater role on offense. Well, currently slated as a late third/early fourth-round pick, Gray will likely start out as a return specialist.

To that end, with an impressive performance at the combine he could potentially be a late second-rounder. But a poor showing will only decrease his stock even more as that late season injury becomes more concerning.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati (From OAK): Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)
2. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	18. San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
4. Cleveland Browns: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	20. Tennessee Titans: Mohamed Sanu, WR (Rutgers)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
6. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	22. Cleveland (From ATL): Vontaze Burfict, LB (ASU)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (UNC)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE (UNC)	25. Denver Broncos: Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Nick Perry, DE (USC)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)	31. New England Patriots: Mark Barron, Safety (Alabama)
16. New York Jets: Brandon Thompson, DE (Clemson)	32. New York Giants: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)

John Rozum on Twitter.