NFL Draft 2012: 7 Prospects NFL Teams Should Pass on

Post-Super Bowl blues got you down? Nonsense! The NFL season never ends! The draft may not be until April, but there is a lot to look forward to between now and then, starting with the NFL combine in a few short weeks. 

By now, teams are wrapping up their film study and starting to target for whom they are interested in taking a further look at over the next few weeks. 

Here is a list of seven guys you should hope your team is staying far away from this draft season. 

Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Brockers is one of the more interesting prospects of this draft. Of all of the interior linemen in this class, Brockers probably has the most raw talent with his 6'6", 306-lb. frame. 

He does play the run well and can take on double-teams, but as a pass-rusher, he is very raw. He doesn't use great pad level and gets flushed out at times. Too often he will end up in an upright position and negated from the play. 

Ideally, he fits as a three-technique lineman in a 4-3 system, but if you cannot rush the passer consistently from that spot at the college level, I would have a hard time taking a gamble on him in the first round. 

His upside and natural talent is going to intrigue a lot of teams, and he may go early in the first round. However, history tells us that selecting defensive linemen early is one of the biggest gambles you can take in the draft. Unless you have a can't-miss prospect like Ndamukong Suh or Marcell Dareus, taking linemen with question marks early can blow up in your face. 

Brockers can turn out to be a great player, but his tape is just not impressive enough to take a big gamble on. 

Chris Polk, RB, Washington

If you're going to take a running back in the first round, he had better be a special player. Unless you're getting Adrian Peterson or Chris Johnson (pre-2011 version), the production does not match the value of the pick. 

That's exactly why teams should let someone else take a chance on Chris Polk of Washington. 

Polk is a very solid running back with few weaknesses; he's quick, can change direction and runs with good pad level. He's good in blitz pickup, which is a unique trait for college runners.

The problem with Polk is, simply put, he is not that explosive. When you watch him run, there are few plays that "wow" you with talent. Running backs can certainly be successful in the NFL without top-end speed and explosion, but Polk's is just too mediocre to warrant a first-round selection. 

If you team is looking for a running back, it should turn its attention to real game-breakers like Trent Richardson and David Wilson and let someone else take Polk. 

Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

It is always important to keep Senior Bowl week in perspective, but it is hard to ignore the issues Alfonzo Dennard had in Mobile, Ala. He was consistently getting beat by mediocre receivers. He was also injured before the end of the week, which does not help his stock. 

He has a tough time cleanly flipping his hips and running and often loses his balance trying to be too physical. Because of his tendency to be aggressive, he lets receivers get behind him, which was evidenced on multiple occasions at the Senior Bowl. 

He is good in press man coverage, but when in off and zone coverage, he looks out of place. Just about the only thing he does well is press receivers at the line, where he still has some technique issues. 

It remains to be seen whether or not Dennard's issues at the Senior Bowl were an anomaly, but for now, I would let someone else take a chance on him. 

Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

Casual observers will look to Moore's stats and wins and immediately pronounce him as a viable option a a starter at the next level. This is, simply put, nonsense. 

Moore is the definition of a system quarterback. He has great anticipation of routes, throwing the ball before the receiver come out of his break. However, once that pass has to travel more than 10 yards, his arm and accuracy are exposed.

Arm strength may be a bit overrated in evaluating quarterbacks, but there is a certain level a player must be at in that area in order to play in the NFL, and Moore falls short. He is not going to force defense to play him honestly.

If you want to see the effects of a noodle arm in the NFL, watch how defenses play Colt McCoy and Tyler Palko—it is just too easy for defenses if they don't have to respect a quarterback's arm. 

The only reason for drafting him is his high football acumen and work ethic. Otherwise, he may not even be worth a draft pick. 

Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery may be the most talented receiver of this deep class, but I would have a hard time picking him in the first round. 

Jeffery has the ideal frame for a top receiver, but he is not as explosive off the line as you would like. He is great at jump-ball situations and can use his body to shield defenders, but the may struggle to gain a lot of separation at the next level. 

However, what concerns me the most are his character concerns. South Carolina's quarterback play was poor during his senior season, but he did not do much to help the issue. He is not overly fast, but concerns about him gaining weight this season do nothing to help that perception. 

If he comes to the combine and in shape and puts up good numbers, my opinion might change. For now, I wouldn't count on it. 

As talented as this kid is, it would not surprise me at all to see him slip to the second round. Too often we have seen receivers let their "diva" image ruin their career, and Jeffery is showing all of the signs of going down that path. 

Mark Barron, S, Alabama

With safeties in such high demand around the league and with this year's class being so thin at the position, Mark Barron's stock will be quite high at the draft. 

Barron is great against the run and is not afraid to get physical. He also possesses great ball skills and can cover a lot of ground in a hurry. 

My issues with Barron are his stiff hips and inability to change direction. He struggles with technique in man coverage and takes a long time to recover from missteps. NFL safeties and slot receivers are going to abuse a player with iffy footwork and technique. 

Barron can certainly develop into a good player, but he will likely be pushed up draft boards because of the lack of competition he has with the rest of this year's safety class. 

Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State

Zebrie certainly looks the part to be an NFL offensive tackle, being 6'6" with long arms. But after watching him struggle mightily at the Senior Bowl, his ability to block NFL defensive ends is certainly in question. 

Sanders fits the more athletic mold of offensive tackles and should be at least decent in pass protection with his quick get-off. 

The issue with Sanders is how he struggles with power; he has a tough time holding up with bull rushes, and it showed on the Senior Bowl practice field.

I might take a chance on Sanders in the third round or later, but it would be a mistake to pick a guy who can't handle a bull rush as early as some have him projected.