NFL Draft 2012: 8 Disappointing Prospects Who Most Need Good Scouting Combine

Sometimes, a second chance is all someone needs.

In the case of these NFL prospects, a second chance may be all they get.

The NFL Combine may be the only chance these players get to prove themselves, as either shoddy play during the regular season or in the postseason and all-star games have left them needing this exposure in the worst way.

While these athletes are poked, prodded and then questioned about everything under the sun, in reality the only things that matter are a fast 40-time, how many reps can they do in the workout room and whether they can pass the Wonderlic Test.

These prospects need a good showing to help their draft status.

Zebrie Sanders, Tackle, Florida State

He was considered a first-round talent. Then he got to the postseason and seemed to fall apart.

The play and effort at the Senior Bowl was less than sub-par. He could be a wall at 6'6" and 308 pounds, but also seemed to be easily moved around off the snap in Mobile.

Sanders must prove to have a more solid foundation if he is to be a second- or third-round choice.

Alfonzo Dennard, Defensive Back, Nebraska

Dennard was injured during Senior Bowl week and did not look as fluid as he needed to be.

He also did not play in the game, contributing to a some questions about his draft stock.

Dennard may not be in the top tier of defenders in the this draft, but he is certainly in the second tier and a second- or third-round slot could be for the taking with a solid workout.

Ty Hilton, Recevier, Florida International

During the college season, he was on everyone's draft board. Now, it may be a situation where other draftable players are moving up the charts while Hilton is staying put.

At 5"10 and with a 4.48 speed, Hilton can be a slot receiver or help in the return game for an NFL team.

A strong showing means he is moving up the draft board again.

Alshon Jeffery, Receiver, South Carolina

Jeffery is not the 45th-ranked prospect by CBSSportsline.com. That is a pretty far tumble from being a top five prospect before the college football season.

Who knows where the big receiver will land in the draft? He could still be a top 10 selection or fall to the bottom of the round or he could fall out of the first round. That would be a disaster.

Jeffery needs to come to the Combine and light it up for scouts to solidify his spot. Then, it is possible teams will be trying to trade up into the top half of the draft for him like teams may do for Justin Blackmon.

Brandon Weeden, Quarterback, Oklahoma State

Weeden had a great senior season at Oklahoma State and helped the Cowboys get into the national title picture.

He looked great in the workouts and scrimmages at the Senior Bowl. And when it came time to show his stuff in a live game, well, things unraveled.

Maybe Weeden needs this showing more than most quarterbacks to rebuild some confidence.

I believe he is a third-round prospect this year. He has good arm strength and acumen to make all the throws.

He should do well and boost his stock again.

Ben Jones, Center, Georgia

He played against some of the best competition in the SEC this past year and looked the part as a major player on the Bulldogs offensive line.

Jones went to the Senior Bowl and was manhandled by opposing defenders. That is not supposed to happen when you are one of the top centers coming out in the draft.

Jones needs a strong showing at the Combine. It may not be about size and strength or weight reps. It may be more about technique and how well he can sell himself as a top prospect to scouts who have already seen him once in the postseason.

Vontaze Burfict, Linebacker, Arizona State

In a perfect world, Vontaze Burfict would be off the charts, taking home millions as this year's top pick in the draft. But this is not a perfect world, and Burfict is not a perfect player.

He has ideal size at 6'3" and 250 pounds and the speed to catch running backs and receivers out of the backfield. But that does not mean anything. Scouts and teams want to know more about his attitude and his intensity he displays on the field and off.

Burfict needs to come to the Combine and talk with scouts, play the game, be the nice guy, show he can tone it down some.

A lot of intensity is not such a bad thing. Being intense beyond repair is. And that could hurt this player's draft stock.

John Brantley, Quarterback, Florida

He was supposed to be the next great passer at Florida.

He was supposed to come in and replace Tim Tebow and make the transition from the spread to a pro-style offense easy as punch.

He was supposed to be a Heisman candidate.

None of those things happened. Brantley needs a great Combine to show he can be a quarterback in a pro offense and that he can lead a team to wins and become a great clock manager.