NFL Draft 2012: 10 Prospects That Will Take Scouting Combine by Storm

While most NFL scouts and coaches will tell you that the film is more important than the numbers a player puts up at the combine, each year there are a handful of players that make a lot of money with their performances in Indianapolis.

Click through to see the list of players that will take the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine by storm.

Zach Brown

There are rumors out there that Zach Brown will run a sub 4.45 at the Combine.  If he does, people will not be able to stop talking about him.

As a linebacker, it is going to be especially important for Brown to run well, because he is not known as a hard hitter.  His best attribute is that he can cover sideline to sideline against the run and the pass.  His stock will take a huge hit if he does not run well.

David Wilson

David Wilson is another guy who is going to put up an insane 40 time.  Some people think he might be able to come in under 4.4.

Wilson burst onto the scene last season when he rushed for 1,709 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior at Virginia Tech.  He declared for the draft because there is no where for him to go but down after those numbers.

It is going to be important for Wilson to run well because he still has a chance to be a first round pick.  He is in the mix to be the second best running back in the draft behind Trent Richardson.

Kendall Wright

The No. 2 wide receiver position in this draft is wide open.  Kendall Wright might just step and claim the spot if he runs in the 4.3s as some are speculating.  He has been called a DeSean Jackson type in the last few weeks.

Teams are in desperate need of a guy who can stretch the field in today's NFL.  Wright could end up a top 15 pick if he is able to post a 4.3.  Do not forget that Ted Ginn was a top 10 pick a few years ago purely based on his speed.

Trent Richardson

Trent Richardson is the consensus number one running back in the draft.  He does not need to perform well to improve his stock, but you can bet he is going to put up some really strong numbers.

Richardson will probably run a little bit faster than most people expect, but the thing that will have people buzzing is his strength.  He holds numerous records in the Alabama weight room.

You can see Richardson's strength by the way he throws away guys with his stiff arm on the field.  People will be even more impressed with the numbers he puts up.

Whitney Mercilus

Each year there is a defensive end that takes the combine by storm but ends up being a bust because he cannot play football.  This year that guy will be Whitney Mercilus.  People will be talking about how crazy it is to see a guy that weighs 265 pounds run in the 4.7s.

The scary thing about Mercilus is that he has only shown one season of production.  That one season was pretty monstrous, 16 sacks, but one year guys are always a little risky.

Lamar Miller

Lamar Miller will be battling David Wilson for the No. 2 running back spot in this draft.  A good showing at the combine will get him that spot.

The key for Miller will be how he runs.  There he no doubt he can be a good running back.  His 1,900 plus yards over the last couple of seasons prove that, but if he runs something 4.45 or under he will be the talk of the combine, which will be enough to get him into the first round.

Janoris Jenkins

Janoris Jenkins might be the best cover corner in this draft.  Morris Claiborne is a better all-around corner, but even he might not have the cover skills of Jenkins.

Right now there is not that much buzz around him because of the problems he had at Florida, but teams will be buzzing about him after seeing him workout at the combine.  Do not be surprised if he ends up being the second corner selected in this draft.

Michael Brockers

Michael Brockers has been rising up draft boards for the last few weeks.  He is a special athlete that can do things at over 300 pounds that don't seem natural.

He will be much faster than most of the other prospects at defensive tackle.  That will have teams thinking about different ways he can make their defense versatile.  Look for the him to be in the mix for a top 15 slot after the combine.

Michael Floyd

Michael Floyd is another guy that is in the mix for that second receiver slot.  He is a much bigger target than Kendall Wright, so his 40 time is not as important as Wright's.

With that being said, a really impressive 40 time could secure the second reviver slot for Floyd.  He is going to blow teams away in his interviews because he is a really smart kid, and people at Notre Dame rave about his work ethic.  Expect him to shoot up boards.

Orson Charles

This is a weak draft at the top for tight ends.  Orson Charles is clearly the best tight end, but right now most people have him pegged as a second round pick.  A good performance at the combine could get him into the first round.

Charles is an athletic freak.  He will run an eye-popping 40 time that will have teams fantasizing about the matchup problems he can create for the opposing defense.  You can also expect him to catch everything that is thrown his way in the pass catching drills.