NFL Combine 2012: 5 Potential 1st-Round Picks Who Need a Good Showing in Indy

Next week, hundreds of collegiate athletes will descend on Indianapolis for the 2012 NFL scouting combine, showcasing their skills for scouts and coaches in the hopes of fulfilling their dreams of one day playing in the National Football League.

For some of the 300-plus invitees, it's not a matter of if they'll be drafted, but when, and the difference between being selected in the first round or second can mean millions of dollars.

So, for this particular group of collegiate standouts, it's vital that they come up big at the combine.

Alshon Jeffery: WR, South Carolina

South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is one of the top players at his position in this year's draft class, with some experts—including Bleacher Report NFL Draft Lead Writer Matt Miller—pegging the 6'4", 229-pound Jeffery as a potential top-five pick.

However, reports are circulating that Jeffery isn't in the best of shape heading into the combine, and for a prospect whose biggest question mark is straight line speed, a bad 40-yard dash time at the combine due to poor conditioning would be a disaster.

Ryan Tannehill: QB, Texas A&M

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M was thought to be a possible top-10 pick in the 2012 NFL draft after Matt Barkley of USC and Landry Jones of Oklahoma chose to return to school for their senior years, but the foot injury that kept Tannehill from participating in the Senior Bowl has cast some doubts over the 6'4", 222-pound Tannehill's draft stock.

That same injury will prevent Tannehill from working out at the combine in Indianapolis, but if Tannehill is going to keep his hopes of being selected in the first round of the draft alive, it's vitally important that he wow teams in interviews and follow that up with a solid outing at Texas A&M's pro day.

Vontaze Burfict: LB, Arizona State

There's no questioning the talent of Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict, as the explosive 6'3", 250-pounder has shown the ability to take over games.

However, there's plenty to question regarding what's going on between Burfict's ears, as he's developed a reputation as a headcase who takes plays off and picks up cheap personal fouls.

More questions are now swirling about Burfict's work ethic after he reportedly showed up for pre-combine workouts in January out of shape, and Burfict is going to have quite a few concerns to allay in Indianapolis if he's going to solidify his status as a first-round pick.

Chris Polk: RB, Washington

Chris Polk enjoyed a stellar collegiate career at the University of Washington, as the 5'11", 222-pound running back topped 1,400 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons while scoring 21 touchdowns.

Polk's straight line speed and durability after two shoulder surgeries has been questioned heading into next week's combine, so if Polk has designs on being taken in the draft's first round, it's essential that he show up to Indianapolis in top shape and ready to impress.

Zach Brown: LB, North Carolina

Linebacker Zach Brown of North Carolina was one of the standouts at last month's Senior Bowl, with the 6'2", 230-pounder showing off his pursuit speed and athleticism in Mobile.

However, Brown's smallish size has led to the Tar Heels star being pigeonholed as a 4-3 weak side linebacker.

If Brown is going to either break that mold or convince a 4-3 team to reach for him in the first round of the draft, then he's going to need to follow that strong Senior Bowl outing up with a great combine.