NFL Combine 2012: 5 Bold NFL Combine Predictions

In one short week the NFL offseason that isn't will kick its' annual insanity up an additional notch, as over 300 college football standouts descend on Indianapolis to be poked and prodded by coaches and scouts at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Every year the combine brings with it storylines and surprises galore. Here's a look at a handful of happenings that will open some eyes in 2012.

Old Man Brandon Weeden Will Outshine the Young Guns at Quarterback

The spotlight leading up to the combine is firmly focused on Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck and Baylor signal caller Robert Griffin, who could well be the first two players selected in April's NFL draft.

However, when the dust settles Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden will be the player who draws the ravest reviews under center, and NFL teams are going to have to start paying more attention to Weeden's considerable skills and impressive resume instead of the pursuit of a professional baseball career left him as a 28-year-old rookie to be.

Kendall Wright Will Be a Shooting Star in Indianapolis

For Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin to assemble his Heisman Trophy winning 2011 campaign he needed someone to throw passes to, and quite a few of them found their way into the hands of wide receiver Kendall Wright, who topped 100 receptions and 1,600 yards for the Bears last year.

The combine will provide an excellent arena in which for Wright to showcase his blazing speed and agility, and by the time the curtain closes Wright's relatively diminutive 5'10" frame won't be talked about nearly as much as his outstanding athleticism.

Vontaze Burfict Will Shoot Himself in the Foot...Again

Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict has all the talent necessary to be a standout player in the National Football League, and at 6'3" and 250 pounds the Sun Devils standout is projected by some to be a first-round selection in April's draft.

However, Burfict's stock is already falling amid reports that he's out of shape, and with Burfict's million dollar talents seemingly attached to a ten cent head, Burfict's questionable work ethic and poor combine showing will dash any first-round aspirations he may have had.

Chris Rainey Will Reign Supreme as the Combine's Fastest Man

Each year at the NFL combine the most scrutinized drill is the 40-yard dash, and a great deal of attention is paid to the collegiate player who runs the fastest 40 in Indianapolis.

This year that player will be University of Florida running back Chris Rainey, and after the 5'9" 174-pound speedster rips off a 4.26 40, he'll be the subject of a ton of publicity that will boost his draft stock considerably.

Many More People Will Know the Name Trumaine Johnson

In today's pass happy National Football League, good cornerbacks are worth their weight in gold, and coaches are constantly looking for ways to bolster their defensive backfields.

One option for doing so will avail itself at the combine, as after toiling in obscurity at the University of Montana, cornerback Trumaine Johnson will have an opportunity to showcase his talents on a much bigger stage in Indianapolis.

The 6'2" 204-pounder will take full advantage of that opportunity, and Johnson will leave the combine a much hotter commodity than when he entered.