2012 NFL Draft: Vontaze Burfict and 3 Other Players Falling Down Draft Board

With the NFL Draft Combine right around the corner, the nation's top prospects are gearing up to impress potential suitors come draft day. Well, some prospects that is.

Vontaze Burfict, among others, are rapidly falling down teams' draft boards. With the draft just two months away, these players must bring their "A" games to the combine and other workouts if they hope to maintain their high draft statuses.

Let's take a look at a few players whose stocks are declining quickly...

Vontaze Burfict

Burfict is as talented as they come. The 6'3", 250-lb linebacker is a monster of a defender who has made a name for himself with his tenacity and vicious hits on the field.

Recently, however, reports have surfaced about Burfict not taking the pre-draft process seriously. According to draft expert Tony Pauline, Burfict was out of shape and demonstrated softness at pre-combine training a few weeks ago.

Furthermore, Burfict was unable to complete fifteen reps of 225 lbs on the bench press, which for a first-round linebacker shouldn't be a problem.

There have always been issues with Burfict's attitude on the field. There were times at Arizona State where he looked uninterested and failed to show top-notch effort, both of which hurt his overall draft stock.

If you couple these issues with the recent developments regarding his fitness level, a drop into the second round is becoming more and more of a possibility for Burfict.

Mark Barron

Barron is regarded by some as the strongest of a relatively weak 2012 draft class as far as safeties are concerned.

Barron's skills are unquestioned; he possesses great instincts and is a surefire tackler. The problem right now for the former Alabama safety is not with his skill set, but rather with his health.

It has been noted that Barron recently had double-hernia surgery. The procedure will surely keep him out of next week's NFL combine, but the post-surgery rehabilitation may prevent him from working out at Alabama's pro day as well.

Barron is still the top safety in this class and although this injury isn't a serious one, the fact that teams won't have any combine results to work from may knock him down a peg or two on draft day.

Nick Toon

Toon possesses many of the skills of an ideal wide receiver. He has the size (6'3", 217 lbs) and athleticism to thrive at the next level.

Toon played in a run-dominant offense at Wisconsin and as a result, he often found himself overshadowed by the likes of Montee Ball and John Clay.

However, as the draft approaches, Toon has greater concerns than playing second fiddle to his running backs.

The former Badger is still nursing a foot injury that has bothered him for much of his career. He was forced to miss the Senior Bowl because of it, and by all indications he will be forced to skip the majority of the pre-draft workouts as well.

With a top-heavy wide receiver class led by Justin Blackmon, Toon now finds his draft stock in limbo. Toon better hope his injury heals and heals fast, otherwise he will be viewed as a high-risk selection come draft day.

Alshon Jeffery

Jeffery has quickly become one of the most scrutinized players of this year's draft. After following up a stellar junior campaign (88 catches, 1,517 yards) at South Carolina with just a mediocre senior season (49 catches, 762 yards), the former All-American has seen his stock slowly decline.

Now that the combine is finally upon us, Jeffery's status hasn't improved. According to draft expert Mike Mayock, Jeffery has fallen victim to poor conditioning. Mayock also noted Jeffery's inability to gain separation at the line of scrimmage.

The wide receiver must clock in with a quick 40-yard dash time at next week's combine if he hopes to dispel the rumors of him being out of shape.