NFL Combine 2012: 15 Prospects Who Will Dominate the 40, Bench and Other Drills

The 2012 NFL combine kicks off from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Feb. 22 this year. For the 300 or more top prospects looking to participate in some capacity, it is a chance to finally materialize their dreams of making it to the NFL.

This first step is often the most critical of the entire journey for NFL hopefuls. Prospects projected to be stars in the league can further cement their early selection in the draft, while lesser-known prospects can wow scouts and fans alike, causing them to shoot up draft boards.

The physical traits measured at the combine have an almost unfair impact on where and when a prospect is selected in the NFL draft, if at all. Whether it’s a running back shattering 40-yard dash records or a defensive tackle dominating the bench press drill, prospects better be on their A-game because this is their one shot to impress NFL teams.

Here are 15 prospects who will easily dominate drills at the 2012 NFL scouting combine.

Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Drill Wright Will Dominate: 40-Yard Dash

Kendall Wright continues to fly up draft boards as the draft approaches, and his performance at the combine will only continue to increase his stock. Wright is a pure athlete with great speed, and that is one of the most important things NFL teams look for these days in wide receivers.

Wright is one of the fastest players in the draft and has been measured at a 4.42 in the dash. As arguably the most important drill at the combine, look for Wright to embarrass most of the other receivers who participate in the drill while solidifying his case for being a mid to early first-round pick.

Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Drills Brockers Will Dominate: 40-Yard Dash and Bench Press

Michael Brockers is one of the most intriguing prospects coming into the combine. Many experts have Brockers as a top-10 talent, while others have trouble even placing him in the first round.

One thing is for sure—a defensive tackle with Brockers’ size and speed is hard to find, and a great combine performance will make him one of the hottest commodities come draft day.

Yes, Brockers is 6’5”, 306 lbs, but he will dominate the dash compared to all other defensive tackles. Brockers has measured at a 4.95 in the dash before—an absolutely jaw-dropping number for a player his size. He will also put up massive numbers in the bench press, making scouts quickly realize he is worth a top-five pick because of his freakish combination of strength and speed.

LaMichael James, RB, Oregon

Drills James Will Dominate: 40-Yard Dash, 3 Cone and Shuttle Run

LaMichael James has had a tough time convincing NFL scouts that he can contribute at the professional level, and understandably so. James is only 5’9”, 195 lbs and is projected as a third- to fourth-round pick.

What he lacks in size he makes up for in speed and elusiveness, which is something that is becoming more and more valuable in the NFL.

James will easily dominate any drill that involves straight-line speed or quickly changing direction without losing much speed. James is a pure athlete that is deadly in open space. Making opposing players miss is simple for him, and putting up the expected eye-popping numbers next week will do nothing but help his stock.

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Drills Claiborne Will Dominate: 40-Yard Dash and 3 Cone

Morris Claiborne would have to do a lot to hurt his stock in any way at this point. He is the best cornerback entering the NFL draft this year because of his cover skills. His elite physical numbers don’t hurt either. Claiborne is a massive, physical corner than excels in press coverage, making him a must have in the top 10 of the upcoming draft.

Claiborne changes direction at full speed with fluidity the NFL hasn’t seen in some time. He has been measured as having a 4.45 40-yard dash to boot, which makes him all the more attractive to potential suitors.

The only way Claiborne hurts his stock at the combine is if he suffers an injury; other than that he will have no issues making a fool of the other prospects.

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Drills Richardson Will Dominate: 40-Yard Dash and Bench Press

Trent Richardson isn’t human. He's 5’11", 224 lbs, bench presses 475 pounds with ease and runs a 4.5 40-yard dash. It’s no wonder he is being hailed as the best running back prospect to enter the draft since Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson. Richardson is a back that seeks out contact and vows that he never goes down on the first hit.

These drills won’t be an issue for Richardson. Where exactly he will be selected in the upcoming draft has come under heavy debate recently, but he can put the debate to bed with dominant numbers at the combine. If Richardson participates in the bench press, he should have one of the higher rep counts, and his 40 time will likely be one of the higher numbers for backs.

Chris Rainey, RB, Florida

Drill Rainey Will Dominate: 40-Yard Dash

Chris Rainey is one of the most versatile players entering the draft and is projected to be selected somewhere between the third and fourth round. Rainey was effective at Florida as a running back, receiver and special teams contributor. He fits the same mold as fellow former Gator Percy Harvin, now with the Minnesota Vikings.

Rainey has been clocked as low as a 4.24 40, and the official time is in the mid-4.3 range. His speed is unmatched, which is something most NFL scouts already know. Rainey will likely put up one of the best times at the combine in the hopes of reinforcing to teams that he can contribute at the professional level.

Josh Chapman, DT, Alabama

Drill Chapman Will Dominate: Bench Press

Josh Chapman is projected to go in the fifth round of the upcoming draft, but that will change after the combine. Chapman is an absolute monster that will garner more attention as the draft approaches. Chapman played in eight games last season with an torn ACL and meniscus—and his production didn’t falter.

Bench press is unfortunately the only drill Chapman is participating in at the combine because he is still recovering from surgery. He’ll make the most of his only drill—Chapman can bench 580 lbs with relative ease. Don’t be surprised to see Chapman break the combine record.

Chapman’s numbers and determination will likely impress scouts, resulting in him shooting up draft boards everywhere.

Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Drill Coples Will Dominate: 40-Yard Dash

Quinton Coples is another prospect that has been confusing scouts and potentially ruining mock drafts everywhere. Scouts have been having a hard time with Coples, who comes in too light to play defensive tackle, which limits him to the end position only.

Coples’ light weight at the Senior Bowl (281 lbs) makes it seem as if he is intent on playing the defensive end position at the next level.

By excelling in the dash at his position, Coples can convince scouts he can be an effective pass-rusher. Showing great burst off the line is something very important in the NFL because it allows defensive ends to reach the opposing quarterback quickly.

Coples won’t fall out of the first round, but he can surely influence how high he is picked by his performance at the combine.

Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Drill Jenkins Will Dominate: 40-Yard Dash

Janoris Jenkins is a player entering the combine with a massive amount of baggage, having been kicked off the Florida Gators squad two years ago, resulting in him having to play for small-school North Alabama.

Luckily for Jenkins, he is one of the most gifted athletes going to the combine, and that can make all the difference.

Jenkins has been recorded as running a 4.4 40, which is a solid number for a cornerback. His coverage skills aren’t in question at this point; he didn’t have trouble shutting down the likes of A.J. Green while he played for Florida.

If Jenkins can dominate the drills he participates in and have solid interviews, he will easily be a top-15 to top-20 pick come draft day.

Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Drill Still Will Dominate: Bench Press

Devon Still is a massive tackle that was a dominant force in college when it came to stopping the run. Still is the type of player that makes everyone around him better because he takes up so many offensive linemen on any given down.

He is a sure-fire first-round pick when the draft begins. It goes without saying that he will impress at the combine.

It’s hard to imagine the 6’4”, 310-lb Still will have any issues with the bench press drill. In fact, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to see him come away with one of the best scores.

The big man out of Penn State won’t fall at all the rest of the way, but he can push himself to the No. 1 defensive tackle in the draft if he has an impressive combine.

David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

Drill Wilson Will Dominate: 40-Yard Dash

When David Wilson isn’t on the football field, he doubles as a track runner. Last year at Virgina Tech’s winter testing, he ran an amazing 4.29 in the 40-yard dash. More recently, Wilson has been quietly moving up draft boards everywhere, with some even slipping him into the first round.

Surprise, right? Wilson will have no problem putting up yet another ridiculous dash time, given it’s essentially all he does when not playing football. Wilson has a rare ability to make defenders miss or run right over them; the only knock on his stock is he started only one year in college.

Wilson can silence the naysayers through his numbers and interviews at the combine this year.

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Drills Blackmon Will Dominate: Broad Jump and Vertical Leap

Justin Blackmon is the best receiver in the 2012 draft class by a large margin. He can't really hurt his stock at the combine at this point—and he won’t. Blackmon has a freakish ability to make a play on any ball in the air and dominated at the collegiate level with relative ease. That ability alone translates to the NFL very, very well.

This won’t even be close. Blackmon is huge as is and does a great job of reaching the ball at its apex, making defenders useless in the process. The broad jump and vertical leap measure what Blackmon is best at, and his performance at the combine in those drills will only cement his status as a top-five pick.

Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas

Drills Adams Will Dominate: 40-Yard Dash and 3 Cone

Joe Adams hasn’t received much national attention—yet. That will change drastically after he participates in the combine. Adams is a smaller receiver that is as elusive as they come and played a major role on special teams last season, returning four kicks for touchdowns. His versatility will land him a gig with an NFL team despite being projected to fall to the fourth round.

Adams has been clocked at a 4.38 in the dash, which means he will likely not have much in the way of competition at the combine. His ability to change direction without losing speed will make him tough to beat at the three-cone drill as well.

Look for Adams to put up great numbers en route to drastically improving his stock at the combine.

Mike Martin, DT, Michigan

Drills Martin Will Dominate: Bench Press and 40-Yard Dash

Mike Martin hasn’t established himself as a great prospect yet, but he will at the combine. Martin is a genetic freak, standing at 6’1”, 307 lbs. He runs a 4.9 40-yard dash and benches 505 lbs easily.

Right now, Martin is only projected as a third-round pick, but that simply won’t last.

Martin will be in contention for one of the best rep counts at the combine for bench press—that isn’t really in question. However, his ridiculous 40-yard dash time for his size and position is almost unheard of and will result in Martin skyrocketing up draft boards.

Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas

Drill Wright Will Dominate: 40-Yard Dash

Jarius Wright is eerily similar to his fellow Arkansas receiver on this list, Joe Adams. Both literally are almost the same height and weight, but Wright is slightly faster than the two—not that a 40-yard dash time of 4.38 is that much slower than Wright’s 4.34.

Wright is projected to fall to the fifth round, but can change his fortunes with a great combine.

Wright was clocked earlier this year as fast as a 4.27 in the dash, to little surprise. Wright will leave the combine with one of the faster 40 times and help his stock. Wright is intriguing because he has the ability to do it all, and very similar players are rated much higher.

Wright can take the bull by the horns and control his own destiny by having a stellar combine performance.

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