2012 NFL Combine: Day 1 Winners and Losers

The NFL Scouting Combine got underway in Indianapolis on Wednesday. While the actual workouts don't start until Thursday, we have already heard a lot of news coming out about this week's participants to already have a gauge how everyone's stock is being affected so far.

Here is a look at the winners and losers from the first day of the combine.

Winners

Robert Griffin III

On Tuesday, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III went on the Dan Patrick Show and claimed that he believes he can run under a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. That kind of confidence is certainly a positive, and if Griffin—who was a world-class hurdler at Baylor—can actually show that kind of speed, you can bet his stock will continue to soar. He thinks he will have no problem running under 4.5 seconds.

Griffin is unlikely to throw at the combine, but if he can run a blazing time in the 40, it will certainly create a ton of buzz about his ability and athleticism.

Teams in Need of Offensive Linemen

The 2012 NFL draft class is loaded with quality along the offensive line, and all the big names showed up in town today. Tackles Matt Kalil, Jonathan Martin, Riley Reiff and Mike Adams are all on hand, while Stanford guard David DeCastro and Wisconsin center Peter Konz also showed up on time.

All of those guys are projected to be first-round picks, and as long as they measure up well and perform as expected during the interview and lifting portions of their workouts, things should stay that way.

Losers

Andrew Luck

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is unlikely to throw at this week's combine, and news broke this morning that he was willing to, but the Indianapolis Colts had advised him against it. The latest report actually says that it is up in the air whether or not he will throw passes this week, but I wouldn't expect him to.

Luck really has no reason to throw this week, since he can't do anything to make his stock go any higher. That said, he has always been a man apart who seemed to eschew conventional wisdom and just take on every challenge presented to him. It would be extremely gutsy of him to throw, and while it might not be smart, I was hoping he'd do it.

Justin Blackmon

Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon is projected to be the first wideout taken this year, but word broke today that he is unlikely to run with the rest of the receivers on Sunday. Blackmon apparently wants to wait until his March 9 pro day to run for scouts.

This is pretty disappointing when you consider that Blackmon looked to be a sure-thing as the top receiver in the draft. The fact that he's not running has opened the door for other guys to show up and be the most impressive receiver this week.

Trent Richardson

Alabama running back Trent Richardson will not fully participate in this week's combine because he underwent minor knee surgery a few weeks ago. While he has made good progress, Richardson is apparently not fully healed and he will not do on-field drills.

The powerful running back is expected to come off the board early and is considered to be far and away the best ball-carrier in this year's draft. While this is like just a blip on the radar for him, it does open the door for a few other running backs to step up and improve their stock.