NFL Combine 2012: 6 Draft Prospects with the Most to Prove

The combine may be one of the most overvalued aspects of the scouting process, but it nonetheless provides troubled prospects a chance to redeem themselves—whether it's proving they are in shape or that their off-the-field incidents are not patterns of behavior. 

In this age of social media, rumors can spread like wildfire about a prospect's 40 time or weight. Or perhaps they are labeled as too "nonathletic" for a certain position and need to put up certain measurables to stay at the top of draft boards. 

This is an opportunity for these young players to prove who they really are as football players and what kind of men they truly are. 

Here are six NFL draftees who have a lot to prove in the coming week at the combine. 

Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)

No player has had more negative speculation and rumors flying about him than South Carolina receiver Alshon Jeffery. 

Early in the draft process, Jeffery was in contention with Justin Blackmon to be the first receiver taken, but speculation about weight issues and horrendous 40 times have plummeted his stock before he has even had a chance to take the field. 

Jeffery was never known as a speedster, but he had some character concerns follow him during his time at South Carolina, and these new rumors have only exacerbated the negative vibe around his name. 

The 40-yard dash will be colossal for Jeffery's stock. If he runs in, say, the 4.5 range, scouts will be pleased to know that he has been working and has solved his alleged weight problems. 

Any slower, and Jeffery may find himself out of the first round altogether. 

Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)

Kuechly is among the most consistent players in this year's draft. He is physical, instinctive, tackles well and is always around the football.

So, what does he need to prove to scouts at the combine?

Simply put, Kuechly is just not the physical specimen that someone like fellow linebacker Zach Brown is. Brown is not as physical as Kuechly, but his measurables and physical attributes are off the charts. In a combine setting, Kuechly will be able to compare himself directly to Brown, who can run faster than most wide receivers. 

He may be the better football player, but as we have seen far too many times, personnel people tend to fall in love with prospects who look great in gym shorts and spandex. If Kuechly can impress at the combine, he may be the first 4-3 linebacker taken in the draft. 

Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)

It really is rare to see a player kill his stock as much as Dennard did at the Senior Bowl. He was horrific all week in practice, getting consistently burned by even the more mediocre receivers at the event.

To top it off, he was unable to participate in the game to redeem himself because of an injury he suffered in practice. 

Dennard can only help himself so much running cone drills in gym shorts; he needs to be excellent to get himself back into the conversation of being a first-round pick.

However, since he is only 5'10", his stock actually has a chance to go down even further at the combine when official measurements are made. Any way you look at it, the odds are stacked against Dennard from now until draft day. 

Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)

Coples may be the most dangerous player in the draft. He may have been the most impressive defensive player at the Senior Bowl, and his junior-year tape (in which he mostly played defensive tackle) was very good.

But, what Coples showed during his senior year resembled nothing worthy of a first-round pick. 

He needs to ride his momentum through the combine and pro days into April. If he shows anything less than superb athleticism and explosion, his draft stock will plummet.

On the other hand, if Coples continues to "wow" evaluators with speed and athleticism, he may be able to get away with a lousy season of football and still be a Top 10 pick in April's draft. 

Brandon Weeden, QB (Oklahoma State)

Weeden is one of the more intriguing prospects in this draft. Based on talent alone, he would easily be a second-round pick, perhaps even a first.

However, his age is what keeps him from being a coveted prospect. 

Weeden is a good player, but since he is 28, teams are probably ready to jump on any reason not to draft him. A bad showing at the combine could give teams an excuse to let someone else take a chance on him. 

Unfortunately for Weeden, quarterbacks really can only lose stock at the combine. They are throwing to receivers they have just met, and timing becomes an issue. On the other hand, even if they play well, evaluators see it as meaningless because there is no defense. 

Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)

Jenkins' talent is hardly in question—it's his character and off-field issues that draw red flags from evaluators, as he was dismissed from Florida after two drug incidents and a fight. 

It's one thing to have an isolated incident, but patterns of troublesome behavior are what worry decision-makers the most. If the player can't keep himself under control in college, what makes you think he will be a stand-up citizen once he starts making millions of dollars?

The biggest event for Jenkins at the combine will be in the interview room. If he speaks like a changed man, he should be able to stay in the first round.