2012 NFL Mock Draft: One Scouting Combine Target for Each NFC North Team

The NFL Scouting Combine is under way, with tight ends, offensive linemen and special teams players all getting their physicals and speaking to the media today, before workouts and drills begin in earnest over the weekend.

Representatives from all 32 NFL teams are in Indianapolis to get an up-close look at prospects both coveted and marginal as part of the preparation leading up to April's NFL draft.

With that in mind, here is one combine invitee that each team in the NFC North will be looking at intently in the next few days.

Detroit Lions: Cornerback Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama

The Detroit Lions need to upgrade their secondary, but with the 25th overall pick in the draft, the field might be a bit slim once their chance to choose comes around. That doesn't mean there won't be some relatively high-value cornerbacks at that spot, but they'll need to scout wisely at the combine to figure out who is worth drafting.

If they choose to go corner with their first-round pick, North Alabama's Janoris Jenkins could be a good fit, but that comes with a couple of caveats.

First is the character issue. Jenkins played for Florida before being kicked off the team for two arrests for marijuana possession.

Though he played well enough at North Alabama to warrant not just a combine invite but also first-round consideration, his future will heavily depend on his performance in the interview portion of this weekend's activities.

It won't just be how well Jenkins explains his behavior in Florida and how convincingly he seems to have matured since that time that will help determine his fate. His draft stock also depends on how he looks in on-field drills.

Jenkins is a physical cover corner, but at 5'10" he is relatively undersized. He will need to display some serious speed to be worth the Lions'—or any team's—first-round pick.

Minnesota Vikings: Offensive Tackle Matt Kalil, USC

Barring the Minnesota Vikings trading their No. 3 overall pick to a team with its sights set on drafting quarterback Robert Griffin III in the NFL draft instead of doing so with the St. Louis Rams, who have the second overall pick, it's almost a foregone conclusion the team will pick up USC left tackle Matt Kalil.

The Vikings will have their eye on him in the scouting combine to assure themselves that what they saw of him in college was indeed close to what they'll get from him as a pro, but the attention they pay to him this weekend will likely be more of a meet-and-greet session than anything else.

Bolstering their offensive line and providing top-flight protection for soon-to-be second-year quarterback Christian Ponder is a top priority for the Vikings in 2012, especially as they may be without running back Adrian Peterson for part of the season.

Improving the passing game will take many forms for the Vikings this offseason, from the offensive line to wide receivers, but the addition of a left tackle like Kalil, who gave up zero sacks in 2011 and also excels at run-blocking, is a great and necessary start.

Green Bay Packers: Defensive End/Outside Linebacker Vinny Curry, Marshall

The Green Bay Packers are likely to focus on defense in this year's NFL draft, and with the 28th overall pick, will be taking a close look at defenders who are on the bubble between the first and second rounds in hopes someone catches their eye.

That someone could be Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry, who would be an ideal outside linebacker for their 3-4 defense.

Pass rush was an issue for the Packers this year, with just Clay Matthews making a real impact at putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. While the Packers also need to bolster their secondary, the late first round is a perfect place to bring in a complement to Matthews.

Curry had an outstanding senior season with Marshall, notching 21.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, six forced fumbles and 72 total tackles. He's got the tackling ability and size to fit in well on the Packers defensive front, but the team will be paying special attention to his speed, an area that he's been a bit shaky.

Chicago Bears: Tight End Dwayne Allen, Clemson

Because the Chicago Bears were running a Mike Martz offense in 2011, the team begrudgingly traded away tight end Greg Olsen after Olsen was acutely aware that his role in the passing game would decrease with Martz calling the shots.

It was one of the most disastrous things the Bears could have done to their offense. By trading away quarterback Jay Cutler's most reliable receiving option, the team's passing offense struggled far more than it would have otherwise.

In 2011, the team fielded former Pittsburgh Steeler Matt Spaeth (mainly responsible for blocking duties and little more) and Kellen Davis. Davis is a free agent that the Bears could try to bring back, while Spaeth is in danger of losing his job now that Martz and his biased approach to receiving tight ends have been relegated to history.

That means the Bears will likely give a good look to a few of the tight ends in this year's scouting combine, including Dwayne Allen out of Clemson.

This isn't the best year for tight end depth in the draft, but the Bears might still be able to snag Allen with their No. 18 second-round pick or potentially even move up to grab him (or another tight end) if they're in danger of missing out.

Allen is a receiving tight end primarily and could use improvement on blocking. However, in an era where the tight end has become a more hybrid position with increased pass-catching duties, Allen could provide the same kind of boost to the Bears' passing game as a wide receiver.

Allen has great hands, the kind of speed and size that confounds defenders, good route-running abilities and the work ethic to improve his slightly weak run-blocking skills. He's clearly worth the Bears' attention.

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