NFL Combine 2012: Alshon Jeffery and Players with Most to Lose

Whether it's fair or not, the NFL Scouting Combine can make or break a player's draft status. If a player was extremely productive in college, the combine is usually just a comparison tool. However, if teams are on the fence with a prospect, that prospect needs to show up and perform well in Indianapolis.

There are inevitably going to be players who help their draft stock immensely, while there will be those who blow it. There are several players who need to at least turn in a solid performance or else they risk falling fast on draft boards and possibly falling outside the first round.

Here are three players who have the most to lose with a poor outing at the combine. 

WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina

Had South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery entered the draft following his sophomore season, he very well may have been the first receiver off the board. Jeffery racked up 88 catches for 1,517 yards and nine touchdowns in 2010, but this past season wasn't kind to him.

His production was essentially cut in half with 49 grabs for 762 yards as he struggled to adjust to a volatile quarterback situation. This leaves the 6'4", 229-pound pass catcher in a tough spot.

In one respect, he proved that he is capable of producing. However, at the same time, he could be a one-year wonder. With that in mind, Jeffery needs a big combine perhaps more than anyone.

The 22-year-old isn't the fastest receiver, but he could use a good 40 time, as well as strong showings in the agility drills. If Jeffery doesn't stand out from the crowd, scouts may question his one season of greatness and drop him on their boards. 

CB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama

When a player is entering the NFL as a Division II prospect with a drug arrest on his resume, it's fair to say that he had better be quite the impressive athlete.

That is exactly the case with North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who was dismissed by the Florida Gators due to his run in with the law. Prior to leaving Florida, however, Jenkins was considered one of the better corners in the nation.

His ability certainly hasn't left him, but it will need to be on full display at the combine. As of right now, it seems as though Jenkins will be a late first-round pick despite his character issues.

That being said, if he is only average at the combine, his odds of going in the first round dip considerably.

Since Jenkins' level of competition was so poor last year, he needs to prove over the next week that he has an NFL skill set. 

LB Luke Kuechly, Boston College

Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly has been one of the most dominant defensive players in college football over the past three seasons, racking up over 150 tackles in each of those campaigns.

He took home plenty of hardware last season, but that won't necessarily help his draft stock.

While Kuechly has great instincts and is a master at diagnosing plays, his athleticism and agility are question marks at this point.

Since Kuechly was such a good college player, he likely doesn't need a dynamite combine to convince teams to take him in the first round. However, he has to hold his own.

Despite the fact Kuechly was able to hunt down ball carriers at the collegiate level, it remains to be seen whether he can keep up with the speed of the NFL. If his metrics are well below others at his position, he could see a precipitous drop in draft value.