2012 NFL Combine: Breaking Down 4 Prospects Who Wowed Us

Another day is in the books at the 2012 NFL Combine and many players stood out grabbing NFL scouts' attention.  The blue chip prospects, like Matt Kalil and Andrew Luck, did little to hurt themselves and several really wowed everyone watching.

Let's take a look at several players who are awing NFL scouts...

Robert Griffin III, Quarterback

Everyone knows that Griffin is great and he is living up to the hype at the combine. He is working hard to earn the No. 2 overall pick by convincing an NFL team (the Rams are set with Sam Bradford) to trade up in the draft and select him.  

Griffin is certainly doing his part.  He was the most impressive quarterback in their session, as he out-shined fellow top pick Andrew Luck.  Then, he backed that up with an exceptionally impressive 4.41 40 time, which makes him the fastest quarterback in the draft.

When you combine (no pun intended) those stats with his over 70% completion rate during the 2011-12 season, NFL scouts see Michael Vick with a better makeup and a more accurate arm.  Many will be sorely, sorely tempted to trade up and take him.  

Kendall Wright, Wide Receiver

Wright is trying to prove to NFL scouts that he is the surest receiving bet at the combine.  His rivals in the draft, Michael Floyd and Alshon Jeffery (top receiver Justin Blackmon is in another class), are equally talented but less consistent, so Wright is trying to prove he is the better bet in the middle of the first round.

Wright awed NFL talent scouts during the gauntlet workout, where he did not drop a pass.  He made some very difficult catches and looked like the best quarterback safety net of any receiver in the draft. So, he may not have the most upside, but his polish and consistency are wowing everyone at the combine.

Whitney Mercilus, Pass Rusher

Mercilus is a one-year wonder from Illinois who needs to prove to combine scouts that he is the real deal.  After producing all season, he said the right things at the combine—including that he will work hard to shed the one year wonder label—and showed off the size and athleticism needed to succeed at the NFL level.

The Sleeper: Stephen Hill, Wide Receiver

Who? Stephen Hill, a wide receiver from Georgia Tech, made the most spectacular diving catch so far at the NFL combine. It was a total wow moment that the scouts will remember on draft day.

That's a very good thing for Hill because he is not viewed as a blue chip prospect.  He struggled last year with academics and lacks top-end speed but he is still more talented than his numbers suggest. With catches like that, some team will make sure to grab him in the draft.