NFL Combine 2012: Big Winners from Ultimate Scouting Event

There are a few people jumping up and down over the way the NFL scouting combine progressed—and for good reason—as they just pumped up their value. 

That is no easy task, either. It is far easier to disappoint than it is to blow scouts away. 

The majority of the players will leave the combine with close to the same value as when they entered. Some will find themselves falling down draft boards, and even fewer still will make a leap. 

Here are the big winners from the 2012 NFL combine. 

Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Stud offensive tackle prospect Matt Kalil didn't need a boost from the combine. He was already a virtual lock to be a top-five selection.

There is no doubt he will be a top-five selection now. Kalil blew scouts, and other linemen, away.

He measured in at almost 6'7" and 306 pounds. That is already decent size, and he has room to pack on more weight. That is not what made everyone take notice, though. The guy can move.

Dion Caputi of NFL Draft Update tweeted these mind-blowing numbers:

"

#USC OT Matt Kalil ran his 2nd 40 time - unofficial 5.00 flat after a 4.96 on his 1st. His 2nd 10 yard split was an unofficial 1.70.

— Dion Caputi (@nfldraftupdate) February 25, 2012"

Men that big should not be able to move that fast. It's not all about athleticism with Kalil either. He showed off his fundamentals in all drills.   

He is clearly everything a team looks for in a left tackle. He won't be on the board past the third selection. 

St. Louis Rams 

That sound you hear is Griffin's value skyrocketing, and the Rams are loving it. They are now in a position to take half of a team's draft.

That is because Robert Griffin III killed it at the combine. Griffin's official time ended up clocking in at 4.41. That was easily the fastest time of any QB at the draft, and it was one of the faster times of any player. 

Everyone knew Griffin was fast, but if there was any doubt that Griffin's explosiveness wouldn't translate, it is gone now.

Howard Eskin of NBC 10 TV gives us a little taste of the kind of value the Rams are going to receive for this pick.

"

I'm told by people within Redskins they are prepared to offer picks 1,2 and 3 this year, at least a 1 next year to move up to get RG3 at 2

— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) February 26, 2012"

The luxury for the Rams is that with a 24-year-old, promising QB they are not in the market to draft another high profile signal-caller. They are definitely in the market to trade down. 

That just got a lot easier and a lot more lucrative. 

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd entered this combine with big question marks surrounding his character, conditioning and speed. 

With those questions hanging over his head, there was a good chance he was going to slide beyond the first round. That is not going to happen now. 

Floyd measured in at 6'3" and 220 pounds. He looked fit, focused and ready to go. Nowhere was this more evident than when he laced up his shoes to run the 40 and posted a 4.46.

He had more going for him than the 40, too. He was sharp in everything. Draft Headquarters president, Shawn Zobel, didn't disguise how impressed he was.

"

Michael Floyd of ND was the single most impressive player from this morning's workouts. Chance he could compete w/ Blackmon for No. 1 WR

— Shawn Zobel (@ShawnZobel_DHQ) February 26, 2012"

Just look at how effortlessly he catches the ball. This is going to have scouts raving.

Zobel is right. Floyd is going to compete with Blackmon, and the two bring a similar skill set. The Notre Dame receiver will not last past the 12th selection.