2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing Late-Round WRs Who Improved Stock at the Combine

Regardless of when it happens, improving draft stock is always a good thing.

And fortunately for the following wide receivers, that happened at the 2012 NFL Combine on Sunday. All are currently considered to be late-round selections, so provided that each have a strong pro-day, they'll be potential mid-rounders.

DeVier Posey, Ohio State

After not getting to play in the first 10 games of the 2011 season, Ohio State's DeVier Posey still came into the combine as a projected late fourth/early fifth-rounder (at best).

Needless to say, Posey proved his intangibles by working hard when not playing and then being productive when on the field. In 2011, Posey caught 12 passes in three games for 162 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Not too bad considering he didn't play until mid November. As for the combine, Posey impressed with a 4.5 40-yard dash, 7.03 3-cone drill and a 4.15 20-yard shuttle.

Considering the man is 6'2", 210 pounds, Posey proved solid athleticism to maintain a low center of gravity and balance. Arguably his best attribute though, balance, is where Posey will emerge in the NFL.

He's a fluid route-runner and has the initial quickness to get good yards after the catch. Posey does need to improve as a stock-blocker and reliable target over the middle, but that development will come as he matures.

B.J. Cunningham, Michigan State

If there's anything that stands out about Michigan State's B.J. Cunningham, it's his continuous improvement.

While with the Spartans, Cunningham caught 41 passes as a freshman, 48 as a sophomore and 50 as a junior. He then exploded in 2011 with 79 catches for over 1,300 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. All of which were career highs and Cunningham finished as one of the best receivers in school history.

Not to mention he averaged 16.5 yards per reception.

And this showmanship of seizing the moment continued through the combine with a 4.59 40-yard dash and a 7.1 3-cone drill. At 6'1", 211 pounds, Cunningham is nowhere the fastest or quickest receiver.

However, his reliability and strength is what provides an offense with increased odds to move the chains on third down. Not so much a yards-after-catch receiver as opposed to possession, but has the skill set to get upfield better than expected.

As long as Cunningham has a sound pro day, he'll become a steal in the third or fourth-round.

Jarius Wright, Arkansas

At 5'10", 180 pounds, Arkansas' Jarius Wright isn't nowhere near the biggest receiver in the combine.

He is however, arguably the quickest, fastest and most explosive. Running a 4.42 40-yard dash as well as a 4.03 on the 20-yard shuttle, Wright also hit 6.93 seconds on the 3-cone drill.

Obviously his smaller physique assisted in being so consistently nimble and quick, but there's no denying Wright's production on the field.

Another guy who simply improved through each season, Jarius accounted for 83 receptions between 2009 and 2010, along with 1,469 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Fortunately for Wright, the 2011 season was his best performance.

There, Wright caught 66 passes for 1,117 yards, scored 12 touchdowns and is still only considered a fifth-round pick. Well, with those numbers from the combine and his ability to read coverages mid-route, Wright can find the zone's weak spots and stretch a defense vertically over the middle from the slot.

It's Wright's dynamics as a slot-man that makes him most appealing.

Jordan White, Western Michigan

Easily one of the most underrated receivers in the 2012 NFL Draft, Western Michigan's Jordan White compiled over 1,900 receiving yards on 140 receptions while scoring 17 touchdowns in 2011.

In 2010, White was also very productive with 1,378 yards on 94 receptions and 10 touchdowns. So if anything, consistency at an extremely high-level is what White has been able to prove thus far.

This in turn, kept going through the combine with a 4.69 40-yard dash, 6.84 seconds on the 3-cone drill, 4.13 on the 20-yard shuttle and 11.40 seconds on the 60-yard shuttle. Considering that he's 6', 208 pounds and comes from a MAC school, White proved his worth among the top prospects.

Lest we forget, current Green Bay Packers No. 1 receiver, Greg Jennings, is a product of the Western Michigan Broncos. As for White, he''s excellent at getting yards after the catch despite not being overly explosive.

That will tip-off the veteran defensive backs when reading his route, but with development and his potential, White has all the tangible tools to become a No. 1 receiver.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)
2. Washington Redskins (From STL): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)
4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	20. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
6. St. Louis Rams (From WAS): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)	22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Detroit Lions: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
9. Carolina Panthers: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)	25. Denver Broncos: Alfonzo Dennard, CB (Nebraska)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Nick Perry, DE (USC)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)	31. New England Patriots: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
16. New York Jets: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)	32. New York Giants: Coby Fleener, TE (Stanford)

John Rozum on Twitter.