NFL Combine 2012: Prospects Flying Up Draft Boards After Impressive Workouts

It happens every season. A couple of prospects show up at the NFL scouting combine with uncertain draft stocks and walk away as some of the hottest names available. While it might not be the best way to evaluate talent, you can't blame the players for taking advantage of the system.

Here are three players who have helped their causes with good showings in Indianapolis over the past couple of days.

Lamar Miller

Prior to the combine, Miller was caught in a tight race to be the second running back selected with David Wilson and Doug Martin. His performance, highlighted by the fastest 40-yard dash by any running back, should be enough to earn him the spot behind Trent Richardson.

Miller fits the mold of a modern NFL back. He has game-breaking ability, both as a runner and a receiver, and is most dangerous when given the ball in space. Think of somebody like Darren Sproles for an idea of what he'll bring once he matures.

Everybody knew he has lightning quickness, but to blow every other running back out of the water had to turn some heads. A team like the Cincinnati Bengals would be wise to give him a look near the end of the first round.

Stephen Hill

After the top three wide receivers, there's a bunch of guys jostling for position, and none of them were more impressive over the weekend than Hill. His 40 time tied for the best among wideouts and he checked in at 6'4''.

There aren't many players with that combination of size and speed. It will make him a terrific deep threat at the next level, especially once he develops enough trust with his quarterback to just loft it in the air and let him go get it.

He needs to add a little more bulk to survive the wear and tear of an NFL season, but he already appears to be in the process of doing that. He'll make for a sneaky selection early in the second round, assuming a team doesn't fall in love with his skills earlier.

Nick Perry

There have been concerns raised about Perry's ability to switch to outside linebacker, which would be his ideal NFL position, but his raw tools are undeniable. They were on display once again at the combine.

Working with the defensive linemen, he posted an unofficial time of 4.5 seconds in the 40. More impressively, he had 35 bench press reps. He was expected to be a workout warrior, but perhaps not to that level.

With so many teams in need of pass rushers, it's an outing which should move him up a few pegs. Even though there's going to be a transition period before he reaches his peak, the combine will make it difficult for teams in the middle of Round 1 to pass on him.