2012 NFL Draft: 8 Prospects Detroit Lions Should Watch Even Closer After Combine

Prospects should be popping up all over the Detroit Lions' radar after the NFL combine. Sure, the combine is not the only way to evaluate talent, but it does give teams a chance to dissect the physical prowess of potential employees. It also allows players to get in front of the microphone and speak their mind.

There are guys that really helped themselves in Indianapolis and others that lost whatever momentum they had built up.

With Detroit hurting for salary cap space, the draft is likely going to be a main source of adding talent this offseason, and that means the combine is a crucial part of the process.

Let's look at some players that the Lions organization needs to keep a close eye on after the combine, whether for the right or wrong reasons.

8. Evan Rodriguez, TE, Temple

Evan Rodriguez is the type of all-purpose player that could fit into just about any offensive system. The FB/TE/RB hybrid has considerable talent and could provide a quality late-round addition.

Think of him in the kind of role Will Heller has been in for the past few seasons and that Jerome Felton could never evolve into.

His 4.56-second 40 time at the NFL combine was a real head-turner and he complemented that speed with 18 reps on the 225-pound bench press.

At just over 6'1" and 242 pounds, Rodriguez is not going to stand out physically, but after an impressive combine and with a nice set of hands, he is a player that should be firmly on Detroit's radar.

7. Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Dontari Poe absolutely exploded at the combine.

A defensive tackle prospect out of Memphis, Poe put up a combine best 44 reps on the bench press. That statistic alone would have warranted attention, but then he went ahead and posted a 4.87-second 40 time. All the while being 6'4" and 346 pounds.

By comparison, Ndamukong Suh posted a 5.03 40 time and he was 40 pounds lighter than Poe at the combine.

Every team in the league should be looking to find space for this defensive tackle and adding Poe to the Lions defensive line rotation is a truly exciting thought.

6. Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M

Whether or not the Lions feel the need to address the backfield during the draft is still uncertain, but the fact remains there has been tons of turnover at the position in recent years.

No one seems to want to stay healthy, and if Detroit does look at some tailbacks Cyrus Gray from Texas A&M should be on the list.

After an impressive career with the Aggies, Gray showed up in Indianapolis in fine shape, running a 4.47-second 40-yard dash, tied for fifth-best among RBs.

He also did 21 reps of 225 on the bench press, best for RBs in his group, had a 32.5-inch vertical jump, 9.5 feet in the standing broad jump and a 7.17-second three-cone drill.

Even if the Lions backfield sorts itself out, Gray could still be useful on special teams and in the return game; if it doesn't, he could work his way into a third-down back type of role.

5. Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Peter Konz managed only 18 reps on the bench press at the combine.

This could end up being a blessing in disguise for the Lions if it means he falls to their 23rd overall pick.

Konz is the consensus best center in this year's class, and at 315 pounds he routinely runs people over, something Dominic Raiola has proven incapable of doing.

The Wisconsin product could be a staple in the middle of Detroit's offensive line for the next decade. His strength has been proved over and over again during his time with the Badgers, so if some teams get caught up in his relatively weak bench press numbers, then so be it.

4. Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati

Isaiah Pead is another exciting running back prospect that showed off his talents at the NFL combine.

His 40 time was an impressive 4.47 seconds and he topped all other RBs in the three-cone drill with a time of 6.95 seconds.

Pead has been garnering interest since he was named MVP of the Senior Bowl, but he does not seem to have a real buzz about him. This could be great for the Lions as they could pick a versatile athlete late in the draft where risk is at a minimum.

Pead is not the biggest back in the world at 5'11" and 200 pounds, but after rushing for 1,259 yards and 12 touchdowns in his senior season he clearly knows how to handle the football.

Yet another shifty back that Detroit would be wise to consider as the draft wears on.

3. Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State

It seems likely that the Lions will address the center position at some point in this draft. The question is if they will go after a top-tier guy like Peter Konz from Wisconsin, a late-round pick such as Ben Jones from Georgia, or Mike Brewster from Ohio State.

Brewster is an intriguing prospect if Detroit opts to neglect center for the early part of the draft.

This 6'2", 312-pound blocker put up an impressive 29 reps on the bench press at the combine.

His strength will be an asset at the next level, as will his ability to make pre-snap reads and adjustments.

All the turmoil and transition at the QB position during Brewster's time in Columbus should not be undervalued. This is a smart football player that may not be ready to start as quickly as the upper-echelon guys, but deserves a shot at the next level just the same.

2. Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

Mike Adams is a player that really fell flat on his face at the combine. After really impressing at the Senior Bowl he struggled in nearly all the drills in Indianapolis.

The 6'7", 323-pound left tackle ran an uninspired 5.4-second 40-yard dash and then proceeded to manage only 19 reps on the bench press, 10 fewer than his teammate Brewster, and fewer than numerous running backs and tight ends.

Clearly, red flags have to go up after this showing, but Adams cannot just be disregarded.

He had a great career when he was on the field at Ohio State. The problem is that he already had character concerns after being a part of the memorabilia scandal this past season.

Detroit must be cautious when evaluating Adams the rest of the way, especially after a lackluster combine.

1. Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Janoris Jenkins throws up every caution flag in the book and yet his talent is almost too good to ignore.

Jenkins came into the combine looking to overcome the stigma he brought on himself after leaving the University of Florida with multiple marijuana transgressions and possession charges under his belt.

He was very open about his past drug use and how those days are apparently behind him. The new concern is his reveal of having four children. This is obviously a non-football-related piece of news, but Jenkins has had too many problems off the field to not question everything that happens with him.

Jenkins must be a model citizen moving forward. His talent is undeniable, but he also comes with a lot of baggage.

What is certain is that Detroit has plenty of talent to analyze after the combine.