2012 NFL Draft: 5 Bold Predictions After NFL Scouting Combine

Annually, the NFL Scouting Combine is the main provider of buzz and speculation for the NFL draft.

In some cases, undiscovered talent and athletic ability like that of Georgia Tech WR Stephen Hill is suddenly displayed to NFL front office workers. Hill was able to clock a 4.36 40 time and a 39.5" vertical leap at 6'4", 215 lbs. Those are remarkable numbers for a guy with his physical makeup.

Other cases aren't so bright, as some formerly top-ranked talents hurt themselves with disappointing performances. On the contrary to a draft stock boom, guys like Vontaze Burfict can come to Indy and add even more doubt to their state as a prospect. Burfict weighed in at a trimmed-down 248 but ran in the 5.09 range. Unlike Hill, neither of those numbers are going to help Burfict, but in the end that's what the combine is for.

The NFL Scouting Combine is the ultimate shakeup in the draft process, so what will it shake up in 2012?

1. Dontari Poe Gets Drafted Before Michael Brockers

Dontari Poe may have had one of the most impressive days at the combine that I've ever seen.

From every aspect of his workout, Poe looked like a 285-lb. three-technique having a solid day. See, the thing is this Memphis standout is a 346-lb. nose tackle that performed like a skilled penetrator.

Poe's numbers aren't freaky, but when you clock a 4.98 at that abnormally large weight, it turns heads. Not only did Poe's raw size impressive, but he showed the entire league that brute strength comes with his hulking frame. Poe repped 225 lbs. a jaw dropping 44 times, the best number posted by anyone at the Combine.

On the other side of this bold statement, Michael Brockers seemingly has a different opinion from every person involved from the draft. From draftnik to GM, Brockers is a unique prospect. Some people in the media have even labeled him as a top-10 pick, and there is no doubt the upside is there.

It just makes sense that after Poe's stellar showing, he could move ahead of former LSU Tiger Brockers.

2. Justin Blackmon Slips Behind Michael Floyd and Kendall Wright

ESPN and NFL Network—in other words, the bullies of the NFL draft business—have tooted Justin Blackmon's horn from the very beginning. Their affinity for Blackmon dates all the way back to two years ago.

The NFL people I've had the opportunity to talk to don't really bark the same praises. Some even feel that he's a system player with a few above-average skills. At the college level, Blackmon abused coverages as he racked up 3,564 yards and 40 scores.

At the combine, he failed to show features that would force him to stand out. The only stat Blackmon elected to post was the bench press, in which he tossed up a marginal 14 reps of 225 lbs.

In the receiving drills, Blackmon was unable to displace himself from the supposed second tier. Michael Floyd and Kendall Wright both affirmed their elite statues with huge performances. I wouldn't be surprised to see a draft day fall for Blackmon.

3. Fletcher Cox Goes in the Top 15

If Dontari Poe weren't present at the combine, former Mississippi State DT Fletcher Cox would have been the star.

Cox was a big-time recruit coming out of high school who turned down multiple powerhouse programs to stay close to home. He's been under the radar for his entire career, but the scouting combine could have been what changed that.

Every one of Cox's measurements was elite. He came in at 6'4", 294 lbs, with 34 1/2" arms and 10 3/8" hands. Cox then completed the workout by performing on the field with a 40-yard dash time of 4.79 and 30 reps on the bench.

He's a cutting-edge prospect that people shouldn't be surprised to see come off the board in the top 15.

4. Doug Martin Is the Second Running Back off the Board

I've touted Doug Martin as the second-best back in this class, only behind the elite Trent Richardson.

Rarely do NFL teams have an opportunity to select a RB that has the ability to do it all. Martin is someone you can leave on the field for three downs. I'll break out a once-forgotten term and label him as a workhorse.

Martin showed up in Indianapolis with his A-game, displaying the type of versatility I've seen on tape for years. With a solid 28 reps on the bench and an above-average 40 time of 4.55, the consistency in Martin's play was still present.

I could see this former Boise State Bronco sneaking into the back half of the first round, likely 25-40 overall pick.

5. Kirk Cousins Gets Selected in the Top 50

Former Michigan State signal-caller Kirk Cousins was one of the quietest risers of the combine process.

Cousins participated as one of the throwers in the combine, seeing that most of the "top-notch prospects" decided that competing wasn't a good idea. I'm positive that from his rave reviews, Cousins did himself a massive favor with that decision.

Cousins' numbers from a workout standpoint are almost irrelevant. He's not a threat on his feet, he's someone that did his work in the interview process.

From what I was told by people in those interview rooms, Kirk Cousins was one of the most liked, intelligent guys at the combine regardless of position.