2012 NFL Combine: Linebacker Winners and Losers

Lacking a clear top prospect coming into the combine, the linebacker group was under a watchful eye on Monday. Big questions loomed for top prospects Luke Kuechly, Vontaze Burfict and Dont'a Hightower.

Some of the big names impressed, and some may have cost themselves millions of dollars. There were also a handful of under-the-radar type guys who may have opened eyes of even die-hard football fans.

With less than two months to go until the draft, Monday helped to clear the murky waters that surround this group of talented players.

Loser No. 5: OLB Lavonte David, Nebraska

David was supposed to be one of the fastest LBs in the draft. But on Monday, with his good-but-not-great 40-yard time of 4.65, David raised questions as to whether he truly has the speed to make up for his lackluster size at 6'1", 233 lbs.

He showed with his 19 reps on the bench press that he does possess great strength, something most already knew. Perhaps most alarming to NFL scouts was his very pedestrian time of 7.28 sec in the three-cone drill, which measures acceleration and agility in confined spaces.

The combine is a place where talents like David can shine and move up draft boards. Luckily, there is enough film on him to prove his worth. David may not have hurt his stock, but he did not improve it like he should have.

Winner No. 5: OLB Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma

Lewis showcased his versatility on Monday, running a 4.68 40-yard dash and doing 225 lbs 36 times on the bench press. After playing defensive end at Oklahoma the last two seasons, Lewis showed NFL teams he can make the move to OLB in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.

Measuring in at 6'2", 253 lbs, Lewis also showed NFL personnel that he has more than enough size to set the edge. Lewis is primarily known for his pass-rush skills, but is also very stout against the run.

The numbers Lewis posted Monday will only improve his stock come April's draft.

Loser No. 4: OLB Keenan Robinson, Texas

Much like Lavonte David, Keenan Robinson was expected to impress scouts with his numbers at the combine. And, much like David, Robinson failed to show the elite speed he is known for.

Robinson measured in at an impressive 6'3", 242 lbs, but ran a below-average 40-yard dash time of 4.79 seconds. 

Fortunately, Robinson was able to rebound a little with 27 reps on the bench press, a 35.5 in vertical and 10'0" broad jump.

Robinson has proven his play on the field. Now he needs a solid pro-day to answer newly raised questions if he wants to maintain his stock.

Winner No. 4: ILB Tank Carder, TCU

Most notable for his 2011 Rose Bowl heroics, Carder was viewed by most scouts as too small and un-athletic to be picked before the seventh round. Once again, this underdog surprised people by posting solid numbers across the board.

Carder measured in at 6'2", 236 lbs and managed just 19 reps on the bench press, but he showcased good speed for a ILB with a 4.69 40 and finished among the top-4 LBs in all agility drills.

Carder would be a good fit with a 3-4 team as a ILB or as an OLB with a 4-3 team. He may have propelled himself from a fringe draft pick into a sure-fire late-rounder.

Loser No. 3: OLB Sean Spence, Miami (FL)

The trend of speedy LBs underperforming at the 2012 combine continues with Sean Spence. The undersized 5'11", 231 lbs star from Miami (FL) failed to show scouts the speed he is known for.

On film, Spence shines in pass coverage and with his range against the run. However, his 40-time of 4.71 seconds will raise questions about his true speed. Spence also ran poor in agility drills with a 7.46 second three-cone drill and a 4.28 second 20-yard shuttle.

Spence also put up an LB-worst 12 reps on the bench press on Monday. If he cannot improve his speed by his pro day, Spence may see his stock fall from a second-to-third-rounder into a sixth-to-seventh-rounder.

Winner No. 3: OLB Bruce Irvin, West Virginia

Bruce Irvin looked like a monster at the combine. The chiseled 6'3", 245 lbs pass-rushing specialist from West Virginia showed up and impressed with his size and speed combination.

Irvin ran an impressive 4.50 second 40, and also finished first among all LBs and DL in the three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle with times of 6.70 seconds and 4.03 seconds respectively. In other drills, Irvin showed great hip turns and potential to be solid in pass coverage as well.

Irvin displays a tremendous set of pass-rush skills on film and also plays the run very well for his size. Although Irvin was a DE in college, he lacks the size to play there every down in the NFL. He could be a situational pass-rusher in a 4-3 but could have a Clay Mathews type impact in a 3-4.

Irvin may have improved his stock from a mid-second-rounder into a mid-to-late-first-round prospect on Monday. He would be an ideal fit for the San Diego Chargers at No. 18, Houston Texans at No. 26 or the Patriots at No. 31.

Loser No. 2: ILB Audie Cole, N.C. State

The 6'4", 246 lbs ILB Audie Cole was viewed by most scouts as a throw-back type LB. He did nothing exceptional but did seemingly everything well.

On Monday, Cole showed that doing things well may not be enough to save his plummeting draft stock. Cole ran a very slow 4.81 40-yard dash and put up the second fewest bench press reps of all LBs with 15.

He performed well in the three-cone drill, which is good news, and showed decent hops with a 35 in vertical, but it is hard to overlook his first two numbers.

Cole was supposed to be a strong backer who could hold his own at the point of attack. I know the bench press is not always a great indicator of playing strength, but for a guy his size, 15 reps is far too few. Cole was just average in position drills.

He had a mid-round grade, and he will likely see that fall to the later rounds. I expected to see more from this highly productive college backer. Hopefully scouts see enough on film to balance out his poor performance from Monday.

Winner No. 2: Luke Kuechly, Boston College

Kuechly was viewed by most scouts as the draft's top LB prospect coming into the draft and did not disappoint them on Monday. In fact, the 6'3", 243 lbs ILB may have solidified his stock in the middle of the first round.

Kuechly is arguably college football's most productive LB ever in terms of tackles. Scouts knew he could play, but they questioned his athletic ability, attributing most of his success to his other-worldly recognition and instincts.

The former Boston College star ran a 4.58 second 40-yard dash, put up 27 reps on the bench press and finished among the top-5 LBs in the vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle and 60-yard shuttle.

Kuechly displayed impressive athleticism and answered concerns about his ability in pass coverage during position drills, showing great hips and quick feet. He solidified his stock position as the draft's top LB and a mid-first-rounder.

Loser No. 1: Vontaze Burfict, Arizona St.

This was an easy decision to make. No player at the combine hurt himself more than Burfict. The picture to the left has become synonymous with Burfict, and this week he showed why.

Burfict measured in at 6'1", 248 lbs and ran a slower 40-yard dash at 5.09 seconds than Memphis's Dontari Poe did at 346 lbs. Burfict also had the second worst vertical jump and worst broad jump of all LBs at the combine.

His embarrassing performances were made even worse during his interview with the media, where he blamed the coaches at Arizona St. for his poor junior season and was viewed as an immature wild card. Burfict is clearly not taking this process seriously.

The former first-round lock has seen his stock fall further than any player in recent memory and may not even be selected in the draft now. I am sure more than one team has taken Burfict off their scouting boards. He has a lot of work to do if he wants to rebuild some of his reputation.

Winner No. 1: ILB Mychal Kendricks, California

No player was more impressive and did more to improve their stock on Monday than former California ILB Mychal Kendricks. Kendricks was overlooked coming into the combine, after an impressive senior season in which he was named the Pac-12's defensive player of the year.

I will be honest and say I knew hardly anything about this guy before Monday, but I sure do now.

Kendricks first opened eyes with his 4.47 40-time and continued to impress by posting the best vertical jump (39.5 in) and best broad jump (10' 7") among all LBs at the combine. He also finished fifth in the 20-yard shuttle.

The biggest question mark for Kendricks was his size. Standing just 5'11", 240 lbs, Kendricks showed up cut and stout. He answered questions about his height in the passing game by posting his impressive vertical jump. On film, he does not let his stature prevent him from making plays in the box.

Kendricks has moved himself from the mid-to-late rounds of the draft into a bona fide second-round selection.