NFL Combine 2012: How Dontari Poe Made Himself a Ton of Money This Week

Among average NFL fans, the name Dontari Poe probably wasn't recognizable before the 2012 NFL scouting combine. But after his performance this week, the defensive tackle out of Memphis could be on his way to household-name status.

Poe was projected as a possible late first-round pick and was slated to be among the first five defensive tackles to come off the board. Now, he may end up being one of the first defensive players taken.

After measuring in at a massive 6'4" and 346 pounds, Poe went on to dominate his workouts. He posted a combine-high 44 bench-press reps at 225 pounds, then blazed to a 4.98-second time in the 40-yard dash. It shouldn't be humanly possible for a guy to run that fast at his size. 

He continued his stellar work with a 29.5-inch vertical leap, a 105-inch broad jump, a 7.9-second performance in the three-cone drill and a 4.56-second time in the 20-yard shuttle. 

During his review of Poe's showing at the combine, the NFL Network's Mike Mayock called the Memphis product a "once in a decade athlete." It's hard to disagree with that statement. 

Poe will likely become a nose tackle in a 3-4 in the NFL, and considering how many teams run that scheme and how important that position is, he is sure to be in high demand.

His film shows that he eats up double teams, has incredible strength in his lower body to absorb the contact and even push back. He is consistent and his ability to plug the middle actually makes those around him better because it frees them up.

We already knew Poe was big and strong. Now we know he is a special athlete who could have a huge future at the next level. No one made themselves more money at this year's combine than the Memphis big man.