NFL Combine 2012: Analyzing Linebackers Who Need Big Pro Days to Increase Stock

The only good news that can come out of a horrible performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, is that a player can somewhat redeem himself at his pro day.

With that said, here's a look at some linebackers who have seen an immediate drop in their draft value because of a weak performance in Indianapolis. As a result, each need a huge pro day to have any shot at increasing their draft stock.

Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State

For a player that was potentially a first rounder, Vontaze Burfict fell from grace at the combine with extremely poor numbers.

He ran the slowest 40-yard dash time among linebackers at 5.09 seconds, the second worst vertical jump at just 30 inches, and the shortest broad jump at 8'8". These numbers clearly are not indicative of the player who flew all over the field with the Sun Devils and was their only defensive stud.

Unfortunately, Burfict simply didn't live up to expectations and considering his lack of control on and off the field, he'll be lucky to get drafted by Round 4. In other words, his pro day (if he even bothers to have one) will be to prevent from sinking back to Rounds 5 or 6.

When in shape, the man has the lateral agility, quickness and instincts to really make an impact in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense. But, there's a lot more to playing pro football than just being big and hitting hard. In short, Burfict needs to really take more of a cognitive approach to the game.

Sean Spence, Miami (Fla.)

A projected late second/early third-round selection, Miami's Sean Spence has seen his stock drop after failing to impress while being undersized.

In most of the drills and tests, Spence was adequate at best, running a 4.71 40-yard dash, 12 reps on the bench press (worst among linebackers), a 33.5 inch vertical and a 7.46 second 3-cone drill (worst among linebackers).

The thing is, Spence only comes in at 6'1", 230 pounds so he should have been a lot quicker. Strength obviously is a concern, and lacking the ability to quickly change directions while exploding doesn't help.

Now more likely a late third/early fourth-rounder, Spence could potentially move back up to early Round 3 with a big pro day. However, unless he fails to get stronger and remain laterally quick within a confined space, he'll be fortunate to be a mid-rounder.

Danny Trevathan, Kentucky

Already considered a sixth-round selection coming into the combine, Kentucky's Danny Trevathan didn't wow anyone into increasing his draft stock.

There, Trevathan, as a slightly undersized outside 'backer at 6', 237 pounds, hit just 18 reps on the bench, 31.5 inches on the vertical and 9'3" on the broad jump. Not to mention he didn't participate in any of the timed running or agility drills.

Now, the man did record 287 tackles and forced nine fumbles in the past two seasons, while also intercepting four pass in 2011, but a weak combine performance and inflated numbers from being on a weak defense won't help his stock come draft day.

Provided that Trevathan shows up big on timed running drills and improves his bench along with the broad and vertical jumps, he will increase his draft stock. After all, improvement is what counts and that is what Trevathan proved on the field each season at Kentucky.

John Rozum on Twitter.