2012 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing Potential First-Rounders Who Had a Strong Combine

As we now begin the next step of the NFL draft process, the combine certainly featured players who impressed as well as those who faltered.

With pro days set to be the next evaluation checkpoint, there have so far been some expected first-rounders (not named Andrew Luck, among others) that have earned solid recognition.

In turn, here are those that put on a strong combine.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)

With Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon not fully participating, Notre Dame's Michael Floyd was in the spotlight.

Needless to say, he solidified a top-15 selection and could move up even higher with a solid pro day. At the combine, Floyd ran 4.47 seconds on the 40-yard dash (much faster than anticipated), recorded 36.5 inches on the vertical jump and hit 10'2" on the broad jump.

So, what Floyd proved more than anything was his explosiveness, balance and power.

At 6'3", 220 pounds, Floyd has proven his reliability over the middle and as a run blocker. Now that he's proven to be quicker than anticipated, Notre Dame's all-time leading receiver in numerous categories makes for a safe top-notch selection.

Kansas City Chiefs: Nick Perry, DE (USC)

USC's Nick Perry put on an athletic display uncanny for a defensive lineman.

In other words, it never ceases to amaze when a prospect of his size (6'3", 270 pounds) manages to run 4.64 seconds on the 40-yard dash, jump 38.5 inches on the vertical and 10'4" on the broad jump.

Perry also proved good strength with 33 reps on the bench press. As of now his agility is good enough to warrant a top-10 selection because of his acceleration and explosion. However, Perry can really make strides at his pro day with improved lateral balance and quickness.

Right now he's your ideal 4-3 defensive end that specializes as a pass rusher, on top of setting the edge against the run. Provided that Perry can develop more as a backside run defender, he'll only become that much more complete of a player.

Denver Broncos: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)

It wasn't LSU's Morris Claiborne or Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick that stood out the NFL combine among cornerbacks. It was South Carolina's Stephon Gilmore, who sits a bit under the radar because South Carolina isn't LSU or Alabama.

There, Gilmore ran 4.40 seconds on the 40-yard dash, soared 10'3" on the broad jump and hit 36 inches on the vertical jump. He also was one of the quickest and most balanced defensive backs when running 3.94 seconds on the 20-yard shuttle and 6.61 seconds on the three-cone drill.

With a frame of 6', 190 pounds, Gilmore is your ideal cornerback, but he also provides the ball awareness skills to transition to safety when needed. He's great at immediately changing directions and proved that by running 11.15 seconds on the 60-yard shuttle.

Include Gilmore's physical play and instincts, and pro football will welcome his complete skill set to defend the pass and run.

Houston Texans: Donatri Poe, DT (Memphis)

Let's put it this way: Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe is a guy who comes in at 6'4" and 346 pounds, and he ran 4.98 seconds on the 40-yard dash. Not to mention Poe clocked-in at under eight seconds for the three-cone drill and 4.56 seconds on the 20-yard shuttle.

For his size and frame, the man has an excellent amount of quickness, lateral agility and power. His 44 reps on the bench were more than anyone at the combine.

Considering that Poe's best usage is as a nose guard, a defense has the luxury of running a 3-4, 1-5-5 or 50-front around him. There's no need for him to be a 3-4 defensive end or 4-3 defensive tackle, because his explosiveness and lateral quickness will control both A-gaps.

Poe's strength is second-to-none, and if anything, he'll simply just plug gaps to force the running back outside or draw double-teams to let a pass-rusher through up the middle. With a lot of potential and room to only get quicker, Poe has all the physical tools a front line of defense needs.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)
2. Cleveland Browns: (From STL): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)
4. St. Louis Rams (From STL): Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	20. Tennessee Titans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
6. Washington Redskins: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)	22. St. Louis Rams (From CLE via ATL): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Detroit Lions: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
9. Carolina Panthers: Nick Perry, DE (USC)	25. Denver Broncos: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Melvin Ingram, DE (South Carolina)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	31. New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
16. New York Jets: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)	32. New York Giants: Coby Fleener, TE (Stanford)

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