NFL Scouting Combine 2012 Wrap: 10 Players Who Improved Their Stock the Most

The NFL Scouting Combine concluded on Tuesday and several players really helped themselves.

The top two players in the draft, Andrew Luck and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, acquitted themselves rather nicely. Not only did the two each have an incredible workout, but they stole the show when they met the press.

This combine was about more than just these two quarterbacks, though.

A record number of wide receivers ran the 40-yard dash in under 4.4 seconds. With the NFL now a pass-first league, look for many receivers to be selected in the early rounds.

Scouts from all 32 teams will evaluate what they saw at the combine versus actual game film. As is the case every year, some of these players will not be as impressive on film as they were in shorts. It will be up to personnel departments around the NFL to weigh potential against production.

Ten players in particular had an impressive stay in Indianapolis. But, the biggest winner will surprise you. 

David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

Wilson was expected to thrive at the combine, and he did.

Wilson expected to be the fastest running back in Indianapolis, but he ran the 40 in 4.49 seconds. While that is a great time, Wilson, a former track star, expected better.

No fear for Wilson, though. He posted the best vertical leap for a running back (41"), and the best broad jump (11 feet). The running back who finished second to Wilson in the long jump was a mere nine inches behind him. 

Where Wilson really shined was on-field drills. In pass-catching drills, Wilson looked fluid and natural. In his three-year career at Virginia Tech, Wilson didn't catch a lot of passes, through no fault of his own. So, it was important for him to shine in that drill with running backs now expected to be as equally adept in the passing game as the run game.

Wilson plays fast. Sometimes to his own detriment. Don't be surprised if Wilson posts an ever better 40 time at Virginia Tech's pro day in just over two weeks. 

Wilson still remains a solid second-round selection, with an outside shot of landing at the end of round one. 

Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

No one had a better weekend than Hill.

It is hard to get a true feel for how good a receiver Hill is. Playing in a option offense at Georgia Tech, Hill didn't get a lot of opportunities to catch the ball. But, when he did, he made the most of it. Hill finished the 2011 season with 28 catches for 820 yards, good for over 29 yards per catch. 

Standing 6'4" and weighing 215 lbs., Hill ran the 40 in 4.36 seconds, tied for second best among all who ran. Hill also posted a 39" vertical leap and was tied for the best broad jump.

Hill was already on the radar of scouts because of the recent success of big-play Georgia Tech WR's Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas. 

Teams covet players with the athletic ability Hill possesses. Now the question is, will he make it into the first round?

Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Perhaps the only player who eclipsed Hill's amazing weekend was Poe. Standing in at 6'4" and weighing just under 350 lbs., Poe was phenomenal Monday in his workouts. 

Poe registered 44 reps on the bench press, but the more impressive stat was running the 40 in 4.87 seconds. Imagine, a man of Poe's size running that fast. 

In the 10-yard split, Poe posted a time of 1.70 seconds. The 10-yard split is a good indicator of someone's ability to explode off the ball. 

While Poe was already a borderline first-round selection, his college production didn't always meet his immense physical gifts.

Monday's performance would seem to solidify Poe as a top 20 choice

Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB, West Virginia

Irvin was somewhat of an enigma in college.

Possessing an outstanding combination of size and speed, Irvin's senior season was spent coming off the bench at times, despite having 14 sacks in his junior season. 

At 6'3" and 245 lbs., Irvin projects to be an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense in the NFL. 

On Monday, Irvin showed his tremendous athletic ability. Posting a 4.43 40-yard dash, Irvin was also explosive in all other drills. In linebacker drills, Irvin looked fluid, surprising many since he spent his time at West Virginia with his hand on the ground.

Irvin still projects as a second-round pick, but don't be surprised if one team falls in love with Irvin, and he goes much higher than anticipated. 

Mychal Kendricks, LB, California

Kendricks, the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, was impressive in his workouts on Monday.

Kendricks ran the fastest time in the 40 among LBs (4.41), and showed fluidity and explosiveness in all drills. Kendricks also posted the best vertical and broad jump among LBs. 

While many hadn't previously heard of Kendricks, he has now gotten everyone's attention. Once seen as a mid-round selection, Kendricks may have been impressive enough to move into the second round. 

While not the biggest player at 5'11" and 239 lbs., Kendricks has the athletic ability, production and smarts to be solid player in the NFL for a long time. 

Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

While many scouts seem torn on Kuechy as a first-rounder, he likely solidified himself as a top 20 pick with his performance Monday.

Coming into the combine there were many questions about Kuechly's athletic ability. His college production at the middle linebacker position is unmatched. 

Kuechly ran the 40 in 4.58 seconds and posted a time of 6.92 seconds in the three-cone drill. Kuechly had a 38" vertical and had a broad jump of 10 feet 3 inches. 

For any team looking for a middle linebacker, Kuechly is the best one in this draft. No player in the NCAA had more tackles than Kuechly in the past three years. And he looks to be improving in coverage as well.

Kuechly looks capable of playing middle linebacker in any defensive front. 

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd has long been viewed as a top 10 talent. Despite having inconsistent quarterback play at times in his Notre Dame career, Floyd excelled.

Coming into the combine there were questions about Floyd's speed. He answered those questions to the tune of a 4.47 40. At 6'2" and 220 lbs., size was never a factor for Floyd.

The other nagging issue for Floyd was three alcohol-related issues while at Notre Dame. So as impressive as Floyd was in drills, many are saying he was impressive in the interview process. By facing the questions of why teams would be afraid of spending a first-round pick on him, Floyd eased the minds of many.

Floyd isn't seen as a bad kid, but those issues are more than one isolated incident. Surely, some teams will drop Floyd on their draft board, but the all the WR-needy teams in the NFL, Floyd is a solid mid-first round selection. 

Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State

While Griffin and Luck chose not to throw, Cousins knew he had an opportunity to impress NFL scouts and coaches. Cousins did not disappoint in his opportunity.

Although he possesses average size and arm strength, Cousins is seen as a third- or fourth-round talent. Cousins is a good decision-maker and has surprising mobility.

While many of the other quarterback prospects were shaky and inconsistent, Cousins was accurate in the intermediate passing game. 

Luck and Griffin are far-and-away the top two prospects in this draft. Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M is viewed as the third-best prospect. But, with a solid effort at the combine, Cousins could now be the fourth quarterback taken. 

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Claiborne is one of the elite talents in this draft. While Claiborne ran the 40 in "only" 4.5 seconds, he excelled in all other drills. He showed elite change-of-direction ability, a must in the NFL.

Claiborne isn't viewed in the same light as his former LSU teammate Patrick Peterson. Peterson is considered the superior athlete, while Claiborne is considered the more polished football player. Peterson was the fifth overall pick last year.

By showing up to the combine ready to compete in all drills, Claiborne did himself many favors. He showed he had nothing to hide and was good in every area. 

It is doubtful Claiborne gets past the fifth pick, as he is the best cornerback in this draft, by a wide margin. 

Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

Gilmore, a junior, was considered a late first-round or early second-round pick. But, after Tuesday's performance at the combine, Gilmore may end up being the second cornerback taken.

Possessing good size, Gilmore ran the 40 in 4.4 seconds. A corner with size and speed will be a hot commodity in the NFL.

While not always the most consistent player in the rugged SEC, Gilmore's athletic ability is tough to ignore. He was a standout in every drill, showing explosiveness and a tremendous ability to track the football.

In college, Gilmore was good in run support, showing a desire to stick his nose in the run game. 

On an overall level, no defensive back was as successful as Gilmore on Tuesday. 

The St. Louis Rams

Holding the second overall pick in the draft, the Rams couldn't have been happier with how this past weekend played out. 

Robert Griffin III was even more impressive than advertised. Meaning, the second choice just became more valuable.

While teams like the Redskins and Dolphins have made their affection for Griffin known, many other teams will be calling the Rams about the availability of the second pick.

The next big decision for the Rams is when to trade the pick. They could agree to trade the pick before free agency, before a team signs Peyton Manning (if available) or Matt Flynn. Or, they could wait until right before the draft when teams become desperate.

Nonetheless, the Rams hold all of the cards. 

And thanks to Griffin, they had the best week in Indianapolis.