NFL Combine 2012: 15 Prospects Who Boosted Their Stock

This year's NFL Combine did not disappoint. Numerous players had spectacular showings. It was truly a display of the greatest athletes in professional sports.

Robert Griffin III stole the show with his blazing 40, but the combine was not particularly important for the consensus top-5 pick.

For others, though, the combine was the most important job interview of their lives. Some answered the call admirably, while others faltered.

Here are the 15 players who aced the combine and boosted their draft stock.

Kirk Cousins

Several analysts raved about Kirk Cousins' performance, including Mike Mayock and Tony Pauline.

Cousins was among a glut of quarterbacks vying to be at the top of the second tier. His performance on Sunday may have been enough to push him to the top of that list.

With a display of solid arm strength, good accuracy and nice touch, Cousins helped himself significantly.

LaMichael James

LaMichael James needed a solid combine to boost his stock, and he came through with a fast 40 and a solid performance in the drills.

James ran a quick 4.45 40-yard dash, but he was even more impressive in the drills. He displayed excellent pass-catching ability and ran with agility and burst.

While he might not be an every-down back, James showed that he is a dynamic talent who is worthy of an early selection on draft day.

David Wilson

David Wilson was perhaps the most impressive player at the combine, both for his on- and off-field performances.

Wilson blazed a 4.49 40-yard dash, was the top performer in the vertical at 41 inches and had solid showings in the three cone drill and 60-yard shuttle.

More impressive, though, was his appearance at interviews. Wilson wore a full suit to interviews, which caused a buzz in scouting circles.

With a solid physical and mental showing at the combine, Wilson boosted his stock significantly.

Cordy Glenn

Cordy Glenn was one of the most impressive athletes at the combine.

First, Glenn showcased his tremendous size and build at the weigh-in. At 345 pounds and with 35-inch arms, he is truly a physical specimen.

Despite his long arms, Glenn put up 31 reps in the bench press. He continued to look fluid in the drills and busted out a 5.15 40-yard dash, a very fast time for such a large man.

Glenn is truly a top-tier athlete. His pure physical ability boosted his stock into the middle of the first round.

Michael Floyd

Michael Floyd already was a top prospect coming into the combine, but Floyd still managed to boost his stock.

With a solid 4.47 40-yard dash and an excellent performance in the drills, Floyd excelled on the field. He showcased tremendous size and athleticism.

Showcasing his solid athleticism pushed Floyd toward the top of the first round.

Stephen Hill

Stephen Hill went from a virtual unknown to one of the most talked-about names at the combine.

First, Hill measured in at 6'4" and 215 pounds, which is enormous for a receiver. Then he ran a blistering 4.36 in the 40-yard dash and had a vertical of 39.5 inches.

Hill displayed superior athleticism and potential. Teams certainly will be going back to the tape to see if Hill is truly a legit prospect.

Either way, some team will undoubtedly pick Hill early based on the potential he showed at the combine.

Tommy Streeter

Tommy Streeter showed raw physical ability at the combine that cannot be ignored.

At 6'5", 219 pounds, Streeter is a monstrous receiver. His 4.40 40-yard dash was amazing at his size. His size-speed ratio is among the best of all the prospects.

Streeter showed enough raw ability to warrant a mid-round selection in this year's draft.

Coby Fleener

Coby Fleener only participated in the bench press, but he was still very impressive at the combine.

With 27 reps, Fleener showcased solid strength, an important attribute since scouts are concerned about Fleener's ability to block.

Further, Fleener had monstrous 10-inch hands. Scouts prefer receivers and tight ends with large hands. Fleener fits the bill.

Dontari Poe

The unquestioned star of the defensive tackles at the combine, Poe had an absolutely extraordinary workout.

Poe dominated the bench press, leading all athletes with 44 reps. Even more impressive, Poe ripped off a 4.98 40-yard dash, displaying freakish athleticism for a 348-pound man.

With an impressive blend of strength and athleticism, Poe looks poised to move into the first round.

Fletcher Cox

Fletcher Cox was hardly a household name before the combine, but after his excellent performance he has inserted himself into numerous teams' draft discussions.

From the beginning, Cox was excellent, ripping off 30 reps in the bench press. He then proceeded to run a very fast 4.79 40-yard dash and a solid 7.07 in the three-cone drill.

As a 298-pound defensive tackle, Cox's athleticism and strength could translate to multiple defenses. His versatility should help him on draft day.

Nick Perry

In perhaps the most impressive combine display since Vernon Gholston, Nick Perry dominated from beginning to end.

Perry put up an incredible 35 reps in the bench press, rivaling the strongest defensive tackles and offensive linemen. He then ripped off a blistering 4.64 40-yard dash, and he displayed excellent explosion in the vertical and broad jumps.

Perhaps the most explosive straight-line athlete in the draft, Perry showed the pure athletic ability to be a dynamic edge-rusher in the NFL.

Mychal Kendricks

Despite a solid college career, Kendricks was not considered a premiere prospect. After an impressive combine, though, Kendricks' stock is on the rise.

Kendricks was impressive in every phase, with an excellent 4.47 40-yard dash, a solid 24 reps in the bench press and an outstanding vertical.

Displaying elite athleticism, Kendricks moved himself into early round consideration.

Luke Kuechly

Luke Kuechly already was a top prospect, but a solid combine cemented his spot in the top 20.

Scouts were concerned about Kuechly's strength and speed, but his 4.58 40-yard dash and 24 reps in the bench press put those concerns to bed.

Kuechly's performance could help him find his way into the top 10.

Josh Robinson

With the fastest 40-yard dash time of the combine, Josh Robinson certainly made a name for himself. But his overall performance was just as impressive.

Robinson displayed excellent explosion in both the vertical and the broad jumps, and superb quickness in the three-cone drill.

By showing perhaps the best overall explosion at the combine, Robinson certainly improved his stock. He might receive mid-round consideration.

Sean Richardson

Sean Richardson is a raw prospect, but he possesses elite athletic ability which he was able to show off at the combine.

With an excellent 4.52 40-yard dash, stellar vertical and broad jumps, and a solid performance in the bench press, Richardson showed solid strength and straight-line speed.

Richardson might not excel as a safety, but his raw athletic ability could definitely translate to elite special teams play. That could make Richardson worth a mid- to late-round pick.