2012 NFL Mock Draft: Updated News on Ryan Broyles and Injury-Stricken Prospects

Durability is arguably the single most important attribute that an NFL prospect needs to have when making the transition from college.

After all, no matter how much legit talent a player possesses, they can't help a franchise by sitting on the bench.

That said, here's the latest news on some prospects who were or have been dealing with the injury bug.

Brandon Boykin

Arguably one of the most underrated corners from the SEC, courtesy of others like Morris Claiborne, Dre Kirkpatrick and Stephon Gilmore, Georgia's Brandon Boykin has a lot to offer. Unfortunately, an injury in January set him back a bit.

According to John Manasso of FOX Sports, Boykin continues to work and improve:

"

He suffered a small fracture of his right leg on a punt return at the Senior Bowl, derailing his hopes of working out at the NFL Combine a few weeks later.

“It’s probably been a month out,” Boykin said. “I’m doing really well running and doing all the things that I was doing before. It’s not really affecting me from a training standpoint. I’m still able to lift and do all the things I need to do, but it’s slowing me down.”

"

An expected second-round selection, Boykin is arguably the most versatile player in the draft.

In addition to defending 12 passes, forcing two fumbles and making 55 tackles as a senior in 2011, Boykin compiled over 1,000 return yards and even gained 174 total yards, while scoring three touchdowns on offense.

Provided that Boykin does get back to 100 percent by late April, he'll make for one great second-round pick. He's quick, has great field awareness, is extremely dynamic and can give a team the edge in winning the field position battle.

Markelle Martin

As the 2011 college football season progressed, Oklahoma State safety Markelle Martin was gradually climbing up the draft boards. He did not begin so high, though, because the Cowboys defense was anything but impressive, allowing 27 points and 445 total yards per game.

Still, Martin continued to impress as he recorded 129 tackles, three picks, two forced fumbles and defended 24 total passes between 2010 and 2011. Now, however, his stock may be on the decline.

According to Ryan Stewart of GoPokes.com, Martin missed Oklahoma State's pro day:

"

One player who was not able to participate in Friday’s Pro Day events was safety Markelle Martin. Martin was walking around on crutches.

Martin tore meniscus in his knee at the NFL combine and was unable to participate there, as well.

"

Nonetheless, Martin is a hard-hitting safety that knows how to find the ball and break-up passes. He's a sure-tackler, has great size for a safety and when healthy, can blanket in zone coverage.

Ryan Broyles

Arguably the most consistently reliable receiver in all of college football the past three years, Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles saw his 2011 season cut short in early November, according to Keith Whitmire of FOX Sports.

After snagging 303 receptions for almost 3,900 yards and scoring 39 touchdowns between 2009-2011, Broyles still has the opportunity to move up from a late-rounder to the middle rounds.

According to Brandon Chatmon of ESPN, Broyles plans on showcasing his abilities next month:

"

Broyles' day could be coming soon. He expects to hold a private workout day of his own in April, before the NFL draft is held from April 26-28.

“Therapy is not fun but I go in every day trying to get better, just like I was on the football field,” he said. But I’m getting healthy, shooting for a pro day in April so I’ll have my opportunity.”

"

If there's one player to watch for in the middle or late rounds of the 2012 draft, it's Broyles. His ability to beat any single coverage, split double zones and burn the defense to the end zone on a slant route when fully healthy was damn impressive.

Despite being somewhat undersized, Broyles makes for an ideal slot man or No. 2 target. Obviously, health will continue to be a concern, however, there's no denying Broyles's tenacity and motivation to compete.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Nick Perry, DE (USC)
2. Washington Redskins: (From STL): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	18. San Diego Chargers: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	20. Tennessee Titans: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
6. St. Louis Rams (From WAS): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)	22. Cleveland Browns (From 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: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	25. Denver Broncos: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Fletcher Cox, DT (Mississippi State)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Melvin Ingram, LB (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: Stephen Hill, WR (Georgia Tech)
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: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)

John Rozum on Twitter.