2012 NFL Mock Draft: Vontaze Burfict and Other Defenders Drop Stock from Pro Day

After the 2012 NFL combine, prospects have another golden opportunity to respond with a pro day to increase draft value.

And, whether a prospect had a poor or great combine, the pro days are a chance to respond well and/or display consistency at maintaining a high-level of performance.

Unfortunately not everyone shines at the combine, pro day, or either. Here, we look at defensive prospects whose draft stock has decreased from an unimpressive pro day.

Marcus Forston: DT, Miami (Fla.)

After a career plagued by injuries, Miami's Marcus Forston is still considered a late third/early fourth-rounder.

However, since he hasn't been able to really put on a full impressive display, his stock is on the gradual decline. According to Jorge Milian of the Palm Beach Post:

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Forston participated in the NFL Combine in February then took part in UM’s Pro Day last week, putting up decent, but not great numbers.

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At this rate, Forston will likely drop into Round 5 as he simply hasn't been on the field enough to showcase his complete ability.

He does possess solid size, athleticism and natural instincts. However, durability concerns aside, Forston also must improve his strength, assignment discipline and a consistent get-off at the snap.

With a few other defensive tackles such as Michigan's Mike Martin, Washington's Alameda Ta'amu, Cincinnati's Derek Wolfe and Nevada's Bretty Roy rising, Forston will continue to slip.

After all, regardless of how much talent one player may bring to the table, it doesn't do a franchise any good when he's on the sideline or barely contributing to begin with.

Coryell Judie: CB, Texas A&M

The good news about Coryell Judie is that he doesn't have intangible concerns like other prospects with red-flags.

Judie missed most of the 2011 season for Texas A&M due to injury, according to KWTX 254 Sports.

Additionally, Judie has just one full season under his belt, 2010, where he recorded 57 tackles, four picks and returned 20 kickoffs for 605 yards and two touchdowns.

Most definitely, this was a legit season, but it's still just one season. After missing a good deal from 2011, Judie had just an average pro day according to Gil Brandt of NFL Network stating:

"He worked in position drills. Looked OK, not real special."

Now, although this could be a lot worse for Judie who has excellent ball skills, good field awareness and the ability to return kicks, he's only an expected late fourth-rounder at best.

At this point, in order to move up the boards, a really impressive workout must occur. Nonetheless, it would be surprising to see him go early in Round 4, as other corners such as Cal Poly's Asa Jackson and West Virginia's Keith Tandy are on the rise.

Vontaze Burfict: LB, Arizona State

According to Tony Pauline of Sports Illustrated, Vontaze Burfict continues to disappoint:

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Word on Vontaze Burfict; not good in position drills (i'm watering that down)...as one scout told me "i actually felt bad for him"

— TonyPauline (@TonyPauline) March 16, 2012"

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Man, to think that Burfict was a potential late first/early second-rounder back in mid February, he's now lucky to be a late-rounder.

After a poor display at the combine, Burfict dropped to a potential mid-rounder. His numbers aren't flashy with just 228 career tackles, seven sacks and four forced fumbles; but in games Burfict had freakish athleticism.

He's a hard-hitter with solid instincts, however, without the discipline to improve upon poor NFL workouts, well, he's going to keep dropping down the boards.

Cliff Harris: CB, Oregon

With a lot of off-the-field issues concerning the draft stock of Oregon's Cliff Harris, there's no denying his natural talent.

In 2010, Harris defended 23 passes, recorded six picks, made 33 tackles, and returned 29 punts for 546 yards and four back for touchdowns.

He was arguably the best and most complete cornerback heading into the 2011 season. However, after a forgettable year, Harris is leaving early for the NFL. Unfortunately, though, he didn't perform well enough at the combine to really turn some heads.

After all, missing most of the season when guys like Morris Claiborne, Dre Kirkpatrick and Stephon Gilmore are locking down every week, Harris could have been on that level had he played well all season.

As for his pro day, well, it was anything but increasing draft stock. According to Gil Brandt of NFL Network, Harris didn't help himself much:

"He was average in his position workout and could go undrafted."

Considering that Harris is already undersized and lacks overall speed, strength and explosiveness, it would be surprising to see him get drafted. His punt returning skills are elite, but the extra baggage won't be worth it for most franchises.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)
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): Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)	23. Detroit Lions: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, OG (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Melvin Ingram, LB (South Carolina)	25. Denver Broncos: Fletcher Cox, DT (Mississippi State)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Nick Perry, DE (USC)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)	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 Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	32. New York Giants: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)

John Rozum on Twitter.