Sigmund Bloom's 2012 NFL Draft Stock Watch: Stock Up/Down on Top DE Prospects

With less than a month until the NFL draft, the big board is still in motion as players work out at their pro days. Which defensive ends are on the rise and which are sliding down the board?

Risers

Melvin Ingram, South Carolina - SI.com's Tony Pauline reported that Ingram had an A+ pro day workout, and the New York Jets had a large presence watching his linebacker drills. He might be the most versatile of the DE/OLB tweeners and the first off of the board at Radio City Music Hall.

Nick Perry, USC - Perry's 4.64 40 at the combine and 38.5" vertical would have been terrific if he was a linebacker, as a 6'3", 271-pound defensive end, they are exceptional. Perry has proven that he is athletic enough to make the shift to 3-4 OLB and merit a pick in the top 20.

Whitney Mercilus, Illinois - Mercilus led FBS in sacks in 2011, but he was quiet until his senior year, so the NFL is wary of his production. His solid test numbers across the board and linebacker workouts that suggest scheme versatility are making teams feel better about taking him in the first round.

Fallers

Jake Bequette, Arkansas - Bequette's combine times a 4.07 short shuttle and 6.9 three-cone suggested that he can make the switch to 3-4 OLB despite a huge 6'5", 274-pound frame, but linebacker workouts at his pro day were a little rougher. He might be a man without a position, which could push him to the third day.

Chandler Jones, Syracuse - Jones has a nice NFL DE frame, but combine drills confirmed that he is not a quick-twitch pass rusher who will disrupt a lot of plays in the backfield. He'll be an excellent rotational player, but he missed his window to move into the top 50 picks.

Quinton Coples, North Carolina - Coples dominated at the Senior Bowl, but that just opened up even more questions about why that Coples didn't show up on film in 2011. Worries about his effort will dog his stock enough to potentially push him out of the top 10 or even top 15 despite a physical package that is worthy of a top-five pick most years.

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