2012 NFL Draft: Project Prospects with High Ceilings

The project prospect dangles in front of teams with promises of big rewards that vastly exceed the size of the investment. They also carry the risk that they will never reach that potential and completely bust. 

They are not for the faint of heart. It takes a little gumption to draft a project. Here are three players that will only be considered by brave teams. 

Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples has plenty of athleticism. There is no doubting that. In fact, his blend of size, speed and strength is likely going to lead to him being drafted in the top 10. 

And he will be drafted in that prized draft real estate despite not having a pass-rush move. 

Coples has gotten by almost solely on a bull rush. He is beastly enough that this will serve him well in the NFL, but not if he doesn't develop some moves to counter that. NFL offensive linemen are too strong to beat with a bull rush if they aren't worried about other things. 

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

The fact that Tannehill is a project is not surprising. He spent his first two years with the Aggies catching passes and not throwing them. 

He was good at it too. He led the Aggies in catches his sophomore season. But now he has taken that athleticism to the QB position. 

Tannehill is raw. His delivery needs some work, and he hill have a steep learning curve when it comes to reading NFL defenses. However, he has all the tools to be great. 

He has a strong arm with good accuracy. He has perfect size and good mobility. 

Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin decided to leave school early, and he might be regretting that now. His draft stock is slipping. He didn't participate in the combine workouts and then underwhelmed at Stanford's pro day. And this is a player who already had question marks in pass protection.

Martin has to learn to move his feet better if he ever wants to be a left tackle. With good coaching, he will be able to do that. At 6'5" and 312 pounds, Martin has perfect size for the position. He also has the right attitude. He is a dominant run blocker and knows how to finish off blocks.