2012 NFL Draft: 6 Players Dropping out of the 1st Round

Every time the NFL Draft rolls around, there is that one prospect who was projected as a first round pick that simply free-falls into the second round, and it will happen this year as well.

Prospects take a nose-dive on draft day for various reasons. Injuries and questionable off the field antics are always good reasons, as are questions of work ethic. Talent alone keeps some players ranked as a first round pick by experts, but that doesn’t mean teams see it that way.

The 2012 NFL Draft is very deep at several positions, and that can have a ripple effect on prospects who were projected to be selected in the first round. Prospects may not like falling into the second round, but it’s safe to say teams don’t mind when they do.

With that in mind, here are six players that will fall out of the first round in the 2012 NFL Draft:

Alshon Jeffery, WR

There have been concerns about Alshon Jeffery's conditioning and work ethic for some time now. He opted to not work out at the Scouting Combine, which didn't help matters.

What did help was his solid pro-day.

He showed up in shape and looked like a potential first round pick. However, that doesn't mean teams will simply forget about his questionable road leading to the draft. It also doesn't help that Jeffery fell off heavily during his final season at South Carolina.

Jeffery has the size and physicality of a NFL caliber receiver at 6'3" and 216lbs, but it's where he's at mentally that will knock him out of the first round. Receiver is a very deep position this year and teams won't waste a pick on a guy who can't stay in shape.

If Jeffery has been lackadaisical in his preparation for the biggest interview in his life, what's to say he won't become indifferent once he receives his first massive rookie paycheck? 

Janoris Jenkins, CB

There isn't much to be said about Janoris Jenkins at this point. On the field he's the best corner in the draft not named Morris Claiborne. Off the field is a different story.

Jenkins was kicked off the Florida Gators for three marijuana-related incidents. He then went to play for North Alabama to finish off his collegiate career before entering the draft. One would think while at North Alabama Jenkins cleaned up his act, correct?

Wrong.

Jenkins continued to smoke marijuana at North Alabama, and that has some NFL front office personnel peeved.

His inability to get it together off the field is something that will keep him out of the first round. Jenkins has all the talent in the world, but apparently none of that talent included his ability to make smart decisions.

Mark Barron, S

Mark Barron is far and away the best safety in this year's draft. It's also one of the most average positions in the NFL, so it would only make sense that Barron is selected pretty early in the first round.

Unfortunately for Barron, a string of injuries is going to ensure he won't be a first round pick.

Most recently Barron had to have double-hernia surgery which made him miss the Scouting Combine. That didn't necessarily kill his first round stock, but it's his history of being hurt that is killing it. He also suffered a torn pectoral two years ago and was a regular on the injury report throughout his career.

No matter what Barron will be the first safety taken in the draft, it just won't be in the first round. That's unfortunate because his talent is certainly that of a first rounder, he just has been too fragile of an injury history.

Alfonzo Dennard, CB

At one point in time Alfonzo Dennard was considered one of the better corners in the draft, and a first round pick at that. Now he'll easily fall out of the first as there are much better prospects emerging.

Dennard isn't a bad player, he just received unworthy hype and has had trouble living up to it. He's a solid second round pick, but to ever say he was a first round player is ridiculous.

Dennard is a tenacious corner at 5'10 and 204lbs and a visible leader on the field but his stock is sliding.

His injury history is something that is knocking his stock down heavily. He missed three games in 2011 to a hamstring injury, two in 2010 to a concussion and some time in 2009 with a shoulder injury.

For Dennard, it has been a most unimpressive offseason leading up to the draft, and he'll be taken in the second round instead of the first.

Jerel Worthy, DT

Jerel Worthy is simply getting lost in the pile of quality defensive tackles entering this year's draft.

There are only so many teams that want a defensive tackle in the first round, and there are several that will be taken before Worthy's name is called.

Worthy had an unimpressive combine while others, such as Dontari Poe, had jaw-dropping performances. Further tape study on Worthy has shown teams questionable ability to shed two blockers and use his hands effectively.

Worthy was a force in college and will likely turn out to be a solid pro player in the trenches. His mediocre offseason, however, will see him going in the second round instead of the first like most initially thought.

Stephen Hill, WR

Stephen Hill entered the draft as essentially a no-name prospect who didn't see many balls thrown his way as he played in a triple-threat rushing attack at Georgia Tech.

Teams knew his name after the Scouting Combine thanks to a 4.36 40-yard dash. Hill's stock instantly skyrocketed as his incredible combination of speed and size (6'4" 215lbs) is something that could potentially allow him to dominate the NFL with ease.

Now that the hype from the combine has begun to cool off, so has Hill's stock. The speed is nice, but there have been workout warriors who impressed at the combine in year's past and failed miserably after being taken in the first round.

Hill's name will be called early in a few weeks, it just won't be in the first round.

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