NFL Draft 2012: Speedy Prospects Who Won't Pan Out in the Pros

Speed is an essential weapon in the NFL, but not all blessed with it will succeed.

To make it in the pros, players need to bring more to the table than a sweet set of wheels. It takes agility, toughness, character and smarts to make it on an NFL roster.

Here are four speedy prospects whose careers won't last long at the next level.

LaMichael James, Running Back, Oregon

Per NFL.com, at the combine, James posted a 4.45-second 40-yard dash time—a respectable time for a running back, but far from what I expected of him.

He's much faster than than and proved it at his pro day, posting times of 4.29 and 4.36 seconds in the same drill, according to NFLDraftScout.com.

Unfortunately, James just isn't a complete back by any stretch of the imagination. 

He's not a powerful runner, and he rarely escapes tackles. James also tends to get impatient and bounces outside, looking for the corner before giving his offensive line a chance to pave the way. 

Additionally, James has a problem with ball security. Per ProFootballWeekly, during his three-year career at Oregon, he fumbled the ball 12 times. This could be a big problem for him as he attempts to play at the next level.

Finally, James isn't an adequate pass-blocker. He will be destroyed by NFL linebackers and defensive ends as they attack the quarterback. This makes him a third-down back at best.

James is a gimmicky player who doesn't possess the overall game to succeed in the NFL.

Whitney Mercilus, Defensive Line/Outside Linebacker, Illinois

Mercilus impressed scouts by posting a 4.68-second 40-yard dash time at the scouting combine, according to NFL.com. That's a great time for a man of his size, and you'd think he will have success at the next level because of it.

The problem I have with Mercilus is that he is really only a finesse pass-rusher. He gained many of his sacks in college against lowly competition, and the offensive linemen of the NFL will be able to handle his speed.

Mercilus doesn't possess any elite pass-rushing moves. He is average-to-below-average with his hands and isn't strong enough in his upper body to muscle tackles out of position. 

Essentially, Mercilus had one great year at Illinois. I see him as another Aaron Maybin-type prospect and I'd stay away from him in the first round at all costs.

Travis Benjamin, Wide Receiver, Miami (Fla.)

Per NFL.com, Benjamin was the fastest wide receiver at the scouting combine, running a 4.36-second 40-yard dash. 

He is an explosive track star in the mold of James Jett, and his agility is off the charts as well. 

The problem I have with Benjamin is that his game is pure finesse.

He is small, at 5'10" and 175 pounds, and all teams will have to do to shut him down is jam him at the line of scrimmage and he's toast. Further damning him at the next level are his short arms and small hands. 

Benjamin shies away from contact and won't be someone you want going across the middle. He is essentially a one-trick pony who can burn down the sidelines. Therefore, as long as teams gameplan accordingly, he can be easily neutralized.

The final straw for me as far as Benjamin is concerned is that there were numerous occasions at Miami where he just disappeared for stretches at a time.

As fast as he is, I don't see him having long-term success in the NFL.

Ron Brooks, Cornerback, LSU

Brooks came out with a blazing-fast 40-yard dash of 4.37 seconds at the scouting combine, according to NFL.com. He didn't run at his pro day, and instead chose to stand on that impressive display.

He is rising up draft boards due to his combination of size (5'10" and 190 pounds) and speed. 

The problem I see is that Brooks didn't even crack the starting lineup at LSU. He is prone to getting bit in the behind on double moves. Once he bites, he doesn't have the fluidity to recover.

He isn't a great wrap-up tackler, either, and will have trouble against the bigger wide receivers in the league.

I see Brooks as a cornerback version of Taylor Mays. He has the body you're looking for but not the fluid athleticism required to handle secondary duties in the NFL.

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