2012 NFL Draft: Stock Up, Stock Down for Top Prospects

Here we go: The final hours before the 2012 NFL draft.

Not much has changed in the passed week. But a couple players' draft stocks are still in a bit of flux.

Here’s one last look at the stocks of a few of the 2012 draft class’s top prospects:

DONTARI POE- DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Stock: Down

Poe’s star had gradually risen up the draft charts after a successful combine generated buzz about the former Memphis Tiger's athleticism.

But now there is a possibility that Poe could see his stock take a bit of a dip.

Lumped together in a group of labeled “underachievers” such as Quinton Coples, there is concern that Poe “isn't particularly productive on tape.”

While mock draft guru Mel Kiper, Jr. still has Poe ranked as the No. 9 overall pick going to the Carolina Panthers, don’t be surprised if he falls down the ranks come the first round on Thursday.

MIKE ADAMS-OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Stock: Not as bad as you may think

Former Ohio State tackle Mike Adams’ stock looked trouble in the face in February when Adams tested positive for marijuana at the 2012 Scouting Combine.

But NFL Network's Jason La Canfora believes that Adams' stock shouldn’t take too big of a tumble because “Adams has been forthright, and league sources said he is viewed as a 'good kid' who obviously made a mistake.”

La Canfora revealed that teams are impressed with how open Adams has been about the situation. And doing well during interviews with teams has certainly helped him.

Expect Adams to remain a first-round pick.

MICHAEL FLOYD-WIDE RECEIVER

Stock: Up

Impressive interviews with prospective teams have jacked up this former Notre Dame wide receiver’s stock as we’ve inched closer to the draft.

A solid pro day and successful meetings with several teams in the month of April have jettisoned Floyd to the rank of second-best wide receiver prospect in this year’s draft class, behind only OSU’s Justin Blackmon. Jeff Reynolds of the Sports Xchange goes so far as to say that Floyd’s size and speed could boost his stock and he could “even come off the board before Blackmon.”

Earlier this month, Floyd met with the Rams (with the No. 6 overall pick), Titans, Jets, Bengals, 49ers, Dolphins, Cardinals and Vikings. The Bengals—with the 17^th and 21^st overall picks—and the Bears were both at Notre Dame’s pro day to observe Floyd as well.

But don’t be surprised if Floyd gets scooped up before these teams have the opportunity to pick.

MATT KALIL- OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Stock: Out of his hands

It isn’t that Matt Kalil has done anything himself to not earn that No.3 overall draft slot with the Minnesota Vikings.

It is all the talk that the Vikings are looking to trade down and possibly not take Kalil at all.

Not to mention GM Rick Spielman’s comments during the Vikings press conference yesterday that he believes Kalil has "exactly the same grade" as other top-10 prospects who are not offensive linemen.

ESPN writer Kevin Seifert points out that Spielman might be trying to throw other teams off their game, “hoping to convince a team to trade up” for another top-ranked prospect and then take Kalil further down in the first round.

But, to put it plainly; it would be a bad move on the Vikings if they didn’t take Kalil with the No. 3 pick. They need protection for Christian Ponder, and they need it bad. And Kalil has the skill set and pedigree to beef up Minnesota’s O-line.

One reporter said to Spielman: “If you don’t take that tackle, you’re crazy.”

And it’s hard not to agree.