2012 NFL Draft Projections: Players Who Will Plummet Down Draft Boards

The NFL draft is almost upon us, and a number of stocks have risen and fallen to this point.

Let's take a look at four players who draft stock has plummeted since projections have been made this offseason.

Dontari Poe (DT, Memphis)

Not only has Dontari Poe's draft stock fell because of the lesser competition he faced in college, but his work ethic has baffled some scouts. Just watch the some game tape on him.

He is a big nose tackle that can be a force in the middle of a defense. He is a bull in terms of strength and size. Yet scouts dislike his tendency to take plays off.

Initially, he was seen as a top-10 pick and most likely the best defensive tackle on the board. Now, it is looking as if he could be picked in the 20's. Although that is not a bad spot to be picked, it is a big drop.

I could see Poe falling to the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 21. The Bengals could use a big body in the middle like Poe, and hopefully, Poe can prove that everybody that passed on him made a big mistake.

Janoris Jenkins (CB, North Alabama)

NFL teams are turned off by Janoris Jenkins, mostly because of character issues. He had two major incidents at Florida, including his involvement in a bar fight and resisting arrest and two separate marijuana charges.

There is no doubt that Jenkins is extremely talented and physically gifted, but he has no use if he is going to get suspended or find himself in jail. 

Initially, Jenkins was seen as a top-20 talent, but his draft stock has taken a major hit. Some analysts have projected him to drop to the second round.

I could see Jenkins slipping past the first round and eventually being grabbed by the Minnesota Vikings (round two, pick three), assuming they take Matt Kahlil in the first round. If Minnesota drafts Morris Claiborne, I expect him to go No. 40 to the Carolina Panthers.

Courtney Upshaw (DE/LB, Alabama)

Courtney Upshaw is a versatile defender, but for some reason, he looks to be slipping down the draft board. It may be because he was seen as somebody who could could play in a 3-4 scheme, but it looks like his ability to drop back in coverage is not as strong as scouts thought it would be.

Upshaw still has a bright future as a pass rusher. This will help him stay in the top-20, although he was initially pegged as a top-10 talent.

I predict Upshaw going to the New York Jets at No. 16, but should be get past that number, he will land in San Diego.

Mike Adams (OT, Ohio State)

Mike Adams was initially seen as a top-20 player in the draft, but he has quickly dropped on most scout's lists and for a variety of reasons.

First, Adams did not have a good NFL Combine. He came in, seemingly out of shape, and put up questionable numbers. 

Even more than that, Adams tested positive for marijuana at the Combine, which has raised red flags for many of the teams in the NFL. He has owned up to it and not made excuses, which has definitely helped his character in most scouts' minds, but the positive test definitely still hurt him.

Adams has bust written all over him, which is why Adams has gone from a top-20 pick to a possible second rounder. I see Adams going in the second round, to possibly the Cleveland Browns or Buffalo Bills.