NFL Draft 2012: 10 Pro Prospects Already Shooting Up Draft Boards

Throughout the 2011 college football season, many players will be moving up and down NFL draft boards. A player most people have never heard of right now will be a first-round pick in April. A current first-rounder could shoot into the top 10 or fall out of the draft completely.

While only one week of the 2011 season has been played, some prospects are already seeing their stocks change. For many players, one big week can make all the difference. 

In 2009, Ndamukong Suh was already considered a top-10 or top-five pick, but his four-sack performance against Texas solidified his elite status. Some potential prospects may have already had this game and will see the benefits of it later.

While it is difficult to judge who has already improved his stock, some players could have already jumped up a whole round in the draft. This is a look at the players that have shown signs of a dramatic rise before the draft.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Above all else, Griffin is a superb athlete. The 6'2", 220-pound quarterback has rare speed for the quarterback position and is deadly when running in the open field.

However, Griffin isn't just a runner. The Baylor passer has a strong arm and can make any throw on the field. Griffin is also fairly accurate and isn't as quick to run as one might expect.

Griffin is still raw and needs to show the ability to handle the complexities of an NFL offense. What can't be denied is Griffin's incredible talent and recent play against TCU.

Lamar Miller, RB, Miami (FL)

While Miller isn't a great running back prospect, he is extremely explosive and possesses dynamic playmaking ability. The 5'11", 212-pound runner could end up as a first-round pick in 2012, but he needs to show consistency in order to do so.

During the 2010 NCAA season, Miller had both great and terrible performances. In one game Miller averaged 11.9 yards per carry, but he only had eight yards on nine carries in his next contest.

Miller isn't an overly powerful back, but he has good size, and his speed is lethal. It is a well-established fact that the Miami star has the talent, but he needs to produce throughout the season in order to be a first-round draft pick.

T.J. McDonald, S, USC

McDonald is already projected as a first-rounder by many, but he could further enhance his stock. The 6'3", 205-pounder is a good athlete and can play against the pass and run.

Taylor Mays' heir apparent, McDonald is a great athlete and could play either safety position in the NFL. McDonald doesn't have quite the size of many safeties, but he is a physical player who can lay the wood across the middle.

With McDonald's talent, there is no reason why the USC safety can't be selected in the upper half of the first round come draft time.

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

A former wide receiver, Tannehill is raw but extremely talented. The Texas A&M quarterback has a strong arm and excellent mobility but needs to work on his mechanics and the mental part of the game.

The 6'4", 222-pounder has surprisingly good accuracy for someone so new to the quarterback position and can gun throws into extremely tight windows. Despite his obvious athleticism, Tannehill rarely takes off and runs and has pretty good pocket presence.

If Tannehill continues to develop during the 2011 season, he could easily find his way into the first round as a developmental quarterback.

Cordarro Law, DE, Southern Miss

In 2010, Law produced quality numbers, racking up six sacks and 11.5 tackles for a loss. The Southern Miss defensive end is a good athlete with the ability to make plays in the backfield.

After contributing eight tackles, two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss in a win over Louisiana Tech, Law will likely be receiving some attention from the media. Law needs to show consistency throughout the year, but he has the size and ability to be a high draft pick as a pass-rusher.

After producing decent numbers the past two seasons, Law needs to break out as a senior, or he will never be considered a worthy high draft pick.

Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

At just 5'10", 190 pounds, Wright isn't overly big but makes up for his lack of size with great speed. As Robert Griffin's favorite target, Wright is a crucial player in the Baylor offense.

Wright doesn't project perfectly as an exterior receiver but could end up as a similar player to Mike Wallace. The Baylor receiver has excellent speed and quickness and also possesses good hands.

While Wright doesn't have an overly high ceiling, he should at least be an excellent slot receiver. Wright's size may keep him out of the first round, but he seems likely to be a high draft pick like Titus Young a year ago.

Lance Lewis, WR, East Carolina

Lewis is gaining national attention after catching 13 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns against cornerback Stephon Gilmore and the rest of the South Carolina defense. The 6'3", 210-pound Lewis is a good athlete with the size to dominate cornerbacks.

Lewis doesn't have great speed, but his size and physicality make him a quality receiving threat with big-play potential. The East Carolina wideout has the power to run through arm tackles and does a good job of gaining yards after the catch.

Lewis doesn't have the athletic ability or size to be a great receiving prospect, but a few more performances like his against South Carolina could solidify him as a first-round draft pick.

Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Just a year ago, Floyd's name was being mentioned alongside the likes of A.J. Green and Julio Jones. However, a disappointing 2010 campaign caused the Notre Dame wideout to return to the Fighting Irish for his senior season.

At 6'3", 225 pounds, Floyd has great size and catches nearly everything. His problem in 2010 was a lack of quickness and burst. With that said, Floyd looked considerably more explosive in his first game of 2011 against South Florida.

If Floyd stays healthy and continues to demonstrate improved quickness, there is no reason why he can't regain his former status as a prospect. While he may never reach top-10 status, Floyd could end up being selected in the middle of the first round.

Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

It may seem weird to have a well-known prospect on this list, but Burfict appears to be rising at a considerable rate. The Arizona State linebacker had three sacks against UC Davis and continues to show how explosive of a player he really is.

Burfict has great size, speed and strength and is an incredibly intimidating player. While many already have Burfict as a top-10 pick, others have him in the latter part of the first round. Don't be surprised if Burfict ends up as an elite linebacker prospect worthy of a top-five pick.

The 6'3", 255-pounder has some weaknesses, but his aggressiveness and raw talent make him good enough to be worthy of a high draft choice. Many top linebacker prospects have somewhat limited potential, but Burfict has no ceiling at all.

Miles Burris, LB, San Diego State

At 6'3", 240 pounds, Burris has good size and is an excellent athlete. The San Diego State linebacker is extremely fast and has the ability to catch running backs from behind.

Burris isn't overly big, but he has the strength and aggressiveness to handle big offensive linemen in the run game. However, Burris is not just a run-stopper and had 9.5 sacks during the 2010 season. His pass-rush moves aren't great, but he is explosive and is an excellent blitzer.

Burris hasn't been used much in coverage throughout his career, but his athletic ability suggests that he should be at least adequate there. Not many people are talking about Burris yet, but watch out for his name, as he could shoot up draft boards.