25 2012 NFL Draft Prospects Whose Stock Has Plummeted

The draft stock of an NFL prospect is always in flux. Each performance plays a role in how a prospect is evaluated. One really poor game can mean the difference between going in the Top 10 or falling past number 20.

While one game can impact a prospect's stock, long-range struggles raise real red flags. Sometimes a player is hurt by expectations.

For instance, a player's athletic ability often leads to them receiving the tag of possessing upside. This usually means that a player is expected to perform at a high level, but sometimes they are unable to meet these lofty expectations.

Another reason a player's stock can take a hit is if an injury occurs. The NFL is very aware of a player's injury history, and any concerns about a past injury will result in a drop in draft position. An injury will also limit a player's playing time, thus limiting his opportunities to impress scouts.

Off-the-field issues are also a major reason for players to fall in the draft. The importance of a trouble-free life has increased because of the way NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has handled off-the-field issues. One mistake could prove to be very costly.

Cyrus Gray, Running Back, Texas A&M

Texas A&M's Cyrus Gray has not performed as well as expected. Last season, Gray showed flashes of his game-breaking ability. He had several long touchdown runs, as well as several big plays in the passing game. Gray rushed for more than 1,100 yards while averaging 5.7 yards per carry.

So far this season, Gray has seen his production drop. He is averaging almost one yard less per carry and has broken fewer big plays. It has been a surprise to many that Gray has actually been less productive than his backup, Christine Michael.

Michael has more rushing yards, more rushing touchdowns and a better yard per carry average. At the beginning of the season, I felt that Gray had a chance to make a push into the first round. His explosiveness and ability to make plays was impressive.

Now, Gray is looking more like a third or fourth-round prospect.

LaMichael James, Running Back, Oregon

There is no doubting the explosiveness of Oregon's LaMichael James, but his draft stock has dropped in recent weeks.

James is a playmaker, who is capable of picking up large chunks of yardage. He is someone that can score from anywhere on the field.

However, the NFL is going to have some concerns about his size and durability. James is listed at 5'9" and 195 pounds, which is a little smaller than the typical NFL running back. His size is something that NFL teams will account for when they evaluate James.

James' recent elbow injury also did not help his draft stock. It brought up legitimate concerns about his durability.

Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, South Carolina

When evaluating South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery, you immediately notice his impressive size. He uses his 6'4" 229-pound frame to his advantage, attacking the ball at its highest point. The NFL has been trending towards selecting bigger wide receivers.

Jeffery entered the season as a potential top-five pick. He was coming off a dominating season in which he appeared to be unstoppable. Jeffery's combination of physical ability and production put him on the radar of every NFL team.

However, Jeffery's season has not gone as planned. He has not played with a lot of consistency and has also failed to contribute explosive plays down the field. Jeffery has been plagued by inconsistent quarterback play, which has undoubtedly had an impact on his effectiveness.

At this point, Jeffery has gone from a potential top-five pick to sitting somewhere outside the Top 10.

Juron Criner, Wide Receiver, Arizona

Juron Criner is a very underrated football player. He is an explosive player who excels at making plays down the field.

Criner's career at Arizona has been filled with big plays and highlight-reel catches. He might not get the national attention of the other receivers, but he is equally talented.

However, Criner's draft stock is trending downward. His senior season has been filled with injuries and questionable playing statuses. All of the issues seem to be part of a little bad luck streak, but it has still impacted his draft stock.

Criner recently missed some time due to an emergency appendectomy, and he also faced some issues during the offseason. The struggles of the entire Arizona team have also not helped his draft stock.

Andrew Datko, Offensive Tackle, Florida State

Florida State's Andrew Datko has had an injury-plagued senior season, missing several games due to a serious shoulder injury. This has cost Datko a few opportunities to improve his draft stock, as injuries and missed time always have a negative effect on a player's draft position.

Datko needed to use every snap this season to solidify his draft position. NFL teams want to see if he has the potential to play left tackle in the NFL.

It is very important for Datko to finish out the season on a high note.

Jacquies Smith, Defensive End, Missouri

Missouri's Jacquies Smith was supposed to step in and fill the void left by Aldon Smith. However, he has been unable to generate a consistent pass rush.

Entering the season, Smith was on everyone's radar as a possible breakout candidate. He has shown plenty of flashes, but needs to find some consistency.

Smith is a victim of high expectations, as he is not having a terrible season. However, when preseason expectations are generated and a prospect doesn't meet them, he falls down draft boards. Smith has some time left in the season to make a surge.

Jerel Worthy, Defensive Tackle, Michigan State

Entering the season, Michigan State's Jerel Worthy was one of those prospects who many felt could make a push towards the Top 10. He has a great combination of size, strength and quickness. His ability to both stuff the run and collapse the pocket makes him a very versatile player.

However, Worthy has not taken advantage of his hot draft stock. He has been wildly inconsistent, not dominating the way many expected.

Worthy still appears to be a first-round talent, but doesn't really have a shot at landing in the Top 10. He isn't even my top-rated defensive tackle at this moment.

Marcus Forston, Defensive Tackle, Miami

Miami's Marcus Forston has had a very forgettable season. He was one of several Miami players suspended for the opening game due to his involvement with the extra benefits case. After his suspension, Forston suffered a season-ending ankle injury. This is the second season-ending injury of Forston's career.

Forston was being considered a first or second-round prospect, with the potential to really move up the draft board. He is a good athlete who also possesses good size.

However, off-the-field issues and an extensive injury history tend to damage a draft stock.

Jared Crick, Defensive Tackle, Nebraska

At one point, Jared Crick was being heralded as the next great defensive tackle prospect. He played alongside Ndamukong Suh and showed that he was capable of disrupting an offense. However, there were some that felt his success was a result of Suh's presence.

The more evaluators watch Crick, the more they see the holes in his game. I personally feel that Crick is no better than a late second-round prospect. However, entering the season many had him ranked among the top 32 prospects.

A season-ending pectoral injury has halted the movement of Crick's draft stock. In my opinion, his stock is still on the decline.

Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, North Alabama

North Alabama's Janoris Jenkins had an opportunity to enter the 2011 draft, but decided to return to school. Jenkins was a surefire first-round prospect who could have worked his way into the Top 15 of the 2011 draft.

Jenkins possesses a ton of athletic ability and great instincts. I compared Jenkins to Philadelphia Eagles corner Asante Samuel. He excels at reading the quarterback and breaking on the football.

However, Jenkins' draft stock is at an all-time low. He was dismissed from the Florida football team because of multiple drug citations. These off-the-field issues forced Jenkins to enroll at North Alabama, where he is not getting much attention.

Cliff Harris, Cornerback, Oregon

Oregon's Cliff Harris is another cornerback prospect who has seriously jeopardized his draft stock and is quickly dropping down many draft boards due to a string of off-the-field issues. He has had more than a few issues with traffic-related problems, serving two suspensions this season for driving-related infractions.

Harris appears to have a problem with his decision-making skills. Having repeat problems for the same off-the-field issue raises a red flag. NFL teams will have a hard time drafting a player who can't stay out of trouble.

Quinton Coples, Defensive End, North Carolina

North Carolina's Quinton Coples is still one of the top prospects in the 2012 draft. He is a terrific football player with great upside.

His ability to rush the passer from his defensive end position is a highly coveted attribute. Any NFL team who runs a 4-3 defense will have to consider adding Coples.

However, Coples has seen his draft stock drop some in the past few weeks. At one point, he was considered the second best prospect in this draft class.

Coples is still considered a top-10 talent, but has failed to hammer down that top-two spot.

Tony Dye, Safety, UCLA

UCLA's Tony Dye has gone from one of the top safety prospects to a player who may not even get drafted. Unfortunately for Dye, he suffered a nerve injury in his neck that caused numbness in his arm every time he made a hit. This is a very serious injury that will likely scare off NFL teams.

Dye had an opportunity to be one of the first safeties off the board. He was the returning leader of the UCLA defense, as well as the leading tackler. His ability to play both the run and pass made him a very versatile defender.

Donte Paige-Moss, Defensive End, North Carolina

North Carolina has a few players that have landed on this list. This isn't because the defense hasn't played well, but because players have not lived up to their expectations. Not meeting preseason hype is one of the main reasons players see a drop in their draft stock.

North Carolina's Donte Paige-Moss is really struggling to build off of his impressive sophomore season. Paige-Moss has only one sack this season and has struggled to generate consistent pressure. He was considered to be a major breakout candidate but has failed to cash in on that billing.

Bruce Irvin, Outside Linebacker, West Virginia

West Virginia's Bruce Irvin still appears to be in consideration for the first round. He is an explosive player who has shown the ability to get after the quarterback.

Last season, he registered 14 sacks and many more quarterback hurries. NFL teams have an obsession with players who can create pressure.

However, Irvin has seen a significant drop in his production. To date, he has only registered 2.5 sacks and fewer disruptive plays than at this point last season. This drop in production has many questioning his ability to develop as a pass rusher.

Irvin is a very raw prospect and his struggles to produce may bring down his draft stock.

Derek Moye, Wide Receiver, Penn State

Penn State's Derek Moye is not considered a top-level prospect, but he still has some value. He combines good size with decent speed.

Moye's ability to attack the football at its highest point makes him a real red-zone threat. He is Penn State's top receiving target, and has proven to be a playmaker.

However, Moye's senior season has been a disappointment. He has dropped a bunch of balls and appears to be struggling with his concentration. Moye has also missed some time with a broken foot, which will impact his total numbers.

Mike Adams, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State

Ohio State's Mike Adams hasn't seen his stock drop as much as he has failed to improve his stock. He was among the several Ohio State players suspended for the the first five games of the season. His involvement in the selling of memorabilia really hurt his draft stock.

Adams has the potential to be a very good NFL tackle. He possesses good size and quick feet, which allows him to excel in the running and passing game. His athletic ability and quickness help him reach the edge and protect the quarterback.

The suspension could be the only reason Adams doesn't crack the first round of the 2012 draft.

Matt Reynolds, Offensive Tackle, BYU

BYU's Matt Reynolds has had the eye of NFL scouts for the past several seasons. He possesses the ideal size and strength to be an effective blocker. Reynolds considered entering the 2011 draft, where he would have gotten some consideration for the first round. However, he decided to return to BYU for his senior season.

Reynolds remains a legitimate NFL prospect, but he has fallen out of consideration for the first round. The issue is the more film you watch, the more it appears that Reynolds is a right tackle only.

This won't keep him from playing in the NFL, but it hurts his draft stock. NFL teams prefer players with versatility.

Kenny Tate, Linebacker, Maryland

Maryland's Kenny Tate is in a very interesting situation. He entered the season trying to learn a new position, moving from safety to linebacker. His play at linebacker was up-and-down, mainly due to some adjustment pains.

Tate moved to linebacker in an attempt to help the team and his draft position. He needed to show that he was capable of playing closer to the line of scrimmage.

However, Tate suffered a season-ending injury, which Maryland refuses to disclose. He is expected to apply for a medical redshirt.

Ryan Miller, Offensive Line, Colorado

At one point, Colorado's Ryan Miller was regarded as a similar prospect to former teammate Nate Solder. He possesses excellent size and decent athleticism. The attention received by Solder helped bring some eyes to Miller.

However, those extra eyes only exposed several weaknesses. Miller's size may look good on paper, but he has a very linear build. This limits his ability to anchor after contact and generate a push off the line.

Miller also struggles to pass protect when in space. He doesn't have the foot speed to effectively mirror the pass rushers.

Greg Childs, Wide Receiver, Arkansas

Last season, Arkansas' Greg Childs suffered a knee injury that cost him most of the 2010 season. The injury has continued to linger and has forced him to miss games this season.

Childs has felt the effects of this injury all season. To date, he has only recorded 9 receptions for 109 yards.

Childs was never considered a burner, but he has always played with a good change of speed. He also possesses a good feel for the game, finding openings in the zone and providing a reliable target.

However, this knee injury is going to really hurt Childs' draft stock. Teams will need to run tests and see if Childs lost any speed.

Marc Tyler, Running Back, USC

At the end of last season, Marc Tyler was getting some attention as a possible breakout candidate. He was coming off a very impressive season and seemed to improve each and every game. Tyler is a physically gifted running back, who possesses a good combination of size and speed.

However, Tyler's draft stock plummeted after he was suspended for an off-the-field incident where he was filmed making pay-for-play-related comments. He appeared intoxicated in the video and used poor judgement. This situation cost Tyler the opportunity to enter the season as the starting running back.

After Tyler's suspension, he returned to he field, only to suffer a shoulder injury. At this point, Tyler will be lucky to hear his name called in April.

Tydreke Powell, Defensive Tackle, North Carolina

North Carolina's Tydreke Powell entered the season as a player to watch. He had shown glimpses of NFL abilities, but needed to show more consistency.

Powell's strength is his ability to occupy blockers and hold at the point of attack. His lack of explosiveness was always going to limit his exposure, so he had to play all-around solid football.

However, Powell has been really unimpressive. He has failed to find the consistency necessary for him to build his draft stock. The biggest issue is that Powell is not cashing in on his physical abilities and has been underwhelming, to say the least, on the field.

Brandon Jenkins, Defensive End, Florida State

In 2010, Florida State's Brandon Jenkins was one of the best pass rushers in the country. He registered 21.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. His ability to attack the edge and create pressure is a very valuable trait in the NFL.

However, Jenkins' draft stock has taken a bit of a hit this season. He has struggled to work through double teams and equal his 2010 production.

The talent level is still present, but he needs to find a way to be more productive. Part of being an effective pass rusher is dealing with double teams and added attention.

Travis Lewis, Linebacker, Oklahoma

Oklahoma's Travis Lewis is a tremendous college football player. He is a leader and someone who has been highly productive.

At one point in his career, Lewis was seen as a fringe first-round prospect. Evaluators had a hard time looking past his impressive numbers and instincts.

However, the more people watch Lewis, the more they become concerned with his size. At 6'2" 227 pounds, Lewis would be undersized for every linebacker position in the NFL. His limited bulk will hinder his ability to take on blocks and brings into question his durability.