2012 NFL Draft: Landry Jones & More Who Need Big Bowl Games to Up Draft Stock

The college football bowl season is upon us, and with it, the 2012 NFL draft inches closer. These bowls will give many players, like Oklahoma's Landry Jones, chances they need to cement their draft stock.

Jones isn't the only one that needs these bowl games. Whether it's Alshon Jeffery from South Carolina, Jonathan Martin of Stanford or Riley Reiff of Iowa, they all need to show NFL scouts what they can do against this type of competition.

Here are 10 guys who need these games most.

Landry Jones

When you look at Landry Jones, you see an NFL caliber prospect. He's got a live, strong arm, and he's 6'4" and weighs 229 pounds. The guy passes the eye test.

However, there are some major questions surrounding his ability to play the quarterback position under pressure. In the last game of the season against Oklahoma State, Jones was constantly blitzed from all angles by an opportunistic Cowboy defense. That type of aggression resulted in Jones turning the ball over four times.

Jones struggled during the last part of this season after his safety blanket in Ryan Broyles was lost to injury. During those three game, Jones threw zero touchdown passes.

When Jones faces Iowa on December 30th, it will be his last chance to show that, as a junior leaving early, he will be a solid first-round prospect who can make all the pretty throws all the time.

Jonathan Martin

A 6'6", 304-pound left tackle, Jonathan Martin is responsible for protecting Andrew Luck's blind side. He's done such a good job, that he'll more than likely be the second Stanford Cardinal player to go in the first round.

With Matt Kalil considered by most to be a top-three draft pick, Martin still has a lot of room as to where he can go. If he can continue to do a good job protecting Luck in the Fiesta Bowl, he may be able to move up as high as the fifth or sixth pick.

It will be tough, as Oklahoma State has two senior defensive ends and a plethora of wild linebackers who will be ready to test Martin's abilities. If he can handle what they throw at him, he'll be a lock to be the second OL player taken.

Alshon Jeffery

Potential is what matters to NFL scouts, which is why Alshon Jeffery has drawn interest from so many teams.

At 6'4" and 229 pounds, Jeffery is the perfect size for an NFL wide receiver. He's also got incredible hands and, although he isn't that fast, is good as using his body to block out defenders.

There have been questions about Jeffery's work ethic and conditioning, which have dropped him from the top 10 in many mock drafts. He's also been injured and is still questionable for South Carolina's bowl game against Nebraska on Jan. 2nd.

If he can play and play big in this bowl, he'll prove himself and his work ethic by coming back from a fairly serious injury. That might be enough to put him in the draft where his potential deserves.

Courtney Upshaw

Courtney Upshaw is just one of those guys that you like and you want on your team. He's not the most athletic or talented, but like all of Nick Saban's defensive players, he knows how to play the game.

Right now, he's slated to probably be drafted in the first round between picks 18 and 25, which is a great place for any player to end up. However, if he has a breakout game against LSU, it will be enough to push him up to the top half of the first round.

On the biggest stage in his sport, he'll have an opportunity to show the world what he can do against the most talented team in college football in LSU. How he handles that opportunity could have a huge effect on where he's drafted.

Alfonzo Dennard

Alfonzo Dennard needs to produce against South Carolina and Alshon Jeffery.

Despite being a predicted first-rounder, Dennard could find himself falling out of the first round if he doesn't improve his production in the Capital One Bowl. The senior cornerback has just 23 tackles and no interceptions this season, neither of which are that impressive.

The talent is there, but it would be nice to see him use it in a more tangible way. He'll have that opportunity against Jeffery, who is a full half-foot taller and 25 pounds heavier. If he can do well in that matchup, look for his stock to climb.

Markelle Martin

Despite being the second highest rated safety behind Alabama's Mark Barron, few people have heard of Markelle Martin. The senior from Wichita Fall, Texas has recorded 65 tackles this season and is very athletic and fast.

However, he hasn't recorded a single interception all season. Martin will get his chance to shine against the best quarterback in the nation on Jan. 2nd in Andrew Luck. If he can have success defending Luck's passes, he has a chance to move up into the first round.

Michael Floyd

Michael Floyd is another guy whose bowl game performance could have a big impact on his draft stock. The senior's production has benefited from Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly's system, as he's racked up over 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons.

The wide out has a good frame at 6'3" and 225 pounds and is good at using that frame to his advantage. He's projected to be a late first-round guy, but if he leads the Irish to a big win against Florida State, look from him to rise up draft boards.

Ryan Tannehill

Ryan Tannehill's play is impressive, especially when you consider that he was playing wide receiver at the beginning of last year. However, some still have doubts.

Right now, Tannehill is considered to be the fourth or fifth ranked quarterback in the draft. He's got good size and decent arm strength, but his decision-making has not been the best. He's completed 61.1 percent of his passes and has had three games with three interceptions this season.

Texas A&M's fall from the Top 10 to a 6-6 record doesn't help either. Tannehill needs to play mistake free against Northwestern on New Year's Eve and prove to scouts that he can make good reads and not force throws.

Robert Griffin III

Robert Griffin III's amazing season has seen him climb up the draft boards, not to mention win a Heisman Trophy. However, he still has some climbing he could do.

He's still considered to be a late first-rounder by most draft experts at this point. What more does the guy need to do to prove that he can play at a high level?

I'm not sure, but an amazing bowl performance definitely couldn't hurt. He faces a Washington team that is giving up over 33 points per game. He needs to scorch them and scorch them good if he's going to help his draft stock.

David Wilson

David Wilson will more than likely be the second running back taken in the draft in April behind Trent Richardson. Wilson has run for more than 1,600 yards this season, and the Virginia Tech Hokies would be a much worse team without him.

Wilson will face a stiff Michigan defense in the Sugar Bowl that ranks seventh in the nation in points allowed. The Hokies will need Wilson to be their work horse as they try to move up and down the field.

If he can be that guy and lead the Hokies to a Sugar Bowl victory, NFL teams will be salivating over him.