The 2012 NFL Scouting Combine is here, folks! I have identified several prospects that, for various reasons, need to have strong showings over the next week to improve or solidify their draft stock.

Offensive players

Case Keenum, quarterback, Houston: This smallish quarterback will have to show a strong, accurate arm to help himself in the draft. He will interview well, but throwing - specifically deep outs and posts - is where he will have to prove his worth. 

Robert Griffin III, quarterback, Baylor: I am concerned about Griffin's actual height. If he is less than the 6-foot-2 Baylor lists him as, RG3 may not be as much of a top-three lock as some think he is. He will interview well, but I'd love to be a fly on the wall when he is walking coaches through the X's and O's of NFL plays. He won't throw, as he is looking to improve his footwork and will wait until his Pro Day.

Chris Polk, running back, Washington: Needs to show better flexibility and agility. The draft is pretty open after Trent Richardson, so Polk could score himself a second-round lock with a strong combine effort in the shuttle drills.

Terrance Ganaway, running back, Baylor: His size-speed combination is what will make or break Ganaway's draft stock. At 5-foot-11, 240 pounds will he run fast enough times to open eyes? I think he can, but his role really will never be defined as a breakaway threat in the NFL, so pay more attention to his short-area times.

Jeff Fuller, wide receiver, Texas A&M: Fuller will need to display speed and fluidity in his routes. His long legs make him a strider, but a sub-4.50 40-yard dash time will do him wonders.

• Birds of a feather:

• Alshon Jeffery, wide receiver, South Carolina
• Michael Floyd, wide receiver, Notre Dame
• Rueben Randle, wide receiver, Louisiana State
• Mohamed Sanu, wide receiver, Rutgers

All four of these wideouts have size on their side but come with speed concerns. Are they going to suffer if they run worse than 4.50? For Jeffery, expect nothing better than 4.50 to 4.52. I think Floyd will be no better than 4.48, while Randle and Sanu could be just a tad faster than 4.45. Strong times could result in late first-round selections for Sanu and/or Randle, which is questionable for each right now.

Defensive players

Chandler Jones, defensive end, Syracuse: My biggest concern with Jones is does he have the speed and bend to play 3-4 outside linebacker? He measures 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, and you can be sure some teams are considering him as a possible 'backer in their 3-4 alignment. Jones is a 4-3 end in my eyes.

Whitney Mercilus, defensive end, Illinois: Mercilus may draw attention as a 3-4 edge rusher, but I don't see it. Expect him to lack the sufficient flexibility and fluidity to play the position; he is a defensive end in a 4-3 system.

Vinny Curry, defensive end, Marshall: Some prognosticators ponder if he is a 3-4 linebacker, but I do not see it at all. Curry probably isn't even a weakside defensive end in a 4-3, so his lack of bend and flexibility will keep him from making the 3-4 transition.

Vontaze Burfict, inside linebacker, Arizona State: The sky is the limit, but holding him back could be a questionable attitude and his conditioning. If Burfict is dedicated and has his head screwed on straight, he could be a stud for a decade. Damage control will dominate his interviews.

Dont'a Hightower, inside linebacker, Alabama: He needs whatever athleticism he has to show through to prove Hightower is a top prospect. He is a heady player, but his questionable lateral range and speed really have me scratching.

Stephon Gilmore, cornerback, South Carolina: Does Gilmore have the speed to play cornerback in the NFL? The 40-yard dash, three-cone drill and shuttles will help determine that. Also, Gilmore, listed at 6-foot-1, 193 pounds, may be a little slim for some teams. His hip sink will have my attention, as well. My vote: A nickel corner in the pros. 

Ron Brooks, cornerback, Louisiana State: Brooks is a superior athlete but has no starting experience at LSU. He is one player that stands to rise up draft boards as a workout warrior. Expect scorching 40 times and an impressive vertical jump to highlight his numbers.

Alfonzo Dennard, cornerback, Nebraska: Much like Gilmore, some scouts wonder if Dennard has the speed to be an NFL cornerback. He could play free safety, but I suspect he will start his career at cornerback. Perhaps we have another Malcolm Jenkins, although I see more Quentin Jammer - a serviceable, physical corner that will need help over the top.

Janoris Jenkins, cornerback, North Alabama: Jenkins will be a busy man interviewing, and he needs to prove he is past his off-field troubles. All it takes is one team to like him to take Jenkins in the mid-first.

KFFLians are saying....

 

---

What's your opinion? Sound off!

Name: E-mail: Enter the number to the left here:

Comment Guidelines

Cory J. Bonini is a senior editor at KFFL. In late 2002, Bonini joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst. He vaulted himself into one of the industry's leading fantasy analysts.

Bonini has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, he has been featured in print, on the radio and is also a published writer on scores of sites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors.

Follow him on Twitter @CoryKFFL

Fantasy Football: Philadelphia Eagles D will fly again (05/22)
Fantasy NASCAR: Coming on strong in the second half (05/21)
Teachable moments in fantasy baseball stashing (05/18)