Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard wrapped up his senior year and started preparing for the 2012 NFL Draft, but he will have to prove in workouts that he is capable of playing on the outside in the pros. 

Time to learn a new position?

Strengths

• Thick frame (5-foot-10, 204 pounds)
• Ideal zone-cover corner - understands how to sit on and jump routes
• Gets a tough jam at the line and has quick enough feet to stick with most receivers' moves
• Willing and competent in run support but has little experience
• Very good vertical jump
• Tireless in preparation for games
• Good recovery speed
• Sure tackler and takes smart angles to the ball carrier

Weaknesses

• Can play overly physical at times, leading to penalties and bites on double moves
• Lacks ideal height (5-foot-10)
• Average speed, at best - may have to be willing to move to free safety for some teams
• Will struggle downfield against tall receivers because of his height-speed combo
• Minor injury concerns (shoulder in 2009, hamstring in 2011)
• Ejected for throwing a punch in Nebraska's bowl game against South Carolina
• Suspect hands
• Ugly, vertical backpedal that will get him in trouble in the NFL

Expected draft placement

Dennard's workout numbers will go a long way in determining his draft placement and the position he will be asked to play in the NFL. Slow 40-yard dash times will all but seal his fate as a free safety.

For now, he is a low-end first-round pick consideration and shouldn't slide out of the early second round. The Cincinnati Bengals (No. 21), Detroit Lions (No. 23) and New England Patriots (No. 31) could opt for him.