NFL Draft 2012: Vontaze Burfict’s Stock Sinking Fast

Burfict was once projected as a first-round selection, but an underwhelming 2011 season marred with discipline issues both on and off the field and a disastrous Combine have some wondering whether he’ll even be drafted. This sort of thing won’t help. Hosley stands a better chance of recovering, as he’s projected to go in the second or third and doesn’t have a track record as damaged as Burfict’s.

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According to sources cited in the report, Cleveland’s interest in Burfict is limited to a “late round value pick.” Referring to a potential NFL player in the same manner as an off-brand box of sandwich cookies in the discount aisle is a telling sign of just how far a player’s stock has fallen.

Burfict had a disappointing season with the Sun Devils, highlighted by bickering with his teammates. He needed a strong showing at February’s NFL Combine, but he fell flat in drills and reportedly turned off teams during the interview portion of the event. There has even been some speculation that Burfict could go undrafted this month.

Some players are having a better NFL Combine than others. A guy like Luke Kuechly, linebacker out of Boston College, is showing his athleticism and speed so the Combine is helping him more than anything.

Other guys, like Vontaze Burfict, aren’t doing so well.

The 2012 NFL Combine is finally here. This week is one giant job interview for NFL draft prospects, and it’s the biggest job interview any of these prospects will ever have. What they do this week could make them -- or cost them -- millions and millions of dollars in the 2012 NFL draft.

There are some players who don’t even need to show up this week to find a way into the first round. Lookin’ at you, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III.

Arizona State’s Vontaze Burfict was viewed as a rising player in the 2012 NFL Draft at one point in time, but that no longer appears to be the case. Several reports have come out recently that don’t paint a very pretty picture of the linebacker.

Tony Pauline of SI.com reported that Burfict’s work ethic is a concern for teams. He was “soft and out of shape” at pre-Combine training in January and has been dealing with a hamstring injury. Albert Breer of NFL Network reported that several personnel executives around the league have told him Burfict is not a first-rounder and one of them added that he’s a “fake tough guy.” Mike Mayock of NFL Network isn’t impressed by Burfict either saying on Wednesday that he’s “not a fan at all.” Mayock also predicts he’s not a first rounder.