Michael Brockers, Dwight Jones among 2012 NFL Combine losers

The mantra at the NFL Combine is that fast guys running fast isn't a story and the workout process can't hurt a player. What it can do, however, is allow other players who had a good showing bypass them. The following players could see others pass them on draft boards in the next two months:

Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
Before he worked out, the redshirt sophomore entrant said he "can move around better than some other guys." After a 5.36 40-yard dash and a 26.6-inch vertical, the opposite seemed to be true. Expected to be an athletic marvel, Brockers now has suspect workout numbers to go along with only average production.

Vontaze Burfict, OLB, Arizona State
The Combine was the great chance for Burfict to resurrect his draft stock after a poor junior season at Arizona State. Instead, not only did Burfict test poorly, he spoke negatively about referees and coaches. A bad 40-yard dash shouldn't kill draft stock. Not taking responsibility for poor play will.

Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon
Even if Harris was slightly less than eloquent answering myriad questions about his character issues, that's not why he had a bad Combine. There are questions about Harris' playing strength. He didn't help himself by being the lightest cornerback and not doing the bench press. Compounding things was a 4.64 40-yard dash. Slight and slow are not good traits for a cornerback.

Dwight Jones, WR, North Carolina
Jones measured great at the Combine at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds running a 4.46 40-yard dash His other numbers (hand size, vertical leap and broad jump) were below-average. But most troubling from Jones was his effort running the gauntlet drill. There are questions about Jones' effort in-game and coaches had to tell him to run the drill faster.

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
An inability to workout isn't why Tannehill should be considered a Combine loser. His hand size measuring at nine inches could be damning. Along with Yale's Patrick Witt, Tannehill's hands were the smallest amongst quarterbacks. This could lead to fumbles in the NFL and a lack of spin on the ball.