One of the marvelous things about the NFL Combine for this Draftnik is uncovering previously under-appreciated Prospects. As I have expressed previously, but will detail once more, I head into the Combine with a prospect list that numbers just under 300 players. They are divided into groups of 100 but not ranked numerically yet. And one of the things that I am searching for in the ranks of Combine participants are a handful of players not currently within my Top 300 list, who just might need to be. I am usually  looking for between 7-10 new names to throw into my group 3, which will become players 201-300… maybe. So, without any further ado, here are my players who I “uncovered” (albeit rather late) and have added to my prospect master list.

For now, in alphabetical order:

KEVIN AUSTIN    WR    Notre Dame   6’2/200  9″H/32 7/8″A  4.43/40   39″V  11’BJ     6.71 3-C  Austin was a well recruited HS player, whose college career came off the rails early on. But he got himself together and came on in his final 2 years in South Bend. Last season he was a legit weapon for QB JACK COAN and the Irish offense. He had 48 catches, for 888 yards, 18.5ypc, 7 TD. He is an absolute master at winning 50/50 balls, and that 39″ very clearly explains why. He may not be considered a burner, but 4.43 isn’t slow. IMO, he passed the game tape test last season. He clearly passed the measurables test at the Combine. If he has also passed the interview process and medical at the Combine he’s a solid Round 4 prospect in my book…. now.

KALON BARNES     CB     Baylor     6’/183    9 7/8″H/31 3’4″A   4.23/40 (1.49 10-split)    Part of the Matt Ruhle track star recruiting classes that has worked out well for the Bears football program. BARNES was the favored player to run the fastest 40 heading into Indy, and he came thru. I had been ignoring him as a track athlete, but then I pulled up his stats from 2021 and they weren’t bad; 24T- 3 TFL- 5 PBU- 1 INT. His speed does not put him in my Top 100, or even close to it, but he will get drafted by about Round 5-6 IMO. He’s now in my second group of 100 (101-200).

DECOBIE DURANT     CB     S.C.  State    5’10/180    8 3/4″H/30 3/4″A     4.38/40/1.52/10   2021 stats     38 T/ 2TFL/ 12 PBU/3 INT   Clearly a ballhawk once the ball is in the air. Arms are decent length for his height and frame. Looked smooth and on task in Combine drills. Best bet initially might be NB spot because of his overall size, and cover skills. Clearly showed basic skills and pro potential as a cover guy. His stats indicate that he is not afraid to help in run-D support.

JEFFERY GUNTER   DE/EDGE   Coastal Carolina   6’4/258   9 1/4″H/33″A   4.70/40/1.64 split GUNTER played a significant role for solid Coastal Carolina teams over his career there. His 2021 stats show what he’s capable of. I like his 4.70/40-time at almost 260, but he’ll have to play primarily in a 4-3 scheme in a3-point stance. His 18 career sack total doesn’t mark him as an Edge player, but he chases the ball and the QB well. For the 2021 season he totaled 35 tackles which included 5 1/2 sacks and 2 Forced Fumbles. He’s just not an elite guy, but I would now look at him in the later rounds. Again, not a standout collegian, or potential pro, but he will be drafted and could make a DL rotation because of his length, and his ability to run to the ball.

CAM JURGENS     OC      Nebraska     6’3/303   10″H/33 3/8″A/80 1/8″  4.92/40    A surprise Underclassman who surprisingly (at least to me) declared for the Draft. Then his name came up a couple times during Draft talk and podcasts. So I watched for his name when Combine testing started and the numbers were good. Scott Frost needs to find more of these guys to compete in the Big Ten. I think JURGENS will go early on Day 3 (maybe Round 4) and compete for starting NFL job in due time. He may also be popular in an NFL locker room, since he makes/sells beef jerky as a start-up business. The vets are gonna wear him out requesting his jerky.

CHIGOZIEM OKONKWO   TE    Maryland   6’3/238   4.52/40    9 3/4″H/32 3/4″A/78 1/8″WS    35.5″V     “CHIG” showed some serious progress, on a poor Terps team last Fall and got some solid praise for his work at the Shrine Bowl venue. But he really showed well in Indy and I had to pay attention. His size pretty much dictates a role as a Move-TE, H-B who has a solid body/frame for blocking purposes and big hands which he extends to make some nice grabs. That Vertical number would indicate he has some explosion in those legs of his. He also looks to me to still have upside. He’s my second hundred group now.

MALCOLM RODRIGUEZ     IB     Oklahoma St  5’11/232  9 5/8″H/30 1/8″A    4.52/40 (1.60-10)  Vertical/39.5″  BJ/10″    I will confess that I am cheating here. I did already have RODRIGUEZ in my Top 300, but buried deep into that last group of 201-300. However, he posted decent enough numbers, and showed out enough in the Combine on-field drills to change my estimation of his pro chances. RODRIGUEZ has been the heart and soul of a very good Cowboys Defense in Stillwater for several years now. He led them in Tackles in 2021 with 129. He also posted 16 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 4 PD, 4 FF, 2 FR.  And I felt like I saw him stack up nicely against elite competitors at the Combine. I was particularly impressed with his “hands” catches in the position group drills. I also thought his 4.52 was upper echelon. 22 players listed at LB ran their 40-yard sprints in this Combine. RODRIGUEZ was 5th at 4.52/40 and tied with QUAY WALKER & BRANDON SMITH, both of whom are ranked in my Top 100 players. His vertical of 39.5″ tied him for 4th in the group with CHANCE CAMPBELL. Add another inch to make him 6′ tall and I would bet the dialogue about him as a pro prospect would change dramatically for some folks. I don’t need that 1″ add-on. I am now convinced he belongs in the middle rounds of the 2022 Draft (likely R5) and will make it damn hard for any team drafting him to cut him come  next September.  You just know his athleticism and desire will make him a viable Special Teams player immediately.

ZACHARY THOMAS     OG    San Diego St    6’5/308    4.96/40   10 1/4″H/33 7/8″A/82 1/2″WS THOMAS initially caught my attention during his 40-run. On a fast track he was in the big bunch of OL who broke the 5.00 second mark. But once I started watching him it dawned on me that he had the look of a long, fairly lean, but muscled body. He’s best at run blocking, which is always the case with OL from the Aztec program, which still believes in the run-first approach to Offense. He continued to look solid as the drill work began. He didn’t do anything outstanding beyond the 40-time but he did not looked outclassed in a talented OL group. I think he might be better off to work at OG being his primary position. But versatility could be his best friend. His biggest weak spot may the propensity to pop-up too high and too fast in pass pro. Another reason to move to the IOL. But he looks like a football player with a chance at an NFL job in his future.

ISAIAH WESTON    WR    Northern Iowa  6’4/214    4.42/40    9 1/2″H/32 1/2″A/78 3/4″WS,  40″Vert/11’3″BJ     N. Iowa may send another player (Penning) into the NFL this year, as a 1st Rounder. The school may also send this guy to an NFL team in Round 4 or 5. He posted some very nice measurables, as you can see above.  He reminds me a bit of ALAN LAZARD from Iowa St, who has developed nicely in Green Bay. If he shows Special Teams aptitude in a Training Camp it will allow him more time to develop his receiving skills as a Receiver 4/5. His 2021 stats are not elite, but show pro potential. He recorded 37 receptions for a whopping 883 yards, or 23.9 ypc. He doesn’t explode off the line-of-scrimmage, but once he gets rolling that 4.42 speed, and his size become an issue downfield for most secondaries. That vertical from the Combine shows you what he can do on jump ball throws, and shows soft, large hands. Draft him late and be patient.

Those are my Combine “discovery guys”for 2022. Only time will tell whether they are really what I thought they showed me last week.

Cheers

Pigskin

P.S.  As you may have noticed I brought up the seemingly “fast-track” in Indy that produced a record number of very fast prospects. I may have some relatively new info on that topic after listening to a post-Combine podcast with Dane Brugler and Lance Zierlein. ZIERLEIN mentioned that he has spoken with some Colts’ officials and it seems that  just before the 2020 season a new turf-surface was installed at Lucas Oil Stadium. If you will recall there was no Combine in 2021 for the League. So this Combine was the first to be conducted on a new turf surface for this year’s prospects to run on. Not to diminish the speed of this upcoming Draft Class, but it might explain some of the record setting speed we saw as group after group of prospects ran their 40-times. Then again it may just be a coincidence.

The largest sports-related Job Fair is actually starting to evolve, as players have their bags packed and are headed to Indy. It seems like the Senior Bowl is almost ancient history, tho it was played only 3 weeks ago. However, the shortest month of the year just continues to grind on. It looks as tho disaster has been avoided with the NFL conceding some protocol points to Agents and Players. But don’t be surprised if even more prospects than usual don’t do much, if anything, in the way of on-field workouts. The current Combine format has seen that trend develop, especially over the past decade.

Also please remember that the biggest aspect of the Combine has more to do with medical facilities in Indianapolis than what goes on within the confines of Lucas Oil Stadium. The medical exams and tests that are conducted first are the most important information that NFL scouting staffs, and team doctors, will scrutinize over the next two months.

Most importantly, I wanted to give you a short list of names who you should be watching for as weigh-ins and on-field drills unfold. It is a “short” list in part because there are some fascinating players that have emerged, primarily from All-Star venues that took place primarily in late January thru February, failed to get a last minute invite, which should happen every year at scouting events, that is as important as anything beyond game tape. Oh well, maybe another reason to disband the Combine concept beyond the medical component, and work with Universities/Colleges to develop more regional workout and interview Combines on select college facilities around the country. Just thinking out loud for a moment here.

Top of my list is DANNY GRAY  WR  SMU, who had  a breakout season at SMU in 2021, while Reggie Roberson was coming back from a serious knee injury. Then GRAY (along with Roberson) went to the Senior Bowl but left after 2 days, 1 practice, with a leg injury of some kind. But before he left, he managed to post a top end speed of 22.01 mph in practice, which held up as the fastest speed of the week from either the Senior Bowl or Shrine Bowl venues, with a GPS measured time of 22.01 mph. He also measured in with some very nice receiver measurements in Mobile:  5’115″, 182 lbs., 9 1/2″H, 32″ A, 76 5/8″ Wing Span. If GRAY is 100% healthy he could be putting on a show that gets him into Day 2 of the Draft!

For those of you who enjoy the Draft, but aren’t obsessed Draftniks, I would also stand on the table for you to watch for a “smaller school” standout who really used the Star game concept to stand out, both during the Shrine venue and the HBCU Bowl. The name is De’SHAAN DIXON a DE/Edge player from Norfolk State. His measurements from the Shrine venue were 6’04, 251 lbs., 10 3/8″ H,  33 1/2″A, 81 1/4″ Wing Span. He’s a good athlete that makes plays, especially behind the line of scrimmage. At the Shrine Bowl, he recorded 2 tackles and deflected a pass. He also recorded 1 tackle during Special Teams action. During the HBCU game, he was credited with 4 tackles, which included 1.5 TFL. In his final 2 seasons at Norfolk St. he was credited with 115 tackles, including 19.5 TFL. His 4.5 sacks in 2020, jumped to 9 this past season. This guy is a serious player and a legit prospect. He plays with a high FBI and can set the edge against the run. A good showing at the Combine could influence me to move him up into my Top 100 prospect list, as he currently sits in the 101-200 range group.

Players I truly don’t know enough about and numbers generated at this Combine may help me fill in some evaluation blanks:

SKYY MOORE  WR  W. Michigan     A young man who exploded in MAC competition last season with 95 receptions, for 1,292 yards, including 9 TD’s. Will his speed & quickness numbers look as good as his stats compared to players from the Power 5 Conferences? And what about his real size? How much smaller than 5’10/195 is he? Hand size please.

LEO CHENAL    LB   Wisconsin    Surprised many by declaring, but if you look at his stats, we probably shouldn’t be surprised. In 11 games, LEO recorded 114 tackles which ranked 7th in FBS football. Let’s see how his 40-time will stack up against all those Georgia & Alabama LB prospects. He is a do-it-all LB. Just as an aside

MARIO GOODRICH    CB   Clemson   A stellar high school athlete who competed in a stacked DB group at Clemson. He emerged last season with 42 tackles, 1 FF, 1 FR, 2 INT’s, and 15 PD. Jim Nagy of the Senior Bowl was effusive in his praise of Goodrich upon inviting him to the Senior Bowl venue. I really want to see what numbers he posts in the short shuttle and 3-Cone drills where flipping those hips is essential.

DAI’JEAN DIXON    WR    Nicholls State  When you look at his college career stats of over 200 catches and a senior season with 71 catches for 1,002-yards and 8 TD’s, you have to pay attention to him. And he was the outstanding player in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl to my eyes, with 6 receptions for 131 yards and 1 TD. His long catch/run was for 47 yards in that game. He is over 6/2 and 203 lbs, with 9 5/8″ hands as measured at the NFLPA weigh-in. I really want to see his vert, long jump, and 40-time this week. He has already moved into my Top 100, and I hope to see that validated in Indy.

ABRAM SMITH     RB     Baylor    I have developed a crush on this tough kid, who played LB for the Bears in 2020, but was moved back to RB in 2021, rushing for 1,601 yards and 12 TD’s last season. He is strong, with great balance and some speed to him. He was at the Senior Bowl and excelled. Any numbers he posts will be of interest to me. I’m just looking for an excuse to move him into my Top 100.

RACHAAD WHITE    RB    Arizona State    The often overlooked, all purpose RB for the Sun  Devils did very well in Mobile. He may be the best RB in this Draft given his running and receiving ability. He looks good on film and on the stat sheets, but perhaps even better in game action. He looked like the player many of us thought he was with solid demonstrations of his dual ability as a runner and a receiver. For the 2021 season, WHITE ran for 1006 yards at 5.5ypc, with 15 TD. He also caught 43 passes for another 456 yards.  I feel like I need to verify his athleticism just a bit more, since I have him as a sleeper for late in Round 1. What is his 40-time, and can he block adequately to protect his QB at the next level.  His run/catch ability speaks of a 3-down player, but not if he can’t block in pass pro.

My sense of things is that our beloved 40-yard dash is not far from elimination, bowing to the advanced technology of GPS speeds, measured in miles-per-hour. But not for this year’s event, unless the NFL pulls a fast one on us. So, since we are using the time honored system at least one more time, let’s ask the question as to ‘Who will clock the fastest 40-time at this year’s Combine? Here is my short list of suspects.

DANNY GRAY  WR  SMU    He ran the fastest GPS clocking at the Senior Bowl venue @ 22.01 mph

DaMARCUS FIELDS  CB   Texas Tech  He ran the 2nd fastest GPS time at the Shrine venue @ 21.77 mph

VELUS JONES   WR/RS  Tennessee     Was clocked @ 21.75 mph @ the Senior Bowl

KALON BARNES  CB  Baylor   A former track star who was clocked @ 21.47 at the Shrine, but his track background might give him a serious advantage as the Combine 40 starts out of the blocks.

CALVIN AUSTIN   WR    Memphis    This year’s TUTU ATWELL as that smallish (5’7/173) Swiss Army knife offensive weapon. I personally think he is quicker than fast, but I welcome contradiction of that opinion.

But if I were a betting man, and I will bet that Vegas has odds on this, I would take “The Field” over anyone in this grouping.

One of my biggest questions for any player in Indy revolves around DL PERRION WINFREY who was an absolute beast during Senior Bowl week. He was the Defensive Player of the Game, and was a leader all week in practices with his work ethic and leadership . He weighed in at 303 lbs. in Mobile, which is about 15-20 lbs. above his program weight at Oklahoma. Does he show up at that 303 weight for the Combine, or is he back down to the 280’s to gain speed for drills? If he shows up over 300 and tests near, or at the top, of the DL group, then to me he’s a late First Rounder.

Another puzzler for me is JESSE LUKETA, the Canadian born, Penn State DE/OB who was also at the Senior Bowl. In the actual game in Mobile, he was credited with 3 Tackles, 2 of them sacks. Last season at State, he had 1/2 Sack all season. He looked good during practices in Mobile as well as the game. Will he post athletic numbers to compliment his Senior Bowl work? If he does, he jumps up to the mid-rounds of the NFL Draft, and the CFL will have to wait to see if he comes back north to play or gets significantly bigger money as an NFL player.

As many of you realize, I am a big fan of Special Teamers, especially Kickers & Punters. I think there are 3 Punters at this Combine who should be drafted this April:   JAKE CAMARDA/UGA, JORDAN STOUT/Penn State & MATT ARAIZA/SDSU. It won’t happen, but I would luv to see these 3 literally compete with each other for distance, accuracy and hang times. I know it’s just me.

Just a few more names of prospects that I don’t know enough about right now, but am anxious to watch;   TYLER SMITH OT Tulsa, ALEX WRIGHT DE/ER UAB, TRAVON WALKER DL Georgia.

We always talk about the importance of the Combine component that is most meaningful to teams in general; the medical exams, which are extensive. And perhaps the most significant medical report of all will be on former LSU CB DEREK STINGLEY, Jr.  After a superb Freshman season, STINGLEY has been a basic no-show out on the football field. Most recently, he has been rehabbing from a Lisfranc foot injury. He is not expected to be ready for any on-field drills, but NFL teams certainly will want to have the most current medical update info on him, with most teams looking to also get to meet with him during the individual team interview sessions. He looked like an all-world player as a Frosh and has NFL gene lines going back to both his father & grandfather. Stay tuned here. If he ever gets a totally clear medical report, he could be a Top 10 Draftee, tho I am personally scared to death of the risk involved here.

Enjoy the watches. I am sure we will all be adding anymore observations and opinions over the next week. Let’s hope most of the news coming out of Indy is positive this week.

Cheers

Pigskin Paul

Over 300 prospects running, jumping, and talking their way towards the NFL Draft. It’s one of the world’s biggest Job Fairs, and the most heavily scrutinized by football fans everywhere. And don’t forget the all important medical component that starts things off for each player. You may choose not to run your “40” at Indy, but you will go through the medical and interview processes. If you aren’t doing those, then stay at your Performance Camps boys. But overall, it is a valuable tool for the serious Draftnik, and team personnel departments. One major catch is that a great deal goes on behind the closed doors that the league keeps to itself and it’s members. Hey, it’s their party and we are just along for part of the ride. I look at their secrets at the Combine being a handy excuse when I project a guy for Round 3 and he isn’t selected ’til Round 6. If I had only had all that medical info… We must also remember that they don’t wear pads and engage in combat. I always like to say that the NFL Draft process is a good sized jigsaw puzzle, and the Combine is one piece in that puzzle.

So here are 12 players, who I either had serious questions about, or was hardly even aware of, that made me sit up on the edge of my chair with their numbers and appearance in Indy. In alphabetical order…

CAM AKERS  RB Florida State 5’103″  217 lbs.  4.47/40  20 reps  35.5″ vert. Not that long ago, this guy was ranked as a 5-Star, top RB in the country when he went to FSU. However, he got caught up in a mess in Tallahassee with HC JIMBO FISHER getting tired of his program having less than elite facilities and his not getting paid top dollar. For his 3-years at FSU, AKERS never even had a mediocre OL to block for him. So, he’s headed to the NFL and trying to re-establish his reputation as a RB. Starting with his 5th best 40-time in the RB group, he looked smooth and athletic in his drill work. He was even faster (by 0.01 seconds) than a first round projected player named SWIFT. Word also leaked out that he is carrying a big chip on his shoulder for all the luster his name lost toiling for the Seminoles. I’m gonna say I now have him ranked as the 5th best RB prospect in the Draft.

MEHKI BECTON  OT  Louisville  6’073″  364   5.10/40  23 reps  35 5/8″ arms   10 3/4″ hands  Massive, huge, gargantuan… pick a word. He might be what a son of Andre The Giant might look like. Now take a very close look at his 40-time above. Before the 2018 Combine, a giant named ORLANDO BROWN came out of Oklahoma, and became an instant starter at OT for the Ravens. BROWN is about 6’8/345 lbs. He ran a 5.85/40 at the 2018 Combine. Now look at Becton’s 5.10/40 again. Back in late Jan. Daniel Jeremiah, of NFL Network published his first Top 50 list and had BECTON as his 5th highest ranked prospect overall. I choked on my coffee and muttered that DJ had lost his mind. Just as the Combine was starting, DJ republished his rankings and dropped BECTON to 10th. I am no longer laughing. BECTON, and his 5.10/40 are the real deal. He’s huge, he’s agile, he’s strong. He hit a Home Run with his work in Indy.

JEREMY CHINN  S/LB  Southern Illinois  6’3  221    4.45/40  20 reps   41″ vert  138″ BJ      You might recall that back in late January, during Senior Bowl week, I was singing the praises of two small school Safeties named DUGGER & CHINN. I said that they were the best two S’s at that venue. DUGGER continued to get praise and attention over the next month, but I seldom heard CHINN’s name come up again. Well they were both at the Combine, and they both did well again, with CHINN’s numbers a bit better than DUGGER’s overall. CHINN, to me, is a poor man’s ISAIAH SIMMONS, with position and scheme versatility, as well as athleticism to spare. CHINN used the Combine to his advantage and is solidly in my Top 100 prospect list. He’s at least a 3rd Round Pick in April. I would take him in late Round 2.

CHASE CLAYPOOL   WR   Notre Dame  6’042″  238 lbs.    9 7/8″ hands  80″wing    4.42/40  40.5″ vert  I’ve been drinking CLAYPOOL Kool-Aid since rooming with SCOTT WRIGHT in Mobile for Senior Bowl week. Scott is a huge Domer, and luvs the size and versatility of CLAYPOOL. I share his opinion, and that was strengthened when I studied the tape and found what a key Special Teams guy he was. CLAYPOOL had a solid week in Mobile, and had some momentum heading into the Combine, but there was some talk that perhaps he should gain another 7-10 lbs. and view himself as a TE prospect. Well, he put that little concept to rest when he ran his 4.42/40 at 238 lbs. And he was stellar at just about everything he did in Indy. That would also include the interview process from what I have heard. CLAYPOOL cinched it in my book, a a Top 100 player and at the WR spot.

EZRA CLEVELAND  OT  Boise State   6’6″ 311 lbs.  4.93/40    33 3/8″ arms   80 3/8″ wing  30 reps CLEVELAND was a guy who made me feel silly with his Combine work. I recall seeing his name as an early entry shortly before the declaration deadline for underclassmen. I think I yawned when I saw the announcement. You have “punked” me Mr. CLEVELAND. The guy I saw working out in Indy was a long player, with good athleticism. About the only thing I could quibble with was his arm length for an NFL OT. But even that isn’t off by much. He got my attention right away when he sprinted to his sub-5 second 40-time. I also liked his balance in every drill I watched him in.  At the least,  I now have him just outside my Top 100, as a 4th Rounder. But maybe with some game tape review, he just might get himself into my Top 100.

KHALIL DAVIS  DT  Nebraska   6’01”   308 lbs.  9 3/4″ hands  4.75/40    32 reps    This is another player who I seriously missed during my scouting time at the Shrine Venue. Quite frankly, I think I got caught up in the human interest aspect of he and his twin brother (CARLOS) being somewhat joined at the hip as a DT tandem. With that mindset, I missed out on what he was doing a an individual prospect. His 40-time smacked me right between the eyes at the Combine.  He’s not quite heavy enough to be considered a prospect on the Nose, but in a 4-3 base scheme, he may have a lot to offer. GALLIMORE may have gotten more pub, but the DAVIS twins (there I go again) carved out their niche in Indy. KHALIL is now firmly in my Top 100.

DENZEL MIMS    WR   Baylor    6’027″ 207 lbs.  4.38/40    9 3/8″ hands  33 7/8″ arms  6.66 3-Cone MIMS got some serious attention for his work in Mobile during Senior Bowl week. He was a long, smooth athlete who used his size to good advantage and caught everything thrown his way. However, I wasn’t totally sold in a very crowded group of WR prospects. He totally won me over at the Combine, starting with that sub-4.40/40. I think part of the reason that I missed some of his skill is that he is so damn smooth. He makes it look effortless at times, and his gliding running is deceptive when it comes to gauging his speed. Count me in as a strong believer who now has MIMS entrenched in my Top 100.

ALBERT OKWUEGBUNAM    TE  Missouri    6’054″  258 lbs.   4.49/40   10 1/4″ hands  34 1/8″ arms  This guy has been a highly rated athlete since entering he Mizzou program, and he clearly was a victim of  a lot of upheaval in the football program, which ended with the firing of HC BARRY ODOM, which likely had a lot to do with ALBERT O’s decision to leave school a year early. Many, yours truly included, felt it was not the wisest move after a season in which he personally regressed to only 26 catches, despite a pretty talented QB in Clemson transfer KELLY BRYANT. Well, ALBERT O. put up some Combine numbers that got him some legit attention in a year with a less than strong TE group for the Draft. Look at his size numbers above and then think about that 40-time. His hands and arms are what you want to see on a guy his size. He may have moved himself back into a Day 2 draft position if his interviews were strong.

DANNY PINTER   OG    Ball State   6’042″  306 lbs.  4.91/40   9 1/2″ hands    31 7/8″ arms  This guy was my biggest “wow, who’s he” moment of the Combine. I had no familiarity with the TE turned OT. The MAC was mediocre from top to bottom last season, and some of the action was unwatchable for yours truly. His height and arm length target him for an Interior OL job, where he will be a good size fit, and above average as an athlete. Gotta get me some tape, and pay attention, to see what he might do at the Ball State Pro Day, but he has my full attention as a potential Day 3, draftable player.

JAMES SMITH-WILLIAMS   EDGE  N.C. State   6’035″  265 lbs.   4.60/40   33 3/4″ arms   81 1/2″ wing   I had seen SMITH-WILLIAMS in action back in January at the Shrine venue. The long, lean frame and ability to bend on the edge were hard to miss. He. was a big time “flash” player all week. Some of the numbers recorded next to his name reconfirmed my initial opinions on him. The key question is whether he will purely be an edge-rush specialist, or can he develop into a full time DE. His 4.60/40-time was the fastest for any DL at the Combine who weighed over 250 lbs. His smooth performance in shorts still has me fascinated with his potential. The Wolfpack has put a lot of defensive linemen into the NFL in recent years. Could he be the next one? I am not sure, but I am fascinated.

DAVION TAYLOR  LB  Colorado   6’004″  228  lbs.  4.49/40   9 5/8″ Hands  35″ Vert  6.96/3-cone TAYLOR is another player who impressed at the Senior Bowl with his quickness, speed, and instincts. He clearly fits the new mold of NFL Defense where LB’s must have speed and cover ability to stay on the field. TAYLOR’s 3-Cone of sub-7.00 tells you that he uses that quickness effectively in changing direction. I have put away my “size prejudice” and see his quickness and ball instincts as being more important than being taller and heavier. He also has the look of an excellent Special Teamer.

TRISTAN WIRFS   OT  Iowa  6’047″  320 lbs.  4.85/40  34″arms  80 1/4″ wing  36.5″ Vert  121″ BJ    You may recall that I was not an immediate WIRFS fan last Fall. However, the light went on late in the Hawkeyes season as their Offense seemingly emerged from the stone ages. Opening up that O allowed WIRFS more chances to display his athleticism. His weigh-in numbers in Indy were impressive overall, and then he blazed that 4.85/40 at 320 lbs. Count me in as seeing him as a Top 10 draftee. He looked very smooth in his on-field drill work. His arms are just OK for a pro OT, but that 80+ wing span helps. I also think that his 36.5″ vertical jump at his weight gives a clear indication of his explosion off the snap of the ball. Very well done Mr. WIRFS!

Bet at least a few of you wondered where I was during the Combine weekend. I would tell you I was indeed watching and thinking about what was going on in Indy. I have all too often made a comment on Twitter about what is happening only to have something happen to totally contradict what I have opined within minutes, if not hours. So with Colin sitting up in Ottawa watching snow flakes float past his window, I watch and watch, and think and think, go to bed and wake up to do it all over again. Rest assured I did take pages of notes, in addition to my mental memory bank.

Even though I am, on the one hand, disappointed when one of these top QB prospects says he won’t throw at the Combine, or even worse says he’ll do everything else but throw, I do get their point. To a large extent the Combine is not a great measuring device for them. In their throwing work with the wideouts they often find themselves getting a few throws and then stepping out for the other QB to throw a couple. Clearly these guys can get a lot more out of putting on an extended throwing session, as scripted with their QB “coach”, at their college team’s Pro Day. They also get to throw to receivers they have worked with in game conditions.

I also get peeved with other position players who bulk up for strength testing at the Combine, but then pass on many of the on-field drills like 3-Cone, 40-time and more. They go back to performance camps, trim off 10 lbs. and then run there at their Pro Day. There is no perfect way to test all of these athletes, but I would propose one change for the League to think about. Since the Combine started out as a medical hub to conduct extensive medical examinations at one central location, with the same staff of medical techs and doctors examining every player, let the League invite players, divided in two categories: Medical Only or Medical & Field participation. For those waiting to save something for their Pro Day, make them leave right after their Indy medical component is complete. Give them one day for team interviews after the medicals if desired, but don’t let them tae up space and be a distraction while others are working to prove themselves.

Then for on-field workouts I would suggest the NFL establish about a dozen workout components by position group and select say 6 from that dozen for actual performance at random, every year. Performance Camps have rendered much of what the NFL teams are trying to test for almost useless as players train for specific workouts every year. Almost every player has become a modern-day MIKE MAMULA. And as I have heard hundreds of times, ask an NFL player the last time he ran a 40-yard dash, and almost all will tell you at a Pro Day or the Combine.
Having wasted my breath to spit that all out let’s move on.

To my eyes there were 3 player performances that just stood out from the over 300 that took place in Indianapolis: two good, or maybe I should say great, and one just pitiful.

SAQUON BARKLEY/RB/PENN STATE was clearly the most dominant performer at this year’s Combine. His first big win was coming in as a fill sized 233 lb. RB. Then he quietly went thru just about everything he was asked to do. Hopefully, there were no issues at all with his medical results. He was the fastest full-time RB in the building with a 4.40/40 time, which ranked second only to track athlete NYHEIM HINES and his 4.38. His 29 reps in the Bench Press, not only topped the RB group, but pretty much blew away everybody but NICK CHUBB, who matched him. He rocketed up to 41″ on his vertical jump, which also led the group. He almost looked nonchalant in receiving drills, taking a hands-catch only approach. I think his work in Indy was akin to putting the cherry on the top of the sundae. And by the way, he was even more impressive during team interviews, from what I have heard. This is a generational prospect.

SHAQEM GRIFFIN/LB/UCF was a feel-good personal story coming into the Combine. Just his presence at the event was a milestone, for a young man who is inspirational to millions with his accomplishments on the football field, with only one hand. If you haven’t heard his story then shame on you, but I’ll not duplicate that info here. But what NFL Personnel people found out over the long weekend is that there is much more in the locker room and out on the field that Mr. Griffin represents. He was not among the initial Combine invitees. But after a strong week of work at the Senior Bowl in Mobile he got an invite to Indy. And he blew things up with a Bench Press count of 20, using a prosthetic device on his left arm to grip the bar. Unfathomable people! Most folks were still celebrating his lifting feat, when he went out and crushed his 40-yard run with a time of 4.38. Word is that throughout the process, both with NFL team reps and his workout teammates, he was a energy giver with his positive mental attitude. Now it remains for NFL teams to determine where he belongs on Draft Weekend in April.

Now let us spend just a few sentences on the most disappointing performance I have seen in as long as I can remember at the Combine; the performance of ORLANDO BROWN/OT/OKLAHOMA. This behemoth appears to be the opposite of Mr. Griffin. He is a massive human being, and is blessed with the genes of an NFL star/father of the same name, who was known as Zeus during a distinguished playing career. Orlando was the starting LT for the Oklahoma football program. The highlight of his Combine was early on when measurements were collected. He was 6’077 and weighed 345 lbs. His hands were 9 3/4″ and his arms were 35″ long. These are the numbers of a man-mountain prototype NFL OT. And then he went out on the testing field and his world crumbled. He lumbered to a 5.85/40-time. He managed only 14 reps on the Bench Press platform. I will not bore you with all of his “bad” numbers, but they were bad. I had watched him in 4 games during the Sooners 2017 schedule. I felt he looked OK, but some of that was simply his size to dominate smaller opponents. I did not have him as a First Rounder on my lists, but now I don’t even have him in my Top 100. One well known, and respected, Draft Analyst (who had a previous life as an NFL scout) tweeted out; ‘BROWN does not have a competitive bone in his body’. That’s a pretty strong condemnation folks! His performance was so poor that my distaste almost turned into pity.

In my next Combine Chapter I will comment on some of the players who surprised me the most, in a positive way, with their work at the Combine.

Cheers

Pigskin

I find it amusing, and perhaps a bit pathetic, that in today’s world of what’s happening now, things from a week ago are like ancient history. Hey folks, the NFL COMBINE, which many people can’t even see in their rear view mirror anymore, ended one week and a day ago. Come on folks that is not ancient history. And football fans who treat it as such may be dooming themselves to repeated failure as they ignore the “past”.
I have been compiling, and double checking info, on a list of 20 players who I felt showed enough in Indy to make people think twice about their status and rankings as Pro Prospects for the April Draft.

CALEB BENENOCH/OT/UCLA 6’054″/311 lbs 4.98/40 10″H/34 1/8″A
This early entrant for the 2016 Draft started 35 consecutive games for the Bruins in 3 seasons with the team. Check the numbers above carefully and realize that only two other players from the OL group of 46, who ran, were able to run sub-5.00/40’s. His hand size and arm length are superior for what NFL coaches want to see from their OT. He also moved pretty well in on-field drill work. Expect this guy to be making some extra team visits in the next month or so because those Combine numbers put him in a high potential bracket.

JUSTON BURRIS/CB/S/NC STATE 6’002″/212 lbs 4.53/40 8 7/8″H/31 1/2″A
Mark me down as a guy who has been impressed with what I have seen from BURRIS this post-season. he showed well at the Shrine Game venue, and his posted numbers above paint a pretty picture of a guy who played all over the secondary for the Wolfpack, and who I think will rank in the top dozen or so of the S prospects in this draft class. He is stout in run support and will look more athletic than most as a S. He’s also a nice Special Teams candidate while he finds his niche in someone’s secondary.

JOE DAHL/OG/WASHINGTON STATE 6’041″/304 5.18/40 9 1/8″H/33 1/8″A
Even though he played OT in the Mike Leach passing offense for Wazoo, he projects even better moving inside for his pro career. That is where he spend the bulk of his time at the Senior Bowl and he matched up quite well against an elite group of DL prospects in Mobile. His lack of ideal height and speed/quickness out at OT, all but disappear on the interior. His 33+” arms are highly desirous on the inside. For a year or so he can back up almost every OL spot for some pro team and then compete for a starting job inside when his transition is complete.

LEONARD FLOYD/OLB/GEORGIA 6’055″/244 lbs 4.60/40 10 1/8″H/33 1/8″A
FLOYD won the tale of the tape, big time, in Indy. For several years I have marveled as his nose for the ball and speed to sack a QB, or chase them from the pocket for the Bulldogs. But I had also nicknamed him the THIN MAN because of his long, skinny frame. I have openly questioned his body’s ability to hold up in the NFL. Then he checked in taller and heavier than I had imagined. On top of that he posted that 4.60/40 at his heavier weight. Let’s hope the feed bag at his Performance Camp is the reason for his weight gain and it can be sustained. But suffice it to say for right now he’s back to being a very hot prospect as an NFL edge-rusher and maybe more.

T.J. GREEN/S/CLEMSON 6’024″/209 4.34/40 9 5/8″H/32″A
We all knew the ex-WR was a good athlete, but I heard gasps from personnel people when he posted the sub-4.40 40-time. The catch here is that he’s still very raw in coverage and his tackling ability leaves a bit to be desired. But he did improve significantly on the field last season. His tackling may not scare too many RB, but in 15 games he haJAVON HARGARd 95 tackles. With the 2016 S class not being elite by a long shot his Combine numbers offer hope that he has a high ceiling, long term.

JAVON HARGRAVE/DT/S CAROLINA STATE 6’013″/309 4.93/40 9 5/8″H/32″A
The small school standout got attention with his solid work at the Shrine venue in January. Enough that he got the Senior Bowl call-up and looked good there. But when he ran his sub-5second 40-time in Indy the bells and whistles really went off. He is not huge, but he has that highly desirable bubble-butt for a low slung DL candidate. Unless he really screwed the pooch in interviews I don’t see how HARGRAVE has not moved into Top 100 Draft consideration with his post-season performances.

TAMARRICK HEMINGWAY/TE/S CAROLINA STATE 6’047″/244 4.71/40 10″H/34″A
HARGRAVE’s teammate hasn’t made as a big a splash, but is certainly on the radar for a lot more folks than he had been. His workout numbers are very appealing and he looked solid in his week at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. The TE group is less than overwhelming this year so a guy with his measurables and who can run a bit has to be looking draftable right now.

WILLIAM JACKSON/CB/HOUSTON 6’003″/190 4.37/40 9 1/4″H/31 3/4″A
JACKSON was very highly regarded going into the 2015 regular season. For some reason he lost a bit of his luster when teams seemed to question his fluidity and speed. Despite 23 PBU and 5 INT on the season it felt like his attraction had slipped with personnel people and he might be a Saturday draft pick. Hello Combine and a 4.37/40-time. Now he may on the cusp of Round 1, which is where he deserves to be IMO.

JONATHAN JONES/CB/AUBURN 5’091″/186 4.33/40 8 3/4″H/30 1/4″A
Remember the old sports adage that “speed kills”. Despite his diminutive size JONES is rising up Draft lists because he has proven that he is probably the fastest CB in this year’s group. He showed well in Mobile at Senior Bowl practices and the game. He’s not afraid to throw himself into the action as evidenced by his 69 tackles during the 2015 season. But clearly his highest value comes from his ability to turn and run with even the fastest of receivers. He is another guy who more than likely has pushed his draft stock into a Friday selection slot.

MATT JUDON/DE/GRAND VALLEY STATE 6’030″/275 lbs 4.73/40 9 1/2″H/33 7’8″A
JUDON was scheduled to strut his stuff at the Shrine Game venue, but lingering maladies from the 2015 season kept him home instead. Despite playing at the lower level of competition his 20 sacks last season are hard to ignore. Then he looked like a specimen at the Combine. His long arms and speed have a lot to do with his sack totals, but his overall athleticism gives reason to believe that he will use it to good advantage under NFL level coaching. The only question left to answer is how high he will be drafted based on his potential and athletic tools. His pro prospects are rising as personnel people now go back to look at more tape of him.

JOHN LUNSFORD/K/LIBERTY 6’014″/214 4.74/40 10 1/8″H/32 7/8″A
I got to know LUNSFORD a bit chatting on the sidelines at Shrine Game practices. He’s a smart young man, who is quick to proclaim he’s an athlete, not just a Kicker. He has a booming leg, but needs to improve his kicking fundamentals to improve his mid-range accuracy. He currently holds the FBS record with 12 career 50+yard field goals to his credit. In 2015 35 of his 59 kick-offs were touchbacks. But overall he was only 13 of 24 overall on FG attempts in 2015. He has the size and athleticism if he can just hook-up with a kicking guru who can help him improve his accuracy. He may be worthy of a 7th Round, Compensatory Draft Pick for some team looking for a strong legged kicker to develop.

KEITH MARSHALL/RB/GEORGIA 5’11/219 4.31/40 9 3/8″H/31 5/8″A
It seems like a very long time ago, but as a true freshman at Georgia MARSHALL was more highly thought of than fellow recruit TODD GURLEY. Then he blew out his knee and looked like the next MARCUS LATTIMORE tale of woe. He carried less than a hundred times in 2015 and I certainly figured he would never return to his freshman form. Well, he burned the Combine with that sizzling 4.31/40 at 219 lbs and let’s just say a lot more team doctors would love to check him out in the next month plus. It is hard to really gauge if he’s back to being a top prospect, or at the very least draftable again. How soon will someone roll the dice on his legs and gamble on greatness? At least now the question is back on the table.

MARQUEZ NORTH/WR/TENNESSEE 6’024″/223 4.48/40 10 1/4″H/33 3/8″A
Here’s another young man who had me scratching my head when I saw his name on the official Underclassmen Declared list back in mid-January. Hobbled by a serious knee injury after a solid freshman season NORTH played in only 28 games for the Vols and had 74 catches for 874 yards and 5 TD. That’s his entire career, not a single season. Not exactly awe inspiring numbers to personnel people to be sure. But after seeing his workout numbers and watching his post them at the Combine I think the question now becomes not whether he’s draftable, but how high. In this year’s WR group that 4.48/40 is pretty good, especially at 223 lbs. Big hands and long arms also get your attention. He’s another guy who went to Indy primarily because they needed to get more info on the underclassman. And now he’s on the radar as a legit pro prospect.

TYVIS POWELL/S/OHIO STATE 6’026″/211 4.46/40 9 3/8″H/31 3/4″A
POWELL is climbing up Draft charts, in what may be a record breaking group of prospects from one school in one draft. POWELL was one of the Combine leading 14 Buckeyes, and clearly helped his stock. His nice size and impressive 40-time, on the heels of a solid week at the Senior Bowl have this 4 year Junior, in the top echelon of the S group. He’s a good tackler, with ball skills (3 PBU/3 INT in 2015) and clearly demonstrated that he has the size and measurables to compete with the best for a job in the NFL. Another guy now poised to vie for a Top 100 Draft slot.

STERLING SHEPARD/WR/RS/OKLAHOMA 5’102″/194 4.48/40 9 3/4″H/30 3/8″A
After an outstanding college career for the Sooners a lot of folks were surprised when SHEPARD went back for his senior season. But the move paid off when he and new QB BAKER MAYFIELD clicked and he posted 86 catches for 1288 yards and 11 TD. That’s not to mention some clutch return work as well. Breaking the 4.50 mark at the Combine was huge for him, showing he had decent speed to go with his great quickness. He also helped himself when a lot of media and personnel folks began comparing him to RANDALL COBB/Packers as he completed his Combine workouts. I believe he too is looking more and more like a Friday Draft prospect now after a productive stay in Indy.

ISAAC SEUMALO/OL/OREGON STATE 6’307″/303 5.19/40 9 7/8″H/33″A
IN 2013, before a foot injury, SEUMALO was one of the hot young prospects who looked like he could play anywhere along an OL. Although SEUMALO apparently passed his Combine medical tests he clearly may not be quite the athlete he was pre-injury as evidenced by his 5.19/40. But I think overall he has at least reclaimed his status as a very good Interior OL candidate. He has nice size, a wide base and more than adequate hand size and arm length to do battle in a phone booth as a OC or OG. He had a good 2015 season that was obscured because the Beavers struggled mightily under new HC GARY ANDERSON. In fact it is speculated that the change in offensive system was a factor in ISAAC’s decision to come out early.

CHARLES TAPPER/DE/OKLAHOMA 6’025″/271 4.59/40 11 1/2″H/34 3/8″A
TAPPER was a significant part of the Sooners march to a Play-Off spot this past season. He helped anchor the Defense playing both inside and outside along their D-front. TAPPER was invited to the Senior Bowl and acquitted himself well, though he did not dominate. Running his 4.59/40 in Indy at 271 lbs has to make you wonder about his potential to stand up in a 3-4 scheme at least some of the time. His 34″+ arms & 11″+ hands are attention getters. I know more than a few folks now view him as having potential to be a more productive pro than he was as a collegian. And he had a very nice college career. My guess is that some team is going to fall in luv with his size and athleticism and draft him in Round 3 based on the potential he flashed at the Combine.

JOE THUNEY/OG/NC STATE 6’045″/304 4.95/40 9 5/8″H/32 1/4″A
The fifth-year graduate student may have indeed worked his way into a draftable prospect, especially this post season. But first let’s go back and remember he played out at OT for the Wolfpack this season, and that he officially credited with not allowing a single sack from his position. He was at the Shrine venue, but I can’t tell you he caught my eye as anyone special. But he did catch my eye as a better natural athlete than I thought at the Combine. Sub-5.00/40’s by offensive lineman were very hard to come by this year as I mentioned earlier. He also packed a solid 304 lbs on his frame. If you project him at OG, then I think he’s elevated himself to being draftable. I have also heard his Wonderlic was good and he impressed in interviews while in Indy.

STEVE WEATHERLY/OLB/DE/VANDERBILT 6’043″/267 4.61/40 10 1/4″H/34 1/2″A
Since JAMES FRANKLIN left Nashville it might be kind to say the Commodores have struggled on the football field. So I will confess I was a bit surprised when I saw WEATHERLY’s name on the Combine invite list. Then I saw his numbers, and his physique and my imagination has been running wild ever since. I fully intend to watch some game tape of this guy in the next few weeks. Once again, like TAPPER, if we look at his 40-time, and his hand & arm measurements one have to wonder if he isn’t athletic enough to stand-up full time as a pro, especially in a 3-4 scheme. I would expect that this good looking athlete will make a few more team visits than most of us thought he would pre-Combine. His emergence as a prospect is another example of the positive that can come from the exposure generated at the annual Combine. Well done Steve W.

CONNOR WUJCIAK/DT/BOSTON COLLEGE 6’024″/291 4.91/40 10″H/33 1/4″A
The BC Eagles have not been a very good football team in recent years. But don’t blame the Defense for their poor showings. And don’t think the coaching staff was molding top notch D with smoke and mirrors. There have been some prospect level defenders on that team, and WUJCIAK was one of their best last season. Though a bit lean, he’s strong and muscled. And his sub-5.00/40 shows some athleticism for an inside guy. In 12 games last season CONNOR posted 11 TFL and 4.5 Sacks while being a very disruptive inside force in disrupting the pocket and moving opposing QB off their mark. He was at the Shrine venue but limped off the practice field after 1 day. he rehabbed his minor leg issue and came back to post solid numbers in Indy. I can see this player earning an NFL roster spot with a 4-3 scheme defensive base set.

There are a lot more names who did themselves a lot of good with what they were able to do at the Combine this year. But these are 20 who I felt made a quantum leap toward being drafted and playing as pros next year. This is why I value the Combine, even though I know game tape is still the most important aspect of evaluation. Back to the game tape I will go, with a bit of a different attitude when the game tape rolls.

Congrats to these players for chasing their dream to play football for pay!

Pigskin Paul

The DB group of 59 got on the practice field today to run and jump and perform DB drills. But even the presence of former speedster and NFL Hall-of-Famer DEION SANDERS could not make this the fastest group of the 2016 Combine. Most of the participants ran mediocre to disappointing 40-times with way too many displaying hands like feet in drills. SANDERS even resorted to a wasted pep talk to players a couple of times, urging them to catch the ball. It is what it is DEION, a relatively slow Draft Class for 2016.

Only 49 of the 59 players actually ran in anger today and a measly 6 of them ran under 4.40 second 40-times. Overall the group was a bit faster than the WR corp from Saturday. A total of 20 players did manage to come in under 4.50. But like most of the position groups in Indy nobody would accuse very many of these prospects as being fast.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the “fast” group was Clemson S T.J. GREEN who recorded a 4.34/40 while standing 6’024″ & weighing 209 lbs. If some team can improve his tackling technique, and attitude, they may have something in a couple of seasons. He was certainly more impressive overall, by a long shot, when compared to his Clemson running mate JAYRON KEARSE.

The fastest DB at the Combine since 2003, is Stanford Routt who recorded a 4.27/40. JONATHAN JONES/Auburn with a nice 4.33/40 time was the fastest DB today. JONES who is short (5’091″) by any standard was following up a nice week in Mobile and certainly looks to be draftable as at the very least a sub-package/slot Corner and Special Teams speedster. At the end of the regular season I would have written him off as a likely URFA, but he has used his speed, and apparent quickness, to impress NFL personnel people this post-season.

The biggest winner of the DB group at this Combine had to be WILLIAM JACKSON/Houston. The tall (6’003′), lanky (189 lbs) press-cover Corner was highly thought of coming into the week in Indy. He leaves with a bullet next to his name after burning a 4.37/40-time. His size, speed and solid career for Houston should have him knocking on the door of the First Round in April.

Even though they did not set the Combine on fire I don’t think either of the top two rated CB prospects coming into this venue hurt themselves at all. JALEN RAMSEY & VERNON HARGREAVES look to both be gone before we are 12 picks into the Draft.
I still think RAMSEY has a better chance to excel from the S position, but he clearly stated on NFLN Sunday night that he preferred to be considered a CB right now. I’m still not convinced after today’s workout, that he has the ball skills to be an impact Corner. Whereas at S his athleticism would be elite. I liken RAMSEY to RONNIE LOTT in his play and potential for the pro game.
HARGREAVES was a bit stouter than expected, at 204 lbs, but just as quick and instinctive as he looked in Florida game action. His 4.50/40 speed is adequate for the Corner and his explosion to the ball is exceptional.

ELI APPLE/Ohio State showed nice size this week (6’005″/199) but more importantly answered any supposed concerns about his speed with a 4.40/40-time. Like JACKSON, I expect him to be a First Round selection. That would make 4 guys on my First Round list, with RAMSEY, HARGREAVES, APPLE & JACKSON making the grade.
There might be another 1 or 2 first rounders in this group if they are able to run really well at their schools’ Pro Days over the next month plus. I refer to CB/McKENSIE ALEXANDER, S/KARL JOSEPH, CB/KENDALL FULLER.

My sleeper pick coming out of this position group is TYVIS POWELL/S, and part of the 14 BUCKEYE contingent in attendance in Indy. POWELL, who was overshadowed by the plethora of talent on the Buckeyes Defense showed awesome potential to be a starting S in the NFL very soon. POWELL measured 6’026″, 211 lbs, with 9 3/8″hands and ran a very fast (for a S) 4.46/40. He should make an immediate impact on some NFL team’s Special Teams units, and work his way to starter status early on.

Even though today’s group work was far from stellar overall it was solid. I can honestly say that the pre-Combine chatter that the defensive players would dominate the event was absolutely correct in this Draftnik’s opinion. Not to mention the fact that some elite defenders eligible for the Draft (JACK, SMITH, JOSPEH & ALEXANDER) couldn’t even perform in Indy because of injuries.

A good looking CB prospect, who really hit a home run today, was MAURICE CANADY/Virginia. CANADY is likely a Saturday Draftee in April. But today he looked like a First Rounder, as he showed up with writing on his shoes paying tribute to the female police officer who was killed in Virginia over the weekend in a domestic violence incident, on her first day of active duty. He was going to auction off the shoes tonight online and donate the proceeds to a memorial funeral fund in her honor. That’s a heartfelt, professional move Mr. Canady. Bravo young man!

On another humanitarian note, RICH EISEN of NFLN ran his annual 40-yard dash, last night, for airing today. The new twist was having the event serve as a money raising event for St. Jude’s children’s research hospital in Memphis. Several Combine broadcast sponsors made large corporate contributions and fans were encouraged to go to Run Rich Run at the NFLN website and also donate. EISEN, aced his 40, with a personal best of just over 5.90 seconds. Now let’s see how much money the event ends up contributing to St Jude’s overall. Well done folks.
I think all this charitable good will must have softened my hard old heart a bit. I didn’t even mind DEION SANDERS and his mouth that much most of the day. Who’da thunk you would ever hear that from my mouth, or pen.

We’ll have some additional thoughts here spread over the rest of this week as I look through my notes and respond to other info as I run across it from other sports news sources. The results here will also influence both Colin and I to revise our Top 100 lists this week as well. Hope you enjoyed watching the Combine and our coverage of the event.

PIGSKIN PAUL

Not the best time to have one’s internet provider go down but c’est la guerre! They finally got the official results from this morning’s first 40 runs by the DBs and when the dust had settled Florida’s Vernon Hargreaves was right about where he started with a final clocking of 4.50. Good, but not great, although Hargreaves did look very smooth in the positional drills. Same story sort of for Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey, the other top-rated CB in this year’s draft class as he had a solid, but not spectacular – for a CB – 4.46 40 clocking. However, if teams are actually looking at Ramsey as a safety then he knocked it out of the park today. That’s a really good time for a guy who’s over 6-1 and almost 210 pounds; and the fact that he threw up really athletic leaps in the vertical (41.5″) and standing long jumps (11-3) aren’t going to hurt. Top-rated guys who did run well today once they got the timing issues sorted out include CBs Jon Jones of auburn (4.33), Will Jackson of Houston (4,37) and Ohio State’s Eli Apple (4.40). One other number that did disappoint a bit was that LSU’s Rashard Robinson, whom scouts expected to blitz the 40, but his 4.50 40 clocking was rather pedestrian. So was that for Boise State FS darian Thompson, a big hitter who had started to generate some top-50 buzz but that may die down after he could only clock a 4.70 40. Update: Jalen Ramsey goes faster (at least unofficially) with a 4.42 second run.

Clock issues continue: Hargreaves who was originally credited with a 4.52 has now been credited with a 4.41 unofficial time which is obviously a much better time for him.

Do want to wait until the official times get announced because one gets the feeling that the NFL Network might be having some clock problems. Stay tuned.

Unheralded Will Jackson of Houston, who has been lurking out there with a second-day grade makes statement with sub-4.4 (4.39) run. Even better time of 4.34 by Jon Jones of Auburn who like Jackson is a good player who’s been lurking in that second-third round area. Then Jones time got lowered to 4.28 as there appears to be some kind of problem with the timing.

Vernon Hargreaves of Florida has to be a little disappointed with an unofficial 4.52; not bad, but is it top 10 worthy.

Nice run by Maryland tweener Sean Davis one of our favorite prospects in this draft; unofficial hand-time was 4.48.

Its not all pure speed for the Dbs so far today. Three CBs – Mo Canady of Virginia, Briean Boddy-Calhoun of Minnesota and Taveze Calhoun of Mississippi State all ran too close to 4.6 while Miami FS Deon Bush was a little slow at 4.65.

You know a guy is fast when Miami’s Artie Burns runs a 4.40 40 and its considered disappointing, but he’s a track who can go faster.

Good run by unheralded James Bradberry of unheralded Samford as he runs a 4.46 40 at 6-1, 211 with real long arms. Then Anthony Brown of Purdue runs a 4.37. Hang onto your hats.

Clemson CB Mackensie Alexander would have been first CB up to run this morning, but opted to wait until his pro day claiming that he’s still not quite 100% after tweaking a hammy in the national championship game. For the record, Clemson’s pro day is scheduled for March 10.

The honor of the 2016 Combine was at stake today, as the more highly regarded Defense took the field intending to demonstrate that the 2016 Draft has plenty of talent for NFL teams to choose from come April. To some extent they showed well, but I still perceive almost as many questions as answers came to the surface with today’s workouts.

Is JOEY BOSA the elite player he looked to be for the first two years of his college career, or has he already peaked? I’m not sure where you play this guy who now stands 6’5 and weights only 269 lbs. For me that’s too heavy for a standup OLB, as evidenced by a 4.86/40, and too light to set the edge against the run. I thought his overall performance today was mediocre, not that of a Top 5 Draft pick.

A similar scenario looks to be developing with SHAQ LAWSON/DE/CLEMSON. His 4.70/40 was considerably better than BOSA’s, but he too looks small (6’025″/269) for a DE slot in any alignment. Right now I’d say he may have to begin his NFL career as an edge-rush specialist.

EMMANUEL OGBAH, who seemed to be slipping in the ranking lists re-asserted himself as a potential top-notch, full-time DE prospect, with some serious pass-rush ability. At 6’4 & 273 lbs, with 35 1/2″ arms he ran a nifty 4.63/40-time. He looked smooth enough in drills to participate in the LB portion of workouts, and held his own.

There were some pleasant surprises of course, who will have personnel people running to the film room for more viewing, and booking flights to some Pro Day campus workouts they might not have been planning on attending a week ago.
JAVON HARGRAVE/DT/SC State, who showed really well at both the SHRINE & SENIOR BOWL venues continued to impress with his big bubble butt and surprising athleticism. At just over 6’1 and weighing 309 lbs. HARGRAVE ran a 4.93/40. Then he looked solid in on-field drills. Somebody has to take this guy in the Top 100 picks of he Draft.

I have always been a fan of record breaking efforts at the Combine. Top DL prospect DeFOREST BUCKNER of Oregon set a record just by being measured. His hand measured 11 3/4″, which is the biggest number ever recorded in that category.

Out of 64 DL prospects who participated today there were 18 who weighed at least 300 lbs. Just like in the OL group this seems to me to be a relatively low number. The heaviest DL in the group was CHRIS MAYES/DT/Georgia. Not exactly a household name.
Speaking of weight, I thought one of the more interesting body changes in the past month was by DE/SHAWN OAKMAN/Baylor. OAKMAN weighed in at 268 lbs. at the Senior Bowl a month ago. This week he checked into Indy weighing 287 lbs, looking a lot more like a football player, and less like a basket-baller. He ran a fairly slow 4.96/40, but some of that may be due to trying to adjust to a 19 lb. weight gain in one month.

Based on weights and frames that I saw today I think as many as 8-10 players working out in the DL group may have to seriously consider their potential NFL careers standing up at a LB position. And there may be another 3-5 who will be nothing more than Speed-Rushers and Special Teamers.

Perhaps the two most intriguing guys on the day for me were CHARLES TAPPER & MATT JUDON.
TAPPER was in Mobile and had a solid week playing in the DE group there. Based on numbers from this week TAPPER may be a multi-use surprise for some lucky NFL Defensive Coordinator. TAPPER stood 6’025″ tall with 34 3/8″ arms and 11 1/2″ hands. He also posted a 40-time of 4.59, at 271 lbs. He looked totally comfortable in drills calling for him to play in reverse.
JUDON is my small school sleeper from Grand Valley State. He was scheduled to play in the Shrine Game, but bowed out because of pre-existing injury conditions. However, his numbers at the Combine and his athletic looking workouts today have gotten my attention. He measured 6’3 and weighed 275 lbs. He has 9 1/2″ hands and 33 7/8″ arms. He also blazed a 4.73/40, in addition to hitting the 30-rep mark in the Bench Press. This guy is a big time athlete, and should be rising up the prospect lists over the next two months.

Perhaps the most uninspiring performance today was that of NOAH SPENCE, who had been gaining a lot of momentum since performing at the Senior Bowl. His 4.80/40 was not what many felt he needed to run as an under sized (6’024/251 lbs) DE and his on field work did not inspire me to see him converting to OLB easily. That would make him a speed-rusher and certainly not a First Round Pick.

After watching the workouts and perusing the numbers of this DL group, I think they confirmed expectations that it is probably the best and deepest position group of this year’s Draft. In a quick count today I estimate that between 10-12 DL could go in Round 1 alone. Expect as many as two dozen to be in the Top 100 Draft PIcks overall.

I felt the LB group of 39 prospects had some very interesting prospects, but not very many elite true stand-up LB types.

The clear star of the afternoon was DARREN LEE/Ohio State, who just blew things up on his measurables sheet. At 6’006″/232 lbs, his 4.47/40-time would have put him in the top 10 list of fastest WR yesterday. He also has 9 3/4″ hands and 33 1/4″ long arms. He is clearly a superior athlete and was incredibly productive on a very talented Buckeyes Defense, including 66 tackles in 2015. Having played INside a lot at Ohio State transitioning to the outside would seem to be no big deal for this young man.

One of the most pleasant surprises when the numbers were tallied was LEONARD FLOYD/Georgia who looked like the ‘Thin Man’ for most of his career in Athens. He checked in bigger than advertised at 6’055″/244 lbs. The added weight didn’t seem to slow him down much as he ran a 4/60/40. 10″+ hands and 33″+ arm length also bode well for him. He looks like a full sized athlete now and has maintained his speed and quickness. He now seems poised to make a real push for a First Round draft slot.

I heard much speculation in NFL Network coverage today that ERIC STRIKER/Oklahoma may eventually spend at least some of his time in the NFL at a Safety position. THat is due in part to the reality that at 5’11” & 227 lbs. it may be hard for him to hold up as a full-time LB. His 4.80/40 does not scream out or a move to S, but perhaps if he lost 10 lbs he could cut that number down a bit. Expect him to be drafted in Round 4 and earn a living initially on coverage units on Special Teams.

My sleeper of the day at LB is STEPHEN WEATHERLY/Vanderbilt. At 6’043″ & 267 lbs. he ran himself a 4.61/40. His 34 1/2″ arms and 10+” hands are also exciting. He looked athletic enough to have some long range potential as an OLB in a 3-4 scheme. Keep your eyes on him the next two months. I expect the Vandy Pro Day will have a larger than originally expected scouting turnout in attendance.

One more group on Monday with the DB group wrapping things up. Be prepared to put up with constant babbling and language butchering from DEION SANDERS down on the field all day long. Keep the aspirin handy.

PIGSKIN PAUL

It will be very interesting to see what pro teams make of Alabama’s Reggie Ragland who clocked just about what everyone expected at 4.72. That’s not bad for a 247-pound player, but that’s a borderline time for a 3-down LB at the next level. Its also borderline for a first-round LB. In fact, several other MLB prospects also timed in that general are including Stanford’s Blake Martinez (4.71), Nick Kwiatkowski of West Virginia (4.73), and Nick Vigil of Utah State (4.71), while Tyler Matakevich of Temple (4.81) and Utah’s Jared Norris (4.80) were another step behind, but still in the 2-down ballpark. Disappointing times though for Arizona’s Scooby Wright (4.91) and Kentrell Brothers of Missouri (4.90)

So they finally had a combine event and a track meet broke out – sort of – as the LBs made their first 40-yard runs this afternoon. Some really good times posted by several of the OLB/edge rusher types including a 4.47 clocking by Ohio State’s Darron Lee, while Travis Feeney of Washington posted a 4.5-flat time. Georgia OLB/ER Leonard Floyd had a very good 4.60 running at 244 pounds. Same for De’Vondre Campble who ran a very good 4.58, while Ohio State’s Josh Perry clocked a 4.68 running at 4.68 and Utah State’s Kyler Fackrell ran a 4.72. LSU combo LB/S Deion Jones also had a nice run at 4.59. On the other hand, among the ER types Georgia’s Jordan Jenkins had to be a little disappointed clocking only in the 4.85 range.

EKU DE Noah Spence, argubaly the most polarizing prospect this year, needed to put up a 4.6 type to keep the top 10 talk going but maybe ran himself out of contention with a slow – for a 255 DE – 4.80 40 clocking. Real nice time though by Oklahoma DE Charles Tapper who did run under 4.60 with a 1.59 split.

Alabama guys up with DE/DT/5T Jarran Reed clocking a slowish 5.21 with a sluggish 1.84 split, while A’Shawn Robinson was almost the same at 5.20 and 1,84. In between Texas junior DT Hassan Ridgeway turned some heads with a 5.02 40 with a quick 1.72 split.

Finally somebody steps up and makes a statement os Oklahoma State DE Emmanual Ogbah maybe put himself back in the top 20 debate who ran a 4.65 40 with the fastest split of the day to date at 1.59. Same story for Louisville DT Sheldon Rankins who runs a 5.03 40 with a 1.74 split

Disappointing 40 for Baylor’s Shawn Oakman, supposedly a physical freak, but who barely broke 5-flat in the 40 with a sluggish 1.74 split.

Ole Miss DT Robert Nkemdiche, who has by all accounts had a very athletic day at the combine blitzes as 4.87 40 with a 1.72 10-yard split.

Passable 4.73 40-clocking with a quick 1.66 split for Clemson DE Shaq Lawson.

Second group of defensive linemen including DEs Noah Spence, Shaq Lawson and Emmanual Ogbah and DTs Robert Nkemdiche, Sheldon Rankons, along with all the Alabama guys set to run their 40s.

One of the themes from the 2016 draft has been that the event has almost provided more questions than answers. And that theme really hasn’t changed much this morning as the first group of defensive linemen works out. First question, for example, did Ohio State DE Joey Bosa do enough to keep himself in the debate for the top pick overall. Bottom line is that in almost any other year, the answer would probably be no. Not that Bosa had an awful workout; he had a pretty quick 10-y ard split at 1.69, but the rest of his workout to date has been rather pedestrian. His 40-time was only 0.03 slower than that of JJ Watt a few years back, but Bosa weighs 20 pounds less than Watt (269 versus 290) and had 10 fewer reps (24 versus 34) in the bench press. And of course Watt was only the 11th player taken in his draft.

First group of DL have completed their initial runs and are now on their second runs. BYU’s Bronson Kaufusi ran like a 5T/tweener DE with a 4.88 40 while Indiana junior Darius Latham was slowish with a 4.32 40 after a 1.90 split.

Interesting run by 291-pound Maryland DT/5T Quinton Jefferson who posts a 4.96 full 40 with a 1.70 10-yard split. Also a nice time by Mississippi State DT Chris Jones with another 1,70 split and a 5.04 full 40. Disappointing start though by Penn State DT Austin Johnson who has a 1.85 split and a 5.32 full 40. You’d really like to see 314-pound guys like him at least in the 5.1 type range.

Decent quickness by Clemson DE Kevin Dodd with a 1.70 split, but scouys will have to chew over whether a 4.86 full 40 is the stuff of a first round DE. Several nice runs by DTs including Javon Hargrave of South Carolina State who gets under 5-flat (4.94), while Michigan’s Willie Henry posts a 5.01 and Sheldon Day of Notre Dame with a 5.08 full 40 but a very quick 1.69 10yard split.

Pretty good times for DTs Kenny Clark, who runs a 5.07 40 with a 1.72 split, and Malieck Collins at 5.04. Vernon Butler a little slow though at 5.34. Meanwhile, Jonathan Butler runs like a 5T DE with a 4.96 clocking, while Shilique Calhoun had to be a little disappointed with a 4.83 time.

Baylor DT Andrew Billings posts a pretty good 5.06 40 with a 1.79 10-yard split as the DL get their workouts underway. And no one wants to blink with Bosa, Buckner, Bullard and Butleron deck

The offensive segment of As The Combine Turns is in the books. And for the most part we can breathe a big sigh of relief and hope for bigger and better things on Sunday, especially with the DL groups Sunday morning.

As expected the WR group turned into another version of ‘Where’s The Speed’ to paraphrase the late, great, departed CLARA PELLA, spokesgirl for Wendy’s. I fear we have all been spoiled by the quality, diversity and depth of the last two WR Draft Groups. Welcome back to planet earth Draftniks. Almost everyone’s top WR prospect LAQUON TREADWELL/Ole Miss chose not to run his 40 in Indy. But he did show up out on the field, baseball cap on backwards and all. And he looked like I expected him to. He’s a smart player who runs good routes ad displays good, strong hands. I found it interesting that TREADWELL weighed in at 220 lbs., which was about 10 lbs. over his program weight at Ole Miss last season. Will he weigh that at his Pro Day or lose a few pounds to run faster?
Maybe he should have run, because the speed numbers were pretty pedestrian to say the least. Only two wideouts were able to un sub-4.40 on the day:
WILL FULLER/Notre Dame 4.32
KOLBY LISTENBEE/TCU 4.35
Ironically, both of these fastest guys, had very smallish hands at 8 1/4″.
FULLER had an impressive day overall running good patterns and catching almost everything thrown his way. FULLER may be the guy most likely to come in and take the top off of defenses right away as a Rookie. I don’t see how he doesn’t get drafted in Round 1 after his work this week.

To add to the misery of NFL personnel people who just luv speed, the entire receiver group of 37 who ran their 40’s produced only 8 other guys who were able to even break the 4.50/40 mark.
But despair not if your team needs a receiver to bolster their receiving corps. There is some nice size, excellent hands and quickness within this receiving class.
JOSH DOCTSON/TCU posted impressive numbers all the way around. He measured in well at 6’2, 202 lbs., 31 7/8″ arms & 9 7/8″ hands. He did post a 4.50/40 time and flashed a 41″ vertical jump. His 10’11” broad jump was exceptional as well. He showed excellent, soft hands during receiving drills and I’d take him in Round 1 if I had a later pick and needed WR help… in a heartbeat!

STERLING SHEPARD/Oklahoma, also had a solid day out on the artificial turf today. His 4.48/40, when his quickness is taken into account was a good number for him. Even his arms are not long (30 3/8″) his 9 3/4″ hand spread is encouraging. Like DOCTSON he also posted a 41″ vert, with a 10’3″ broad jump. I also have it on good authority that he was impressive in interview rooms.

My top sleeper coming out of the WR group is Probably MARQUEZ NORTH/Tennessee. I had not seen him on anyone’s top WR prospect list. His measurables were most impressive for the 6’3/223 wideout. He ran a solid 4.48/40 at this size. Then he was taped with 10 1/4″ hands spread and 33 3/8″ long arms. The underclassman came out early, even though he only played in 7 games with 6 catches in 2015. He was selected to the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2015. His career high in receptions was in 2013 as a true freshman, with 38. His numbers now have him firmly in front of NFL personnel departments. Here’s hoping his Combine medical went well with a torn labrum on his records from 2014.
usual
URBAN MEYER made a cameo appearance on NFLN coverage today, in part to celebrate a whopping 14 Buckeyes being present in the Combine’s 333 participants. He did not look like a Head COach concerned a whole lot abut losing that much talent to the pro game. Clearly recruiting is going well these days as usual in Columbus.
His comment was most interesting when Mike Mayock asked him the most impressive aspect of EZEKIEL ELLIOTT/RB during his career as a Buckeye. MEYER said it was watching what ELLIOTT did when he did not have the ball in his hands; running routes as a decoy, carrying out ball fakes and blocking to protect his QB. Just what NFL personnel people wanted to hear.

The 2016 TE group was the smallest I can remember with only 16 players, and several of them were limited because of physical issues. Would it be safe to suggest that teams in serious need of TE help give some serious attention to the VFA lists for this year. On top of that 6 of the 16 chose not to run their 40’s today.
My most impressive performer in this group was JERELL ADAMS?South Carolina. All of his numbers were good. He measured 6’5″, 247 lbs., 34 3/8″ arms & 9 3/4″ hands. He also ran, posting a 4.64/40, which was the best in the TE group.
My sleeper was TEMARRICK HEMINGWAY/S. Carolina State. He posted the second best 40-time at 4.71, and was 6’5″, 244 lbs., 34″ arms & 10″ hands. He looked decent in receiving drills and will have yours truly taking another look at my game tape form the NFLPA Game.

As often happens, the QB group sent out some conflicting messages between their measurables and their throwing work. The week started in a bizarre manner when both BRANDON ALLEN & VERNON ADAMS showed up with bigger hands than they had previously registered at All-Star Games. And when Saturday rolled around all the top QB participated fully in on-field drills.
Consensus seems to be that CARSON WENTZ, the small school wunderkind, created just a bit of separation as the best overall QB prospect for this Draft during his time in Indy. He had great numbers all the way around including a 4.77/40 which tied him for second best with TREVONE BOYKIN, who may be moving to WR. WENTZ was reportedly top notch in interviews and at the chalk board for teams. His 10″ hands are also appealing. He even showed better footwork than most of the big school QB in town.
PAXTON LYNCH and JARED GOFF were not quite as impressive overall, but are both still pegged as First Rounders as well. I think that BRANDON DOUGHTY/Western Kentucky probably lost the most ground here. His 5.22/40 was snail like and his small, 9 1/8″ hands were also disappointing.
My biggest mystery man in the QB group is still JOEL STAVE/Wisconsin. Based on his measurables this guy should be elite. He stands 6’5, weighs 236 lbs., has 10 3/4″ hands and 33 1/4″ long arms FBS. He also ran a very respectable 4.80/40. He did a lot of throwing in the field work today, and throws a nice ball overall. But then you look at his on-field play at Wisconsin and wonder how he ends up throwing 11 TD and 11 INT as a senior under QB whisperer Head Coach PAUL CHRYST. There seems to be a serious disconnect between what should be and what is. Maybe someone will think they can fix this guy and he’ll get drafted in Round 7.

I wonder how long TEXANS HC BILL O’BRIEN thinks he can wait in the Draft before he picks his Penn State protege’ CHRISTIAN HACKENBERG. HACKENBERG still shows flashes of NFL talent and he did hid best work as a freshman for O”BIREN in Happy Valley. HACK has been the most sacked QB in FCS football over the last two years. Can O”BRIEN, who needs a franchise QB draft HACKENBERG, fix him and save his job as the TEXANS coach? Only time will tell.
Biggest disappointment in the QB group today was CARDALE JONES/Ohio State who pulled a hamstring in his second 40-yard dash and was unable to do anything else on the field. But his size and athleticism still make him a target for additional study as his health permits. He may be the big fish at the Buckeyes Pro Day.

My top sleeper coming out of this group is a guy who had a really solid season in 2015 and shined in Mobile during Senior Bowl week. JEFF DRISKEL was the top ranked QB recruit in the nation when he signed at Florida, just before URBAN MEYER left town. He has always been ranked as a great athlete, with a major league arm. But it never clicked in Gainesville. He responded well to LA TECH HC SKIP HOLTZ after transferring there. And his numbers this week indicated he’s lost none of the physical attributes he flashed coming out of high school. DRISKEL is 6’4″, 234 LBS, with 9 3/4″ hands. He ran the fastest 40 today by far in the QB group at 4.56. He’s the real deal and on the rise.

Pigskin Paul

Other than the fact that Will Fuller put up a great 40 time of 4.32, perhaps the storyline from this morning’s on-field workout for the receivers was how many didn’t run that well. Indeed, Fuller and TCU’s Kolby Listenbee (4.35) were the only receivers to clock under 4.4, while only two others – Cal’s Trevor Davis (4.42) and Ricardo Louis of Auburn (4.44) – were under 4.45; and neither of the latter pair are particularly highly rated. In contrast, while the official times for the second group of WRs have yet to be posted, Mike Thomas, arguably the 3rd rated receiver in the 2016 class, posted an unofficial hand-timed clocking of 4.57, while Tyler Boyd had an official time of 4.58. Among other disappointing times, DeRunnya Wilson barely broke the 4.9 mark, while Duke Williams, Nelson Spruce, and Demarcus Ayers all have times over 4.7 seconds, while the majority of receivers were in the 4.6 range. Should be noted though that none of Laquon Treadwell, Corey Coleman, and Pharoh Cooper did not run today.

Second group of QBs all pretty much ran in the same 4.8-4.9 range including Carson Wentz at an unofficial hand-timed 4.78. And times foe the first group of WRs are in with Will Fuller clocking a 4.32 while Koldy Listenbee’s final time was 4.35.

The first group of WRs are running their 40s and at first blush one wonders if the wake-up guy overslept himself because some of the erly times were downright pedestrian with the first half dozen or so receivers struggling to just break 4.65. A real good time though for Notre Dame’s Will Fuller who had an unofficial hand-timed clocking of 4.33 seconds. Meanwhile, a couple of other times of note included a 4.51 by Leonte Carroo of Rutgers and 4.54 by TCU’s Josh Doctson. It will be interesting to see what their official times ultimately work out as those both guys likely would have liked to have been faster.

The first group of QBs ran their 40s if anyone really cared. Louisiana Tech’s Jeff Driskel was surprising quick with an unofficial hand-timed clocking of 4.56, while Western Kentucky’s Brandon Doughty was sun-dial slow at over 5,2 seconds. Meanwhile, you could throw a blanket over the rest of the 1st group of QBs who were all pretty much in the 4.8-4.9. That was disappointing for smaller,  supposedly more athletic guys like Vernon Adams (4.84) and Trevonne Boykin (4.78) but about what one would expect from Jared Goff (4.83), Connor Cook ($.80) and Christian Hackenberg (4.79)

by Pigskin Paul Guillemette: So the first groups of players have wrapped up their job interviews in Indy and are headed back home, and/or to their Performance Camps. As often happens I have ended up the first day of on-field with as many questions as I have answers. But here are a few tidbits I wanted to share with you our readers.

My first quandary centers around the amazing transformation of the right hand of QB/VERNON ADAMS. My concerns about his “small”hands started after getting a hand measurement at the Shrine Game venue that listed his hand at 8 3/4″. Now that number came from members of National Scouting who conducted the weigh-in. These are the same guys who primarily handle running the COMBINE. So what in the wide, wide world of sports has been going on at ADAMS’ Performance Camp that enabled him to have his hand measured again by National personnel in Indy and his new official hand size is 9 1/8″. This new number indicates that his hand may not be RUSSELL WILSON size (10+”), but is bigger than JARED GOFF & CHRISTIAN HACKENBERG. By the time he posts his speed and quickness numbers ADAMS may leave the Combine as one hot prospect.
Of other note on the hand size front CODY KESSLER may have just made up a bit for his relatively short stature at 6’1, with a hand that measured 10 7/8″. THat ties him with DAK PRESCOTT for largest mitts in the QB group here.
Just to bring you up to date, guys with hands measuring 10″ or grater in Indy were
KEVIN HOGAN/STANFORD, CARDALE JONES/OHIO STATE, KESSLER, PAXTON LYNCH, PRESCOTT, JOEL STAVE & CARSON WENTZ.
One more note, before i drive you insane with hand size talk. At his presser Thursday JOHN ELWAY indicated that he recently measured his hand and came out with a size of 10 1/8″. Just another piece of interesting but probably useless information.

A name from the past emerged today amongst the RB group, and put a new name into consideration as a worthy Draft project; KEITH MARSHALL. Those of you follow College Football may remember him as the sidekick of TODD GURLEY, when they were freshman together in 2012. MARSHALL shared time with GURLEY and rushed for 759 yards and 8 TD, averaging 6’5 ypc. Then in 2013 he tore an ACL and never really regained much status for the Bulldogs. In 2015, though seemingly healthy, he only got 68 carries. He averaged 5.1 ypc and scored 3 TD. It seemed strange he saw so little action, especially after NICK CHUBB went down for the season.
When I saw MARSHALL’s name on the Combine invite list I figured the primary purpose must be to get an extensive medical work-up so teams could eliminate his name from their prospect lists. Well, he cleared his medical and was allowed to participate today in on-field drills. NFL Network showed a tweet from this morning from TODD GURLEY basically predicting a blazing 4.30/40. Good for a smile or two. But not so fast my friends. MARSHALL was the fastest RB by far, blazing an official 4.31 time. On top of that MARSHALL had the highest Bench Press count of the true RB, with 25. I can’t wait for the rest of his numbers to come in and to see the buzz he may leave Indy with. What a great story this could become if it pans out over the next two months.

What a pleasant surprise when I tuned in the NFLN at 9AM and the first three guys running their 40’s were from the Special Teams group. JIMMY LANDES/LS, MARSHALL KOEHN/K & JOHN LUNSFORD/K all run and had times well under 5 seconds each. I was not surprised to see LUNSFORD out there. I had multiple sideline conversations with him during Shrine Game practices and the kid is tough, smart & a serious athlete. I guarantee if he’s on the field for an NFL team next year he will indeed cover his own kick-offs and record a few tackles. Way to go guys.

Overall, the work of the OL groups pretty much confirmed my fears that the overall athleticism of this Draft Class is decent, but a notch below the past two years in overall athleticism. This was especially true of Group 1, which included 20 OL. Group 2 was better, but no one knocked it out of the park.
Only three OL were able to better the 5.00/40:
JASON SPRIGGS/INDIANA 4.94
JOE THUNEY/NC STATE 4.95
CALEB BENENOCH/UCLA 4.98
Next up at 5.00 even was JACK CONKLIN.
Top Dog amongst the OL prospects LAREMY TUNSIL declined to run. He’ll wait for his Pro Day. But he did participate in on-field drills and earned high praise for his agility, technique and athleticism.
SPRIGGS who had a solid week was very impressive overall and looks to be riding out of Indy as a First Round Prospect.
From what I saw today I would rate the following guys as having had the most overall productive, if not surprising, days of the 50 participants.
SPRIGGS
JOE DAHL/WASHINGTON STATE
JACK CONKLIN/MICHIGAN STATE
CHRIS WESTERMAN/ARIZONA STATE
GRAHAM GLASGOW/MICHIGAN
CONNOR McGOVERN/MISSOURI

Some Draft philosophy thoughts I have had this past week as MOCK DRAFTS are flying everywhere you look, soon to be followed by post-Combine updates. I am a strong believer in building NFL tams through the Draft process, with the following cautions.
1) Being a one trick pony is not likely to get you a Super Bowl roster anymore. Because of injuries and Salary Cap restrictions your draftees must be supplemented, on a regular basis, by prudent and limited use of the Veteran Free Agent signing periods.
2) You cannot draft the same position over and over again because of a glaring need. Just reflect back on the MATT MILLEN obsession with finding a star wideout year after year in Round One.
3) Drafting the Best Available Athlete at every selection cannot be exercised at total disregard for team needs. Overall roster quality has got to be taken into account. Having DeMARCO MURRAY & RYAN MATHEWS at RB in Phily didn’t do much good behind an inadequate Interior OL last season, as an example. If memory serves me correctly the old fox RON WOLF used to qualify his philosophy by saying something like Best Available Athlete at a position of need.

Looking forward to watching WO/QB/TE Saturday.

PIGSKIN

The combine has posted the official 40 times for RBs which confirms that Georgia’s Keith Marshall had the fastest time at a very quick 4.31. Marshall, in fact, was the only back to break the 4.4 mark as San Jose State’s Tyler Ervin had the next best time at 4.41. Among the top backs, Ohio State’s Zeke Elliott was credited with an official clocking of 4.47 which is not at all bad for a 225-pound guy, although he likely was hoping for something close a tenth faster. Meanwhile, Alabama’s Derrick Henry finished with a 4.54 clocking, again which isn’t bad for a 247-pound runner. NFL teams, though, will have to chew on the times of Alex Collins of Arkansas (4.59) and Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Dixon (4.58) who are generally thought to be the 3-4 backs this year as neither time was that of a guy who is going to break off many big runs on his own.

Some interesting stuff from the measurement session for defensive linemen earlier today. Ohio State DE Joey Bosa and Oregon 5T DeForest Buckner, for example, who are both considered to be potential top 5 prospects for this year’s opening round both at least passed the eyeball test. Bosa measured in at 6-5, 269 with 33.5″ arms and 10-plus inch hands, while Buckner almost blocked out the sun at 6-7, 291 with 34.5” arms and almost unheard of 12″ clubs for hands.  Also of note, Eastern Kentucky DE Noah Spence measured in at 6-2.5, 251, about what was expected, but his arms were a full 33″ while his hands were close to 11″, both of which were significantly higher than were expected. Other notable numbers: Oklahoma State DE Emmanual Ogbah measured in at 6-4, 273 with nice long (35.5″ arms). And talking about long arms, Florida junior Alex McCalister looked like the second coming of the story as he measured in at 6-6, 240 with 36″ arms. Louisiana Tech Vernon Butler also has exceptionally long (35″) arms for an interior defensive linemen. Meanwhile, in the battle of Clemson DEs, give a leg up to Kevin Dodd in the eyeball test as he measured in at 6-5, 277 with 34″ arms, compared with former bookend teammate Shaq Lawson who measured in at 6-2.5 and 269 pounds with 33″ arms. At the same time, neither of quick DTs Andrew Billings of Baylor nor Louisville’s Sheldon Rankins were all that big as expected. Billings is a bowling ball type at under 6-1, but 311 pounds, while Rankins was barely 6-1 and 299. Both though have over 33″ arms.