NFL Combine

[Saint33]

Darrius Heyward-Bey did what everyone expected out of him today. His athleticism shined. However, if they were ever such thing as a work out warrior, I'd say Heyward-Bey is the perfect example. I see him as a Troy Williamson #2. He's going to move up draft boards, I could see as high as Chicago at #18. However, I think he's got the biggest bust potential in this whole draft, even more than Michael Johnson, who will similarly blow up the combine tomorrow.

Two other guys who really helped out their stock were Pat White and Donald Brown.

White was the most impressive QB all day. I think the talks about switching him to WR can be put to rest. He's moved himself up my board to the #4 spot, and is making a serious push behind Freeman. I could even see White going in the 2nd round. He's done the best job of anyone in post season play at helping out his stock.

Brown is my #3b RB now. Had McCoy participated today, I'd probably have a better idea where to grade the 2 of them, however Brown did enough today to at least be in the argument for that 3rd spot. I think going to Arizona at #31 is not totally out of the picture for him.

[cubuffsman78]

There's a lot of debate about 40 times at this year's combine. I'm going to write something about it for my daily combine review later tonight.

[cubuffsman78]

Here's my second day review I'm posting on the main site.

What is in a 40 time?

For some, a lot.

However, the NFL is going to have to look at how it measures a 40 at the combine.

Two big name prospects – Knowshon Moreno and Jeremy Maclin – failed to chart an official 40 time, according to the official stopwatch keepers at the Combine.

Moreno’s lack of a time was due to failing to get a clean start. NFL Network gave him an unofficial time of 4.62. However, other scouts have reportedly clocked him in the low 4.5s.

Maclin’s time is even stranger. He completed the race flawlessly. Right after the run, the NFL Network broadcasted a 4.40. Later, they upped his time to 4.50. Some scouts with stopwatches reportedly had him clocked as low as 4.29.

This just makes me think. If times vary this much from stopwatch to stopwatch to electronic timer, how do we know what a player really runs?

Forty times were overrated before, but now the realization should be exactly how unimportant it actually is.

For one, speed in shorts and a t-shirt doesn’t always translate to speed in pads on a football field.

Sadly, 40 times won’t be disregarded either. The runs will continue to get overly hyped and even teams and scouts will be guilty of overanalyzing how quickly someone can move through 40 yards.

This is why Darrius Heyward-Bey will fly up draft boards and could be the third WR off the board. Heyward-Bey ran the fastest 40 time of the combine thus far with a 4.30. Supposedly anyway.

Speed kills. It also can dictate the NFL Draft.

Here’s a quick look at the risers and fallers from Sunday’s Combine events.

Risers
Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
Heyward-Bey’s 4.30 40 will go a long way for his stock, but the way he ran routes with fluidity and caught the ball will go a lot way to answer the one big question about his game. Remember, he did run and catch with no one defending him. I still think Heyward-Bey is very questionable on how well he can run inside and shorter routes with defenders covering him.

Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
Unfortunately for Heyward-Bey, it’s still not a given he’s the No. 3 WR in this class. Harvin didn’t disappoint. He measured taller and thicker than expected and still ran a 4.41 official time according to the combine.

Johnny Knox, WR, Abilene Christian
Knox was an unknown coming into the combine, but a 4.34 40 and impressive display of hands. He went from undrafted to a potential mid-round pick.

Cedric Peerman, RB, Virginia
Peerman tested extremely well and probably stamped himself a spot in the middle of the draft.

Ian Johnson, RB, Boise State
Johnson displayed a great combination of speed and strength. He saw his stock decline steadily throughout the season, but now will see it move back into the third and maybe second round.

Donald Brown, RB, UConn
Brown ran a 4.51 40 and showed great explosion in the vertical and broad jumps. He’s making a push to be considered late in Round 1.

Pat White, QB, West Virginia
I was one who wasn’t terribly impressed with White’s performance at the Senior Bowl, but he was the best QB at the Combine. He’s going to get his shot at QB in the NFL. He was the most consistent QB on the practice field.

Nathan Brown, QB, Central Arkansas
Brown comes in with little hype and less notoriety, but he threw the ball with some nice zip that will cause scouts to give him a second look.

Fallers
Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
Freeman was erratic at best. He’s got a big arm, but displayed little to no accuracy. He’s got the size, but he’s got a long way to go before he’s an even solid option. He’ll be drafted because of his big arm and frame. I still think the team that selects him will regret it.

Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State
Yet another player takes a step back without taking the practice field. Brown better show some ability to play in the 3-4 at OLB. He measured at just 6-1 7/8. That will make teams disregard him as a 4-3 DE, which generally requires more height. For right now, Brown has slipped significantly. He could easily appear on the risers list Monday, though.

[mrdv1]

some things I noticed today


How about Conner Barwin? Guy places in the top 3 in all the speed/agility events, runs a 4.66 40, and puts up 21 reps also. I pulled out the one cincy tape i have and he looks good. I'm convinced this guy could play both DE and TE in the nfl, and even 3-4 OLB. I think he'll be coveted by New England and Philadelphia, and I think he might even go round one now. You might say its a reach but strange things always happen in the draft... not to mention theirs an article on the Pats website that talks about him as a Mike Vrabel clone...

Vontae Davis seems to have put himself ahead of Smith and Moore, he's over 2 inches taller and faster, with awesome agility in the 3cone. Malcolm Jenkins didn't have a bad day, and I see no reason y his stock would move. He wont go higher than cleveland, and no lower than denver.

Bummer day for Aaron Maybin... 4.88? that hurts. Hopefully he can run faster at the proday, but if not he might fall... a lot. Buffalo seems interested however, because they desperately need a pass rusher and Maybin claims he can go up or down in weight depending on what teams want. If he can play at 260 at just under 6'4", i think he could make a very good 4-3 rush end.

Brian Orakpo might have locked up pick number 5. 31 reps and a 7.7 40 at 263 pounds says a lot. I think that sells cleveland on whether he can play olb, although dont quote me because i did not see him do LB drills. He's a baller tho, unlike vernon gholston from a year ago...

All I got for now... new mock out next few days, 2 rounds.

[Saint33]

Originally Posted by mrdv1 some things I noticed today How about Conner Barwin? Guy places in the top 3 in all the speed/agility events, runs a 4.66 40, and puts up 21 reps also. I pulled out the one cincy tape i have and he looks good. I'm convinced this guy could play both DE and TE in the nfl, and even 3-4 OLB. I think he'll be coveted by New England and Philadelphia, and I think he might even go round one now. You might say its a reach but strange things always happen in the draft... not to mention theirs an article on the Pats website that talks about him as a Mike Vrabel clone... Vontae Davis seems to have put himself ahead of Smith and Moore, he's over 2 inches taller and faster, with awesome agility in the 3cone. Malcolm Jenkins didn't have a bad day, and I see no reason y his stock would move. He wont go higher than cleveland, and no lower than denver. Bummer day for Aaron Maybin... 4.88? that hurts. Hopefully he can run faster at the proday, but if not he might fall... a lot. Buffalo seems interested however, because they desperately need a pass rusher and Maybin claims he can go up or down in weight depending on what teams want. If he can play at 260 at just under 6'4", i think he could make a very good 4-3 rush end. Brian Orakpo might have locked up pick number 5. 31 reps and a 7.7 40 at 263 pounds says a lot. I think that sells cleveland on whether he can play olb, although dont quote me because i did not see him do LB drills. He's a baller tho, unlike vernon gholston from a year ago... All I got for now... new mock out next few days, 2 rounds.

I disagree with the Davis comments. He was actually disappointing at the combine. He really was expected to blow the thing up, and although he had some good numbers, they weren't what was expected of him. Smith on the other hand only has the height factor working against him. He was by far the most confident DB all day, had the best swagger, and had the best footwork in the drills. He also ran the highest time he was expected to run. Alphonso Smith is my unquestioned #2 CB in the draft without a doubt now. He's very similar to Antoine Winfield.

[cubuffsman78]

This is about a week late, but I've had to put a new hard drive in my computer and wasn't able to get this column, which was already written, off because of that. Here's my wrapup of the Combine Days 3 & 4 with lots of attention on Aaron Curry. I know that's typical. I saw Mayock profess his love for Curry as well. I think I make points about his draft status other guys haven't, though.

A great athlete makes what is challenging for most look easy.

I just described Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry to a tee.

Curry was nothing short of awesome during his workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine Monday,
dominating in every event he took part in.

The measurable themselves are phenomenal. Curry is 6-2, 254 pounds. He ran a 4.56 40, which was the fastest time of the day. Bench press? 25 reps of 225 pounds – nothing to scoff at.

Explosion? A 37-inch vertical and leaping more than 10 feet in the broad jump proves he’s explosive.

Quickness? Fluidity? One just needed to watch any of the LB drills Curry was put through Monday to know he had both of those skills down pat.

So where is the weakness? That’s a question I can’t find an answer for.

Most linebackers struggle in coverage drills, but Curry didn’t. He didn’t secure an interception in the drill. Ahhh, so we can trash his hands then!

NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock wore out the phrase “safest pick in the draft” when referring to Curry. While it might have been annoying to hear Mayock sound like a broken record, his statement isn’t off the mark either.

Often, linebackers are referred to as the safest pick. Current Green Bay Packer and former Ohio State Buckeye A.J. Hawk drew the same compliment. Some Packer fans will tell you they’re not exactly impressed with Hawk either.

All I know is what I saw on the practice field in Indianapolis Monday was the most impressive display of all-around athleticism I’ve ever seen from a player Curry’s size. His abilities transcend on film as well.

Now the talk of Curry being selected No. 1 overall by the Detroit Lions is picking up. There’s one problem with this – he’s a linebacker.

The last time a linebacker was taken No. 1 overall was in 1988 when the Atlanta Falcons took Aundray Bruce out of Auburn. In fact, since 1936 only four linebackers – Bruce, Chuck Bednarik (Philadelphia 1949), Tommy Nobis (Atlanta 1966) and Tom Cousineau (Buffalo 1979) – have been taken with the first pick in the draft.

Two of those picks turned out well. The other two were tragic.

Bruce was widely considered a bust, never panning out as the pass rusher many scouts thought he could be.

Cousineau never played a down for the Bills, spurning them after he thought the organization was rude to him. He went to the Canadian Football League, became a star and eventually came back to the NFL and played for the Browns and 49ers. He was a two-time All-Pro.

Nobis was a solid player for 10 seasons and made the Pro Bowl five times and was an All-Pro once.
Bednarik doesn’t need any introduction. He’s one of the all-time greats to play the position and is a hall of famer.

So which way does Curry lean? Most will say he’s more likely to side with Nobis and Bednarik.
Consider me in the majority. Curry is golden. An argument could be made to call him the best athlete in this draft class and most would agree he is the best football player available. It’s rare that a prospect can be called both of those things.

The Lions will consider Curry and I think they’d actually be nuts to pass on him. Who else could they take?

A QB? I don’t think Matt Stafford or Mark Sanchez either one are No. 1 picks and Detroit is going to go with Daunte Culpepper as its starter next season.

OT? Jason Smith has definitely made himself the elite tackle prospect in this draft and is worthy of the selection, but this is one of the deepest OT classes in recent memory. Detroit could easily get a solid LT with pick 20.

Anyone else? I remarked B.J. Raji was worthy of being considered No. 1 overall in my last mock draft and I will stand by that remark. Raji further proved himself as a potential dominator at DT at the Combine. Detroit should give him a long, hard look.

So in my mind, the No. 1 overall pick is down to three players. Curry, Smith or Raji. I actually rank Raji the third choice now after the combine. My problem with the Lions going OT is that they all had questions heading into Indianapolis. Smith answered his questions and is a solid choice for No. 1 overall.

But is Smith a better prospect than Curry? I say no.

While OT is the sexier and more important position, Detroit could be giving itself the next Ray Lewis by selecting Curry No. 1 overall. Turned out Lewis, who was selected 26th overall by Baltimore in 1996, played a career worthy of a No. 1 pick.

I see a lot of Curry in Lewis, minus some of the off the field issues.

Curry is a leader in the locker room and he showed himself to be incredibly charismatic, making it very easy to like the guy. He’s a captain on the field and he backs up every bit of his talk with his play. He’s capable of wreaking havoc either inside or outside and can be a brilliant pass rusher when needed.

If Detroit posts Curry next to Ernie Sims, the Lions will find themselves with a linebacking duo that demands respect from opposing offenses from day one.

Here’s a quick look at the risers and fallers from the final two days of the Combine:

Risers
Clay Matthews, LB, USC
Matthews was one of the most impressive LBs throughout the day. He was second best in positional drills and looked smooth changing directions. He also showed the speed and agility to be a 3-4 OLB. Without a doubt, cemented himself in the first round.

Gerald McRath, LB, Southern Miss
There were some questions as to who the third-best ILB was going into the Combine. A four-man race because a two-man contest by the end of the third day. McRath is in the conversation, showing fantastic speed and agility.

Jason Phillips, LB, TCU
This is McRath’s top competition in my opinion. Phillips’ 4.32 in the short shuttle was the most impressive number. That shows his ability to quickly change directions and get downhill on ball carriers.

Marcus Freeman, LB, Ohio State
Freeman was outshined by Matthews and Curry, but one could argue he was one of the more impressive specimens during positional drills.

B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
Raji was fantastic again. He pushed his worth even further up, showing great agility and speed for a player his size. The best part about Raji is he plays just as quick as he performs drills.

Jarron Gilbert, DE, San Jose State
Gilbert had a lot of hype going into the Combine because of a YouTube video featuring him jumping out of three feet of water in a swimming pool and onto the ground. He was just as impressive testing. He weighed in at 289 pounds and ran a 4.87. He also showed good strength and explosion. I consider Gilbert the best 3-4 DE in the draft. Most will say Tyson Jackson, but Gilbert is very comparable and more productive. Gilbert is also more capable of rushing the passer from the interior DE spot in a 3-4.

Lawrence Sidbury, Jr., DE, Richmond
Sidbury made himself some money. He’s big enough for teams with the 4-3 scheme to consider him at DE, while he’s athletic enough to play OLB in a 3-4. Sidbury could be a second round pick now. He’s definitely going to garner more attention.

Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
This isn’t surprising. Johnson is an impressive athletic specimen. It’s on the inside that makes Johnson iffy. He doesn’t always show the heart and effort, which will scare away several teams.

Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
Swagger is important when talking about a CB. None of the other athletes at the position displays more than Smith. He plays with a high level of confidence and, despite his small stature, proved he has a nose for the ball. His size will keep him in the late first round, but he solidified that position at the Combine.

Sean Smith, DB, Utah
Smith is a big CB. Maybe too big. He’s 6-3, 214-pounds and runs a 4.52 40. The question about players that tall at the CB position is in the hips. How well can Smith rotate his hips in coverage? I think he’s good enough, but don’t be surprised if he’s a safety in the NFL. In fact,I rate him as the best safety prospect in this draft.

David Bruton, S, Notre Dame
Having your name at the top of every workout list is not a bad thing. It’s great for exposure. In Bruton’s case, it probably means he’ll at least get drafted. I see him as a mid-round pick. He had a great Hawaii Bowl for Notre Dame and simply built on that momentum early in the draft season.

Fallers
Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
Jenkins’ speed is a question. He fell. There’s no doubt about it. It’s unfortunate, too. Jenkins is just a great football player and I think he’ll be a steal for whatever team nabs him. I never liked him being projected in the top 5, and even the top 10 bothered me a lot. He’s not that type of prospect. He is, however, still the best CB prospect in this draft and should be in the top 15.

Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
More was expected from Davis. He really had a let down and could have moved by Jenkins in the CB rankings.

D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt
Talk about a disappointing group of CBs. Moore had a chance to rise to the top of the CB class as well. It’s hard to believe that a guy with the athleticism Moore showed in the fast SEC didn’t translate to the Combine. I do believe it will translate to the field.

[porky88]

I disagree with you about Vontae Davis. He still put up one of the fastest 40's for a corner and I would argue this is the one position that a 40 really means something.

He also had the most bench reps I believe of any corner. I thought he was one of the best corners at the combine. I actually think some teams probably rank him ahead of Malcolm Jenkins right now. Personally I think they're very close.

[Saint33]

Originally Posted by porky88 I disagree with you about Vontae Davis. He still put up one of the fastest 40's for a corner and I would argue this is the one position that a 40 really means something. He also had the most bench reps I believe of any corner. I thought he was one of the best corners at the combine. I actually think some teams probably rank him ahead of Malcolm Jenkins right now. Personally I think they're very close.

he was expected to do a lot better than he did at the combine. Everyone expected him to be the best athlete on the field. Arguably, I'd say he wasn't. One of the better ones, but he just wasn't the athletic freak that many expected him to be. And considering his athleticism and potential is what had him so high in the first place, I'd agree with cubbs. His game tape is just too inconsistent, he needed a bigger performance at the combine.

[pep9993]

Malcolm Jenkins will be a SS or FS in this league. He is not the best corner in this draft. He is entirely too slow. We saw a bunch of CB's who will be moved to FS at the next level.

B.J. Raji is definately a top five pick. I just don't see the Lions taking him at number one but that doesn't mean that he isn't worth it.

[porky88]

Originally Posted by Saint33 he was expected to do a lot better than he did at the combine. Everyone expected him to be the best athlete on the field. Arguably, I'd say he wasn't. One of the better ones, but he just wasn't the athletic freak that many expected him to be. And considering his athleticism and potential is what had him so high in the first place, I'd agree with cubbs. His game tape is just too inconsistent, he needed a bigger performance at the combine.

You just said it yourself though. He was one of the better ones.

I'm not saying he blew up the combine, but he was solid enough. I think most teams won't think any less or any more of him based on his workout. The same can't be said about D.J. Moore and Malcolm Jenkins although I think Jenkins is still a top 15 pick.

The concern regarding Davis is about his interviews and how he came across. I read he didn't come across very well, but neither did Marshawn Lynch and he went No. 12 to a team drafting "high character" guys.