Top 10 Report-Impacting Performances Sunday at the Combine
Eric Galko, Optimum Scouting LLC
Skill
position testing for the Combine has come and gone, and we've gotten a
chance to see sub 4.4 forty times, 40+ inch vertical jumps, and some
impressive 3-cone and short shuttle drills from some of the best
athletes in the draft.
Not all the timed numbers will have a
major impact, but here are ten (not ranked) performances that may cause
scouts to go back and review the film and see if these numbers are
worth altering a grade or not.
1. David
Wilson, RB, Virginia
Tech
Probably
the most impressive performance all around at the Combine, Wilson was
expected to dominate most of the drills at the event based on his
explosiveness and dynamic athleticism on film. A 4.40 forty time began
an his showing, later adding the top vertical jump (41 inches) and
broad jump (11 feet) for the position. While the forty obviously shows
his deep speed, it's the vertical and broad jump that show just how
explosive he is with balance and power, something that will excite NFL
teams.
2. Robert
Turbin, RB, Utah
State
The walking "gun
show", Robert Turbin actually did more than just intimidate scouts with
his arms. For a 222 pound back who did 28 bench reps (tied for most),
his 4.44 forty time seemed to show his ability to be a bigger play
running back than initially thought. But it was his lackluster 20 yard
shuttle, meant to show stop-start ability as well as explosion through
lateral cuts, was the 4th worst among the position, only ahead of
likely NFL zone blocking runners, limiting him there as well at the
next level.
3. Doug Martin,
RB, Boise State
As expected, Doug
Martin showcased his completeness as a running back. His 4.47 forty
time was solid, and because he's able to get to his top speed quickly,
and his 10 yard split time should be impressive as well. His bench reps
(28) tied Turbin for the most at the position, and his solid short
shuttle (4.16) and top running back 3-cone drill (6.79) shows his
ability to be an every-situation running back and every system fit
player as well.
4. Chris
Rainey, RB, Florida
While he
expected himself to post an outstanding forty time that just didn't
happen ("only" a 4.37), he made up for it by posting the top 3-cone
drill (6.50), short shuttle (3.93), and long shuttle (11.06). His
completeness in his fluidity, explosiveness, and change of direction
abilities makes him one of the most exciting situational, running
back-receiver hybrids in the draft.
5. Stephen
Hill, WR, Georgia
Tech
As
expected, Stephen Hill began his "climb" up draft boards with some very
impressive numbers on Sunday. HIs 4.36 forty time showcased his
straight line speed, and his 11'01 broad and 39.5 vertical jump showed
the explosion and balance as well. But the most telling number and
likely the most that should have an impact on his stock (a reason why I
won't be moving him much at all) was his worst-of-the-receiver 20 yard
shuttle, a 4.48. He was the only skill position prospect at the Combine
to have a higher 40 yard straight-line time than a 20 yard shuttle
time. The meaning? He's straight-line fast and explosive only, and
without lateral balance and quickness, it's hard to succeed in the NFL
at receiver.
6. Marvin Jones,
WR, California
Since jumping on
teams radars at the Senior Bowl, Marvin Jones had another draft board
altering performance in Indy. He posted the highest bench press for
receivers (22 reps), which doesn't show a whole lot besides a
dedication to the weight room and some raw strength. And while his
vertical (33 inches) and broad jump (9'04) show a lack of explosion,
it's his decisiveness and lack of wasted motion as a receiver that
really open up his routes. Plus, he showed his change of direction and
agility with solid 3-cone (6.81) and short shuttle (4.11) times.
7. Kashif
Moore, WR, UConn
Playing
in a run-based system in college with few decent quarterbacks to get
him the ball, Moore may have been forgotten about by scouts coming into
the Combine. But after his 43.5 inch vertical, 4.42 forty time,
surprisingly impressive 19 bench reps, and fluid 4.05 shuttle time,
scouts, including myself, will have to go back and filter through the
poor offensive film from UConn these past two years to sort out if the
fantastic athletic showing by Moore is more than just a workout
surprise.
8. Dwight
Jones, WR, North
Carolina
Jones has an
undeniable skill set and has all the tools and potential to be a future
number one receiver in the NFL and maybe even a top five at the
position if he continues to improve. The problem is, he doesn't seem to
consistently give great effort. He reportedly looked lazy in drills and
was repeatedly asked to stop making the same mistakes. He posted the
worst broad jump of the receivers, had a mediocre 4.55 forty time, and
overall didn't seem to want to stand out in any area. It's going to be
tough to continue to support him as a top five receiver in this class.
9. Joe Adams,
WR, Arkansas
Adams
was supposed to really impress at the Combine after a consistent effort
and complete-game showing at the Senior Bowl. But only a 4.55 in the
forty is going to worry some scouts, as being a deep slot receiver
without that fantastic "timed" speed could worry. While it's a concern,
it's pretty apparent on film that Adams is fast, and likely will run a
sub 4.45 at his Pro Day. However, it was his 7.09 3-cone drill that
really concerned me, as it's his cutting ability and explosion through
those cuts that I really like as I project him to the slot receiver
spot.
10. Andrew
Luck, Stanford
and Kellen Moore,
Boise State
While
the quarterback actual timed workouts don't mean much at all, I thought
the complete opposite ends of the spectrum Andrew Luck and Kellen Moore
fell on was an interesting juxtaposition. Andrew Luck, often being
compared to the super athletic Robert
Griffin, was top five in every
drill he participated in, including a 36 inch vertical and a 10'04 inch
broad jump. In comparison, Kellen Moore has Nick Foles (in the
forty)
and Ryan Lindley
(in the 3-cone drill) from being at the bottom of each
and every Combine drill. He obviously isn't a great athlete, but for
all positions, including quarterback, it's hard to be THAT limited as
an athlete and still make it in the NFL.
Eric Galko is a contributing NFL scout for Patriots Insider at
Scout.com.
Eric Galko is the Owner, Director
of Scouting of Optimum
Scouting and lead editor for OptimumScouting.com. He
has been scouting college football for eight
years, and for pro teams and other sports professionals for the last
four years. Eric is also a member of the
FWAA.
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