NFL Combine Winners & Losers – Offense
With the offensive players having gone through the combine wringer it is time to sort through who some of the winners and losers are coming out of this past weekend’s combine.
Winners
While Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford did not participate in any of the skill drills he did come away a winner as he apparently has added roughly 15 to 20 pounds of muscle bulking up to 236. One of the biggest concerns about Bradford coming into his senior season was his slight frame and whether he would be able to stand up to getting hit by defensive lineman. His shoulder reportedly checked out okay and is still on pace to throw at OU’s pro day.
Jimmy Clausen did not work out either, but, checked in slightly bigger than expected and reportedly did well on the black board and interview sessions with prospective teams. One downside is he tied for the smallest hands at the combine which is a concern in terms of ball security.
Fresno’s Ryan Matthews’ 4.45 40 time could solidify him as the #2 back in the draft, even though Jahvid Best posted the best 40 time for all running backs, and could very well slip into the end of the first round as a result. It was expected that he would run some where in mid 4.5s.
Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham ran a 4.76 in the 40 and reportedly ran crisp routes and showed little to no ill effects from the knee injury that prematurely ended his season last fall. All reports have Gresham hanging on to the top tight end spot this weekend.
Pittsburgh tight end Dorin Dickerson may have done the most to help himself this weekend. Officially his 4.4 40 time was the fourth best amongst the offensive players who ran at the combine. Dickerson is going to be an intriguing prospect as we head towards the draft. He played middle linebacker, fullback and tight end in college. At 6′ 1 3/8″ and 226 pounds he is far too small to play the traditional tight end spot in the NFL but is on the smallish side to be a fullback, he would need to add 15 pounds or so to play the position. Given his speed and lack of compelling receivers in this draft a move to receiver could be in the offing for Dickerson. He was considered a 3rd round prospect coming into the combine, but, he may have moved up into the second round provided he shows an ability to catch the ball well in his workouts.
Maryland’s Bruce Campbell was reportedly an impressive looking physical specimen posting a 4.85 40 time and 32 reps on the bench press. The biggest knock on Campbell is his technique and execution at his position.
Oklahoma’s Trent Williams had a good weekend as well. He reportedly looked to be in better physical shape than anticipated and tested well in the speed and agility drills. Williams may have surpassed Russell Okung and Anthony Davis in the tackle rankings this weekend.
With his 4.5 time in the 40 Illinois’ Arrelious Benn likely held onto his spot as the #2 receiver prospect coming out of the combine. At 6′ 1″/219 he has the size teams like in receivers and he showed he has enough speed to play WR in the league.
Clemson’s Jacoby Ford posted the top 40 time for an offensive player with a 4.28 and caught every ball thrown to him during the gauntlet drill. There are questions about Ford’s hands coming out of Clemson and while he did bobble a few he did not drop any. With his 40 time and good showing in the passing drills he may have solidified himself as a 3rd round prospect, or, potentially a late second rounder.
Notre Dame’s Golden Tate posted a 4.42 time in the 40 and could see his stock move back up a bit. He is still on the smallish side for a wide receiver though and that could keep him out of the first round. Tate eased concerns that some scouts had as to whether he was more quick/agile than fast.
Running backs Montario Hardesty (Tennessee), Ben Tate (Auburn), and Toby Gerhart (Stanford) helped themselves with better than anticipated 40 times. Hardesty and Tate both have the size teams like in backs, both weighed in at 220 or better, but were both considered guys with adequate speed. By posting sub 4.5 40 times both Hardesty and Tate may have solidified themselves as second round picks. Gerhart surprised some by running the mid-4.5s in the 40. He was expected to post a 40 time in the 4.6/4.7 range.
Losers
Colt McCoy measured in at 6′ 1 1/8″ almost two full inches less than his listed height at Texas. This raises some concerns about whether he is tall enough to play under center in the NFL. One thing to consider though is Drew Brees is only 6′ 0″ tall and has had a pretty solid career.
Dexter McCluster could plummet as a result of his 4.58 40 time. McCluster was rated as a potential second round prospect on the basis that he was expected to post a 40 time in the 4.3s or 4.4s. Being that he measures in at 5′ 9″/172 he needs to show that he has elite speed to warrant being a second or third round pick. He also dropped some passes in the passing drills.
With Tate, Hardesty, and Matthews turning in sub 4.5 40s Georgia Tech’s Johnathan Dwyer could tumble after his pedestrian 4.64 40 time. With that kind of time Gerhart may even leap frog Dwyer. He was once considered a fringe first round prospect and now could be in danger of falling out of the first two rounds altogether.
Oregons’ LeGarrette Blount failed to impress as well turning in a 40 time in the mid 4.6s and dropping some balls in the passing drills.
Kansas’s Dezmon Briscoe was considered a sleeper prospect who might open some eyes at this year’s combine. Unfortunately he failed to live up to they hype by turning in a pedestrian 4.64 40 time. Briscoe was considered by some to be a solid second rounder and potentially a fringe first rounder. It was thought he might challenge for the #2 or #3 spot in the receiver rankings heading into the draft. He could slip a bit due to his poor 40 time. He also only posted 9 reps in the bench press.
Central Michigan’s Dan LeFevour opted to throw only to stationary targets foregoing throwing to active moving receivers. His rationale was he wants to save that for his pro day when he can throw to receivers he is familiar and can get into a rhythm with. It raises a flag of sorts as scouts and coaches want to see how QBs perform when they get outside their comfort zone. He may not drop significantly but he certainly did not do anything to improve his status.
Rutgers tackle Anthony Davis reportedly showed up looking out of shape and doughy in the middle. There were already some questions about his off field habits and work ethic and showing up looking out of shape is not a good sign.
UMass’ Vladimir Ducasse further showed he is destined to be a guard in the NFL and combined with a medicore week at the Senior Bowl, the once fringe first round prospect, has probably slipped out of the first round. He reportedly looked stiff and showed little agility or athletic ability during the skill drills.
