It's that time again where talented players from all over the United States migrate to Indianapolis for the annual NFL Scouting Combine. It is here where future NFL talent is put to the test to see if they have the physical, mental and emotional strength to handle the rigors of the national football league.
Days 1 and 2 showcased the offensive players who will find their way on to rosters and starting lineups on Sundays and we saw some tremendous feats of strength, agility and athleticism from a lot of players, here are the players who I thought shined for their respective groups:
QBs:
Pat White, West Virginia
Top Performer:
40 yard dash: 4.55
Vertical jump: 35"
Broad jump: 9'9"
3 Cone: 7.06
20 yard shuttle: 4.42
Pat White put on a show as a quarterback looking fluid in all his testing drills along with the quarterback drills, he has made a case for himself to be the next big time mismatch player that will fit well in trick plays or in a wild cat system. I'm not quite sure where he projects in the NFL but I have a feeling he'll be a early-mid 2nd day selection after his performances at the Senior Bowl and Combine.
RBs:
Andre Brown, North Carolina State
Top Performer:
40 yard dash: 4.49
Vertical jump: 37"
Bench Press: 24 reps
Andre Brown was on the cusp in terms of running backs who could be selected Day 1, he was an incredibly productive runner at N.C. State and he looked really good at the Senior Bowl but he did not have the elite speed to get him into the first day, well now I think he deserves consideration as he is a between the tackles runner, he catches well out of the backfield and he isn't afraid to block, I think he is the Matt Forte of this years draft, not the sexy pick but a workhorse nonetheless.
WRs:
Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
Top Performer:
40 yard dash: 4.30
Vertical jump: 38.5"
Broad jump: 10'6"
3 cone: 6.80
20 yard shuttle: 4.18
Darrius Heyward-Bey made claim for the spot of #2 wide receiver after Michael Crabtree and he brought it, looking to be every bit the athlete everyone thought he would be. Still doesn't change the fact that he is incredibly raw as a receiving prospect but his intangibles are impossible to scoff at and he is definitely in consideration as a first rounder considering his near limitless potential. DHB also added 16 reps on the bench which was 9th best of all WRs.
TEs:
Jared Cook, South Carolina
Top Performer:
40 yard dash: 4.50
Vertical jump: 41"
Broad jump: 10'3"
Bench: 23 reps
Jared Cook has now in my opinion jumped into first day consideration and is easily the second best tight end in this draft after Pettigrew. He showed he can run fast and be a vertical threat, he showed explosion and he showed functional strength. I believe he has definitely helped himself and he potentially could see himself drafted early 2nd and maybe even late 1st if a team really values him. He really helped himself out with his combine workout.
OL:
Jason Smith, Baylor
Top Performer:
40 yard dash: 5.22
Bench: 33 reps
3 cone: 7.53
Jason Smith used his combine workout to cement to the world that he is a top 5 selection and maybe even a top 3 selection depending on what the Lions and Rams want to do at #1 and #2. He leaped ahead of Andre "AWOL" Smith and Michael Oher to be neck and neck with Virginia OT Eugene Monroe. Jason Smith proved to be athletic, strong and willing to work. He's a bit of a project considering Baylor's spread offense and the fact he never went into a 3 point stance, but I think he has the most upside of any of the tackles in the draft and could definitely be drafted as high as #1 or #2, he really helped himself out at the combine as well.
Stay tuned for tomorrow when I reveal who I thought had the best workouts on the defensive side of the ball.
Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman capped off an interesting junior campaign by completely blowing up at the combine. Unfortunately, not in the good way as Andre Smith's stock has completely imploded with him not coming off well in interviews, and not to mention him leaving early and telling teams that he was out of shape and not ready to work out at the Scouting Combine.
