[Dynasty] 2014 Draft Prospects (1 Viewer)

EBF said:

Soulfly3 said:

Faust said:

Rotoworld:

CBS Sports' Dane Brugler believes Ohio State RB Carlos Hyde is the only running back he'd consider taking in the top-60 picks.
"There is only one running back I'd consider taking in the top-60 picks this year - Ohio State RB Carlos Hyde. Plenty of quality running backs in 3rd-5th rounds," Brugler tweeted. Hyde has a good chance to be the first RB off the board in this years draft. After an impressive Pro Day, some scouts believe he could even go in the first-round. Our own Josh Norris has compared Hyde to Zac Stacy and Frank Gore and also believes he'll be the first running back off the board.

Source: Dane Brugler on Twitter

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I like Hyde. But Im maintaining that Sankey and Mason will have better careers in the pros...

And if I had to take one in the draft, Id go Sankey above both

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I have been putting in some more time lately trying to crack this RB class. Overall, I think it's a very pedestrian group. There are lots of 2nd-4th round guys, but nobody with the right stuff to warrant a 1st round pick. So if you're looking at this group trying to find that prospect, I don't think you'll have much luck. That guy isn't in the pool this year. Lots of these backs check off some of the boxes, but nobody has everything.

As far as Hyde goes, he is a fluid runner with a great frame, very good feet/hips, good hands, and good balance. The issue is that he's a one speed runner with no second gear at all. He is efficient and economical, but there's no burst. So my hunch is that he's just going to be a jack-of-all-trades grinder in the NFL whose lack of dynamic qualities prevents him from becoming an elite back on his own merits. He could still put up gaudy FF stats if fed carries and targets ala Arian Foster and LeVeon Bell, but he's not going to suddenly become Fred Taylor or Ahman Green and bust off big runs with his speed.

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EBF said:

So if people are suddenly shocked by that and it's causing them to radically adjust their rankings, I think it's an indictment of their specific ability to assess tape rather than the practice of assessing tape in general.

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JohnnyU said:

EBF said:

Soulfly3 said:

Faust said:

Rotoworld:

CBS Sports' Dane Brugler believes Ohio State RB Carlos Hyde is the only running back he'd consider taking in the top-60 picks.
"There is only one running back I'd consider taking in the top-60 picks this year - Ohio State RB Carlos Hyde. Plenty of quality running backs in 3rd-5th rounds," Brugler tweeted. Hyde has a good chance to be the first RB off the board in this years draft. After an impressive Pro Day, some scouts believe he could even go in the first-round. Our own Josh Norris has compared Hyde to Zac Stacy and Frank Gore and also believes he'll be the first running back off the board.

Source: Dane Brugler on Twitter

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I like Hyde. But Im maintaining that Sankey and Mason will have better careers in the pros...

And if I had to take one in the draft, Id go Sankey above both

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I have been putting in some more time lately trying to crack this RB class. Overall, I think it's a very pedestrian group. There are lots of 2nd-4th round guys, but nobody with the right stuff to warrant a 1st round pick. So if you're looking at this group trying to find that prospect, I don't think you'll have much luck. That guy isn't in the pool this year. Lots of these backs check off some of the boxes, but nobody has everything.

As far as Hyde goes, he is a fluid runner with a great frame, very good feet/hips, good hands, and good balance. The issue is that he's a one speed runner with no second gear at all. He is efficient and economical, but there's no burst. So my hunch is that he's just going to be a jack-of-all-trades grinder in the NFL whose lack of dynamic qualities prevents him from becoming an elite back on his own merits. He could still put up gaudy FF stats if fed carries and targets ala Arian Foster and LeVeon Bell, but he's not going to suddenly become Fred Taylor or Ahman Green and bust off big runs with his speed.

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Seastrunk has a chance to be pretty good. Perhaps Hill can also if he can keep out of trouble.

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wdcrob said:

EBF said:

So if people are suddenly shocked by that and it's causing them to radically adjust their rankings, I think it's an indictment of their specific ability to assess tape rather than the practice of assessing tape in general.

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I get what you're saying and just wrote something up about the things you need film to see, but literally no one had Carey outside the top three or four guys going into the combine. And he might not get drafted in the first ten RBs despite an exceptionally weak year at the position.

But even if that's not right (and Carey gets drafted early) there are other examples. What use is "the tape" if the best guys out there can't separate a high-end starter prospect from a third day guy before the combine?

And what does it say that former pro scouts and former GMs are all over the place on all but the best and worst prospects after watching the same film? If it could be done reliably the professionals would be in agreement. But it can't be done consistently. The tape lies.

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wdcrob said:

EBF said:

So if people are suddenly shocked by that and it's causing them to radically adjust their rankings, I think it's an indictment of their specific ability to assess tape rather than the practice of assessing tape in general.

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I get what you're saying and just wrote something up about the things you need film to see, but literally no one had Carey outside the top three or four guys going into the combine. And he might not get drafted in the first ten RBs despite an exceptionally weak year at the position.

But even if that's not right (and Carey gets drafted early) there are other examples. What use is "the tape" if the best guys out there can't separate a high-end starter prospect from a third day guy before the combine?

And what does it say that former pro scouts and former GMs are all over the place on all but the best and worst prospects after watching the same film? If it could be done reliably the professionals would be in agreement. But it can't be done consistently. The tape lies.

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Arizona State RB Marion Grice is still recovering from a broken left fibula and is expected to hold a pro day workout on April 8.
Grice attempted to play through leg injuries in November and December, but we did not know the ailment was so serious. The running back did not work out at the NFL Combine. Grice's best trait might be his comfort as a receiver.

Source: NFL.com

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NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah compared Colorado WR Paul Richardson's play speed to Ted Ginn's.
"Richardson destroys pursuit angles when he gets in the open field. He has an extra gear." Jeremiah tweeted. The Colorado product can certainly get vertical downfield, which could earn him some Desean Jackson comparisons. We don't expect Richardson to be drafted in the top 50.

Source: Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter

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Leroy said:

Faust said:

Rotoworld:

Alabama State RB Isaiah Crowell projects as a sixth- or seventh-round draft pick, writes Gil Brandt of NFL.com.
Crowell strangely lost more than half an inch in measurement from the combine to Alabama State's pro day, going from 5-foot-11 to 5-foot-10 3/8. He decided to keep his 4.57 forty time from the Scouting Combine, but collected a 4.51 short shuttle and a 7.25 cone drill. The former five-star Georgia recruit is interesting because he's a boom-or-bust prospect that will come at a minimal cost. Were it not for off-the-field issues, Crowell might have been a second- or even a first-rounder in May. It should be noted that Crowell earned praise from those around him at the Alabama State program.

Source: NFL.com

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Thanks for this Faust.

Those are pretty awful agility numbers even for a 224 pounder and would have been among the worst at the combine for RBs.

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wdcrob said:

EBF said:

So if people are suddenly shocked by that and it's causing them to radically adjust their rankings, I think it's an indictment of their specific ability to assess tape rather than the practice of assessing tape in general.

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I get what you're saying and just wrote something up about the things you need film to see, but literally no one had Carey outside the top three or four guys going into the combine. And he might not get drafted in the first ten RBs despite an exceptionally weak year at the position.

But even if that's not right (and Carey gets drafted early) there are other examples. What use is "the tape" if the best guys out there can't separate a high-end starter prospect from a third day guy before the combine?

And what does it say that former pro scouts and former GMs are all over the place on all but the best and worst prospects after watching the same film? If it could be done reliably the professionals would be in agreement. But it can't be done consistently. The tape lies.

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EBF said:

That is like saying that because some people are bad at assessing film, there is no value in film assessment. I think certain things can be hard to assess from watching games and highlights. I think height/weight can be trickier than you'd think when the players are wearing pads and uniforms. For example, I thought Lee might be more like 200+ pounds than 192. Blackmon is another guy who seemed to look and play bigger than he really was.

For the most part though, I'd say a lot of what happens at the combine is confirmation of what people already expected. I don't think anyone who knows what they're looking at should've been surprised to see a guy like Jarvis Landry run slow and show minimal explosiveness. That is what he looks like "on tape" as well. So if people are suddenly shocked by that and it's causing them to radically adjust their rankings, I think it's an indictment of their specific ability to assess tape rather than the practice of assessing tape in general. Sort of like how a pitcher throwing a terrible fastball that leads to a home run isn't an indictment on the art of pitching, but only that pitcher and that pitch.

I don't think one side is right in the tape vs. numbers debate. Jon Baldwin and Donald Brown look like Pro Bowlers on paper. They suck on the field. Other guys like LeSean McCoy and Chad Johnson sucked on paper. They're Pro Bowlers on the field. If scouts had no ability to do their jobs, you wouldn't have seen McCoy and his unspectacular height/weight/speed/explosiveness anywhere near the second round. Carey is actually a little bit like McCoy in that his best quality is his first step quickness (which isn't going to show up in combine drills), but he's nowhere near as good and I never liked him as much. Did anyone expect him to test well though? I didn't. I'm surprised he couldn't beat a 4.7, but he never struck me as a guy who was going to shine in that environment. I posted this on February 4th:

Carey isn't much of a height/weight/speed athlete, but he can make people miss in tight spaces. So if someone is hoping for a LeSean McCoy type of back to get into space, he would offer some potential for that kind of role.

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I'm surprised by just how awful his workout was, but it's not like he was ever going to be Reggie Bush in the testing. That was never his game. I think he'll still slide because his 40 time was still really bad even in the context of a guy who isn't thought to be a tremendous athletic specimen, but I don't know that evaluators are going to be shocked that he wasn't awesome in the drills. He never looked like that kind of player.

The thing about the "eyeball test" is that it's completely subjective and some people are horrible at it. I had a guy on another forum tell me before the combine that Andre Williams was a terrible athlete and that he was going to test like Stepfan Taylor. Ridiculous if you'd watched them extensively and had any ability to assess what you were looking at, but many semi-pro Internet pundits don't really have a clue what they're doing (and in fairness I've been that guy in the past). Ultimately, bad scouts aren't any more of an indictment of "eyeball test" scouting than bad pitchers are an indictment of throwing a curveball. Some people do it well and some people don't.

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EBF said:

Soulfly3 said:

Faust said:

Rotoworld:

CBS Sports' Dane Brugler believes Ohio State RB Carlos Hyde is the only running back he'd consider taking in the top-60 picks.

"There is only one running back I'd consider taking in the top-60 picks this year - Ohio State RB Carlos Hyde. Plenty of quality running backs in 3rd-5th rounds," Brugler tweeted. Hyde has a good chance to be the first RB off the board in this years draft. After an impressive Pro Day, some scouts believe he could even go in the first-round. Our own Josh Norris has compared Hyde to Zac Stacy and Frank Gore and also believes he'll be the first running back off the board.

Source: Dane Brugler on Twitter

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I like Hyde. But Im maintaining that Sankey and Mason will have better careers in the pros...

And if I had to take one in the draft, Id go Sankey above both

Click to expand...

I have been putting in some more time lately trying to crack this RB class. Overall, I think it's a very pedestrian group. There are lots of 2nd-4th round guys, but nobody with the right stuff to warrant a 1st round pick. So if you're looking at this group trying to find that prospect, I don't think you'll have much luck. That guy isn't in the pool this year. Lots of these backs check off some of the boxes, but nobody has everything.

As far as Hyde goes, he is a fluid runner with a great frame, very good feet/hips, good hands, and good balance. The issue is that he's a one speed runner with no second gear at all. He is efficient and economical, but there's no burst. So my hunch is that he's just going to be a jack-of-all-trades grinder in the NFL whose lack of dynamic qualities prevents him from becoming an elite back on his own merits. He could still put up gaudy FF stats if fed carries and targets ala Arian Foster and LeVeon Bell, but he's not going to suddenly become Fred Taylor or Ahman Green and bust off big runs with his speed.

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If you see an interview with a potential draft pick at running back over the next month or two, they just might steal a line from Rodney Dangerfield and say they don't get no respect.

That's certainly the case when you look over NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah's latest mock draft, which doesn't include a running back in the first round. Bucky Brooks and Charles Davis' mock drafts don't have a running back going until the Browns' No. 26 pick.

With free agency beginning Tuesday, the situation could get worse for running back prospects before May rolls around. Combine a soft free-agent market with a lack of agreement on which running backs merit a first-round grade, and this year's draft could be a long one for running backs.

Around the League's list of the top 101 free agents in 2014 includes eight running backs, no small feat, considering how devalued the position has become in the age of splitting carries. The list of unrestricted free agents is long, meaning there is a healthy number of cheap, short-term options for a club looking to fill needs at the spot.

Teams might simply opt to pass on a running back in the early rounds of the draft, knowing there are free-agent options such as Darren Sproles, LeGarrette Blount or Maurice Jones-Drew. Backups who have either hit free agency, such as Rashad Jennings or Toby Gerhart, or have been cut, such as Michael Bush, could also present a good low-cost, low-risk alternative to spending a draft pick.

That could mean trouble for first-round hopefuls such as Ohio State's Carlos Hyde.

While NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock said he believes Hyde solidified his status as a late-first-round to mid-second-round pick with a strong pro-day workout -- especially by showing his skills as a pass-catcher -- Hyde still hasn't flashed his speed for scouts in the 40-yard dash after tweaking his hamstring at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Hyde isn't the only top RB prospect dealing with an increasing number of knocks. Auburn's Tre Mason, a top five prospect at tailback according to Brooks and Mayock, was a bit of an afterthought at Auburn's recent pro day and still has to deal with criticism about his pass-blocking skills, size and injury history. LSU's Jeremy Hill is considered a first-round talent carrying the baggage of a second- or third-day pick. Bishop Sankey led the Pac-12 in rushing last year -- and has risen to become Mayock's top tailback after the combine -- but still carries a third- to fourth-round projection for some before his pro day at Washington.

Also working against the group is the overall depth at wide receiver, defensive line, offensive tackle and cornerback in a loaded draft class. It's not hard to see a team, for example, becoming enamored with the size of a wide receiver such as Kelvin Benjamin late on the first day or perhaps go after a pass rusher such as Kony Ealy before addressing other needs.

If a run on quarterbacks happens late instead of early in the first-round, that could cause a domino effect that pushes running backs even further down. With so many quality players coming out of college this year, a pick based on value -- rather than on needs or talent -- could determine where a running back is selected.

Another factor to consider: Running backs projected to go in the middle rounds, such as Stanford's Tyler Gaffney, UCF's Storm Johnson or Alabama State's Isaiah Crowell, have the talent to potentially contribute early on, giving general managers even more options to find a fit this spring.

This year could really show how much teams value running backs in their system. It could reveal whether teams think they need a back to win right away or can find somebody they can develop.

"Most teams designate a position where they need to target it in free agency," former Pro Bowl running back LaDainian Tomlinson said on NFL Network's Total Access. "If you can't get a running back in the draft at a high position, you may want to target it through free agency. Remember, guys in free agency are always a short-term solution. When you're looking at guys in the draft, you're looking to build on those players."

There's talent to be had among the backs coming out of college this season, but the early rounds of the draft are unlikely to bear that out. If any running backs are planning to head to New York for the draft, they might want to book an extra night (or two) just in case.

Follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter @BryanDFischer.

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Whitney26 said:

He's been discussed before, but it's no easy task locating tape of Troy WR Eric Thomas. I cut up his game last year against Arkansas State:

http://youtu.be/BXyGiUWbVek

His effort as a blocker is truly pathetic, but he's an absolute beast with the ball in his hands. By the way, his hands measured 10 5/8" at the NFLPA game. My eyes may be tricking me, but I think he'll run in the 4.4s at his pro day. If he does, I'm not going to be shocked if he's a day 2 pick.

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Whitney26 said:

EBF, on 22 Jan 2014 - 7:55 PM, said:

EBF said:

Whitney26, on 22 Jan 2014 - 7:45 PM, said:

Whitney26 said:

The "Weigh-In" results from the NFLPA game were elusive, but I finally got a copy tonight. Here's a link for the NFLPA, Shrine and Senior Bowls for anyone interested:

https://docs.google....1YVcbr2gCt8/pub

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Didn't hear much about Troy WR Eric Thomas during the practice week, but he looks like a quality day 3 sleeper to me.

6'0.375" 214 is a nice height/weight for him.

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The hands (10 5/8) are ridiculous. I wish there was more tape available.

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Thomas has heard many different guesses at where he will end up in April, but he thinks the good showing on Monday will help his chances.“I was hearing fifth to probably free agent, but I improved my numbers so I think I’ll move up a little. We’ll just go from there,” Thomas said.

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Xue said:

Leroy said:

Faust said:

Rotoworld:

Alabama State RB Isaiah Crowell projects as a sixth- or seventh-round draft pick, writes Gil Brandt of NFL.com.
Crowell strangely lost more than half an inch in measurement from the combine to Alabama State's pro day, going from 5-foot-11 to 5-foot-10 3/8. He decided to keep his 4.57 forty time from the Scouting Combine, but collected a 4.51 short shuttle and a 7.25 cone drill. The former five-star Georgia recruit is interesting because he's a boom-or-bust prospect that will come at a minimal cost. Were it not for off-the-field issues, Crowell might have been a second- or even a first-rounder in May. It should be noted that Crowell earned praise from those around him at the Alabama State program.

Source: NFL.com

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Thanks for this Faust.

Those are pretty awful agility numbers even for a 224 pounder and would have been among the worst at the combine for RBs.

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It was raining at his Pro Day.

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Hankmoody said:

cstu said:

Faust said:

Pro Day or victory lap? Watkins helps Clemson teammates 'put on a show'

Tajh Boyd enjoys strong pro day

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Watkins is even better than I thought:

In his throwing session, amid ghost defenders, Boyd completed 67 of 68 passes -- including 32 of 33 from eight yards or more and five successful bombs to Watkins, receiver Martavis Bryant and running back Roderick McDowell, among others.

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Indeed, he can even make Taj Boyd look good!

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NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah praised Penn State WR Allen Robinson for his yards after catch ability.
"Wish (Robinson) had more juice but I love the way he fights for every inch after the catch. Very physical," Jeremiah tweeted. According to Rotoworld contributor Greg Peshek, Robinson yards after the catch averaged out to 7.56, a very solid number. He also has nice vision and block anticipation as a ball carrier.

Source: Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter

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CBS Sports' Dane Brugler believes Alabama State RB Isaiah Crowell would be mocked int he first-round if he was clean off the field.
"I hope he doesn't waste his talent in the NFL," Brugler writes. We share that sentiment. Rotoworld's Josh Norris ranks Crowell as his No. 3 running back in the class and notes he could be this year's Christine Michael. Crowell is very decisive and displays a physical style to break contact. He was dismissed from Georgia following two felony weapons charges.

Source: Dane Brugler on Twitter

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Scouts Inc.'s Steve Muench believes Stanford senior RB Tyler Gaffney's pass protection needs some work.
"Stanford RB Tyler Gaffney has quick feet for size and always moving forward. Also catches ball well but pass pro needs work," Muench tweeted. Gaffney is a workhorse back who has the ability to wear down defenses with his running style, but lacks the ideal explosion. He could be a complimentary piece to a NFL backfield at the next level and could be a third day selection. Our own Josh Norris sees flashes of Jackie Battle in Gaffney.

Source: Steve Muench on Twitter

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Texas A&M WR Mike Evans told NFL.com that he has visits scheduled with the Lions and the Eagles.
The Lions could be a legitimate option for Evans' talent despite showing heavy interest in receivers during free agency. The Eagles are an interesting option, since they just signed Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin (albeit a one year deal), but he offers different traits than any other pass catcher on that team. He should be locked in to a top 15 selection.

Source: NFL.com

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Matt Waldman of the Rookie Scouting Portfolio believes Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo has "dramatic" pocket presence problems and would leave him off his draft board entirely if he were a decision-maker.
"Is it impossible for Garappolo to address his pocket presence? Of course not," Waldman wrote. "Have I ever seen it when the issues are this dramatic? Not in recent memory." Waldman believes Garoppolo "sees phantom pressure" and consistently lacks "a clear plan on the field when the initial play doesn't work." The link below provides plenty of damning evidence via film available on YouTube to support Waldman's assessments. Garoppolo has the tools to succeed at the next level, but he needs plenty of work.

Source: Rookie Scouting Portfolio

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The Vikings sent a contingent of GM Rick Spielman, coach Mike Zimmer and offensive coordinator Norv Turner to Alabama's Pro Day.
Turner figures to be most interested in QB A.J. McCarron, a possible mid- to late-round target of the Purple if they bypass a QB in Rd. 1. Minnesota is sure to come out of the draft with a signal-caller to add to its uninspiring duo of Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder.

Source: Chris Tomasson on Twitter

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Alabama WR Kevin Norwood, who entered last season rated as an undrafted prospect, "could slip into 2nd day," according to draft insider Tony Pauline.
The Carolina Panthers will work out Norwood on Wednesday, Pauline passes along. Scouts Inc.'s Kevin Weidl is one analyst who has sung the former Crimson Tide's praises this offseason, writing in January that he was a "strong route runner" with "natural hands," concluding: "there's a place for him at the next level." Norwood has been overshadowed by Amari Cooper, but his skill set translates to the next level.

Source: Tony Pauline on Twitter

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Colorado State TE Crockett Gilmore is moving up draft boards, writes draft insider Tony Pauline.
Gilmore collected a solid 4.78 in the forty during Colorado State's pro day, but he didn't have a chance to build on that performance because he pulled his hamstring and was forced to sit out the rest of the day. Gilmore (6-foot-6, 255 pounds) "projects as a third tight end at the next level and some feel he will eventually grow into an offensive tackle," writes Pauline. The former defensive end caught 107 passes for 1,264 yards and eight touchdowns over three seasons with the Rams.

Source: Walter Football

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Faust said:

Rotoworld:

CBS Sports' Dane Brugler believes Alabama State RB Isaiah Crowell would be mocked int he first-round if he was clean off the field.

"I hope he doesn't waste his talent in the NFL," Brugler writes. We share that sentiment. Rotoworld's Josh Norris ranks Crowell as his No. 3 running back in the class and notes he could be this year's Christine Michael. Crowell is very decisive and displays a physical style to break contact. He was dismissed from Georgia following two felony weapons charges.

Source: Dane Brugler on Twitter

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight ends coach Jon Embree was on hand to scout Bowling Green TE Alex Bayer at the school's pro day.
Bayer ran 4.77 and 4.78 second forties, posted a 31 1/2-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-3 broad jump, ran a 4.42 second 20-yard short shuttle, did the three-cone drill in 7.26 seconds, and hefted 20 reps on the bench press. Bayer, who caught 37 passes for 593 yards and four touchdowns in 2013, has a personal visit with the Bucs lined up for Thursday.

Source: NFL.com

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Andrew74 said:

Faust said:

Rotoworld:

CBS Sports' Dane Brugler believes Alabama State RB Isaiah Crowell would be mocked int he first-round if he was clean off the field.

"I hope he doesn't waste his talent in the NFL," Brugler writes. We share that sentiment. Rotoworld's Josh Norris ranks Crowell as his No. 3 running back in the class and notes he could be this year's Christine Michael. Crowell is very decisive and displays a physical style to break contact. He was dismissed from Georgia following two felony weapons charges.

Source: Dane Brugler on Twitter

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Weren't his shuttle and cone times bad at his pro day? I thought I saw he ran those indoors b/c of weather.

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Alabama State RB Isaiah Crowell projects as a sixth- or seventh-round draft pick, writes Gil Brandt of NFL.com.

Crowell strangely lost more than half an inch in measurement from the combine to Alabama State's pro day, going from 5-foot-11 to 5-foot-10 3/8. He decided to keep his 4.57 forty time from the Scouting Combine, but collected a 4.51 short shuttle and a 7.25 cone drill. The former five-star Georgia recruit is interesting because he's a boom-or-bust prospect that will come at a minimal cost. Were it not for off-the-field issues, Crowell might have been a second- or even a first-rounder in May. It should be noted that Crowell earned praise from those around him at the Alabama State program.

Mar 9 - 10:34 PM

Source: NFL.com

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Alabama State RB Isaiah Crowell will be "difficult to coach," according to NFL Media draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki.

"Beats to the tune of his own drummer," wrote Nawrocki. "Extremely immature and has a history of off-field issues." The former Georgia Bulldog put up huge numbers against inferior competition this past season. Evaluators will get Crowell under sizzling interview lights and ask him some tough questions about a weapons charge that was later dismissed. To his credit, Crowell earned praise from people around the Alabama State program.

Feb 17 - 9:13 PM

Source: NFL.com

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Michigan State WR Bennie Fowler "lit the place up today" in both the running and position drills at MSU's pro day, according to NFL.com.
Fowler (6-foot-1 1/8, 216 pounds) ran the forty in 4.39 and 4.44 seconds and collected a 6.91-second three-cone. Fowler led the Spartans with 622 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions in 2013.

Source: NFL.com

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wdcrob said:

EBF said:

So if people are suddenly shocked by that and it's causing them to radically adjust their rankings, I think it's an indictment of their specific ability to assess tape rather than the practice of assessing tape in general.

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I get what you're saying and just wrote something up about the things you need film to see, but literally no one had Carey outside the top three or four guys going into the combine. And he might not get drafted in the first ten RBs despite an exceptionally weak year at the position.

But even if that's not right (and Carey gets drafted early) there are other examples. What use is "the tape" if the best guys out there can't separate a high-end starter prospect from a third day guy before the combine?

And what does it say that former pro scouts and former GMs are all over the place on all but the best and worst prospects after watching the same film? If it could be done reliably the professionals would be in agreement. But it can't be done consistently. The tape lies.

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Scout Inc.'s Todd McSay said UFC's Blake Bortles and Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater are better prospects than any QB in the 2013 class.
"I feel strongly that Bridgewater and Bortles are better than anything we had at the quarterback position a year ago," he said. McShay added that this class "wasn't close" to the 2012 class. The uninspiring '13 QB class, you'll recall, was led by EJ Manuel and also included Geno Smith, Mike Glennon, Ryan Nassib, Tyler Wilson and Landry Jones.

Source: ESPN's First Draft

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Scout Inc.'s Todd McShay grimaced when asked if LSU QB Zach Mettenberger could be an early second-round pick on ESPN's First Draft podcast.
McShay made a guttural noise and said, "No. I think no." McShay handed Mettenberger a fourth-round grade. "It's not really about the durability, though that doesn't necessarily help him," McShay said. "He doesn't move well." The analyst believes that on many plays last season, ball placement was determined by the coaching staff, not the quarterback. With so many elite offensive weapons, it's not an outlandish theory. McShay loves Mettenberger's arm and character, but he didn't seem enamored by anything else.

Source: ESPN's First Draft

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ESPN's Mel Kiper chose Ohio State QB Kenny Guiton when asked what quarterback would surprise by getting drafted in May.
The analyst thinks Guiton could intrigue teams looking to develop an athletic backup. Guiton ran 4.78 and 4.76 second forties at Ohio State's Pro Day, and added a short shuttle of 4.31, a 31-inch vertical and a 9-9 broad jump. NFL.com's Gil Brandt said he "looked good" at the event.

Source: ESPN's First Draft

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ESPN's Mel Kiper insisted on the First Draft podcast that Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo is going in the second round.
"He seems to be the hot property right now that people are talking about even more than the big three quarterbacks," Kiper said. Garoppolo needs a lot of work -- his pocket presence is questionable at best, he doesn't have experience dropping back and he's easily flustered -- but he definitely has NFL tools. The 6-foot-2, 219-pound Garoppolo makes quick decisions, gets the ball out quickly, employs sound footwork and works through his projections.

Source: First Draft podcast

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ZWK said:

Here's my first stab at post-combine rankings (these are pretty rushed, since I've been busy with work). (My last pre-combine RB rankings were here)

RBs (* means that I don't have as much info on that player as I'd like to, either tape-watching or stats or both):Lache Seastrunk

Carlos Hyde

Tre Mason

Charles Sims

Jeremy Hill

Henry Josey *

Devonta Freeman *

Bishop Sankey

Isaiah Crowell *

Andre Williams

Tim Flanders *

David Fluellen

Stephen Houston *

George Atkinson III *

James White

Tim Cornett *

Terrance West *

Ka'Deem Carey

Antonio Andrews

Marion Grice

Tyler Gaffney *

James Wilder, Jr.

Storm Johnson *

Rajion Neal *

Kapri Bibbs *

Silas Redd *

Maybe in a Sproles or Harvin type role, if they're good enough receivers:

Dri Archer

Robert Godhigh

De'Anthony Thomas

Not enough info / want to see more of:

LaDarius Perkins

Damien WIlliams

Jerick McKinnon

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ESPN's Mel Kiper said he would not be surprised if Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas is a TE by the 2016 season.
"If he doesn't get it done at quarterback, then you could have a potential tight end on your hands," Kiper said on a conference call. Thomas will almost certainly be drafted as a quarterback, but his development has been slow over the past two seasons. Thomas' workout numbers were outrageous and compared to Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski from a size and movement standpoint. The biggest question, however, is if he can win at the catch point.

Source: Dan Kadar on Twitter

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Michigan senior WR Jeremy Gallon could be a "steal" in later rounds, according to CBS Sports' Rob Rang.
"He's a proven playmaker who recorded a career-high 80 receptions for 1,284 yards and nine scores as a senior and could prove a steal if still on the board in the late rounds," Rang wrote on Wednesday. Gallon had an impressive showing at Michigan's Pro Day recording a 10-10" broad jump and a 39.5" vertical. The 5-foot-7 Gallon also ran a 4.49 forty at the combine. This year's draft class is deep with talent, but if a team is looking for a playmaking slot receiver Gallon could be that guy. Gallon displays a similar skill set to Golden Tate, minus some explosion and burst after the catch.

Source: CBS Sports

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CBS Sports' Rob Rang believes teams could have an issue with Oklahoma WR Jalen Saunders' "shockingly slow" shuttle times.
Rang writes it raises "questions about how much Oklahoma's spread attack exaggerated his overall athleticism." Saunders' pro day short shuttle was 4.42 seconds, which would have been good for 37th of 39 receivers at the Combine. "Similarly slow times came in the long shuttle (11.56) and 3-cone (7.29), results which also would have ranked among the slowest at the Combine among wide receivers." Saunders is an absolutely joystick with the ball in his hands, so the times are a bit puzzling.

Source: CBS Sports

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Cecil Lammey ‏@cecillammey 5m

Robert Herron BLAZING with unofficial 4.29 40-yard dash timed by @AllbrightNFL #GoWyo pro day

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USC WR Marqise Lee met privately with high-level Jets personnel before and after his Pro Day Wednesday.
It's a sign the Jets are interested in Lee at No. 16 overall, or could even try to snag him in the second round. The 2012 Biletnikoff Award winner measured in at just 5-foot-11 3/4 and ran a disappointing 4.52 at the Combine. GM John Idzik is not done at wide receiver after signing Eric Decker Wednesday.

Related: Jets

Source: New York Daily News

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Former Oregon TE Colt Lyerla was forced to work out at Protland State's pro day.
Per Gil Brandt, he was not welcome on Oregon's campus, which makes sense given the way Lyerla left the team. "Good player, lots of problems. Could go undrafted," Brandt added. From the outside looking in, Lyerla would fit perfectly with Chip Kelly in Philadelphia, but we do not know the details of their relationship.

Source: Gil Brandt on Twitter

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Wyoming QB Brett Smith measured in a 6-foot-1 and 3/4 of an inch at the school's pro day.
Smith also had 10 inch hands, recorded an "official" 4.51 forty, and a broad jump of 10-foot-8. The Wyoming passer will draw comparisons to Johnny Manziel, although his movements are a bit more robotic than Manziel's improvisational style. Smith was notoriously known as a great athlete while in school and he should have been invited to the Combine.

Source: Ben Allbright on Twitter

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