JohnnyU
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Source Rotoworld
Scouting Combine Preview
Georgia Tech WR Demaryius Thomas' broken left foot deprives the Combine of what could've been this week's biggest riser, and may cost Thomas a chance to be drafted in the first round. It also creates an opening at wide receiver. There is no consensus No. 2 prospect at the position behind Dez Bryant, so players like Arrelious Benn (Illinois), Mardy Gilyard (Cincinnati), and Golden Tate (Notre Dame) now have the chance to capitalize in Thomas' absence, while lesser-knowns such as Taylor Price (Ohio) and Marcus Easley (UConn) lurk as sleepers to slot in behind Bryant.
The opportunity to climb draft board position rankings isn't limited to wide receiver, of course, and there is no better stage to do so throughout the pre-draft process than at the annual Scouting Combine. While heights, weights, bench-press reps, and forty times are often criticized as being superficial and overrated, such measurements are undoubtedly crucial with regard to draft stock. The most recent and glaring example of this is Raiders 2009 first-round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey, who was a mere honorable mention All-ACC honoree. Heyward-Bey was drafted 7th overall.
Honorable mention. "He can't catch the ball!!!" ESPN's Cris Carter noted after the pick was made.
Heyward-Bey's rookie year proved that he, indeed, can't catch the ball.
The Combine begins on Wednesday, February 24th and lasts through Tuesday, March 2. The event can be watched on NFL Network. Here are some situations to watch during the upcoming week.
Size Matters
Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen - Clausen, the draft's No. 1 or 2 quarterback prospect depending on who you ask, will not participate in Combine passing drills while recovering from postseason toe surgery. In addition to interviews, however, Wednesday's weigh-in may be the most important "test" Clausen takes in Indianapolis. NFL teams prefer QBs to be at least 6-foot-3. Clausen was listed at 6'3/223 by the Fighting Irish, but there has been speculation that he may be an inch or two shorter and several pounds lighter. Teams would be more comfortable classifying Clausen as a top-ten pick if he equals his college listing.
Alabama NT Terrence Cody - Perhaps this year's purest 3-4 nose tackle prospect, Cody reported to last month's Senior Bowl at 6'4/370 after saying in an interview 20 days before that he weighed 355. Cody was carrying (only?) 349 lbs. at Alabama's 2009 preseason weigh-in. Clearly, Cody is subject to massive weight fluctuation. After the Senior Bowl, Cody's stated goal was to get down to 340 before his rookie year. By showing up closer to his target weight at the Combine, Cody could move his stock back into the mid to late first-round range. It would demonstrate positive work ethic, and confirm that playing pro football -- not eating -- is Cody's top priority.
Notre Dame WR Golden Tate - Tate has drawn comparisons to Carolina's Steve Smith as an undersized big-play threat with homerun vertical skills and dominant run-after-catch ability. The problem is that Tate looks closer in stature to Smith (5'9/185) than Notre Dame's 5'11/195 listing. Tate's height and weight won't make or break his career. He is a leaper, plays bigger than his size, and showed the ability to consistently separate at the second and third levels against top D-I competition in a pro-style offense. But tipping the scales at 5'10/190 or smaller could cost Tate a spot in round one. NFL teams want their deep threats big.
Florida CB Joe Haden - Haden is safe atop this year's cornerback class regardless of how he measures in Wednesday. Still, Florida's 5'11/190 listing for the shutdown corner has always seemed a bit generous, and the Gators have a history of claiming their players are bigger than they actually are. Confirming the aforementioned size could still go a long way for Haden. The player he's most often compared to, Jets CB Darrelle Revis, entered the pros at essentially the exact same height/weight coming out of Pittsburgh in 2007. The NFL continues to lean toward size at all positions, and we already know Haden's going to tear up the forty-yard dash.
Need for Speed
Stanford RB Toby Gerhart - A once-in-a-generation athlete, Gerhart wasn't just the 2009 Pac Ten Player of the Year, Heisman runner-up, and 1,871-yard rusher for the Cardinal football team. Gerhart was a 105-game starting outfielder for Stanford baseball, batting .275 and logging a .995 fielding percentage in three seasons. Gerhart has chosen the gridiron over the diamond, but questions remain about his long speed. And fair or not, the fact that Gerhart is white, plays tailback, and tore his ACL in 2007 will be held against him. Should he run in the 4.6s, NFL teams may project the 6'1/235-pounder as a fullback. Something in the 4.4 range could solidify Gerhart as a second-round pick. Perhaps no draft-eligible's stock hinges as greatly on his forty time.
Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant - Bryant was suspended for all but three games in 2009, so no one's really seen him play since his monster sophomore season (87 catches, 1,480 yards, 19 touchdowns). While he remains head-and-shoulders atop the wide receiver field, Bryant's deep speed has not been confirmed. At 6'2/220, Bryant plays with a graceful, seemingly effortless style ala Andre Johnson and relied heavily on his "hops" to make plays outside the numbers in the Cowboys' short-based passing attack. A low-4.4 forty-yard dash could vault Bryant into the draft's top five, whereas a low- to mid-4.5s clocking might leave him available for the Dolphins at No. 12.
USC S Taylor Mays - Reviews of Mays' Senior Bowl performance were underwhelming to say the least, and have many wondering if the four-year starter's future is at linebacker. The mere discussion of lacking enough hip fluidity and closing speed is always a bad sign for a defensive back, and arguably just as concerning as Mays' lack of big-play production. He caused just two takeaways as a senior -- one via interception and the other on a fluky fumble recovery. In addition to running sub-4.5, Mays will have to show well in ball skills and coverage drills to be drafted in the first round. The guess here is that Mays will not land in the top-32 picks.
Mississippi State RB Anthony Dixon - Dixon has generated surprisingly little hype heading to Indy, despite leading the SEC in rushing as a senior and setting virtually every running back record in Mississippi State history. Dixon was timed at 4.56 at a Nike high school camp, but has since added weight and measured in at 6'1/245 for last month's Senior Bowl. Admittedly, Dixon's game isn't reliant on speed. He is a bulldozer with ideal instincts inside the tackles and underrated versatility. But Dixon may need to run a sub-4.6 forty to convince NFL executives that his future is at tailback. He was briefly tried at fullback in Mobile, which isn't a great sign.
Coming Off Injury
Arizona TE Rob Gronkowski - Gronkowski, who sat out 2009 due to a microdiscectomy procedure to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve in his back, said in a recent interview that he is unsure how much he'll be able to do in Indianapolis. While it's possible that Gronkowski could rehab his stock with an outstanding Pro Day in March, sitting out the Combine after missing an entire year would send up an immediate red flag. When healthy, Gronkowski was a difference-making pass catcher and blocker in U of A's pro-style offense. His stock is in the second- to third-round range.
California RB Jahvid Best - It's a given that Best will burn up the RCA Dome turf. The California state champ in the 100 meters as a high school senior and gold medal winner in the 200 at the 2005 Junior Olympics, Best can flat-out fly. His track speed translated to the football field, averaging 7.3 yards per carry for his college career. Durability is a huge issue, though, after Best missed the Bears' final four games in 2009 with a back injury and concussion, sat out 2008 spring drills while recovering from hip surgery, and had foot and elbow surgeries following his sophomore season. Given mixed reviews by the NFL Draft Advisory Committee, which projected Best would go anywhere from the first to third round, his medical checkup will be crucial.
Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham - Though his former teammate, Sam Bradford, is rated slightly higher according to most draft board projections, Gresham's stock is also in the first-round range despite a lost 2009. Gresham, who tore his left ACL in high school, injured his right knee in fall practice and underwent surgery to stitch together the torn cartilage. It took five months for the cartilage to heal, ending Gresham's season before it started. Experienced as an in-line blocker and dominant in the receiving game, Gresham bypassed a redshirt, fifth-year opportunity and declared for the draft. He is expected to be a full participant this week.
Minnesota WR Eric Decker - The Gophers' all-time leading receiver and a two-time draft pick by Major League Baseball, Decker missed the final four games of his career with a Lisfranc fracture. He hasn't resumed running, so this week's medical checkup presents a big hurdle for Decker to overcome. Surgeries performed by colleges aren't typically as reliably done as they are in the NFL. Decker claims he'll be 100% by the start of his rookie year, but won't have the plate removed from his foot until March 15 and may be unable to run for scouts before the draft.
Switching Positions
Appalachian State QB Armanti Edwards - A four-year starter and two-time winner of D-IAA's prestigious Walter Payton Award, Edwards won't last as a signal caller at the next level. Though he didn't catch any passes in college, Edwards did play receiver in high school and will likely be asked to catch passes in Indianapolis. Edwards is listed at 6'0/194 and has 4.4 speed, so the position switch shouldn't be too difficult. Another QB on the move is UAB's Joe Webb, who was the 2009 Conference USA Player of the Year. Webb, however, didn't receive a Combine invite.
Ohio State DE Thaddeus Gibson - Gibson wasn't overly productive as a Buckeye (nine sacks and 22 tackles for loss combined in 2008-09), mostly because he was playing out of position. The 6'2/240-pound underclassman moved from linebacker to defensive end as a sophomore, and started there for his final two seasons. Gibson, though, projects to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme in the pros, and will have to demonstrate elite athleticism in Combine drills to be a high pick. Early mock drafts don't have Gibson slotted in the first or second round.
TCU DE Jerry Hughes - Hughes, the Horned Frogs' first two-time consensus first-team All American since 1935, combined for a whopping 26.5 sacks, 36 tackles for loss, and eight forced fumbles as a junior and senior. However, the college defensive end is ticketed for outside linebacker in a 3-4 system because of his size (6'3/257). Currently a second-round prospect, Hughes could vault into the top-32 picks with a big Combine. He missed the Senior Bowl with a quadriceps injury, however, and it's uncertain if Hughes will be at 100%.
Florida QB Tim Tebow - Tebow was not tried at tight end or H-back during last month's Senior Bowl, but failed to impress as a passer. It wouldn't hurt him to go through the receiver "gauntlet" drill this week. Tebow has made it clear that his goal is to be an NFL quarterback, but demonstrating versatility is always a plus and he's proven that he can get yards after contact.
Likely Risers
South Florida DE Jason Pierre-Paul - A freak on the playing field, Pierre-Paul possesses an otherworldly 81-inch wingspan, can do a back flip in full pads, and ran 4.5-flat during his JUCO career. Though he played just one year in D-I, Pierre-Paul immediately became the Bulls' sack and tackle-for-loss leader, also forcing two fumbles, blocking a kick, and returning a pick six. Some project him as a top-five pick, and very few mocks have Pierre-Paul getting out of the first 15. Personnel evaluators will be collectively drooling when he puts on a show this week.
Fresno State RB Ryan Mathews - C.J. Spiller is considered the draft's No. 1 running back, but Mathews may turn in a better all-around workout. The '09 NCAA rushing leader has reportedly been running 4.3 forties at a stout 5'11/216, bench pressing 225 22 times, and posting 37-inch verticals. A former high school QB with extensive Wildcat experience, Mathews ran for 1,808 yards (6.6 YPC) as a junior, scored 19 touchdowns, and exhibited natural inside running ability. Mathews is a sleeper to be drafted in the mid- to late-first round, with Houston (No. 20) and San Diego (28) as possible destinations.
LSU S Chad Jones - Opinions are mixed on Jones, who's been mocked as early as the middle of round one to as late as the second. One thing we can safely predict: he'll do work at the Combine. The nation's No. 1 safety recruit in '07 and a star southpaw for LSU's baseball team, Jones memorably caught Darren McFadden from behind after a long run as a freshman, was a homerun punt-return threat, and will probably time in the low-4.4s at 6'3/231. Far more fluid than Taylor Mays, Jones has the ability to play either safety spot and cover the slot as a nickel corner.
UConn WR Marcus Easley - A late bloomer, Easley started for only one year in coach Randy Edsall's fantastically run-heavy offense. Entering 2009 with just five career catches, the former walk-on exploded for 893 yards, an 18.6 YPC average, and eight touchdowns on a team-high 48 grabs as a redshirt senior. At 6'2/216, Easley has a deep threat build and was timed at 4.39 in the forty-yard dash at UConn's 2009 Pro Day. There will naturally be concerns that Easley may have been a one-year wonder, but he's likely to make a move up draft boards this week.
Syracuse WR Mike Williams - Potentially the biggest diamond in an awesomely talented 2010 receiver class, Williams is another sleeper to emerge as the No. 2 player at the position behind Dez Bryant. Off-field issues and passion for the game are huge concerns after Williams sat out the entire '08 season while academically ineligible and quit Syracuse's team seven games into 2009. Of course, he was still the team's leading receiver and possesses dominant physical ability at 6'2/204 with 4.4 wheels. His current draft grade appears to be in the second- to third-round range, but Williams could get a team to bite earlier if he tests and interviews well in Indy.
Building Momentum
Michigan DE Brandon Graham - Named Senior Bowl MVP after leaving school ranked second all time in Wolverines history in tackles for loss and sacks, Graham has solidified himself as a first-round pick. Just how high he'll go remains to be seen. Despite a stocky, 6'1/263-pound build and abnormally short, 30.5-inch arms, Graham has been linked to some teams drafting in the top 15. A forty time in the 4.5 or low-4.6 range and solid performance in change-of-direction drills could help Graham significantly with 3-4 teams always on the prowl for outside rushers.
Florida State S Myron Rolle - Like Graham, Rolle has helped himself in early pre-draft events and will look to continue his rise in Indianapolis. After a year away from football to pursue a degree in neurosurgery, Rolle reported to the Senior Bowl in tip-top shape and showed no signs of rust. Rolle was the nation's consensus No. 1 defensive back recruit in 2006 and started all three of his seasons in Tallahassee, so his career track points to NFL starter. His decision to take a year off from the game will still be scrutinized in interviews, and Rolle's long speed is suspect.
Cincinnati WR Mardy Gilyard - Gilyard, a first-team All-Big East wideout as a junior and senior on top of being the conference's Special Teams Player of the Year in both seasons, was the most impressive skill guy in last month's Senior Bowl game. He caught five balls for 103 yards and a touchdown in Mobile, burning decorated Alabama CB Javier Arenas for his score. Gilyard exhibited inconsistent hands in practices leading up to the game, and all eyes will be on his performance in the gauntlet drill. Gilyard also has a history of off-the-field problems.
Missouri LB Sean Weatherspoon - Another Senior Bowl standout, Weatherspoon showed leadership skills by asserting himself as the voice of the North squad defense, and had two pass breakups in the game, including an interception. Non-pass rushing 4-3 outside linebackers don't typically go in the first round, but Weatherspoon could buck the trend by building on his impressive start to the pre-draft process. It's expected that he'll run a sub-4.6 forty at 6'1/240.
Ohio WR Taylor Price - Price was quiet in the Senior Bowl game (one catch, eight yards), but drew praise for his burst and second-level separation skills on the practice field. He's also reportedly been running low-4.3 forties and excelling in the 20-yard short shuttle during Combine preparation. The Bobcats' all-time leading receiver, Price was a star in the MAC and has the look of a No. 2 wideout at the next level.
Family Ties
Arizona State WR Kyle Williams - Son of Chicago White Sox GM Kenny Williams ... ASU's leading receiver in 2009 with 57 catches for 815 yards (14.3 YPC) and eight touchdowns ... Also the Sun Devils' primary punt returner ... Only 5'9/185 ... A projected late-round pick.
Miami (FL) RB Javarris James - Cousin of longtime Colts RB Edgerrin James ... Lost his starting job at The U after averaging just 3.7 yards per carry as a sophomore ... The Hurricanes' third leading rusher in '09, behind Graig Cooper and Damien Berry ... Third-down back prospect.
South Carolina DL Clifton Geathers - Brother of Bengals DE Robert Geathers ... Freakish size-athleticism combo at 6'8/281 ... Surprisingly declared for the draft after being advised to stay in school by Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier ... Just 3.5 sacks and 8.5 TFL as a junior.
Virginia Tech S Cody Grimm - Son of Cardinals assistant head coach Russ Grimm ... Originally a walk-on for Frank Beamer's squad ... Hokies' leading tackler in 2009, and led the nation in forced fumbles (7) ... In-the-box safety prospect with loads of special teams value.
UCLA LB Kyle Bosworth - Nephew of former Seahawks LB Brian "The Boz" Bosworth, a two-time Butkus Award winner at Oklahoma ... Two-year starter, finishing '09 with 77 tackles and 7.5 TFL ... Played both inside and outside for the Bruins ... Probably a special teams prospect.
Notable Snubs
Tennessee QB Jonathan Crompton - Rotoworld's No. 5 overall quarterback prospect ... Possesses NFL starter-caliber physical tools and size (6'4/228) ... Excelled in Lane Kiffin's pro-style offense as a senior, but questions about his durability, consistency, and attitude.
Southern Illinois RB Deji Karim - Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in 2009, averaging 7.1 YPC with 20 all-purpose touchdowns ... Redshirted for all of '08 with torn patellar tendon ... Has been timed at 4.46 in the forty-yard dash at 5'11/205 ... Also kickoff return value.
Bowling Green WR Freddie Barnes - Led nation with 155 catches for 1,770 yards and 21 all-purpose TDs as a senior ... Stood out at East-West Shrine all-star event ... 6'0/212, but questions about his long speed ... Battled leg injuries throughout the 2008 season.
Auburn CB Walter McFadden - Led Auburn with six interceptions and 16 pass breakups in 2009 ... Two-year starter at left cornerback for the Tigers ... Auburn uses lots of press coverage ... Listed at 6'0/175 ... Had a 100-yard pick six in January's Outback Bowl win over Northwestern.
Eastern Washington QB Matt Nichols - Offensive MVP in the Big Sky as a sophomore and senior ... 45-game starter ... Played in shotgun-heavy spread offense ... In 2009, completed 65.1% of his passes with 33 touchdowns and just six interceptions ... Goes 6'2/220.
Alabama-Birmingham QB Joe Webb - 2009 Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year ... Played wide receiver at the Senior Bowl, measuring 6'3/223 with huge, 10 3/4-inch hands ... Started nine games at wideout as a sophomore, catching 30 balls for 459 yards and three TDs.
Pittsburgh QB Bill Stull - Listed at 6'3/215 ... Two-year starter in run-heavy offense led by LeSean McCoy in 2008 and Big East Player of the Year Dion Lewis in 2009 ... As a senior, completed 65.1% of his passes, throwing for 21 touchdowns compared to eight interceptions.
Army WR Ali Villanueva - Measured 6'9/277 at the East-West Shrine ... Will move to tight end, or perhaps even offensive tackle at the next level ... Led Army in all possible receiving categories last season ... Started all 12 games at left tackle for the Black Knights as a junior.
BYU DE Jan Jorgensen - Had 20 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks as a sophomore, but production tailed off from there ... Still made first-team All-Mountain West in each of his final three seasons and was a four-year starter ... 6'2/260 ... Played quarterback in high school ... 'Tweener.
Utah S Robert Johnson - Led the Utes with six interceptions as a senior ... 6'2/197 ... Played free safety at Utah, and was a difference maker in both coverage and run support ... Three-year starter ... Former JUCO transfer ... Ball skills are his most outstanding trait.
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