It’s been flying all over ESPN and major sports sites lately that Florida’s Tim Tebow recorded a 22 on his Wonderlic, adding just one more knock to the quarterback’s already mountainous wall preventing him from being a first-round pick, let alone an NFL quarterback.

While Sam Bradford‘s score of 36 is definitely impressive and worth noting, it’s quite troublesome that Tebow’s 22 is “below average” and worth reporting as a high profile news piece, while Jimmy Clausen, who is regarded as a much better prospect than Tebow, recorded a 23, just one point better.

The fact that Tebow is continuously being reported on this news as the guy with the low score, rather than the reports going into any detail on Clausen, further shows the media’s campaign against Tebow.

If it’s not his throwing motion, his arm strength, or his accuracy, then it’s the fact that his NFL Combine didn’t show us anything. Or that he had a terrible Senior Bowl.

And now, even though he finished just two points below the NFL’s average of 24 for quarterbacks, and just one below Clausen, Tebow is getting dogged, yet again.

It’s getting beyond obscene at how often and how easily so-called “experts) attack Tebow for the simplest of issues, and routinely say (adamantly, of course) that there is no way he can change his throwing motion, let alone tweak it, over night.

Tebow is hopeless, has “bust” written on the wall of his NFL career, and has been over-hyped from day one.

Yeah, says the mysterious panel of the “Hate Tim Tebow” campaign, hiding behind that curtain, pleading that the rest of us don’t rip it open.

We, the fans, and others writers may not have the power of proof to tear the curtain down and expose all the flaws (as flaws themselves), but Tebow does.

Let’s wait until his Pro Day. Then we can talk about a relatively meaningless Wonderlic score. After all, Dan Marino got a 13, and he turned out okay.

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Now that the combine is behind us, it’s time to look forward to the draft and determine who is riding a good workout to an early berth and who is grasping straws to remain in contention.

Offensive linemen are the big uglies of the game and their individual athleticism is very important in determining how effective they will be.

Perhaps we will look back on this draft and see future pro bowlers and franchise tackles. Here’s a look at a few guys who had up-and-down performances at the combine.

Risers

1.Bruce Campbell (Maryland)

40-Yard Dash (4.85)  Bench Press (34)  Vertical Jump (32.0)  3-Cone Drill (7.58)

20-Yard Shuttle (4.69)  Broad Jump (8’05″)

Campbell came into the combine as one of the more electric tackle prospects and he did not disappoint. He was fast, strong, and smart throughout the day. He posted strong numbers across the board and could be the first tackle taken in April.

He keeps a low center of gravity, has a great initial pop off the line of scrimmage, and has the speed to pull effectively and cut off the outside rush.

2.Trent Williams (Oklahoma)

40-Yard Dash (4.88)  Bench Press (23)  Vertical Jump (34.0)  20-Yard Shuttle (4.63)

Broad Jump (9’05″)

Williams was another lineman with elite potential who showed up big at the combine. He was easily one of the fastest tackles there and, while he didn’t look overly impressive at the bench, he showed excellent lower body strength at both jump stations.

The former Sooner has all of the physical tangibles you look for in an NFL-ready lineman without the production. He doesn’t have a deep history of injuries so durability isn’t a primary concern. He can be an immediate contributor at the next level and has the potential to be the best rookie tackle by next year’s end.

3.Marshall Newhouse (TCU)

40-Yard Dash (5.00)  Bench Press (25)  3-Cone Drill (7.40)  20-Yard Shuttle (4.60)

Broad Jump (7’10″)

Newhouse was the decided captain of a strong TCU offensive line for nearly his entire career there. He has the speed to play tackle and the strength to play guard. He was one of the few linemen there that worked well in tight spaces, turning on his edges like a backfield defender.

Virtually unknown before the combine, the former Horned Frog has boosted his draft stock in ways that wouldn’t be possible without events like the NFL combine.

4.Mitch Petrus (Arkansas)

40-Yard Dash (5.29)  Bench Press (45)

Petrus was easily the strongest lineman at the combine, and for a guy with that much bulk, he sure moved fast. The former Razorback was recruited at tight end, raised at fullback, and, after three years on an offensive line that saw enormous success in the SEC, Petrus is ready to make his NFL debut.

The Arkansas native has great athleticism and physicality. He could stand to be a little faster off the snap, but once he’s in motion, he’s a bull. He showed up big at the combine and could see a quicker exit off the board in April.

5.Jared Veldheer (Hillsdale)

40-Yard Dash (5.09)  Bench Press (32)  Vertical Jump (33.0)  3-Cone Drill (7.40)

20-Yard Shuttle (4.51)  Broad Jump (9’01″)

Veldheer has a refreshing attitude towards the game. He is an absolute team player at heart and he has the mean streak to boot. The former Colt is a well-balanced athlete who also made an impression at the bench. He’s fast, quick, however you want to put it, and he has more upside than you’d expect.

Veldheer is a victim of the common rule where players from small school go largely overlooked; the combine is one of the few places where those who would otherwise go unnoticed, get a chance to prove themselves.

Fallers

1.Eric Cook (New Mexico)

Bench Press (19)  Vertical Jump (25.0)  Broad Jump (7’10″)

Cook came into the combine as a relatively unknown player and that’s how he’ll leave. There wasn’t anything impressive about his numbers and nothing stood out in the position-specific drills.

The former Lobo has his upside and his tape shows a lineman with good size and quick feet. He pulls well and has a fast kick step in pass protection. He’ll still have a chance to show his stuff at New Mexico’s pro day, but until then, he’s still just another number.

2.Ciron Black (LSU)

40-Yard Dash (5.49)  Bench Press (23)  Vertical Jump (25.5)  Broad Jump (7’07″)

Black was on his way to becoming the first Tiger taken in the 2010 draft until he showed up to Indianapolis. The former LSU lineman posted nothing special across the board and was uninterested in his interviews and position-specific drills.

Black has the potential to be good; perhaps it was only the wear and tear of a stringent combine schedule that seems to excel at placing young players outside of their comfort zone. At LSU’s pro day, though, we should see a better player with quicker feet and a better disposition.

3.Kyle Calloway (Iowa)

40-Yard Dash (5.51)  Bench Press (22)  Vertical Jump (23.5)  Broad Jump (7’08″)

Calloway doesn’t carry the same weight in the draft as his fellow teammate, Bryan Baluaga, does. He has better size and, arguably, quicker feet, but his technique still needs a large amount of work.

He doesn’t utilize his hands at the line effectively and he struggles at keeping his composure against larger defenders in pass protection. He still has some upside, though, and will likely see an exit off the board sometime early on day two of the draft.

4.Kyle Jolly (North Carolina)

40-Yard Dash (5.43)  Bench Press (20)  Broad Jump (7’05″)

Jolly was one of the few consistencies Tarheel fans saw in their team last year. The lineman has the size to play inside and the speed to be effective on the outside. It wasn’t completely clear where Jolly might end up before the combine but, after his performance, he may not end up anywhere.

The Tarheel showed a sluggish side of him that we haven’t seen since his sophomore season. One of the features that make Jolly special on the field was his fiery attitude and, without that, he’s just another big ugly without a memorable name.

5.Chris Scott (Tennessee)

40-Yard Dash (5.49)  Bench Press (19)  Broad Jump (7’06″)

Scott may have had the worst time at the combine than any other lineman. His numbers were poor and there were several drills in which the former Volunteer had to repeat.

After ending his season under fire against Virginia Tech, Scott received another chance to shine in the East-West Shrine game and, while he may have made an impression there, he flopped at the combine. Scott had a shot at becoming the second Vol to be taken, Eric Berry is a unanimous top ten pick, but not he may not see a berth until very late.

Game tape is still the primary source of how a player performs in real-time situations, but the combine measures physical tangibles and position-specific drills that show the strengths and weaknesses of each player.

Outside linebackers with hopes of NFL salaries are expected to be comfortable with both strong and weak side positions, as well as have above-average speed and good coverage skills. Here are a few players who had a good showing at the combine and others who still have work to do.

Risers

1. Cody Grimm (Virginia Tech)

40-Yard Dash (4.64)  Bench Press (21)  Vertical Jump (35.5)  3-Cone Drill (6.58)

Grimm is a typically undersized linebacker with great speed and good instincts. He was highly productive at Virginia Tech and that hard work will translate well to the next level.

Some project him as a safety in the NFL, but with a few added pounds, Grimm has the potential to be a very effective weak side linebacker. His lateral speed and lower body strength allows him to fly around the field and get to the ball quickly.

For now, he is looking more and more like an early pick on the second day of the draft.

2. Dekoda Watson (Florida State)

40-Yard Dash (4.56)  Bench Press (24)  Vertical Jump (40.0)  20-Yard Shuttle (4.11)

60-Yard Shuttle (11.35)  Broad Jump (11’02″)

Watson is a player who will likely slip beneath the radar and surprise a lot of folks in the Fall. The former Seminole doesn’t have the production or the playing time some of the other prospects have, but he is a workaholic who spends atrocious amounts of time in the weight room.

For his size, he can really move. He has excellent lateral quickness and will eat up space quickly. He has the strength of an interior linebacker but the coverage skills of an outside defender. He still has some polishing to undergo but, in time, he will be a coveted defender in the NFL.

3. Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri)

40-Yard Dash (4.68)  Bench Press (24)  Vertical Jump (40.0)  60-Yard Shuttle (11.59)

Broad Jump (10’03″)

Weatherspoon is one of the more highly-regarded defensive prospects this spring and his performance at the combine solidified his legitimacy.

He was fast, alert, and strong the entire weekend. There wasn’t a particular drill that stood out among the others, but all of his numbers were solid.

Weatherspoon played on a defense that was often overlooked to the offense’s potency throughout the year. He doesn’t garner enough attention yet but after his weekend in Indianapolis, how can he not?

4. Keenan Clayton (Oklahoma)

40-Yard Dash (4.66)  Bench Press (27)  Vertical Jump (41.5)

Clayton doesn’t have exceptional production but he makes up for it with a strong football IQ and a tireless desire to play the game. He showed up big at the combine with strong numbers across the board and a good showing at the position-specific drills.

He has a great spring step at the line of scrimmage; he could eventually be a very good blitzer in the NFL. The former Sooner has problems in coverage at times, but he has the speed to be effective and will only need a little polishing at the next level to tap into his athletic resources.

5.Keaton Kristick (Oregon State)

40-Yard Dash (4.64)  Bench Press (16)  3-Cone Drill (6.96)  20-Yard Shuttle (4.21)

60-Yard Dash (11.33)  Broad Jump (10’00″)

As a projected mid to late-round player going into the combine, Kristick had much to prove in Indianapolis.

Like any other young prospect, the former Beaver felt the wear and tear of a season’s performance and the high-strung schedule of the combine, but he showed progress on the field and will only look to improve those numbers at Oregon State’s pro day.

Kristick has quick feet and does well changing directions in tight spaces. He has a quick step off the snap and can find the path around slower tackles, even at the next level. He’ll need some polishing and a little patience, but could eventually prove to be an effective weak side linebacker.

Fallers

1. A.J. Edds (Iowa)

40-Yard Dash (4.71)  Bench Press (16)  20-Yard Shuttle (4.28)

Edds is another typical Iowa defender, a balanced tackle machine riddled with discipline and a fiery desire to play the game of football. The former Hawkeye had hopes of vaulting his draft stock at the combine, but a slow 40 time and an unimpressive showing at the bench didn’t speak well to his capabilities.

Edds was a tackle machine at Iowa who also learned how to play in coverage his senior season. He has everything you look for in a strong side linebacker, but we will have to wait until Iowa’s pro day to see if it’s as real as it is on tape.

2. Sam Maxwell (Kentucky)

Broad Jump (8’08″)

I completely understand when a player with hopes of a high draft pick declines to perform certain drills at the combine in hops of making a better showing at their respective pro day, but when you do decide to perform in only one physical drill, you better do well.

Maxwell, in respects to a light hamstring injury, opted to only perform in the broad jump. He struggled to maintain his balance and ultimately ended with a sub-par number. He’ll have another chance to perform at Kentucky’s pro day, but he will have to work very hard to escape the shadow of fellow teammate Micah Johnson.

3. Brandon Spikes (Florida)

Vertical Jump (29.0)  3-Cone Drill (6.97)  Broad Jump (9’02″)

It’s hard to imagine a player of Spikes’ caliber performing in such a way that allow his draft stock to fall, but it’s much easier to fall from the very top rather than the middle of the road. Spikes entered the combine with high expectations and did not reciprocate.

Posting marginal numbers across the board, Spikes will need to put more work into the weight room in order to continue being associated with the words “top pick” or “elite”.

4. Eric Norwood (South Carolina)

40-Yard Dash (4.67)  Vertical Jump (36.5)  20-Yard Shuttle (4.23)  Broad Jump (9’07″)

Norwood had overwhelming production at South Carolina and is one of the most durable prospects to enter the draft this year. That being said, scouts were expecting a faster product than what they saw in Indianapolis.

The former Gamecock defensive superstar look sluggish at times and didn’t relay the spark he was so well known for in South Carolina. He did well at the position-specific drills but needs to trim down his 40-yard in order to contend for a quick berth in April.

5. Harry Coleman (LSU)

40-Yard Dash (4.65)  Bench Press (13)  60-Yard Shuttle (11.67)  Broad Jump (8’11″)

Coleman may be a victim of poor coaching at LSU, where coaches moved him from safety to strong side linebacker his senior season. He is extremely undersized to play linebacker, as it showed at the combine, but fast enough to still be effective as a safety at the next level.

He is a secure tackler and decent in coverage, but don’t rule out the possibility of Coleman playing safety in the NFL. Either way, he is a versatile player with capabilities on both sides of the ball. He isn’t the strongest, but if he puts a little work into the weight room, he won’t be overlooked in April.

For some, their performance in Indianapolis has garnered a newfound level of attention from scouts and media personnel alike.

For others, their hopes for an early berth rest on a successful Pro Day in the coming weeks.

The Combine is a good time for below-the-radar prospects to showcase their abilities and increase their visibility to those interested.

Here are a few interior linebackers who truly shined at the Combine and others who…well, didn’t.

Risers

1. Mike McLaughlin (Boston College)

40-Yard Dash (4.82)  Bench Press (29)  Vertical Jump (38.5)  3-Cone Drill (6.85)

20-Yard Shuttle (4.11)  Broad Jump (9’06″)

McLaughlin has had some problems with injuries, especially towards the end of his career at Boston College, but a good showing at the combine helped his stock significantly. He didn’t lead in any major category, but consistently finished near the top.

The former Eagle wasn’t the most productive defender in college, but he has the athletic tangibles you look for in a balanced interior linebacker. He has a high football IQ and will fit into any defensive scheme.

2. Donald Butler (Washington)

Bench Press (35)

Butler is a testament to the fact that a player’s potential is not cemented in his performance at his respective school. After receiving a late invitation to the Senior Bowl, Butler showed an athletic side of him that was relatively obscure beforehand.

At the combine, Butler declined to participate in all of the performance drills in hopes that a Pro Day showing would carry more weight. However, he did participate at the bench and did not disappoint. He out-benched every linebacker there and all but five offensive lineman.

3. Jamar Chaney (Mississippi State)

40-Yard Dash (4.54)  Bench Press (26)  Vertical Jump (39.0)  3-Cone Drill (6.90)

20-Yard Shuttle (4.29)  60-Yard Shuttle (11.46)

Chaney is one of the most experienced and productive linebackers coming into this year’s draft. He was the defensive focal point at Mississippi State and will look to carry that responsibility into the next level, something he may find difficult as a rookie in a league full of testosterone-driven leadership.

Chaney performed well at the combine, leading all linebackers in the 40-yard dash and posting up top numbers in every other major category. He’ll look to improve some of those numbers at his Pro Day, but overall, he did very well in Indianapolis.

4. Josh Hull (Penn State)

40-Yard Dash (4.91)  Bench Press (25)  Vertical Jump (32.5)  3-Cone Drill (6.86)

20-Yard Shuttle (4.07)  60-Yard Shuttle (11.31)

Hull had a mixed performance at the combine. He had a relatively slow time at the 40-yard dash and then led the board with his 20-yard and 60-yard shuttle.

The former Nittany Lion will likely look to his Pro Day to improve that 40-yard, but, at the Combine, scouts saw a guy who can eliminate space quickly and eat up the zone coverage.

He doesn’t have elite strength nor does he have especially attractive size, but he will be an instant contributor on special teams and, eventually, Hull will be an excellent coverage linebacker in the NFL.

5. Kion Wilson (South Florida)

40-Yard Dash (4.85)  Bench Press (27)  Vertical Jump (36.5)

Wilson is a relatively unknown prospect, mostly due to the level of defensive talent that surrounded him at USF and the fact that he spent his first two years playing at a community college.

Wilson really shined at the Senior Bowl, though, and his performance at the Combine is only helping his draft stock. He is a hard worker who has an ever-running motor. He doesn’t take plays off and his work ethic, paired with exceptional athleticism for his size, gives Wilson a chance to be taken early in the second day of the draft.

Fallers

1. Lee Campbell (Minnesota)

40-Yard Dash (4.89)  Bench Press (17 )

Campbell came into the draft picture as one of the fastest linebackers who could excel in coverage and be physical in open space. At the combine, though, Campbell looked sluggish and his performance at the bench didn’t necessarily translate to “physical.”

He will still have a chance to improve his stock at Minnesota’s Pro Day, but the former Golden Gopher can only watch his stock drop for now.

2. Micah Johnson (Kentucky)

40-Yard Dash (4.99)  Bench Press (31)  Vertical Jump (29.0)

Johnson showed a new shade of physicality at the Combine, but he also posted the slowest 40-yard of all the linebackers. Many consider Johnson to be a versatile linebacker who can play inside/outside, but at his current speed, the former Wildcat is looking at a job as a rotation man, at best.

At 258 pounds, Johnson is an imposing prospect; his tape shows a defender with a hard hit and a legitimate mean streak. He has the chance to go early on day two of the draft, but will need to improve his speed to do so.

3. Pat Angerer (Iowa)

40-Yard Dash (4.69)  Bench Press (26)  20-Yard Shuttle (4.29)

Like most other products of Kirk Ferentz’s defense, Angerer isn’t considered a superstar by any means. Rather, most view him as a balanced defender with the potential to be a consistent contributor at the next level.

However, Angerer’s performance at the Combine gave him the appearance of the over sized, lumbering linebacker that needs to drastically improve his quickness. The tape shows a guy who can be quick and agile in tight spaces, but if the former Hawkeye intends to play middle linebacker in the NFL, he’ll need to improve his lateral speed.

4.Nathan Triplett (Minnesota)

40-Yard Dash (4.74)  Bench Press (20)  Broad Jump (9’07″)

Like his Golden Gopher counterpart, Lee Campbell, Triplett did not have the best showing at the combine. He was boring, to say the least. There wasn’t a major category posting that stood out and Triplett will likely look to Minnesota’s Pro Day to improve his stock.

Triplett has the speed (on tape) and the size to be effective at the next level, but only time will tell whether or not others feel the same.

5. Phillip Dillard (Nebraska)

40-Yard Dash (4.64)  Vertical Jump (31.5)  Broad Jump (8’07″)

A late invitation to the 2010 Senior Bowl was a good indication of Dillard’s potential and, while his performance wasn’t dominant, he made a good showing and looked to do the same at the combine. Instead, he posted marginal numbers and is now the proud owner of a stagnant draft stock.

Dillard’s speed is his forte and, thus, is the number on trial. He didn’t necessarily disappoint with his 40-yard dash, but scouts expected better and weren’t impressed at all with his lower body strength at the broad jump. He has a strong desire to play the game and will most likely make a better showing at Nebraska’s Pro Day.

Scouts are looking at potential corners, judging their speed, their reaction skills, and their upper and lower body strength.

A few guys disappointed and others took the show at the combine this year.  Here is a list of a few guys at the NFL Combine whose stock went up and those that watched it fall.

Players Whose Stock Went Up

1. Patrick Robinson (Florida State)

40-Yard Dash (4.42)  Bench Press (15)  Vertical Jump (39.0)

Robinson was considered by many to potentially be the first corner taken in the draft and after a solid performance at the Combine, he may just do that.  The former Seminole finished in the top three of every category he posted numbers in, something you expect out of a guy who produced like he did at Florida State.

There’s still room to grow in Robinson’s case, but a solid Pro Day and a continued showing of good character will speak volumes on how he will do at the next level.

2. Crezdon Butler (Clemson)

40-Yard Dash (4.41)  Bench Press (17)  Vertical Jump (39.5)

Butler came out of Clemson without much attention being thrown his way, but he put up great numbers at the Combine, including the day’s best 40-yard.  He did great at the bench and jumped well, a refreshing sight among a few of the no-name prospects.

The former ACC wide out has a lot of upside at the next level; he’s still very unpolished, but he is undoubtedly athletic and will be an instant contributor in special teams in the NFL.

3. Kyle Wilson (Boise State)

Bench Press (25)

There are still questions about whether or not Wilson should be a corner or switch to safety, but either way, he is one athletically-gifted player who has elite upper body strength to boot.

At Boise State, Wilson was the backfield’s best tackler and it showed at the bench, posting more reps than anyone else.  He didn’t perform in any other drills, but as an already highly-regarded corner, Wilson can do no wrong unless he completely flops at Boise State’s Pro Day.

4. Chris Cook (Virginia)

40-Yard Dash (4.46)  Bench Press (7)  Vertical Jump (38.0)  Broad Jump (11’00)

Cook didn’t show up in a HUGE way at the Combine, but he posted solid numbers for a guy few were talking about on the drive to Indianapolis.  He stole the show at the broad jump, displaying his lower body strength in style.

He ran a decent 40-yard, comparatively, and though he didn’t do especially well at the bench, few people expect a mid-round corner to be especially strong anyway.  Cook still won’t be the star at Virginia’s Pro Day, but he’ll turn some heads if he continues to put up solid numbers.

5. A.J. Jefferson (Fresno State)

40-Yard Dash (4.49)  Bench Press (7)  Vertical Jump (44.0)  Broad Jump (10’06)

Jefferson is another player that came into the combine under the shadow of a fellow teammate.  But after his great performance in Indianapolis, Ryan Matthews won’t be the only player from Fresno State people are talking about.

The former bulldog had an impressive day, running a solid 40-yard and taking the gold at the vertical jump.  For a player of his size (6’0”, 190), he has great leaping ability and can turn on the jets in a short field.  Expect him to get some much-deserved attention at Fresno State’s Pro Day in March.

Players Whose Stock Went Down

1. Joe Haden (Florida)

40-Yard Dash (4.57)  Bench Press (18)  Vertical Jump (35.0)  3-Cone Drill (6.94)

Broad Jump (10’05)

Haden really disappointed at the Combine, posting a slow 40-yard and failing to shine in any other category.  Although he was the only corner to run the 3-Cone, his numbers weren’t overly impressive.

Many felt, going into the Combine, that Haden was the first overall cornerback in the draft and his performance has created a whole new perspective on prospective corners looking to steal the show in April.  If Haden expects to continue his high profile, he’ll have to make a better effort and steal the show at Florida’s Pro Day later in the month.

2. Perrish Cox (Oklahoma State)

40-Yard Dash (4.53)  Bench Press (12)  Broad Jump (9’07)

It’s really unfair that the easiest way to judge some of these players is by raw numbers alone, but that’s the easiest way to measure a player’s athleticism and Cox failed that test at the Combine.

His performance at the bench and the broad jump weren’t impressive at all and his 40-yard was slower than expected.  The tape showed a player uncomfortable with his surroundings; he looked stiff and a little lost at times.  The former Cowboy was expected to go early in April but a good individual workout may not even be enough to overrule Cox’s bad performance at the Combine and a lack of elite production at Oklahoma State.

3. Donovan Warren (Michigan)

40-Yard Dash (4.59)  Bench Press (12)

Warren opted out of several drills at the Combine, and that may have been the right decision.  The former Wolverine didn’t look as fast as he does on tape with a 4.59 40-yard, but he’ll have another opportunity to run it at Michigan’s Pro Day.

One of Warren’s strengths at Michigan was his ability to provide run support, though many doubt he can do the same in the NFL.  His performance at the bench wasn’t that of a guy who has the strength to wrangle down some of the larger receivers he’ll encounter at the next level.

4. Stephen Virgil (Virginia Tech)

40-Yard Dash (4.69)  Bench Press (12)

Virgil didn’t come into the Combine as a highly-touted corner prospect, but his poor numbers in Indy didn’t help his stock.  It’s only two-tenths of a second, but his 4.69 40-yard was much slower than scouts expected.

The former Hokie isn’t the most physical prospect going into the draft, but his performance at the bench spoke volumes on how he will do in open field against some of the more physical receivers in the NFL.  He’ll have another chance to make a good showing at Tech’s Pro Day, but until then, Virgil is slipping into the late rounds.

5. Syd’Quan Thompson (Cal)

DNP

It’s difficult to judge an athlete’s measureables when they don’t participate in the Combine’s drills, but Thompson did just that.  It was reported that Thompson did not participate due to an ankle injury he sustained late in the season, but a lack of raw numbers doesn’t bode well for the athlete’s chances in April.

Again, anytime a player is injured, he isn’t expected to perform or even do well, but with Thompson’s expectations going into the draft, it would have been nice to see something, anything.

A few no-name prospects in the tight end bracket have emerged as true contenders in the race to April, and—while no one will likely make a big splash in the first round—a team or two will luck out with some late-round selections.

Here are a few guys who are slowly becoming legitimate and others who are watching their stock fall:

Players Whose Stocks Went Up

1. Dorin Dickerson (Pittsburgh)

40-Yard Dash: 4.40 sec.

Bench Press: 24 rep.

Vertical Jump: 43.5″

3-Cone Drill: 6.96 sec.

20-Yard Shuttle: 4.30 sec.

Broad Jump: 10’5″

Dickerson entered the combine under the shadow of fellow Pittsburgh tight end Nate Byham, but now it looks as if Dickerson is the better of the pair. He dominated the drills, finishing first in the 40-yard, vertical leap, and the broad jump.

He is an extremely physical specimen and has great lower body strength, a quality that will quickly translate into elite blocking ability at the next level. He looked natural at catching balls and he’s quick to boot.

2. Clay Harbor (Missouri State)

40-Yard Dash: 4.69 sec.

Bench Press: 30 rep.

Vertical Jump: 40.0″

20-Yard Shuttle: 4.37 sec.

Broad Jump: 10′

Harbor is another tight end who didn’t have a tremendous amount of attention on him going into the Combine, but an impressive showing there has legitimized his chances at being a contender in the NFL.

He was solid in every category, especially at the bench where he put up astounding numbers, posting three reps higher than the closest player behind him. He also has good speed for a guy with such strength.

3. Dennis Pitta (BYU)

40-Yard Dash: 4.63 sec.

Bench Press: 27 rep.

Vertical Jump: 34.5″

3-Cone Drill: 6.72 sec.

20-Yard Shuttle: 4.17 sec.

60-Yard Shuttle: 11.53 sec.

Broad Jump: 9’5″

Pitta is one of the few high-ranked tight end prospects that did not fail to impress at the Combine. Pitta ran a decent 40-yard time, but he showed his quickness with top times in the 3-Cone, 20-yard shuttle, and the 60-yard shuttle.

Pitta has natural hands and his physicality, paired with his natural athleticism, creates an exciting prospect. He was one of the few players who saw his draft stock rise considerably in Indy this weekend.

4. Jimmy Graham (Miami)

40-Yard Dash: 4.56 sec.

Bench Press: 20 rep.

Vertical Jump: 38.5″

3-Cone Drill: 6.90 sec.

60-Yard Shuttle: 11.76 sec.

Broad Jump: 10′

Graham made some noise in Indianapolis this week with an impressive 40-yard and solid numbers in every other category. He isn’t an especially athletic prospect, but his numbers have solidified his ability to run the routes needed to contend at the NFL level.

His history as a basketball player has scouts equating him with the likes of Antonio Gates, even though he only played one year of football at Miami.

5. Ed Dickson (Oregon)

40-Yard Dash: 4.67 sec.

Bench Press: 23 rep.

Broad Jump: 9’7″

Dickson didn’t drop any jaws at the Combine, but a solid performance across the board have him at a static state in the eyes of scouts. A good showing at the Senior Bowl catapulted him and his stock as far up as it’d been and his performance at the Combine didn’t hurt him.

Dickson is still considered by many to have some of the best hands in his class and he is no slouch as a blocker, either. He has all the physical tangibles you look for in a tight end.

Players Whose Stock Went Down

1. Jermaine Gresham (Oklahoma)

40-Yard Dash: 4.73 sec.

Bench Press: 20 reps.

Vertical Jump: 35″

3-Cone Drill: 7.07 sec.

60-Yard Shuttle: 11.88 sec.

Broad Jump: 9’5″

After undergoing season-ending surgery at the start of the ’09 season, Gresham had questions and concerns surrounding his ability to still play ball. Many still consider him a top contender, but a slow 40-yard and marginal numbers in other categories didn’t look like the Gresham everyone expected.

With more publicity comes more expectations, and Gresham just didn’t meet them at the Combine. He finished near the bottom of every category and will need to put up a good showing at his Pro Day if he expects to keep his position as the top tight end in his class.

2. Rob Gronkowski (Arizona)

Bench Press: 23 rep.

Gronkowski did not participate in any of the athletically-geared drills, much to the chagrin of scouts and media writers. He has the capabilities to be a top tight end in the draft, but it’s hard to judge that if he doesn’t perform.

I expect him to show up big at his Pro Day, but until then, Gronkowski is a tight end with marginal speed who has great physicality and soft hands…or so we hope.

3. Anthony McCoy (USC)

40-Yard Dash: 4.79 sec.

Bench Press: 19 rep.

Vertical Jump: 35.5″

3-Cone Drill: 6.99 sec.

Broad Jump: 9’5″

McCoy is another tight end who came into the Combine with high expectations and ended with disappointing results. He didn’t have the slowest 40-yard but it was close. We also didn’t see a tremendous amount of strength at the bench or the broad jump.

McCoy’s tape will likely remain as the strongest piece of evidence for his legitimacy, but for now, he will have to work harder to impress anyone at USC’s Pro Day.

4. Andrew Quarless (Penn State)

40-Yard Dash: 4.69 sec.

Bench Press: 23 rep.

Vertical Jump: 32″

Broad Jump: 9’4″

Quarless is one of several Penn State players who have a lot of potential going into the draft. At the combine, though, Quarless didn’t look especially impressive, posting marginal numbers across the board.

Especially disturbing, I think, was his inability to produce at either jump station. Quarless was touted as an elite blocker with a great lower center of gravity, but it just wasn’t evident at the Combine.

5. Colin Peek (Alabama)

Bench Press: 19 rep.

Like Gronkowski, Peek only participated in the Combine at the bench, hoping to make an undisturbed, more comfortable showing at his Pro Day. Instead of producing suspense, though, Peek merely disappointed the number of scouts who showed up to see one of college’s highest touted tight end prospects.

Peek still has a chance to prove he is a contender at his Pro Day, but a poor showing at the Combine doesn’t make him look any better to the scouts and the media.

Each player has a specific strength and weakness that stands apart from the rest. This year’s class of wide outs doesn’t have a solidified order just yet, but the top and bottom rung players are becoming a little more clear after a week in Indianapolis.

Here are a few players that looked great at the NFL Combine and some that still have work to do.

Players Whose Stock Went Up

1. Arrelious Benn (Illinois)

40-Yard Dash (4.48)  Bench Press (20)  Vertical Jump (37.0)  Broad Jump (9’10′)

Benn really showed up at the Combine, posting the best numbers at the bench and running a decent 40-yard. There are still concerns about his natural athleticism; some don’t consider him a finished product.

There is still ample time for Benn to show us more when Illinois holds their Pro Day on March 23. For now, he looks to be in the Top 3 of available wide outs in April.

2. Brandon Long (Louisville)

40-Yard Dash (4.46)  Bench Press (20)  Vertical Jump (41.5)  Three-Cone Drill (6.45)

20-Yard Shuttle (4.09)  60-Yard Shuttle (11.06)  Broad Jump (10’03″)

Long is not a highly touted name at wideout, but he will be after his Combine workout.

The former Louisville star posted lead numbers at the bench, in his vertical leap, and at the Three-Cone drill. He may not have had the best production at the collegiate level, but owning the best numbers in three categories at the Combine will speak volumes about this young man.

3. Emmanuel Sanders (SMU)

40-Yard Dash (4.41)  Bench Press (12)  Vertical Jump (39.5)  3-Cone Drill (6.60)

20-Yard Shuttle (4.10)  Broad Jump (10’06″)

Sanders is another relatively unknown prospect out of SMU who has tremendous physical capabilities; it showed in Indianapolis this week.

He ran a near-perfect 40-yard, finishing second only to Clemson’s Jacoby Ford.

Without the numbers, Sanders is merely a late-round acquisition but his performance at the Combine really boosted his chances at becoming a sought-after commodity in April.

4. Carlton Mitchell (South Florida)

40-Yard Dash (4.49)  Bench Press (16)  Broad Jump (10’02″)

Mitchell hasn’t garnered a lot of attention since his performance in ’09 at USF, but his numbers at the Combine were all-around very impressive. He has the athleticism and the size you look for in an NFL-ready wide out.

Although Mitchell didn’t participate in all of the drill at Indy, but scouts are impressed by his potential alone.

He still needs work to polish his ball skills, but given time, he could be a legitimate threat at the next level.

5. Jacoby Ford (Clemson)

40-Yard Dash (4.28)  Bench Press (13)  60-Yard Shuttle (11.58)

We already knew Ford was quick, but holding the fastest 40-yard time at the Combine just solidified that. He is scary fast and has all of the tangibles you look for in an elite wide out.

His bench numbers weren’t overly impressive, but strength isn’t a particular concern for a player of his size anyway.

Some have called him the C.J. Spiller of the receiver bracket and it’s easy to see why. He is an explosive player who could be an immediate threat as a return specialist in the NFL.

Players Whose Stock Went Down

1. Dez Bryant (Oklahoma State)

DNP

Bryant didn’t participate in any of the drills at the Combine so, at the present moment, his stock will be on the decline until his Pro Day.

At his best, Bryant is a purely productive wide out who has all of the tools to be successful at the professional level.

Reports indicate he will be 100 percent at his Pro Day, so we should expect to see the usual flawless route-running and quick speed we expect from him.

2. Eric Decker (Minnesota)

Bench Press (15)

There is something to be said about showing up at the bench and putting up decent numbers, but without any further results at the Combine, it’s hard to really put Decker’s abilities in perspective.

Decker’s size has been a concern for scouts this offseason, but he has great hands, a very good feel for the route tree, and the physicality needed to be a lethal slot receiver, he just has to show us.

3. Brandon LaFell (LSU)

40-Yard Dash (4.59)  3-Cone Drill (6.81)  Broad Jump (9’05″)

LaFell really failed to impress at the Combine, putting up a marginal 40-Yard and finishing near the bottom of those who chose to run the Three-Cone.

His size is a strong contributor to his slow time, but he needs to be faster to eclipse an early-mid round selection.

We expect someone with LaFell’s size to have better lower-body strength but his low broad jump shows us there is still work to be done.

LaFell’s production at LSU was so-so late in his career but a decent Pro Day at Death Valley may make up for all of it.

4. Dez Briscoe (Kansas)

40-Yard Dash (4.61)  Bench Press (9)

Briscoe looked legitimate at the Senior Bowl but his Combine numbers were not as impressive as many would have liked to see.

His performance at the bench was minimal at best and his 40-yard still needs a lot of work.

As a wideout, Briscoe is physical and tough but he’s not quite a polished product just yet. Despite concerns over his attitude and willingness to play the game, Briscoe will still be talked about with great aplomb in April.

5. Mike Williams (Syracuse)

40-Yard (4.45)  Bench Press (8)  Vertical Jump (33.5)

Despite running a good 40-yard, Williams failed to show us anything more with a downright bad performance at the bench and marginal jumping capabilities at the vertical.

Williams isn’t in the elite bracket of receivers, but a good showing at the Senior Bowl had his stock go up considerably.

Now, it looks as if he has fallen back to mediocrity and that’s where he’ll stay until he gets a shot at redemption on Syracuse’s Pro Day.

This year’s class of running backs is a little ambiguous, but the top recruits are starting to take shape before our very eyes.

The Combine is a good place to see the prospects out of their own comfort zone and away from familiarity. So, with that being said, here are a few players that did well in Indianapolis and a few that failed to impress.

For a look at the Quarterbacks, click here.

Players Whose Stock Went Up

1. Ben Tate (Auburn)

40-yard Dash (4.43)  Bench Press (26)  Vertical Jump (40.5)  3-Cone Drill (6.91)

Broad Jump (10’4″)

Ben Tate really impressed at the Combine, running a third-best 40-yar dash and leading the pack in the bench press and vertical jump. His rare combination of elite upper and lower body strength was a refreshing sight to see.

Tate came out of Auburn without the amount of recognition his fellow SEC backs garnered, but he has until March 9th, when Auburn holds their Pro Day, to further impress the critics and improve his game.

2. Jahvid Best (Cal)

40-Yard Dash (4.35)  Bench Press (18)  3-Cone Drill (6.75)  Broad Jump (9’3″)

Jahvid really did look his “best” at the Combine, posting the fastest 40-yard dash and 3-Cone drill of all other backs. His workout video showed a back that can change directions on a dime and turn on the jets once he turns the corner.

There are still concerns that the nagging injuries throughout his career at Cal is a strong indicator to his durability, but Best is confident he can take the hits at the next level. Though he’s not built like the prototypical running back, Best’s stock is better than it’s ever been at this point.

3. Ryan Mathews (Fresno State)

40-Yard Dash (4.53)  Bench Press (19)  Vertical Jump (36.0)  Broad Jump (10’1″)

Until recently, Mathews wasn’t grouped with the likes of Best and Spiller, but after a raving performance at the Combine, it’s looking more and more like he has a chance to make a first-round berth.

Mathews has the build of an NFL-ready running back and though he didn’t finish first in any of the categories, his numbers are strong. He can catch out of the backfield and he’ll have an opportunity to lower that 4.53 40-yard at Fresno States’ Pro Day on March 17th.

4. C.J. Spiller (Clemson)

40-Yard Dash (4.37)  Bench Press (18)

Spiller didn’t participate in all of the drills in Indianapolis, but he is still considered to be the top running back prospect in his class. His 4.37 40-yard dash will likely be faster at his Pro Day, but until then, all we can do is wait.

Spiller is an explosive back who has the potential to be a legitimate game-breaker at the next level. His bench press numbers, though not especially impressive, are solid for his size and speak volumes about his physicality as a runner.

5. Montario Hardesty (Tennessee)

40-Yard Dash (4.49)  Bench Press (21)  Vertical Jump (41.0)  3-Cone Drill (6.87)

Broad Jump (10’4″)

Hardesty came out of the ’09 season as a late-round prospect, someone who could contribute immediately as a third-round back, and maybe more. Now, Hardesty is coming into his own; his combine showed solid upper and lower body strength as he posted the day’s best vertical leap and middle-of-the-road bench stats.

Physically, he has all of the tangibles you look for. He runs like a tank and, once he gets to his second gear, it’s hard to bring him down. There’s still an air of obscurity surrounding camp Hardesty, but with a Pro Day on March 17th, he has plenty of time to answer the questions.

Players Whose Stock Went Down

1. Jonathan Dwyer (Georgia Tech)

40-Yard Dash (4.59)  Bench Press (15)  Broad Jump (8’11″)

Dwyer failed to impress anyone with his numbers at the Combine, but many scouts still hold him in high regard as a late blessing for any team lucky enough to chance upon him in later rounds.

Hopefully, Dwyer will spend more time in the weight room and have a better Pro Day. He has the prototypical build of an every-down back in the NFL, but his speed is a concern for anyone unwilling to put up big numbers for a potential bust.

2. Joique Bell (Wayne State)

40-Yard Dash (4.65)  Vertical Jump (36.5)  3-Cone Drill (6.84)  Broad Jump (10′)

Bell ran a disappointing 40-yard dash at the combine and, while the eyes of the media aren’t focused on him anyway, he had a tremendous Senior Bowl and has the potential to be an effective backup at the professional level.

What he lacks in straight-line speed, Bell makes up for it with great lateral quickness. He has soft hands out of the backfield, as well. Wayne State will not be holding a Pro Day for Bell but Central Michigan’s Dan Lefevour has invited Bell to join him at his Pro Day instead.

3. Dexter McCluster (Ole Miss)

40-Yard Dash (4.58)  Bench Press (20)  Vertical Jump (37.5)  Broad Jump (9’10″)

After the Senior Bowl, it looked like McCluster was destined to be among the top prospects in April, but a disappointing 40-yard dash at the Combine has hurt his stock. McCluster posted up impressive numbers at Ole Miss as a back and a wideout and I expect scouts to put more weight into his tape than his raw numbers, but he sure didn’t help himself at all.

McCluster will have another shot to run a better 40-yrad dash during his Pro Day, but until then, he looks like a late second or third round pick, a guy that can be an immediate contributor as a third-down back.

4. LeGarrette Blount (Oregon)

40-Yard Dash (4.62)  Bench Press (19)  3-Cone Drill (6.85)  Broad Jump (9’9″)

After being suspended early in the ’09 season and suffering from injuries afterwards, it looked like Blount was bound for a late-round selection. Well, nothing much has changed. A disinterested performance in the Combine has taken even more attention off of the former Duck.

His inconsistencies at Oregon was a concern then and his inconsistent numbers are a concern now. He has the physicality of an NFL running back but the slow 40-yard dash and a lachrymose performance overall is only hurting his stock.

5. Charles Scott (LSU)

40-Yard Dash (4.67)  3-Cone Drill (6.98)  Broad Jump (9’3″)

Scott is another player whose size prohibits him from garnering a label of “explosive back” but every team is looking for a back with physicality and speed. Scott posted the slowest 3-Cone time out of all other backs who opted to run it and finished in the bottom of every other category.

More than a few agencies had Scott pegged as early-mid round prospect but his failure to impress at the Combine may have hurt those chances.

Florida’s Tim Tebow, Texas’ Colt McCoy, Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, and Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen have all decided to wait until their prospective pro days to preform the throwing drills scouts look at in the combine.

Dan Lefevour also declined to throw to moving targets, opting instead to throw at stationary targets. He has stated he will make a full appearance of his ball skills at his pro day, a tactic that some call cowardly, but in reality it’s nothing less than what the other major names have decided upon.

Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen have declined to participate in any of the workout drills.

Post-combine, a few players really stood out while others fell to static performance.

Stock Rising

1. Dan Lefevour (Central Michigan)

40-yard Dash (4.66)  3-Cone Drill (6.93)  Broad Jump (9’2″)

Lefevour’s decline to throw at moving targets hurt his draft stock, but only a little. He ran the second fastest 40-yard time of any quarterback at the draft, another indicator he has the ability to escape pressure at the next level.

Like most elite college quarterbacks, Lefevour comes from a spread offense. Come pro day, the focus will be on his footwork (three, five, and seven step drop back), and whether or not his release is compact enough. Until now, though, it looks like Lefevour’s original sixth-seventh round projection is no more.

2. Daryll Clark (Penn State)

Bench Press (21)

Clark is still considered a quarterback who belongs in later rounds and, while he didn’t perform at all the drills in Indianapolis, he dominated in the bench press room. His elite upper body strength has scouts eying him for a position in a Wildcat style of offense, but Penn State’s pro day could prove that he has more capabilities.

If anything, Clark’s twenty one repetitions on the bench just shows his commitment in the weight room. A lot of guys show up at the combine after a “cramming” session with the weights, but Clark’s performance shows a constant level of conditioning and a history of muscle building.

3. Zac Robinson (Oklahoma State)

40-yard Dash (4.71)  Vertical Jump (35.0)  Broad Jump (9’2″)

Robinson came out of the Senior Bowl with accolades of greatness circling his limited, though undoubtedly successful performance late in the fourth quarter. His measurements at the combine didn’t fail to impress either.

He beat out Tim Tebow in his 40-yard and finished second in the vertical jump to, ironically, Tim Tebow. He has the athleticism to compete at the next level and we would should see nothing but good things at Stillwater’s pro day.

4. Jarrett Brown (West Virginia)

40-yard Dash (4.54)  Vertical Jump (34.5)  Broad Jump (9’6″)

We already new Brown was fast, but holding the fastest 40-yard at the combine confirms that in ways that tape can only assume. He had the third highest vertical jump and tied for third highest broad jump.

During the year, we saw inconsistencies from Brown, but his athleticism shows promise and the potential to play in a Wildcat formation only elevates his stock.

5. Tim Tebow (Florida)

40-yard Dash (4.72)  Vertical Jump (38.5)  3-Cone Drill (6.66)  Broad Jump (9’07)

Arguably one of the most-watched prospects entering the combine, Tebow has a lot to prove with his throwing ability, but his physical tangibles are elite, to say the least. He set a record with his vertical leap and finished in the top three in every other category.

We won’t see how he throws until Florida holds its pro day later in the month, but based off of what he showed us in Indianapolis, it’s safe to say Tebow is still the most athletically-gifted quarterback going into April.

Stock Falling

1. Tony Pike (Cincinnati)

40-yard Dash (4.92)  3-Cone Drill (7.06)  Broad Jump (9’0″)

Tony Pike didn’t disappoint at the combine so much as he failed to impress. He saw the majority of his action lined up against Oklahoma State’s Zac Robinson. Both did well with the QB drills, but Pike’s balls were a little wobbly and his high release didn’t look great.

As an athlete alone, he ran a slow 40-yard and 3-Cone drill and even his broad jump didn’t eclipse any of his pre-assumed numbers. Few consider Pike to be an especially athletic quarterback, but it would have been nice to see better numbers out of the Cincinnati journeyman.

2. Max Hall (BYU)

40-yard Dash (4.87)  Vertical Jump (32.0)  3-Cone Drill (7.07)  Broad Jump (8’6″)

Again, Hall isn’t considered an athletic prospect as much as a pure thrower. Even his quarterback drills in Indianapolis weren’t great, though. He didn’t show a mastered grasp on his drop backs and, in a bracket with Sam Bradford, he needed that to really shine.

His other drill numbers also failed to impress. A relatively quick 40-yard isn’t enough to cover up the fact that he had a marginal vertical and a downright bad broad jump. An NFL quarterback takes a number of hits in a game and lower body strength is important in a league where pass rushers are constantly coming after you.

3. John Skelton (Fordham)

40-yard Dash (4.85)  Vertical Jump (33.5)  Broad Jump (9’0″)

At the combine, it was easy to see why Skelton was listed so low on the list of NFL-ready quarterbacks. According to Rob Rang of NFLdraftscout.com, Skelton was “wildly erratic, especially early in the gauntlet drills. His high and wide throws consistently forced receivers to adjust, throwing off their balance and timing.”

Skelton will continue to watch his draft stock stagnate going into April, but a good pro day could potentially help him.

4. Sean Canfield (Oregon State)

40-yard Dash (4.99)  Broad Jump (8’4″)

Canfield looked so-so at the Senior Bowl and didn’t help his chances much at the combine. His 40-yard time was one of the slower on the days and his broad jump spoke volumes about his lower-body strength.

The true concerns of Canfield circulate his exaggerated windup and his slow release. He failed to impress with his deep ball, as well. All in all, it looks like Canfield will have to shine at his pro day in order to look any better than a perennial back-up at this point.

5. Colt McCoy (Texas)

40-yard Dash (4.79)  Broad Jump (9’6″)

This may come as a surprise to most people, as McCoy is considered one of the top quarterback prospects coming into the draft. However, unlike the others, McCoy isn’t considered a lock for the first round so the decision to not throw has left him in a static state.

His late-season injury has been cleared but without a proper showing of his physical tangibles, McCoy can only sit and watch the disinterest build up.

The combine is where current stars like Chris Johnson first burst onto the scene, and, in recent years, many an NFL draft board has been altered in major ways after witnessing surprising combine performances.

So, without further adieu, let’s see whose draft stock may have taken a hit, and whose may have upped their draft value.

This will be organized by listing the top five at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver.

Quarterbacks:

Note: A few of the top-ranked QB’s have elected not to throw at the combine, and their stock may not be affected much by combine performance.

Sam Bradford (Oklahoma)

N/A

Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame)

N/A

Colt McCoy (Texas)

40 yard dash (4.79), Broad Jump (9’06″)

We know McCoy enjoys great success with his scrambling ability, and his 40 yard dash time was near the top of the board for quarterbacks.

However, as with all quarterbacks, his draft stock lies with how he looks once he throws for the scouts, which he won’t be doing in Indianapolis.

Tim Tebow (Florida)

40 yard dash (4.72), Vertical Jump (38.5), Broad Jump (9’07″)

Obviously, no quarterback comes into this draft process with more question marks than Tim Tebow.

How will his college performance and style of play translate to the NFL?

Tebow will wait to unveil his new throwing motion at Florida’s upcoming Pro Day, and, as I mentioned previously, that is the key.

However, he set a QB combine record for the vertical, and his 40 time was impressive as well.

There’s no doubting his athleticism.

Tony Pike (Cincinnati)

40 yard dash (4.92), Broad Jump (9’0″)

Pike isn’t expected to be a particularly high pick, but he enjoyed a solid enough senior season to be a potential steal somewhere later in the draft.

Running Backs

Jahvid Best (California)

40 yard dash (4.35), Bench Press (18 reps), Broad Jump (9’03″)

Best’s injury that ended his season last season has been of some concern to potential NFL suitors, but his performance at the combine has certainly helped him.

He ran the top 40 time amongst all running backs, and the physical tools appear to be there for him to be a solid pro back.

Ryan Matthews (Fresno State)

40 yard dash (4.45), Bench Press (19 reps), Vertical (36), Broad Jump (10’01″)

Mathews’ draft stock may have been given the biggest shot of life by his performance in the 40.

His 4.45 was much quicker than expected, and he’s big enough to be a bruiser in the NFL.

Pro teams salivate over backs with as many physical tools as Mathews, and if you add in the speed he clearly possesses, he may have made himself into a first-rounder.

CJ Spiller (Clemson)

40 yard dash (4.37), Bench Press (18 reps).

Spiller was a Heisman candidate this season, and he’s helped himself as well with his combine performance to this point.

His 40 time was second best amongst all running backs, and he’s been known as an electrifying runner throughout his college career.

He’ll likely be a first round pick, and could be the first running back taken.

Toby Gerhart (Stanford)

40 yard dash (4.53), Bench Press (22 reps), Vertical (38), Broad Jump (9’10″)

Gerhart, like Tebow, is an intriguing prospect.

He was a surprise Heisman finalist, but it’s unclear how he’ll translate to the pros.

He was helped by his 40 time, which was lower than most expected it would be. He’s certainly strong and well-built physically.

His stock appears to be on the rise as well.

Dexter McCluster (Ole Miss)

40 yard dash (4.58), Bench Press (20 reps), Vertical (37.5), Broad Jump (9’10″)

McCluster, expected by most to be a potential Chris Johnson-like player, performed disappointingly on the 40.

His 4.58 was much slower than expected, and his small frame certainly doesn’t help the matter.

He’s expected to be a speedy, explosive-type back, but, based on combine performance, his stock may have taken a hit.

Wide Receivers:

Dez Bryant (Oklahoma State)

N/A

Arrelious Benn (Illinois)

40 yard dash (4.48), Bench Press (20 reps), Vertical (37), Broad Jump (9’10″)

Benn has been all over draft boards, but lately, he’s been seen rising a bit.

He ran a very good 40, and his athleticism was displayed well in the jumping drills as well.

He got lost in the fold by playing at Illinois, but he’s certainly a rising talent.

Damian Williams (USC)

40 yard dash (4.53), Bench Press (19 reps), Vertical (38)

Williams has been spotted in the first round of various mock drafts, but he’s also been dropped as low as the third round.

Based on everything so far, he seems destined to be a second round selection.

Golden Tate (Notre Dame)

40 yard dash (4.42), Bench Press (17 reps), Broad Jump (10′)

Tate is typically the second-ranked wide receiver in mock drafts, and his stellar 40 time likely helped his stock a bit.

He played with a very good college QB in Jimmy Clausen, so he was able to display his talent frequently at Notre Dame.

I’d say his stock will continue to rise, and he’ll be the second receiver taken, behind Dez Bryant.

Brandon LaFell (LSU)

40 yard dash (4.59), Broad Jump (9’05″)

Faller.

His 40 time was a major disappointment, and his broad jump didn’t jump off the page, either.

He’s struggled with catching the ball throughout his career at LSU…which isn’t good for a wide receiver…obviously.

It’s unclear as to how high he could go, but his combine performance so far isn’t helping him.