The NFL’s annual combine is upon us, and there may not be a more important time for risers and fallers.
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.
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