With Draft season in full gear, we now enter the highly anticipated NFL Combine, which every Draft nut loves!
Last year I previewed 10 different players who I thought would have strong performances at the NFL Combine. It was lots of fun doing that list, so I felt it would be good to carry on the tradition this year. But I want to go a step further, and will prognosticate 5 players who should underwhelm scouts this week.
On an administrative note, I should have another mock draft coming out soon. So, please check back again to see when it’s up.
Top 10 Players To Watch at NFL Combine
- NFL Combine (NFL.com)
10) Chad Jones
At 6’3 and 230 pounds, the two-sport star for LSU is the unhyped equivalent of Taylor Mays. I expect him to have a very well balanced performance, impressing scouts with his strength, speed, and explosion.
9) Bruce Campbell
The most impressive offensive line specimen is certainly Bruce Campbell from Maryland. Measuring 6’7 and 310 pounds, Campbell will leave scouts talking about his physique, quick feet, and noteworthy strength on the bench press. With a solid performance, he will be able to distinguish himself as the best OT in the second tier (behind the big four) and a sure-fire 1st round pick.
8 ) Carlos Dunlap
Expected to run in the 4.6 range, Dunlap is as blessed physically(6’6/290 lbs) as any defensive end to come out in the last decade. The only reason he isn’t ranked higher is that he could really struggle in interviews, which could kill any momentum he might gain in Indy.
7) Sergio Kindle
The Texas star is a fantastic athlete. He takes after his former teammate, Brian Orakpo, except that he is faster, but not as strong. Don’t be surprised if he runs a low 4.5 40 yard dash.
6) Jason Pierre-Paul
barring a disaster Wonderlic test and interview (which could happen), Jason Pierre-Paul is the athlete on the edge that NFL teams demand. 6’6, 265 lbs, and super long arms will have the scouts salivating. He should run around a 4.6 40 yard dash, and will jump a very high vertical, but will struggle on the bench press because of his long arms.
5) Joe Haden
Basically the defensive version of Percy Harvin, Joe Haden should post top marks in nearly every category. He is just a freakishly gifted corner. Look out for an especially strong performance in position drills.
4) Brandon Graham
Another Mike Barwis product, Graham has outstanding strength and explosion. After his performance in Indy, teams will be comparing him to Dwight Freeney, who also dominated at the combine. I predict 30+ bench reps, and Graham has said he wants to run in the 4.5 range. His only obstacle might come in linebacker drills.
3) Taylor Mays
Probably the most hyped athlete/football player of the last couple years, Mays will shine in this venue. He will be a top performer in all but the agility drills.
2) Ndamukong Suh
Super strong man Suh will have fantastic interviews, in addition to his expected triumphs on the bench press and in agility drills. Anything less than 35 reps will surprise me.
1) C.J. Spiller
No player should have more momentum going into the draft if Spiller runs the sub 4.3 40 time that some expect from him. After this week, he will be compared to the young Chris Johnson, who ran a blazing 4.24 two years ago.
Top 5 Players Who Will Underwhelm
5) Rolando McClain
Alabama prospects haven’t done well recently at the Combine. McClain will have to answer questions about his strength, burst, and range. A slow time in the 40 will silence talk of him going early in the 1st round.
4) Derrick Morgan
Productivity doesn’t mean a thing at the combine. Morgan lacks burst, and could be just an average performer.
3) Jimmy Clausen
The weigh-in will make ore break Clausen’s draft chances. If he measures around 6’1, instead of his listed 6’3, then he could fall a lot in April.
2) Brandon Spikes
Despite being very strong, Spikes is expected to run around the 5.0 mark in the 40. I don’t need to tell you how much that can hurt his chances of being a 1st round pick.
1) Terrence Cody
After the shirtless fiasco in Mobile, Cody will have done nothing to the change the perception that his is a two-down player. His long arms will hurt his bench press, and really the only way he could help himself is if he does all the drills to dismiss comparisons to his former teammate Andre Smith.
Take this invitation to post your predictions below. I would love to hear what you have to say!
Another good post, David. Every year I tell myself that I’m going to completely ignore the NFL Combine because I hate it when scouts put more stock in a prospect’s timed forty than they do in his actual collegiate production. I just feel like there’s much more to a football player than his physical measurables. That being said, I always ultimately wind up getting roped into paying close attention to the event nonetheless. I guess it fills the football void. Anyway, all this is to say that I think your article has me hooked yet again this year.
By the way, just for the heck of it, who do you see being this year’s incarnation of Troy Williamson/Darrius Heyward-Bey/Fabian Washington/Chris Henry? The workout warrior with great speed but little future in the NFL?
Ghost,
I never like betting against players, but since you asked, my gut feeling is maybe a guy like Trindon Holliday. It could be him or even a guy like Patrick Robinson from FSU. He has all the talent in the world, but isnt quite as tough or hardworking as you would hope. He is a boom or bust type.