INDIANAPOLIS — Monday was another high-profile day at the NFL Scouting Combine, as defensive linemen — including top prospects Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy — and linebackers took center stage. Sporting News draft expert Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts analyze the biggest moments of the day:
To hear scouts say it, Ndamukong Suh leaped ahead in the race for top prospect.
• Suh had a very good day, looking very agile, quick and athletic throughout his workout. Though McCoy had a solid day, most came away saying Suh outperformed McCoy. There was also some lingering surprise at McCoy being able to record only 23 reps in the 225-pound bench press. Suh, meanwhile, put up 32 reps. Suh (6-3 7/8, 307) posted times of 5.02 and 5.09 in the 40 and recorded a vertical jump of 35 1/2. McCoy (6-4 1/8, 295) posted times of 5.00 and a 5.10 in the 40 and a vertical jump of 30 1/2.
• Georgia Tech DE Derrick Morgan turned in a strong performance. Not only did he run well (high 4.6s) at 266 pounds, but he impressed teams with his agility, quickness, burst and athleticism.
• After running very well in the 40-yard dash, recording a time in the 4.6s, Missouri LB Sean Weatherspoon shined throughout his workout. He showed the smooth and fluid movement skills, quickness, agility and burst that NFL teams love. The athleticism he displayed Monday should help his draft value because teams will now consider him a versatile prospect who can play any linebacker position in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme.
• It was a mixed bag for Alabama DT Terrence Cody. He helped himself Sunday by posting a weight of 354 pounds after weighing 370 at the Senior Bowl. Then on the field Monday, he showed rare natural strength in the double-team drills. It was clear two blockers could not move him. However, he did not show burst or quickness in the first 10 yards of his 40 and posted a time in the high 5.6s/low 5.7s. Overally, he did not display the athleticism, quickness or burst in drills to convince teams he can be more than a two-down run-stopper.
For information and analysis on these and many other players, see the latest Combine Dish in SN’s Pro Football War Room.
For more than 640 player scouting reports from Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated Mock Draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
INDIANAPOLIS — Monday was another high-profile day at the NFL Scouting Combine, as defensive linemen — including top prospects Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy — and linebackers took center stage. Sporting News draft expert Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts analyze the biggest moments of the day:
To hear scouts say it, Ndamukong Suh leaped ahead in the race for top prospect.
• Suh had a very good day, looking very agile, quick and athletic throughout his workout. Though McCoy had a solid day, most came away saying Suh outperformed McCoy. There was also some lingering surprise at McCoy being able to record only 23 reps in the 225-pound bench press. Suh, meanwhile, put up 32 reps. Suh (6-3 7/8, 307) posted times of 5.02 and 5.09 in the 40 and recorded a vertical jump of 35 1/2. McCoy (6-4 1/8, 295) posted times of 5.00 and a 5.10 in the 40 and a vertical jump of 30 1/2.
• Georgia Tech DE Derrick Morgan turned in a strong performance. Not only did he run well (high 4.6s) at 266 pounds, but he impressed teams with his agility, quickness, burst and athleticism.
• After running very well in the 40-yard dash, recording a time in the 4.6s, Missouri LB Sean Weatherspoon shined throughout his workout. He showed the smooth and fluid movement skills, quickness, agility and burst that NFL teams love. The athleticism he displayed Monday should help his draft value because teams will now consider him a versatile prospect who can play any linebacker position in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme.
• It was a mixed bag for Alabama DT Terrence Cody. He helped himself Sunday by posting a weight of 354 pounds after weighing 370 at the Senior Bowl. Then on the field Monday, he showed rare natural strength in the double-team drills. It was clear two blockers could not move him. However, he did not show burst or quickness in the first 10 yards of his 40 and posted a time in the high 5.6s/low 5.7s. Overally, he did not display the athleticism, quickness or burst in drills to convince teams he can be more than a two-down run-stopper.
For information and analysis on these and many other players, see the latest Combine Dish in SN’s Pro Football War Room.
For more than 640 player scouting reports from Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated Mock Draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
INDIANAPOLIS — Sunday was a high-profile day at the NFL Scouting Combine with running backs and wide receivers running the 40-yard dash and quarterbacks throwing. An analytical look at the biggest moments of the day:
Tim Tebow makes an impression at the Combine, but he still needs to show he can throw the ball.
• Florida QB Tim Tebow, who is working on improving his passing mechanics, chose not to throw Sunday but still was able to improve his draft stock. Coaches and personnel men gave him high marks in one-on-one interviews, and he shined during his workout Sunday. He ran the 40-yard dashes in the 4.7-second range, not "running back fast" but faster than most all current NFL quarterbacks, and performed well in other drills. He showed good athleticism for a quarterback, which should help him to make plays outside the pocket in the NFL. That said, the major factor in where Tebow is drafted is how he throws in his on-campus workout March 17.
• Notre Dame WR Golden Tate had an interesting day, helping and hurting his draft stock. After running the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds Sunday, scouts will go back to his film to take a second look to see if they can find proof to back up that time. On the downside, he struggled to catch the ball in the "Gauntlet Drill" and must do much better at his pro day workout to prove that Sunday’s struggles were an aberration. It is a concern that he allows so many passes to get into his body and thus ends up fighting or dropping the ball too often. Bottom line: If Tate catches the ball well March 23, his boost of speed at the Combine should cement a spot at the bottom of the first round.
• Clemson WR Jacoby Ford continued his strong offseason by posting the fastest 40-yard dash of the Combine — 4.28 seconds. After shining at the Senior Bowl and showing great athleticism, quickness and burst to make plays as a slot receiver, he blew our doors off with his 40 time. Despite his size (5-8 5/8, 181), he pretty much now is assured of being a second- or third-round pick.
For information and analysis on these and many other players, see the latest Combine Dish in SN’s Pro Football War Room.
For more than 640 player scouting reports from Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated Mock Draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
INDIANAPOLIS — Sunday was a high-profile day at the NFL Scouting Combine with running backs and wide receivers running the 40-yard dash and quarterbacks throwing. An analytical look at the biggest moments of the day:
Tim Tebow makes an impression at the Combine, but he still needs to show he can throw the ball.
• Florida QB Tim Tebow, who is working on improving his passing mechanics, chose not to throw Sunday but still was able to improve his draft stock. Coaches and personnel men gave him high marks in one-on-one interviews, and he shined during his workout Sunday. He ran the 40-yard dashes in the 4.7-second range, not "running back fast" but faster than most all current NFL quarterbacks, and performed well in other drills. He showed good athleticism for a quarterback, which should help him to make plays outside the pocket in the NFL. That said, the major factor in where Tebow is drafted is how he throws in his on-campus workout March 17.
• Notre Dame WR Golden Tate had an interesting day, helping and hurting his draft stock. After running the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds Sunday, scouts will go back to his film to take a second look to see if they can find proof to back up that time. On the downside, he struggled to catch the ball in the "Gauntlet Drill" and must do much better at his pro day workout to prove that Sunday’s struggles were an aberration. It is a concern that he allows so many passes to get into his body and thus ends up fighting or dropping the ball too often. Bottom line: If Tate catches the ball well March 23, his boost of speed at the Combine should cement a spot at the bottom of the first round.
• Clemson WR Jacoby Ford continued his strong offseason by posting the fastest 40-yard dash of the Combine — 4.28 seconds. After shining at the Senior Bowl and showing great athleticism, quickness and burst to make plays as a slot receiver, he blew our doors off with his 40 time. Despite his size (5-8 5/8, 181), he pretty much now is assured of being a second- or third-round pick.
For information and analysis on these and many other players, see the latest Combine Dish in SN’s Pro Football War Room.
For more than 640 player scouting reports from Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated Mock Draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
INDIANAPOLIS — Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts take a look at some of the players most affected by what happened on the scales.
With a bullet: Expect Bruce Campbell to rocket up some boards.
• Maryland OT Bruce Campbell has been the early star of the Combine. He was impressive at Friday’s weigh-in, then stunned scouts on Saturday. Campbell ran the 40 in 4.85 seconds, and in position drills he looked like the elite athlete he is built to be.
• Oklahoma’s Trent Williams, one of the top-rated tackles entering the Combine, showed elite quickness in the kick-slide drills and ran a 4.88 40, putting to rest any questions that he isn’t athletic enough to play left tackle in the NFL.
• While some still list Indiana OL Rodger Saffold at guard, he was the most impressive left tackle during the postseason all-star games. He continued to improve his stock Saturday, showing great quickness and agility in position drills.
• Pitt TE Dorin Dickerson ran a blazing 40 (unofficially 4.40 seconds) and produced a 43-inch vertical jump, both of which will likely improve his stock. When we evaluated him on film and at the Senior Bowl, however, he looked to be more of a straight-line athlete who does not show the fluidity in his hips, even as a tight end, to consistently gain separation against NFL linebackers.
For information and analysis on these and many other players, see the latest Combine Dish in SN’s Pro Football War Room.
For more than 640 player scouting reports from Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated Mock Draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
INDIANAPOLIS — Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts take a look at some of the players most affected by what happened on the scales.
With a bullet: Expect Bruce Campbell to rocket up some boards.
• Maryland OT Bruce Campbell has been the early star of the Combine. He was impressive at Friday’s weigh-in, then stunned scouts on Saturday. Campbell ran the 40 in 4.85 seconds, and in position drills he looked like the elite athlete he is built to be.
• Oklahoma’s Trent Williams, one of the top-rated tackles entering the Combine, showed elite quickness in the kick-slide drills and ran a 4.88 40, putting to rest any questions that he isn’t athletic enough to play left tackle in the NFL.
• While some still list Indiana OL Rodger Saffold at guard, he was the most impressive left tackle during the postseason all-star games. He continued to improve his stock Saturday, showing great quickness and agility in position drills.
• Pitt TE Dorin Dickerson ran a blazing 40 (unofficially 4.40 seconds) and produced a 43-inch vertical jump, both of which will likely improve his stock. When we evaluated him on film and at the Senior Bowl, however, he looked to be more of a straight-line athlete who does not show the fluidity in his hips, even as a tight end, to consistently gain separation against NFL linebackers.
For information and analysis on these and many other players, see the latest Combine Dish in SN’s Pro Football War Room.
For more than 640 player scouting reports from Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated Mock Draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
INDIANAPOLIS — A second group of players — quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs — was measured Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine. Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts take a look at some of the players most affected by what happened on the scales.
Questions remain about whether C.J. Spiller has the bulk to hand NFL pounding.
• After being measured at 5-10 5/8, 196 pounds, Clemson RB C.J. Spiller didn’t quell concerns about his lack of size and bulk. Though we have no doubt about his ability to be an impact back in the NFL, his weight of less than 200 pounds will definitely cause some teams to question his ability to be a durable NFL back.
• LSU RB Charles Scott, who missed the end of the 2009 season with a broken collarbone, looked good at 5-11 3/8, 238 pounds.
• SMU RB Shawnbrey McNeal measured in at 5-9 1/8, 194, confirming what scouts had originally thought: He likely will be a third-down back, not a feature back.
• Marshall RB Darius Marshall‘s measurements (5-9 1/4, 190) were almost identical to McNeal’s and confirmed that he likely will be a third-down back.
• Fresno State’s Ryan Mathews (5-11 5/8, 218) had measurements that scouts expected. But they would have loved for him to check in a bit bigger as a potential power back.
• Scouts were happy with Stanford’s Toby Gerhart‘s numbers (6-0, 231), which showed he has the build to be a power back in the NFL. Teams were probably happy that he was only 6 feet because taller backs tend to absorb more punishment.
Unlike Spiller, Toby Gerhart has the size and bulk teams want in a power back.
• Georgia Tech RB Jonathan Dwyer checked in well at 5-11 1/4, 229, easing concerns that he would show up out of shape. If he runs well on Sunday, he could lock up a spot in the top 15.
• Cal RB Jahvid Best measured in at 5-10 1/8, 199. He was a little bigger than expected, but his weight didn’t eliminate concerns that he may not be able to handle a full-time role.
• Georgia Tech WR Demaryius Thomas helped himself by measuring in at 6-3 1/4, 224, with 35.5-inch hands. If he is able to get healthy between now and the draft–he broke his foot last week–he still has a chance to be one of the first receivers selected.
• South Florida WR Carlton Mitchell (6-2 7/8, 215) showed excellent size to complement his impressive work on film. He has the chance to rise up boards as high as the second round.
• Norfolk State’s Chris Bell (6-2 1/8, 211) helped his draft status by checking in at 6-2 1/8, 211. That’s good size for a small-school prospect who was already regarded as athletic and explosive.
Other players were weighed and measured Friday as well. They include Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, Dez Bryant, Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate. For information and analysis on those players, see the latest Combine Dish in SN’s Pro Football War Room.
For more than 200 player scouting reports from Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated Mock Draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
INDIANAPOLIS — A second group of players — quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs — was measured Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine. Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts take a look at some of the players most affected by what happened on the scales.
Questions remain about whether C.J. Spiller has the bulk to hand NFL pounding.
• After being measured at 5-10 5/8, 196 pounds, Clemson RB C.J. Spiller didn’t quell concerns about his lack of size and bulk. Though we have no doubt about his ability to be an impact back in the NFL, his weight of less than 200 pounds will definitely cause some teams to question his ability to be a durable NFL back.
• LSU RB Charles Scott, who missed the end of the 2009 season with a broken collarbone, looked good at 5-11 3/8, 238 pounds.
• SMU RB Shawnbrey McNeal measured in at 5-9 1/8, 194, confirming what scouts had originally thought: He likely will be a third-down back, not a feature back.
• Marshall RB Darius Marshall‘s measurements (5-9 1/4, 190) were almost identical to McNeal’s and confirmed that he likely will be a third-down back.
• Fresno State’s Ryan Mathews (5-11 5/8, 218) had measurements that scouts expected. But they would have loved for him to check in a bit bigger as a potential power back.
• Scouts were happy with Stanford’s Toby Gerhart‘s numbers (6-0, 231), which showed he has the build to be a power back in the NFL. Teams were probably happy that he was only 6 feet because taller backs tend to absorb more punishment.
Unlike Spiller, Toby Gerhart has the size and bulk teams want in a power back.
• Georgia Tech RB Jonathan Dwyer checked in well at 5-11 1/4, 229, easing concerns that he would show up out of shape. If he runs well on Sunday, he could lock up a spot in the top 15.
• Cal RB Jahvid Best measured in at 5-10 1/8, 199. He was a little bigger than expected, but his weight didn’t eliminate concerns that he may not be able to handle a full-time role.
• Georgia Tech WR Demaryius Thomas helped himself by measuring in at 6-3 1/4, 224, with 35.5-inch hands. If he is able to get healthy between now and the draft–he broke his foot last week–he still has a chance to be one of the first receivers selected.
• South Florida WR Carlton Mitchell (6-2 7/8, 215) showed excellent size to complement his impressive work on film. He has the chance to rise up boards as high as the second round.
• Norfolk State’s Chris Bell (6-2 1/8, 211) helped his draft status by checking in at 6-2 1/8, 211. That’s good size for a small-school prospect who was already regarded as athletic and explosive.
Other players were weighed and measured Friday as well. They include Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, Dez Bryant, Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate. For information and analysis on those players, see the latest Combine Dish in SN’s Pro Football War Room.
For more than 200 player scouting reports from Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated Mock Draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
Let the testing begin. The Scouting Combine kicked off Wednesday with interviews of offensive linemen, tight ends, kickers and punters. Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts examine players who need to step up in a specific area to help their stock in Indianapolis.
Arm strength
Colt McCoy, QB, Texas. During the season, McCoy’s arm strength was a question mark. Now, after injuring his right shoulder in the national championship game, he must prove he has enough of an arm to be more than a backup.
Sean Canfield, QB, Oregon State. On film, he showed a strong enough arm. But at the Senior Bowl, his release was slow and his passes lacked zip. He must reverse that perception in Indianapolis or he could end up falling to the sixth or seventh round.
The scouts at this week’s Combine will have one question in mind for Terrence Cody: Can he keep his weight under control?
Interviews
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame. Clausen needs to prove he is a mature kid who can handle the pressure of being a team leader in the NFL and deal with the adversity that comes with being a high draft pick.
LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon. Blount must make teams believe he is not a bad kid but rather an immature one who made a few mistakes in college.
Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida. He has to answer two questions: Does he have his off-field behavior under control? Why does his effort and intensity vary so much during games?
Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama. Cody must convince teams he will be able to control his weight once he gets money in his pocket. He didn’t allay those fears at the Senior Bowl.
Junior Galette, DE, Stillman. Gallette showed at the Texas vs. the Nation game that he has big-time athleticism and pass-rush skills. Now, he must convince teams that his off-field behavior is not going to be a consistent problem.
Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State. Cox is a very gifted cornerback with the size, strength, athleticism and instincts to be a late first-round or high second-round pick. But if he can’t convince teams that his off-field issues are a thing of the past, he will be a mid-round pick at best.
Mike Williams, WR, Syracuse. After flashing big-play ability and putting up good numbers in the first half of the 2009 season, Williams left the team. He must convince teams he is not going to be a distraction.
Physicals
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma. Few question Bradford’s ability as a passer, but if his shoulder does not check out he is not going to be a top-10 pick.
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame. Clausen’s toe/foot injury needs to check out completely for him to realistically challenge Bradford for the top QB spot in the draft.
Jahvid Best, RB, Cal. Best needs to get a clean bill of health. Otherwise, teams will be nervous about drafting a smaller back who has had concussion issues.
Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona. Gronkowski is a big, physical prospect who, in our view, is clearly the top tight end in the draft. After missing his junior season with a back injury, however, he must check out physically to prove his back will not be a long-term issue.
A quick 40 could boost Damian Williams’ draft stock.
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma. He is another highly-regarded prospect who missed the 2009 season due to injury. He needs his knee to pass inspection to merit late first-round, early second-round consideration.
40 times
Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford. Gerhart is a very good prospect, but there are concerns he lacks the explosiveness and speed to be a consistently effective outside runner and take runs the distance. A great 40 could vault Gerhart from second- and third-round consideration into the late first round.
Charles Scott, RB, LSU. He is a big, physical back whose strength is breaking tackles to gain yards after contact. However, there are concerns about his ability to make the quick cut and explode through the hole. Scott needs a strong 40 time and to do well in the vertical jump to ease those concerns.
Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee. Hardesty is a highly competitive runner who runs strong and aggressively. But he has not shown quickness and burst through the hole or the speed to take plays the distance, which causes running backs to fall down draft boards. He needs a good 40 to ease concerns.
LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon. Not only does Blount need to shine in interviews, but he needs to prove he has the quickness, burst and acceleration that he flashed at the Senior Bowl.
Damian Williams, WR, USC. Williams is a very quick, smooth and sharp receiver who was much better than expected when we evaluated his play on film. He consistently showed the ability to make big plays despite not showing top-level explosiveness or speed. With a good 40 and vertical jump, he can convince teams he has legitimate big-play ability.
Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU. LaFell struggled through a tough 2009 season in which he failed to cement himself as a first-round pick. If he does not run under a 4.60 40, his draft stock could slide into the third or fourth round.
Dezmon Briscoe, WR, Kansas. Briscoe was a highly productive receiver at Kansas and consistently made many big plays, but he has not shown explosiveness and top-end speed. Many scouts feel his big plays were more the result of Kansas’ wide open passing attack, so Briscoe must show he can run.
Mike Williams, WR, Syracuse. It’s important for him to show he can run for a big receiver, though it’s not as important as his interview.
Anthony McCoy, TE, USC. McCoy displayed smooth, fluid athleticism and very good hands at the Senior Bowl. But he did not show elite speed, so he needs to put up a good 40 to convince teams he can be a productive receiving tight end.
Jason Pierre-Paul needs to concentrate on a solid overall workout in order to convince teams he can play at the next level.
Workouts
Jimmy Graham, TE, Miami. In 2009, Graham played football for the first time since ninth grade and is one of the most talked about prospects right now. But he must prove he has elite athleticism to sustain his ascent and challenge for a spot in the second or third round.
Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers. He is a thickly built and strong tackle prospect, and teams want to get a close look at him to determine whether he has the athleticism to play left tackle in the NFL or if he is merely a right tackle.
Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland. Campbell is a highly regarded tackle prospect who flashes big-time athleticism but does not show it consistently. During his workout, he needs to prove he has elite athletic ability if he hopes to challenge Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung and Oklahoma’s Trent Williams as the top tackle.
Mitch Petrus, G, Arkansas. Petrus has shown good athletic ability on film but did not display it consistently at the Senior Bowl. He needs to prove he has it in his workout if he wants to be drafted as early as the third round.
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida. He is getting raves about his rare explosiveness and athleticism, which could allow him to develop into a very dangerous pass rusher. But he must prove it in his workout to maintain his draft status because his on-field play is still raw and lacks consistency.
Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida. No one doubts Dunlap’s combination of size, long arms, quickness and speed, but his tendency to play upright and straight-legged and his inability to consistently change directions quickly have led some to think he is a straight-line athlete who lacks good all-around athleticism. He must shine in his workout to make sure he is considered an elite athlete who just lacks consistency.
Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU. Hughes is an undersized end who lacks great explosiveness off the ball, so he needs a big workout to convince teams he has the athleticism to stand up and play outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Otherwise, he will likely be classified only as a 4-3 end, which could really hurt his draft status.
Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas. In each game last season, Houston’s play improved and he showed the quickness, agility and athleticism to defeat blocks and make plays. But at the Senior Bowl, he looked ordinary as an athlete. To be drafted higher than the fourth round, he must prove he is the athlete he showed on film.
Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama. Because he is very smart and instinctive, McClain is able to consistently play quicker and faster than his timed speed. Still, he needs to run well and work out well to prove to teams he has the athleticism to be productive outside of the hash marks and in coverage.
Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida. Spikes is a similar player to McClain and needs to work out well to show he can play sideline-to-sideline and cover well.
Former NFL scout Russ Lande evaluates college players for Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room and GM Jr. Scouting LLC.
Let the testing begin. The Scouting Combine kicked off Wednesday with interviews of offensive linemen, tight ends, kickers and punters. Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts examine players who need to step up in a specific area to help their stock in Indianapolis.
Arm strength
Colt McCoy, QB, Texas. During the season, McCoy’s arm strength was a question mark. Now, after injuring his right shoulder in the national championship game, he must prove he has enough of an arm to be more than a backup.
Sean Canfield, QB, Oregon State. On film, he showed a strong enough arm. But at the Senior Bowl, his release was slow and his passes lacked zip. He must reverse that perception in Indianapolis or he could end up falling to the sixth or seventh round.
The scouts at this week’s Combine will have one question in mind for Terrence Cody: Can he keep his weight under control?
Interviews
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame. Clausen needs to prove he is a mature kid who can handle the pressure of being a team leader in the NFL and deal with the adversity that comes with being a high draft pick.
LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon. Blount must make teams believe he is not a bad kid but rather an immature one who made a few mistakes in college.
Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida. He has to answer two questions: Does he have his off-field behavior under control? Why does his effort and intensity vary so much during games?
Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama. Cody must convince teams he will be able to control his weight once he gets money in his pocket. He didn’t allay those fears at the Senior Bowl.
Junior Galette, DE, Stillman. Gallette showed at the Texas vs. the Nation game that he has big-time athleticism and pass-rush skills. Now, he must convince teams that his off-field behavior is not going to be a consistent problem.
Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State. Cox is a very gifted cornerback with the size, strength, athleticism and instincts to be a late first-round or high second-round pick. But if he can’t convince teams that his off-field issues are a thing of the past, he will be a mid-round pick at best.
Mike Williams, WR, Syracuse. After flashing big-play ability and putting up good numbers in the first half of the 2009 season, Williams left the team. He must convince teams he is not going to be a distraction.
Physicals
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma. Few question Bradford’s ability as a passer, but if his shoulder does not check out he is not going to be a top-10 pick.
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame. Clausen’s toe/foot injury needs to check out completely for him to realistically challenge Bradford for the top QB spot in the draft.
Jahvid Best, RB, Cal. Best needs to get a clean bill of health. Otherwise, teams will be nervous about drafting a smaller back who has had concussion issues.
Rob Gronkowski, TE, Arizona. Gronkowski is a big, physical prospect who, in our view, is clearly the top tight end in the draft. After missing his junior season with a back injury, however, he must check out physically to prove his back will not be a long-term issue.
A quick 40 could boost Damian Williams’ draft stock.
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma. He is another highly-regarded prospect who missed the 2009 season due to injury. He needs his knee to pass inspection to merit late first-round, early second-round consideration.
40 times
Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford. Gerhart is a very good prospect, but there are concerns he lacks the explosiveness and speed to be a consistently effective outside runner and take runs the distance. A great 40 could vault Gerhart from second- and third-round consideration into the late first round.
Charles Scott, RB, LSU. He is a big, physical back whose strength is breaking tackles to gain yards after contact. However, there are concerns about his ability to make the quick cut and explode through the hole. Scott needs a strong 40 time and to do well in the vertical jump to ease those concerns.
Montario Hardesty, RB, Tennessee. Hardesty is a highly competitive runner who runs strong and aggressively. But he has not shown quickness and burst through the hole or the speed to take plays the distance, which causes running backs to fall down draft boards. He needs a good 40 to ease concerns.
LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon. Not only does Blount need to shine in interviews, but he needs to prove he has the quickness, burst and acceleration that he flashed at the Senior Bowl.
Damian Williams, WR, USC. Williams is a very quick, smooth and sharp receiver who was much better than expected when we evaluated his play on film. He consistently showed the ability to make big plays despite not showing top-level explosiveness or speed. With a good 40 and vertical jump, he can convince teams he has legitimate big-play ability.
Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU. LaFell struggled through a tough 2009 season in which he failed to cement himself as a first-round pick. If he does not run under a 4.60 40, his draft stock could slide into the third or fourth round.
Dezmon Briscoe, WR, Kansas. Briscoe was a highly productive receiver at Kansas and consistently made many big plays, but he has not shown explosiveness and top-end speed. Many scouts feel his big plays were more the result of Kansas’ wide open passing attack, so Briscoe must show he can run.
Mike Williams, WR, Syracuse. It’s important for him to show he can run for a big receiver, though it’s not as important as his interview.
Anthony McCoy, TE, USC. McCoy displayed smooth, fluid athleticism and very good hands at the Senior Bowl. But he did not show elite speed, so he needs to put up a good 40 to convince teams he can be a productive receiving tight end.
Jason Pierre-Paul needs to concentrate on a solid overall workout in order to convince teams he can play at the next level.
Workouts
Jimmy Graham, TE, Miami. In 2009, Graham played football for the first time since ninth grade and is one of the most talked about prospects right now. But he must prove he has elite athleticism to sustain his ascent and challenge for a spot in the second or third round.
Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers. He is a thickly built and strong tackle prospect, and teams want to get a close look at him to determine whether he has the athleticism to play left tackle in the NFL or if he is merely a right tackle.
Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland. Campbell is a highly regarded tackle prospect who flashes big-time athleticism but does not show it consistently. During his workout, he needs to prove he has elite athletic ability if he hopes to challenge Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung and Oklahoma’s Trent Williams as the top tackle.
Mitch Petrus, G, Arkansas. Petrus has shown good athletic ability on film but did not display it consistently at the Senior Bowl. He needs to prove he has it in his workout if he wants to be drafted as early as the third round.
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida. He is getting raves about his rare explosiveness and athleticism, which could allow him to develop into a very dangerous pass rusher. But he must prove it in his workout to maintain his draft status because his on-field play is still raw and lacks consistency.
Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida. No one doubts Dunlap’s combination of size, long arms, quickness and speed, but his tendency to play upright and straight-legged and his inability to consistently change directions quickly have led some to think he is a straight-line athlete who lacks good all-around athleticism. He must shine in his workout to make sure he is considered an elite athlete who just lacks consistency.
Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU. Hughes is an undersized end who lacks great explosiveness off the ball, so he needs a big workout to convince teams he has the athleticism to stand up and play outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Otherwise, he will likely be classified only as a 4-3 end, which could really hurt his draft status.
Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas. In each game last season, Houston’s play improved and he showed the quickness, agility and athleticism to defeat blocks and make plays. But at the Senior Bowl, he looked ordinary as an athlete. To be drafted higher than the fourth round, he must prove he is the athlete he showed on film.
Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama. Because he is very smart and instinctive, McClain is able to consistently play quicker and faster than his timed speed. Still, he needs to run well and work out well to prove to teams he has the athleticism to be productive outside of the hash marks and in coverage.
Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida. Spikes is a similar player to McClain and needs to work out well to show he can play sideline-to-sideline and cover well.
Former NFL scout Russ Lande evaluates college players for Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room and GM Jr. Scouting LLC.
Before the NFL Scouting Combine kicks off Wednesday, Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts name 11 defensive players who can solidify or improve their draft stocks with strong performances in Indianapolis. On Monday, Lande identified offensive players who need to succeed at the Combine.
Carlos Dunlap has the athleticism to be great, but does he have the desire?
Dunlap has freakish size, strength, athleticism and long arms, but he is not nearly as productive as someone with his talent should be. When he keeps his knees bent, uses good technique and plays with intensity and aggressiveness, he can be dominant. But too often, Dunlap gets upright at the snap, fails to attack the blocker and plays without passion. When that happens, he does not impact the play. To ensure that he’s a first-round pick, Dunlap needs to convince teams in interviews that he can play with intensity more frequently.
McCoy wants to create a real debate about whether he or Ndamukong Suh is the top defensive tackle in the draft. McCoy has flashed the rare explosiveness and athleticism few NFL defensive tackles possess, and many consider him a better all-around athlete than Suh, but he is not as productive or consistent as Suh on film. To overtake Suh, McCoy needs to work out well at the Combine. He also needs to convince teams that his inconsistent technique and aggressiveness were the result of what he was asked to do at Oklahoma rather than the product of poor effort.
Williams has been flying up draft boards. Considered a third-round prospect before the Senior Bowl, a strong showing in Mobile has made Williams a possible first-round pick. However, with several quality defensive tackles nipping at his heels – including D’Anthony Smith, Jeff Owens and Geno Atkins – Williams needs to show in his workout that he is a good enough athlete to be an impact DT in the NFL. Specifically, he needs to demonstrate that he has the explosiveness that does not appear on film. If Williams does not distinguish himself from the other DTs this week, then he could fall into the second round.
Spikes and McClain are generally considered the top two inside linebacker prospects in this year’s draft, but evaluators have one concern about both: playing speed. We have seen on film, and have heard constantly from NFL scouts, that both players are good, not elite, athletes who play faster than their 40 times thanks to great instincts that get them going in the right direction quickly after the snap. However, in order to prove they’re worthy of being top-15 picks, both need to run and work out well enough to ease concerns about their lack of top-end speed. If either player runs the 40 in more than 4.9 seconds, he could end up being a second-round pick.
Teams have doubts about Rennie Curran’s size, but not his productivity at Georgia.
If a player’s draft value was based solely on his athleticism and production, then Curran would be a surefire first-round pick, because he is constantly flying around the field making impact plays. However, Curran’s lack of size is likely to keep him out of the first round, and he has to measure over 5-11 to remain even a second- or third-round pick. Additionally, as with any short linebacker, he needs to shine in his workout to prove he has the athleticism to be productive in the NFL.
Norwood is the ultimate tweener in this year’s draft. He was a highly productive college defensive end despite looking much more like a linebacker. To avoid a decline in his draft stock, he must demonstrate to NFL teams that he has the athleticism and size wanted for players at one of those positions. In other words, he needs to define himself as either a defensive end or a linebacker. While many have criticized Norwood’s play at the Senior Bowl, we were impressed with the athleticism he showed in pass coverage, and we thought he showed good instincts and awareness playing away from the line of scrimmage for someone who spent most of his college career as a lineman. If NFL teams decide Norwood should be a linebacker, then he must demonstrate in interviews that he has the intelligence to make the transition to the new position.
Many believe Cox could be a first-round pick because of his size, strength, athleticism, toughness and instincts. However, to be drafted that high, he needs to impress in interviews, allaying concerns about his character stemming from off-field issues. Cox needs to prove he was just an immature kid who made some mistakes, not someone who will constantly cause headaches for his NFL team.
Evaluators can’t seem to agree about Cook. Some see him as a top cornerback prospect. Others see him as a solid cornerback prospect who does not fit at safety. Still others feel he has the talent to convert to safety and be a star. To move up from his likely third-round spot, Cook must prove he has the top-end foot quickness and all-around athleticism not only to play corner, but also to play safety and sometimes cover slot receivers. Additionally, Cook must prove in interviews that he can handle the mental transition to safety. Don’t be surprised if there’s a lot of buzz about Cook immediately after the Combine, because he has significantly helped his own stock recently.
Mays needs an excellent week in Indy to reestablish himself as a definite first-round pick after a disappointing week at the Senior Bowl. No one questions Mays’ instincts, toughness, competitiveness and run-support skills. However, he struggled greatly in man-to-man coverage in Mobile, and he needs to show in workouts that he has the hips and all-around athleticism to handle deep pass coverage in the NFL. No one expects Mays to be a star in pass coverage; he just needs to demonstrate he can be solid in order to ease teams’ concerns about his ability to be a good starting safety. Additionally, Mays needs to do well in interviews to overcome concerns that he was aloof during the Senior Bowl.
No one doubts Berry has the athleticism and talent to be an impact player in the NFL, but teams are trying to figure out why he did not always produce as much as he could have. He needs to explain why his tackling was so bad and convince teams it was the result of mistakes rather than a hesitance to hit bigger ball-carriers. Additionally, if Berry wants to be considered a safety-first prospect, he needs to prove he has the toughness and willingness to tackle to overcome concerns about his lack of ideal size.
Former NFL scout Russ Lande evaluates college players for Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room and GM Jr. Scouting LLC.
Before the NFL Scouting Combine kicks off Wednesday, Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts name 11 defensive players who can solidify or improve their draft stocks with strong performances in Indianapolis. On Monday, Lande identified offensive players who need to succeed at the Combine.
Carlos Dunlap has the athleticism to be great, but does he have the desire?
Dunlap has freakish size, strength, athleticism and long arms, but he is not nearly as productive as someone with his talent should be. When he keeps his knees bent, uses good technique and plays with intensity and aggressiveness, he can be dominant. But too often, Dunlap gets upright at the snap, fails to attack the blocker and plays without passion. When that happens, he does not impact the play. To ensure that he’s a first-round pick, Dunlap needs to convince teams in interviews that he can play with intensity more frequently.
McCoy wants to create a real debate about whether he or Ndamukong Suh is the top defensive tackle in the draft. McCoy has flashed the rare explosiveness and athleticism few NFL defensive tackles possess, and many consider him a better all-around athlete than Suh, but he is not as productive or consistent as Suh on film. To overtake Suh, McCoy needs to work out well at the Combine. He also needs to convince teams that his inconsistent technique and aggressiveness were the result of what he was asked to do at Oklahoma rather than the product of poor effort.
Williams has been flying up draft boards. Considered a third-round prospect before the Senior Bowl, a strong showing in Mobile has made Williams a possible first-round pick. However, with several quality defensive tackles nipping at his heels – including D’Anthony Smith, Jeff Owens and Geno Atkins – Williams needs to show in his workout that he is a good enough athlete to be an impact DT in the NFL. Specifically, he needs to demonstrate that he has the explosiveness that does not appear on film. If Williams does not distinguish himself from the other DTs this week, then he could fall into the second round.
Spikes and McClain are generally considered the top two inside linebacker prospects in this year’s draft, but evaluators have one concern about both: playing speed. We have seen on film, and have heard constantly from NFL scouts, that both players are good, not elite, athletes who play faster than their 40 times thanks to great instincts that get them going in the right direction quickly after the snap. However, in order to prove they’re worthy of being top-15 picks, both need to run and work out well enough to ease concerns about their lack of top-end speed. If either player runs the 40 in more than 4.9 seconds, he could end up being a second-round pick.
Teams have doubts about Rennie Curran’s size, but not his productivity at Georgia.
If a player’s draft value was based solely on his athleticism and production, then Curran would be a surefire first-round pick, because he is constantly flying around the field making impact plays. However, Curran’s lack of size is likely to keep him out of the first round, and he has to measure over 5-11 to remain even a second- or third-round pick. Additionally, as with any short linebacker, he needs to shine in his workout to prove he has the athleticism to be productive in the NFL.
Norwood is the ultimate tweener in this year’s draft. He was a highly productive college defensive end despite looking much more like a linebacker. To avoid a decline in his draft stock, he must demonstrate to NFL teams that he has the athleticism and size wanted for players at one of those positions. In other words, he needs to define himself as either a defensive end or a linebacker. While many have criticized Norwood’s play at the Senior Bowl, we were impressed with the athleticism he showed in pass coverage, and we thought he showed good instincts and awareness playing away from the line of scrimmage for someone who spent most of his college career as a lineman. If NFL teams decide Norwood should be a linebacker, then he must demonstrate in interviews that he has the intelligence to make the transition to the new position.
Many believe Cox could be a first-round pick because of his size, strength, athleticism, toughness and instincts. However, to be drafted that high, he needs to impress in interviews, allaying concerns about his character stemming from off-field issues. Cox needs to prove he was just an immature kid who made some mistakes, not someone who will constantly cause headaches for his NFL team.
Evaluators can’t seem to agree about Cook. Some see him as a top cornerback prospect. Others see him as a solid cornerback prospect who does not fit at safety. Still others feel he has the talent to convert to safety and be a star. To move up from his likely third-round spot, Cook must prove he has the top-end foot quickness and all-around athleticism not only to play corner, but also to play safety and sometimes cover slot receivers. Additionally, Cook must prove in interviews that he can handle the mental transition to safety. Don’t be surprised if there’s a lot of buzz about Cook immediately after the Combine, because he has significantly helped his own stock recently.
Mays needs an excellent week in Indy to reestablish himself as a definite first-round pick after a disappointing week at the Senior Bowl. No one questions Mays’ instincts, toughness, competitiveness and run-support skills. However, he struggled greatly in man-to-man coverage in Mobile, and he needs to show in workouts that he has the hips and all-around athleticism to handle deep pass coverage in the NFL. No one expects Mays to be a star in pass coverage; he just needs to demonstrate he can be solid in order to ease teams’ concerns about his ability to be a good starting safety. Additionally, Mays needs to do well in interviews to overcome concerns that he was aloof during the Senior Bowl.
No one doubts Berry has the athleticism and talent to be an impact player in the NFL, but teams are trying to figure out why he did not always produce as much as he could have. He needs to explain why his tackling was so bad and convince teams it was the result of mistakes rather than a hesitance to hit bigger ball-carriers. Additionally, if Berry wants to be considered a safety-first prospect, he needs to prove he has the toughness and willingness to tackle to overcome concerns about his lack of ideal size.
Former NFL scout Russ Lande evaluates college players for Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room and GM Jr. Scouting LLC.
Before the NFL Scouting Combine kicks off Wednesday, Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts name 11 offensive players who can solidify or improve their draft stocks with strong performances in Indianapolis.
Jimmy Clausen can impress teams with his words, not his throws, at the Combine.
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Clausen has been hyped as a possible top-10 pick. Even though he is not throwing at the Combine, he needs a strong appearance to be drafted that high. Right off the bat, he can allay concerns that he is under 6-2, which would hurt his draft status. Then, Clausen will get to sit down with NFL teams and prove himself in interviews. Any team interested in drafting Clausen in the first round will most likely schedule a longer interview with him after the Combine, but these initial meetings will give teams insight into Clausen’s intelligence, communication skills and presence.
Brown might be the prospect most in need of a strong Combine performance. During the 2009 season, Brown created a lot of buzz among scouts because of his athleticism, strong arm and outstanding production. However, a disappointing week of practice at the Texas vs. the Nation game raised concerns about his ability to make the leap to the NFL and play in a traditional pro offense. Brown needs to show that his physical tools are as good as they look on film to convince teams he merits more than a late-round selection or free-agent signing.
After suffering a pinched nerve in the BCS championship game, McCoy supposedly wants to show his stuff at the Combine if he is 100 percent healthy. First, he will have to pass a physical and prove he is ready to throw. If he is healthy enough to work out, McCoy needs to assuage fears about his arm strength. If he cannot make all the NFL throws, McCoy could see his stock fall significantly.
No one denies Gerhart is tough, physical and aggressive, with the playing strength, balance and agility to run through contact. He will be drafted before the fourth round regardless of his Combine performance, but if he demonstrates big-play speed in Indy, then he could move up draft boards substantially. Gerhart may be a straight-line athlete, but we have a feeling he will surprise people by running the 40 in the low 4.5s or high 4.4s, which could result in him being a late-first-round pick.
Indianapolis is the next stop on LeGarrette Blount’s road to redemption.
LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon
Blount’s pro prospects took a devastating blow when he was suspended after Oregon’s season-opening loss to Boise State. But just five months later, his draft stock is rising. He showed maturity by earning reinstatement late in Oregon’s season, and he shined at the Senior Bowl, where he showed better quickness, agility and athleticism than people expected from someone weighing more than 240 pounds. While Blount is still considered a third- to fifth-round pick right now, a strong Combine performance could make teams consider him for the second round.
After Williams was suspended for the 2008 season, many doubted he would make it back onto the Syracuse team, let alone replicate his prior productivity. Then, he had a stellar first month of the 2009 season and was on his way to becoming a second-round pick. However, the bottom fell out again when he either quit or was suspended for the rest of the season for reasons that haven’t become public. Williams has a chance to help his draft status with a strong Combine performance. He must impress in interviews to ease concerns about his inability to stay on a team, and he must run well. If he does, then Williams could be a third- or fourth-round pick.
Gronkowski and Gresham are both elite tight end prospects with medical concerns. They must pass their physicals at the Combine to show NFL teams the injuries that ended their 2009 seasons won’t hinder them throughout their careers. Additionally, they must be deemed healthy enough to work out at the Combine, which could solidify their first-round statuses and keep them from sliding down draft boards.
McCoy is a big tight end whose blocking skills are unquestioned. At the Senior Bowl, he looked quicker and more athletic than expected, making observers believe he could be a receiving threat in the NFL. At the Combine, McCoy needs to catch the ball in drills, run well in the 40 and jump well in the vertical to convince teams he has the quickness, burst and speed to make plays as a receiver.
Graham is one of this year’s more interesting prospects. After playing basketball during his first four years at Miami, he played football for the first time since ninth grade in 2009. Graham flashed the receiving skills NFL teams are desperate to find in a tight end. However, at the Senior Bowl, he did not perform as well as many expected, looking more like a developmental project than a surefire pass-catching tight end. Still, if Graham shines at the Combine, he could fly up draft boards and become a first- or second-round pick.
Saffold was surprisingly one of the biggest risers of all-star-game season. He came to the East-West Shrine Game viewed as a late-round prospect by most NFL teams, but after shining all week in Orlando, many were talking about him being a third-round pick, at worst. Then, when NFL teams spent a week watching Senior Bowl practice, they suggested Saffold would have been the best offensive tackle there if he had been invited. As a result, Saffold has been mentioned as a possible second-round consideration. If he performs well at the Combine, he could not only lock up a spot in the second round, but also become a late first-rounder, because offensive tackles with exceptional athleticism and natural strength have been rare in recent drafts.
Former NFL scout Russ Lande evaluates college players for Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room and GM Jr. Scouting LLC.
Before the NFL Scouting Combine kicks off Wednesday, Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts name 11 offensive players who can solidify or improve their draft stocks with strong performances in Indianapolis.
Jimmy Clausen can impress teams with his words, not his throws, at the Combine.
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame
Clausen has been hyped as a possible top-10 pick. Even though he is not throwing at the Combine, he needs a strong appearance to be drafted that high. Right off the bat, he can allay concerns that he is under 6-2, which would hurt his draft status. Then, Clausen will get to sit down with NFL teams and prove himself in interviews. Any team interested in drafting Clausen in the first round will most likely schedule a longer interview with him after the Combine, but these initial meetings will give teams insight into Clausen’s intelligence, communication skills and presence.
Brown might be the prospect most in need of a strong Combine performance. During the 2009 season, Brown created a lot of buzz among scouts because of his athleticism, strong arm and outstanding production. However, a disappointing week of practice at the Texas vs. the Nation game raised concerns about his ability to make the leap to the NFL and play in a traditional pro offense. Brown needs to show that his physical tools are as good as they look on film to convince teams he merits more than a late-round selection or free-agent signing.
After suffering a pinched nerve in the BCS championship game, McCoy supposedly wants to show his stuff at the Combine if he is 100 percent healthy. First, he will have to pass a physical and prove he is ready to throw. If he is healthy enough to work out, McCoy needs to assuage fears about his arm strength. If he cannot make all the NFL throws, McCoy could see his stock fall significantly.
No one denies Gerhart is tough, physical and aggressive, with the playing strength, balance and agility to run through contact. He will be drafted before the fourth round regardless of his Combine performance, but if he demonstrates big-play speed in Indy, then he could move up draft boards substantially. Gerhart may be a straight-line athlete, but we have a feeling he will surprise people by running the 40 in the low 4.5s or high 4.4s, which could result in him being a late-first-round pick.
Indianapolis is the next stop on LeGarrette Blount’s road to redemption.
LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon
Blount’s pro prospects took a devastating blow when he was suspended after Oregon’s season-opening loss to Boise State. But just five months later, his draft stock is rising. He showed maturity by earning reinstatement late in Oregon’s season, and he shined at the Senior Bowl, where he showed better quickness, agility and athleticism than people expected from someone weighing more than 240 pounds. While Blount is still considered a third- to fifth-round pick right now, a strong Combine performance could make teams consider him for the second round.
After Williams was suspended for the 2008 season, many doubted he would make it back onto the Syracuse team, let alone replicate his prior productivity. Then, he had a stellar first month of the 2009 season and was on his way to becoming a second-round pick. However, the bottom fell out again when he either quit or was suspended for the rest of the season for reasons that haven’t become public. Williams has a chance to help his draft status with a strong Combine performance. He must impress in interviews to ease concerns about his inability to stay on a team, and he must run well. If he does, then Williams could be a third- or fourth-round pick.
Gronkowski and Gresham are both elite tight end prospects with medical concerns. They must pass their physicals at the Combine to show NFL teams the injuries that ended their 2009 seasons won’t hinder them throughout their careers. Additionally, they must be deemed healthy enough to work out at the Combine, which could solidify their first-round statuses and keep them from sliding down draft boards.
McCoy is a big tight end whose blocking skills are unquestioned. At the Senior Bowl, he looked quicker and more athletic than expected, making observers believe he could be a receiving threat in the NFL. At the Combine, McCoy needs to catch the ball in drills, run well in the 40 and jump well in the vertical to convince teams he has the quickness, burst and speed to make plays as a receiver.
Graham is one of this year’s more interesting prospects. After playing basketball during his first four years at Miami, he played football for the first time since ninth grade in 2009. Graham flashed the receiving skills NFL teams are desperate to find in a tight end. However, at the Senior Bowl, he did not perform as well as many expected, looking more like a developmental project than a surefire pass-catching tight end. Still, if Graham shines at the Combine, he could fly up draft boards and become a first- or second-round pick.
Saffold was surprisingly one of the biggest risers of all-star-game season. He came to the East-West Shrine Game viewed as a late-round prospect by most NFL teams, but after shining all week in Orlando, many were talking about him being a third-round pick, at worst. Then, when NFL teams spent a week watching Senior Bowl practice, they suggested Saffold would have been the best offensive tackle there if he had been invited. As a result, Saffold has been mentioned as a possible second-round consideration. If he performs well at the Combine, he could not only lock up a spot in the second round, but also become a late first-rounder, because offensive tackles with exceptional athleticism and natural strength have been rare in recent drafts.
Former NFL scout Russ Lande evaluates college players for Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room and GM Jr. Scouting LLC.
Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room has hundreds of player evaluations in preparation for the 2010 NFL draft . Here is a capsule look at prospect Jason Worilds.
NFL position: DE
Height: 6-2
Weight: 240
40 time: 4.75
Current projection: Third-round pick
Jason Worilds has the athleticism and pass-rush skills to play linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but he lacks skills away from the line of scrimmage.
Strengths: Is an elite athlete with the quickness, speed and explosiveness to make an impact rushing the passer when aggressive. Has an explosive closing burst to the quarterback and can deliver a violent hit. Can beat tackles outside with quick hands or inside with a very good spin move. Flashes a surprising ability to jolt and drive tackles backward into the quarterback’s lap; can then free up and get the sack. Is very competitive chasing after running plays in pursuit; shows the rare athleticism to hurdle low blocks and gets back to full speed in a flash. Has the top-level speed and burst to consistently finish plays. Has the athleticism to change directions fast and avoid blockers in space.
Weaknesses: Is a ‘tweener. Looks more like a linebacker than an end. Does not have good instincts and awareness, which is more of a problem the farther from the line a defender plays. Is often the last lineman moving at the snap. Does not maintain backside containment responsibility on plays away from him. Does not rush the quarterback aggressively on every snap, reducing his productivity. Lacks ideal size to play end and struggles to get free from opposing linemen once they get a hold of him.
Bottom line: Worilds definitely could have helped his stock by staying in school for another season, during which he could have defined himself as an end or outside linebacker and improved his instincts and awareness. When he rushes the passer aggressively, he looks like an elite athlete who could be very effective as an undersized pass rusher in a 4-3 scheme. But when he does not rush aggressively, he gets tied up and eliminated from the play too easily. He definitely looks like he fits best as a rush linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but he does not seem very instinctive and is less effective when he plays behind the line. We think Worilds will be drafted higher than we have him rated because he should test out very well at the Combine. But his ‘tweener size and lack of instincts make us concerned that he will struggle to be consistently productive.
For more than 200 player scouting reports from Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated mock draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room has hundreds of player evaluations in preparation for the 2010 NFL draft . Here is a capsule look at prospect Jason Worilds.
NFL position: DE
Height: 6-2
Weight: 240
40 time: 4.75
Current projection: Third-round pick
Jason Worilds has the athleticism and pass-rush skills to play linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but he lacks skills away from the line of scrimmage.
Strengths: Is an elite athlete with the quickness, speed and explosiveness to make an impact rushing the passer when aggressive. Has an explosive closing burst to the quarterback and can deliver a violent hit. Can beat tackles outside with quick hands or inside with a very good spin move. Flashes a surprising ability to jolt and drive tackles backward into the quarterback’s lap; can then free up and get the sack. Is very competitive chasing after running plays in pursuit; shows the rare athleticism to hurdle low blocks and gets back to full speed in a flash. Has the top-level speed and burst to consistently finish plays. Has the athleticism to change directions fast and avoid blockers in space.
Weaknesses: Is a ‘tweener. Looks more like a linebacker than an end. Does not have good instincts and awareness, which is more of a problem the farther from the line a defender plays. Is often the last lineman moving at the snap. Does not maintain backside containment responsibility on plays away from him. Does not rush the quarterback aggressively on every snap, reducing his productivity. Lacks ideal size to play end and struggles to get free from opposing linemen once they get a hold of him.
Bottom line: Worilds definitely could have helped his stock by staying in school for another season, during which he could have defined himself as an end or outside linebacker and improved his instincts and awareness. When he rushes the passer aggressively, he looks like an elite athlete who could be very effective as an undersized pass rusher in a 4-3 scheme. But when he does not rush aggressively, he gets tied up and eliminated from the play too easily. He definitely looks like he fits best as a rush linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but he does not seem very instinctive and is less effective when he plays behind the line. We think Worilds will be drafted higher than we have him rated because he should test out very well at the Combine. But his ‘tweener size and lack of instincts make us concerned that he will struggle to be consistently productive.
For more than 200 player scouting reports from Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated mock draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room has hundreds of player evaluations in preparation for the 2010 NFL draft . Here is a capsule look at prospect Ryan Mathews.
Ryan Mathews rushed for 1850 yards and 19 touchdowns for Fresno last season.
NFL position: RB
Height: 5-11
Weight: 220
40 time: 4.50
Current projection: Second-round pick
NFL comparison: Kevin Jones, Bears
Inside running: Is a powerful inside runner with great pad level, leverage and balance through the hole. Gets downhill fast, and looks to run through contact. Keeps feet moving, and falls forward after contact. Is better at breaking high arm tackles than withstanding contact around his feet. Can dip shoulder with quick lateral move in hole to make a defender miss. Grade: 8.5
Outside running: Is much more effective as a north/south runner. Runs best when he can get to the perimeter and turn shoulders downhill. Lacks elite speed to consistently gain the edge or outrun angles for defenders. Looks to run over would-be tacklers near the sideline rather than try to make them miss. Is not creative or elusive in the open field. Grade: 7.5
Blocking: Can be a devastating blocker in pass protection, especially against a blitzing safety or linebacker. Keeps shoulders square, rolls hips and uncoils body into pass rushers. Shows sufficient skills to play immediately on third downs. Grade: 8.5
Hands/routes: Shows soft hands and ability to adjust to off-target passes. Is most effective on screens and checkdowns. Is more likely to break a tackle than evade anyone on wheel, swing or angle routes. Grade: 8.0
Durability: Is strong and powerful. Runs behind his pads with great lower-body flexibility, nimble feet and balance to bounce off tackle attempts. Wears down defenders. Runs with square shoulders and a strong stride. Shows exceptional toughness, but little elusiveness. Grade: 7.0
Bottom line: Mathews, a first-year starter as a junior in ’09, lost playing time to other backs late in the season. He has the body and athletic ability to excel, especially for a team seeking a sledgehammer inside back. He will become a complete player who lacks Pro Bowl-caliber speed and ability, but he should have a solid career. Mathews has the chance to play right away on third down because of his ability to pass protect. We should be paired with an undersized, fast and explosive back.
For more than 200 player scouting reports from Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated mock draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room has hundreds of player evaluations in preparation for the 2010 NFL draft . Here is a capsule look at prospect Ryan Mathews.
Ryan Mathews rushed for 1850 yards and 19 touchdowns for Fresno last season.
NFL position: RB
Height: 5-11
Weight: 220
40 time: 4.50
Current projection: Second-round pick
NFL comparison: Kevin Jones, Bears
Inside running: Is a powerful inside runner with great pad level, leverage and balance through the hole. Gets downhill fast, and looks to run through contact. Keeps feet moving, and falls forward after contact. Is better at breaking high arm tackles than withstanding contact around his feet. Can dip shoulder with quick lateral move in hole to make a defender miss. Grade: 8.5
Outside running: Is much more effective as a north/south runner. Runs best when he can get to the perimeter and turn shoulders downhill. Lacks elite speed to consistently gain the edge or outrun angles for defenders. Looks to run over would-be tacklers near the sideline rather than try to make them miss. Is not creative or elusive in the open field. Grade: 7.5
Blocking: Can be a devastating blocker in pass protection, especially against a blitzing safety or linebacker. Keeps shoulders square, rolls hips and uncoils body into pass rushers. Shows sufficient skills to play immediately on third downs. Grade: 8.5
Hands/routes: Shows soft hands and ability to adjust to off-target passes. Is most effective on screens and checkdowns. Is more likely to break a tackle than evade anyone on wheel, swing or angle routes. Grade: 8.0
Durability: Is strong and powerful. Runs behind his pads with great lower-body flexibility, nimble feet and balance to bounce off tackle attempts. Wears down defenders. Runs with square shoulders and a strong stride. Shows exceptional toughness, but little elusiveness. Grade: 7.0
Bottom line: Mathews, a first-year starter as a junior in ’09, lost playing time to other backs late in the season. He has the body and athletic ability to excel, especially for a team seeking a sledgehammer inside back. He will become a complete player who lacks Pro Bowl-caliber speed and ability, but he should have a solid career. Mathews has the chance to play right away on third down because of his ability to pass protect. We should be paired with an undersized, fast and explosive back.
For more than 200 player scouting reports from Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated mock draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
