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.
