Originally posted by OnTheClock:
Originally posted by sfout:
Burris and Richardson are the guys I want for OLB and S depth. :D Glad you've taken Richardson as well OTC.
After re-signing Brooks, we have some really nice options late in the draft for OLB depth now. I'd take Burris in the 5th immediately if he's there.
Originally posted by Travisty13:
Originally posted by SunDevilNiner79:
Damn, I just did some research on 40 times and players currently in the NFL (posted in top 10 WR thread) in response to the hate for dropping Wright, Sanu and Jeffery.
Every single WR that was top 25 for yards run under a 4.6. The 4 worst 40s from the top 25 WRs last year were Brandon Marshall (but he is what, 6-4, 220+?, 4.57 speed), Antonio Brown (combine 4.57, then pro day did a 4.47), Steve Johnson (4.59, IMO this guy won't last but we will see), and Marques Colston (4.55, but I think he is 6'4, or at least 6'3). A lot of the top 25 WR's ran in the low 4.5s (9 guys).
I'm really against Kendall Wright and Sanu now. Those numbers are pretty shocking IMO.
Good research man.
Would have to see what their Pro Days look like first. I am willing to guarantee Wright will clock at least a full tenth of a second faster at his Pro Day, if not more. I'm expecting a 4.4 at the pro day. Sanu? I am not expecting much better than a high 4.5.
We shall see. As I've said, I'm totally open to changing my rankings.
But I'm trying to be as objective as possible. I think its dangerous liking guys early on and too much, might lead you to put the blinders on when bad info comes out. I know this because I've done it many times.
People keep saying 40s don't matter, but I think any objective person would disagree when you look at the numbers I pulled up. The key is a 40 time doesn't MAKE a player, but it can KILL a player.
As key as it is to evaluate talent coming out, I think its also key to look at the past couple of seasons to see what worked and what didn't work to identify red flags or gems.
What happened:
1st Round
-Only WRs drafted in the 1st ran a sub 4.5 (well not counting Crabtree) (Nicks ran a 4.49)
-Britt, also out of Rutgers and who drew comparisons to TO, ran a 4.47
-I'd say this years crop was good (not many 1st round WR busts) but not great
-despite the flak DHB gets, he actually had a great 3rd year
2nd Round
-Robiskie fell into the 2nd, was considered very highly until he ran a 4.59 40, busts in the NFL
-Massaquoi ran a 4.66 and went int the 2nd, I'd say he hasn't panned out in the NFL but there is a chance its because he is on the Browns
3rd Round
-After not many WRs being taken, there was a run on them late in the 3rd
-Derrick Williams runs a 4.68 despite showing great athleticism in college, bust
-Mike Wallace, who wasn't productive in college (never topped 800 yards recieving) runs a blazing 40 and has done pretty well in the NFL, wouldn't you 40-haters say?
-Brandon Tate had an all around good combine, been decent
-Ramses Barden runs a 4.61, overlooked because he is 6'6, and then busts in the NFL
-Patrick Turner runs a 4.68, busts in the NFL
-Deon Butler runs a great 40, hasn't panned out
4th Round
-Mike Thomas, the midget, runs a 4.4 flat. I'd say he was worth the pick, done pretty well on a s**tty passing offense
-Brian Hartline runs a 4.58, been a mediocre player (kind of same problem as Mike Thomas
-Louis Murphy, not productive in college but leading team reciever in college, runs a 4.43, he has been a mixed bag
-Austin Collie, SUPER productive mid-major reciever, runs a 4.63, he has worked out as a slot reciever
5th Rounder
-The only WR thats been productive out fo the 5th? Johnny Knox who ran a 4.34
I'd categorize (Based on their first 3 seasons) the recievers as follows:
Great Value: Harvin (if he was healthy, can't plan for migraines), Nicks, Mike Wallace, Brandon Tate (back-to-back 1000yard seasons for a 3rd rounder), Johnny Knox
About Right: Maclin, Britt (Hard to rank him, cuz IMO if he stays healthy he will be a 1000yrd reciever), Mike Thomas, Louis Murphy, Austin Collie
Reach: DHB, Crabtree, Massaquoi, Deon Butler
Bust: Robiskie, Derrick Williams, Ramses Barden, Patrick Turner, Brian Hartline
So overall I'd say 40 times were pretty important! Robiskie ran a 4.59, DWill ran a 4.68, Barden ran a 4.61, Turner ran a 4.68, Hartline ran a 4.58, Massauoi ran a 4.66. So of the 7 guys in the first 4 rounds who haven't produced, only one of them had a great 40.
DHB and Crabs have been productive, but so far they haven't been worth a top 10 pick.
Of the best values, all of them had a great combines. Tate and Nicks didn't have blazing 40s, but they had good 40s so that it wasn't an achilles heel. The other 3 best values had blazing 40s.
One out of the 14 recievers that has worked out put up decen numbers (Collie ran a 4.63).
[ Edited by SunDevilNiner79 on Mar 1, 2012 at 7:02 PM ]