Combine Preview: Offense

Breakdown of the Combine Events

Day 1 Arrivals
Group 1 (PK, ST, OL), Group 2 (OL), Group 3 (RB)

Tuesday Feb. 23
Travel to Indianapolis - Registration - Hospital Pre-Exam & X-rays - Orientation - Interviews

Wednesday Feb. 24
Measurements - Medical Examinations - Media - Interviews

Thursday Feb. 25
NFLPA Meeting - Psychological Testing - Bench Press - Interviews

Friday Feb. 26
On-Field Workout (timing, stations, skill drills) - Departure from Indianapolis

Day 2 Arrivals
Group 4 (QB, WO), Group 5 (QB, WO), Group 6 (TE)

Wednesday Feb. 24
Travel to Indianapolis - Registration - Hospital Pre-Exam & X-rays - Orientation - Interviews

Thursday Feb. 25
Measurements - Medical Examinations - Media - Interviews

Friday Feb. 26
NFLPA Meeting - Psychological Testing - Bench Press - Interviews

Saturday Feb. 27
On-Field Workout (timing, stations, skill drills) - Departure from Indianapolis

Day 3 Arrivals
Group 7 (DL), Group 8 (DL), Group 9 (LB)

Thursday, Feb. 25
Travel to Indianapolis - Registration - Hospital Pre-Exam & X-rays - Orientation - Interviews

Friday Feb. 26
Measurements - Medical Examinations - Media - Interviews

Saturday Feb. 27
NFLPA Meeting - Psychological Testing - Bench Press - Interviews

Sunday Feb. 28
On-Field Workout (timing, stations, skill drills) - Departure from IndianapolisDay 4 Arrivals

Group 10 (DB), Group 11 (DB)

Friday Feb. 26
Travel to Indianapolis - Registration - Hospital Pre-Exam & X-rays - Orientation - Interviews

Saturday Feb. 27
Measurements - Medical Examinations - Media - Interviews

Sunday Feb. 28
NFLPA Meeting - Psychological Testing - Bench Press - Interviews

Monday Feb. 29
On-Field Workout (timing, stations, skill drills) - Departure from Indianapolis

Originally posted by MadDog49er:

On of the best times of the year for draft junkies is about to hit us again. Less than a week until guys perform at the combine. This is a quick combine preview:

QB- All QBs as of yesterday were scheduled to throw, which is unique. It will give a chance for viewers to compare the arm strength of the big three: Goff, Wentz, and Lynch, and compare them in size, and stature, as well as in interviews. Outside of interviews, this is not the best forum for Goff. He is going to look shorter and thinner than the other two, will run much slower and appear much less athletic. In throwing sessions, I don't think he will look as impressive on deep balls. He has to ace intermediate throws. Ultimately, scouts already know these things. He simply needs to blow teams away with his maturity and ability to explain how he reads defenses in interviews. Some of the lower graded QBs will be throwing all week to RBs, DBs and LBs, including Vernon Adams. Lynch and Wentz should run in the 4.65-4.75 range. The Big Ten trio of QBs will have a ton at stake. I predict the slide of Connor Cook will continue, not due to on-the-field performances (he should run well and post decent numbers overall), but because he is a knucklehead and wierdo. In the end, I think this week will drop him into the late third, early fourth rounds. Christian Hackenberg is going to face some tough questions in his fifteen minute interviews. One should be: Why weren't you very good the past two years? Just miserable in many games. He has a chance to shore up some of his draft stock, and could emerge as the fourth QB taken, as a second rounder. I wouldn't touch him. I have bald patches after scratching my head watching him play. Finally, Cardele Jones is a bit older than most (turns 24 early in the football year), has a child, and a ring as a national champion, but his game regressed last season. He will be asked why a lot.

RB- Very interesting group. Since few of these players participated in the Senior Bowl and Shrine Game, and most are underclassmen, this gives a first shot to see these guys in a while. Expect Elliott to perform very well. Kenyan Drake will more than likely run the fastest forty. The biggest story is probably something we will never hear: the medical report. How is Booker recovering? Are there any long-term issues with Jordan Howard, who missed a bunch of games in 2015? How is Jonathan Williams in his recovery? The brightest spotlight may be on Derrick Henry, who really needs to prove that his 40 time is solid enough to be considered the number two back in this draft, but even more importantly, his cone and shuttle times, which most people expect he will struggle. Change of direction issues he must answer. Finally, who has the hands of gold in catching drills? The natural hands catchers and body catchers will be on display , and it will be easy to separate the two. Another chance for Kenneth Dixon to make a push to be the second RB taken in the draft, and I expect a big week for him in Indi.

WR- Possibly the biggest position group of gigantic question marks is at WR, and we will begin to get some answers at Indi. So many variables could dramatically shake up this group. First, let's burn the track. Expect a number of official 40 times in the mid 4.3s. I will predict the gold medal goes to Kolby Listenbee of TCU, the Silver to Braxton Miller and the Bronze to Will Fuller. Corey Coleman will also be in the mix. However, someone always sneaks in the group to surprise. I have seen a combine prep video on Sterling Shepard, and he clocked somewhere in the 4.35-4.38 range. At Indi, that probably translates into a 4.40-4.43 time. Very solid.. On the flip side, Team Molasses may have some big names this year. Treadwell is expected to run in the 4.6s. His team hopes he is in the 4.5s. What if he runs in the 4.7s? Three of the bigger WRs may also struggle. Michael Thomas of OSU should run in the 4.5s, but watch out for Keyarris Garrett and De'Runnya Wilson to jockey for the fastest time between the two. Both guys are tall and long, and should run in the high 4.6s. Don't be surprised if either is closer to 4.75. Josh Doctson has a chance to impress as the guy to unseat Treadwell as the first WR taken. Looking forward to seeing him. Meanwhile, Bralon Addison has to be super fast or his stock will tank. The most fun competition of the week to me will be the cone times between Coleman and Miller. Look for both to be crazy fast, maybe breaking the combine record. Expect Coleman to be the big star of this week. His combo of 40 times, crazy vertical (expect a 42+"), and long jump, (11'+) to draw big oohs and ahs. But, how tall is he? Big, big question marks.

TE- We all know this group is a mess this year, but it can salvage some sort of hope with strong performances. Hunter Henry is clearly the class of this class. He just needs to perform well and not be a knucklehead. His performance can sneak him into the first round for a TE-starved team. The big question is: Who is number two: Austin Hooper or Nick Vannett? Both figure to be third round picks. Vannett can build on a really solid Senior Bowl week. Expect the lower-tiered guys to make a fight to be the fourth TE taken. I really like Tyler Higbee and Jerell Adams and look forward to seeing them perform. East Carolina's Bryce WIlliams is also a very nice looking prospect, and can make a big leap this week. Higbee's health will be a question in his recovery. The hands-catching session will be gigantic for these guys.

OL- We always have to finish with the best. The talk going into this week is the battle between Laremy Tunsil and Ronnie Stanley to see who gets drafted first, and this week will allow scouts to see the differences between the two stud LT prospects. In the end, I think this ends up being a scratch. Both are about the same height, weight, and should post similar numbers in the sessions. On my end, I like Stanley as the better pass protector, and Tunsil the better in the running game. The big noise of the week will be Jason Spriggs. He will be the king of this week. Expect a forty time from him in the 4.80 range, a huge vertical in the 35-37" range, and excellent long-jump and cone numbers. He will be the talk. A TE in an OT's body. One of big question marks to check this week is the athleticism of Jake Conklin, probably the only player that was able to slow DeForest Buckner down from destroying offenses all year. Conklin is considered to be unathletic by some, and a guy who might have to move to the right side. His team is hoping for him to run in the 4.9s, which would help a lot. Some of the other juniors with a ton at stake: Shon Coleman is a cancer survivor, and older than other guys here (he will be 26 during the season). Can he show enough to keep him in that second round conversation? If not, he could be a giant slider on draft weekend (maybe to the fourth round). Coleman is a very good RT prospect, with outstanding length, and a powerful punch. Germain Ifedi was an effective OT for Texas A&M, but many want to push him inside. I think he shows enough this week to keep him as a second round RT prospect. Finally, Jerald Hawkins of LSU came out early, and he needs a huge week because he should have gone back to school. For Stanford fans, Kyle Murphy was a very good college OL, but I thought he struggled during Senior Bowl week. He needs a strong rebound to pull up his draft stock.

On the interior of the offensive line, we saw most of these guys during Senior Bowl week. Now is a chance to show off in timed events. Rees Odhiambo's medicals will be huge, and his movement skills this week will determine whether he stays on the outside or kicks inside. Nice looking prospect.

Should be a fascinating week, for sure.

Maddog its interesting. I work with somebody that is best friends with Hackenberg. Even though he has not blamed him directly atleast not that he's conveyed to me, Hackenberg seems to have contributed many of his issues with Franklin.

The guy that I work with has mentioned to me in the past that Hackenberg really liked playing for Bill O' Brien but is far less enthusiastic about his time with James Franklin and that may have played a lot into his decision to come out early, even though his stock is at its lowest point. I would keep an eye on a reunion with Hackenberg and O' Brien to the Texans.

Originally posted by Willisfn4life:

Maddog its interesting. I work with somebody that is best friends with Hackenberg. Even though he has not blamed him directly atleast not that he's conveyed to me, Hackenberg seems to have contributed many of his issues with Franklin.

The guy that I work with has mentioned to me in the past that Hackenberg really liked playing for Bill O' Brien but is far less enthusiastic about his time with James Franklin and that may have played a lot into his decision to come out early, even though his stock is at its lowest point. I would keep an eye on a reunion with Hackenberg and O' Brien to the Texans.

Good, he can have him.

Bummer about Treadwell not running, was looking forward to it.

Originally posted by strickac:

Originally posted by Willisfn4life:

Maddog its interesting. I work with somebody that is best friends with Hackenberg. Even though he has not blamed him directly atleast not that he's conveyed to me, Hackenberg seems to have contributed many of his issues with Franklin.

The guy that I work with has mentioned to me in the past that Hackenberg really liked playing for Bill O' Brien but is far less enthusiastic about his time with James Franklin and that may have played a lot into his decision to come out early, even though his stock is at its lowest point. I would keep an eye on a reunion with Hackenberg and O' Brien to the Texans.

Good, he can have him.

Are you sure? You seem like you may need time to think it over...

Originally posted by Willisfn4life:
Maddog its interesting. I work with somebody that is best friends with Hackenberg. Even though he has not blamed him directly atleast not that he's conveyed to me, Hackenberg seems to have contributed many of his issues with Franklin.

The guy that I work with has mentioned to me in the past that Hackenberg really liked playing for Bill O' Brien but is far less enthusiastic about his time with James Franklin and that may have played a lot into his decision to come out early, even though his stock is at its lowest point. I would keep an eye on a reunion with Hackenberg and O' Brien to the Texans.

That is the word we have in Columbus, which is dialed in to State College pretty well. Hackenberg may end up with the Texans, but I still wouldn't touch him. His accuracy is so erratic, that there is no way he can be a quality NFL starter right now. Has all the physical tools, but the mental side is lacking.

Originally posted by mayo49:
Bummer about Treadwell not running, was looking forward to it.

As much as I was looking forward to watch grass grow in my backyard. Not sure which is faster.

The trainwreck of a time in the 4.7s would have been worth the drama.

The combine is male drama.

Originally posted by MadDog49er:

As much as I was looking forward to watch grass grow in my backyard. Not sure which is faster.

The trainwreck of a time in the 4.7s would have been worth the drama.

The combine is male drama.

It's amazing how much 3/10s of a second means to people. What is that, a 3rd of a step? Not that I care, I want to go d anyways.