MadDog49er 2019 NFL Draft Combine Primer | Page 2

MadDog49er · 2019-02-25T12:48:58-08:00

It is combine week, and that means players will be scrutinized around the clock, but mostly on the field, along the sidelines and inside rooms, from the bench press to the International press to the white board. While some of the events can be easily mocked for its sensationalism (a DT's 10 yard is split is 100% more important than his 40 time), there are many things to be learned from these outstanding athletes in this important weekend. This is my personal draft primer, with numbers as barometers for success. I will go through some of the main players, and what should be critical numbers for them. The Winner of the 40 Yard Dash- This is the highlight for the week, so let's start with the showstopper. I am not sure we will bust under 4.30 this year, but there will be a number of guys in the 4.3s. OSU CB Kendall Sheffield is the betting favorite to post the fastest time. I'd say the over-under for him is 4.32, right at where former teammate Denzel Ward, posted last year. Right behind him should be three offensive stars. Put me down for UMass WR Andy Isabella with an over-under of 4.34, and OU WR Marquise Brown (edit- Brown out with foot recovery) and Stanford RB Bryce Love (edit- Love out with knee injury) at 4.35. Parris Campbell should be in the mix with a time in the mid-4.3s. WR Darius Slayton of Auburn and others will compete. Should be a great show. And, all of these guys will get a great boost from their time. UPDATE- 3/2: Isabella ran a 4.31, under my 4.34. Parris Campbell ran a 4.31 under my mid- 4.3. Slayton a bit slower at 4.39. Rashan Gary- Expected to blow up the combine, Gary should be in contention for a forty in the low-mid 4.6s, which will be amazing for a player at around 280 pounds. Gary should also show some outrageous explosion numbers in the vertical, and broad jump. I am most interested in seeing his cone time and shuttle times, which shows change of direction. I expect him to struggle much more in these drills. Kyle Murray- While most people will be fixated on Murray's forty time, I want to see his deep ball. You know that Dwayne Haskins is going to throw balls that scrape the top of Indi's dome, and Lock's deep ball will show that he has a strong arm. Can Murray at least stay close to these guys in depth and height. Can Murray make all the throws? If I was in his camp, I might keep away from throwing until his campus workout. Never be exposed at the combine in comparison situations. Jonah Williams' Arm Length- Here was my note on Connor Williams last year….."Connor Williams- 34" arms- Williams was one of the better college tackles, but I think length is his biggest question mark. I don't see a guy with long limbs here, and that might push him inside in the NFL. The benchmark length for an OT is 34", and few under that number are quality starters in the NFL. Call me a skeptic, but I see Brandon Scherff all over again in Williams. Scherff measured in with 33 3/8" arms and got shoved inside by the Redskins. Williams needs to show at least 34" vines to keep him in play as a top 15 pick" UPDATE: Williams only measured in at 33" arm length, which effectively ends his run as an OT. He will be pushed inside to guard. Very disappointing for a really solid player, but someone who will be super athletic inside for an NFL team… I believe Jonah Williams is going to post similar measurables to Williams, which will inevitably move him inside. Count it a MAJOR victory if he measures at 33 ½" arms. UPDATE 3/2: Williams came in at 33 5/8". MAJOR VICTORY. Who's the Next Edge After Bosa and Allen?- In a draft full of terrific pass rushers, there is a big question mark on who will be Edge 3 after Bosa and Allen are off the board. Of course, there is the potential that one of these guys might be able to surpass Bosa or Allen, but more than likely are jockeying to be the bronze medalist in this draft. The player thought to have the greatest upside, Brian Burns, needs to show that he has put on some weight. His length and bend is remarkable, but he has to hit the 245+ pound mark in weight to alleviate concerns about his size. On the flip side, Jachai Polite, who is shorter in stature, and not nearly as long as Burns, needs to run a blazing 3 cone drill, which is usually the best predictor of future success in the NFL for edge players. Clelin Ferrell is less 3-4 Edge (like Burns and Polite) and more traditional 4-3 DE. The key for him will to run smoothly in drills, showing he can be a base 4-3 DE and also athletic enough to play in a two point stance. This would help him cement a top 10 selection in the draft as a versatile defender in any scheme. Which running backs will stand out?- This year has a number of talented college running backs, but no clear and obvious order to how they will fall. The consensus top RB, Alabama underclassman, Josh Jacobs, needs to run a fast time and show smoothness on the field. How well can he run around the cones, and what hands will he show in the gauntlet drills? Some of the smaller and more explosive backs in the draft that are hovering around 200 pounds, such as FAU's Devin Singletary, Memphis RB Darrell Henderson, Trayveon Williams, and Bryce Love, need to tip the scales in the 205-215 pound range to be relied on as more than a situational back. Who will show explosiveness, quickness, great hands, and come out clean in medicals? This is possibly the most wide-open position group. Someone needs to shine to take center stage. UPDATE 3/2: While Singletary, Henderson and T. Williams did alright this weekend, the combine stars were Justice Hill, who won pretty much all the major events, Miles Sanders, Alex Barnes and Mike Weber. Sanders and Barnes looked as smooth, or smoother, than players 20 pounds lighter. Weber snatched the ball with ease. James Williams also looked fast on the field. These guys all jumped out to me. I guess it will come down to what each team wants. Which of the big three corners stand above the other two? Right now, Greedy Williams, DeAndre Baker, and Byron Murphy are clearly the class of the CB positional group. All of them have outstanding traits that should lend themselves to playing right away, at a high level, in the NFL. While 40 times for DT are not super important in regards to how they will project in the NFL, 40 times for CBs are huge. None of these guys are going to be able to run with OSU CB Kendall Sheffield, but each wants to post a time no slower than 4.49. If I am betting man, I'd say that Baker emerges as the victor of the combine for the big three. Count me as a huge fan of the 3 cone time for this positional group as well. Which jumbo sized WR crashes and burns?- There is a lot on the line for the big-sized underclassmen WRs, which there are a ton. Metcalf, Harry, Harmon, Arcega-Whiteside, Butler, Humphrey, P. Williams are all players in the 6'2"-6'5", 220 range. Some will be able to run, and some are going to post ghastly numbers…maybe in the mid-high 4.6s. I am quite frankly scared for Butler. This may open the door for a guy like Riley Ridley, neither a smurf, nor a giant, to sneak back into the conversation as one of the top WRs in this draft. Look for Parris Campbell to have a huge combine. UPDATE 3/2: Campbell had a huge combine. Metcalf blew up the forty, vertical and broad jump.....however, his shuttle and 3 cone times are really poor. Buyer beware- You are getting a limited route tree runner in Metcalf. The TEs steal the show- This is the best TE class I have ever seen, and I think they put on a great show. In fact, I expect some TEs to run faster times than many WRs, and have shockingly explosive broad and vertical jumps. TJ Hockenson, Noah Fant, and Irv Smith are all great athletes. Dawson Knox should test very well, and I expect big things from Isaac Nauta. One of the huge questions will be: How much will Caleb Wilson weight? He needs to be in that 240-245 range for people to take him seriously as a TE and not just a jumbo WR. Expect a HUGE combine from Texas St. TE Keenen Brown. Crossing my fingers than Jace Sternberger competes well, because I think he is underrated in this draft class. There are more notes I will add in the next couple days, but these highlight a few guys to really watch in specific areas of concern.

MadDog49er 2019 NFL Draft Combine Primer

Feb 26, 2019 at 11:53 AM

#16

genus49
Moderator
Posts: 28,587

Originally posted by zonkers:
I believe Marquise Brown won't be running either - foot surgery.

I'm interested in:
- Bosa medical (no flags)
- Q Williams medical (no flags), height, arm length, hand size
- Allen and Gary movement in field drills
- Allen 3cone and shuttle, arm length, hand size
- Gary arm length, hand size, and bench
- Burns 10, 40 times, bench, arm length

I think bench for defensive linemen is probably the least important of the drills.

I'd definitely like to see Quinnen's movement drills assuming he even does them.

Feb 26, 2019 at 8:53 PM

#17

ChaunceyGardner
Q46 Draft Winner
Posts: 23,984

Q Williams will win the interview portion of the combine.

Feb 26, 2019 at 10:20 PM

#18

dj43
Moderator
Posts: 38,590

As always, good stuff. It will be nice to have some details to talk about the next few days.

Feb 27, 2019 at 3:00 AM

#19

Lurker
Veteran
Posts: 881

Thanks, MadDog.

Feb 27, 2019 at 3:07 AM

#20

mayo49
Veteran
Posts: 65,216

Originally posted by ChaunceyGardner:
Q Williams will win the interview portion of the combine.

Allen, too.

Mar 2, 2019 at 4:49 PM

#21

MadDog49er
Hall of Fame
Posts: 19,400

Originally posted by Lurker:
Thanks, MadDog.

No problem

Mar 2, 2019 at 7:33 PM

#22

SFL49ER
Veteran
Posts: 4,952

What are your concerns for Hakeem Butler.He impressed in the 40. He impressed with his length. Hes a force against press, has bend, and looks the part with the ball in his hands. I'm allin on Butler at 36 but not sure if he lasts that long.

Mar 16, 2019 at 1:55 PM

#23

kirkscrafford
Veteran
Posts: 401

When does your draft primer come out? I always look forward to reading those.

Mar 16, 2019 at 3:40 PM

#24

NTeply49
Veteran
Posts: 1,610

Originally posted by kirkscrafford:
When does your draft primer come out? I always look forward to reading those.

Same. Are you guys doing a draft website again?

Home

Forum

Draft War Room

MadDog49er 2019 NFL Draft Combine Primer