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While it is irresponsible to judge an athlete—particularly one belonging to a sport so heavily influenced by intangibles—simply by his ability to run in a straight line, it is sometimes hard not to be infatuated with raw numbers accumulated…
Here is my second version of the 2010 NFL Draft. A lot has changed over the past few weeks, so it has taken me a while to organize a new mock.
1. St. Louis—Jimmy Clausen, QB
If I’m St. Louis, I know I’m not going to succeed for a few years. They have young receivers and have yet to break in last year’s second overall pick, Jason Smith. Clausen had to deal with controversy during his three years at Notre Dame, so he’s used to it. He’s as mentally tough as any QB in this draft, and that is what separated him from Bradford. He has experience in a pro-style offense and is a competitive athlete who will play through pain. He has a great arm and is very comparable to Mark Sanchez, last year’s No. 5 pick and the quarterback of the Jets, who went all the way to the AFC Championship.
2. Detroit—Ndamukong Suh, DT
There are reports that Russell Okung could be the pick here. I think that would be a good pick—if Suh were taken No. 1 overall—if not, the Lions have to take Suh here. They did a great job last draft landing Stafford, Pettigrew, Delmas, and Levy. They also added Kyle Vanden Bosch and Corey Williams. Adding Suh would significantly improve this defensive line and give Detroit something to boast about in the NFC North. There are plenty of good offensive tackles available later on, but you cannot find another Suh.
3. Tampa Bay—Gerald McCoy, DT
This is a great fit for both parties: Raheem Morris’ Tampa Two defense requires a defensive tackle that can penetrate and get up the field, and McCoy thrives at the three technique. Had Suh not been so dominant, McCoy would be known by just about everyone. He is still a phenomenal talent. It’s not a matter of one being better than the other, but McCoy’s game is about exploding upfield, while Suh’s is about his brute strength and hand quickness.
4. Washington—Sam Bradford, QB
Backflips. That’s what they are doing in our nation’s capital—backflips. Bradford falling to 4? It’s amazing. However, the even more intriguing fact is that the top OT is also available. This would be a huge organizational decision that will affect this team for the next five to six years. Is Mike Shanahan convinced that Jason Campbell or Rex Grossman are going to make this team better? If he believes that, Okung is the pick. However, it’s too hard to really speculate because Washington has a lot of flexibility at this pick all of a sudden.
5. Kansas City—Eric Berry, DB
The Chiefs had a good young safety in Bernard Pollard. He was released last season and became an impact player in Houston. The Chiefs could not fill the void—until now. Berry has playmaker written all over him. He blew up the Combine after a somewhat disappointing junior year where he had to learn a new system and was moved around. Again, Okung would be a great pick here, but I think they still believe Branden Albert can be a successful LT in this league.
6. Seattle—Russell Okung, OT
This is as well of a value pick as you can find right now. The Seahawks have a big problem on their offensive line: longtime LT Walter Jones hasn’t been the same player the last few years, and he’s only getting older. I know that Pete Carroll would love to make a lot of noise with this pick by picking a pass rusher or Taylor Mays, but he has to start in the trenches and get the best player available. Okung has long arms and is athletic, even though he had an up and down campaign in 2009.
7. Cleveland—Derrick Morgan, DE
This could be a really beneficial pick for the Browns. Odds are that the Browns are moving away from Mangini’s 3-4 and into a more traditional 4-3 defense because of Mike Holmgren. Morgan isn’t generating a lot of media buzz because he’s a junior and didn’t blow up the Combine like some of the other ends, but he is the most intelligent and balanced of the group. He also has underrated upside to develop into a great player.
8. Oakland—Trent Williams, OT
Bruce Campbell just can’t go here. I mean, honestly, Al Davis might have screwed up on JaMarcus Russell, Darren McFadden, AND Darius Heyward-Bey, but this should be the pick where he redeems himself. Williams is rising steadily in the process after testing out surprising well in Indianapolis. He has versatility and experience at both tackle spots, which have been a huge problem for the Raiders. I thought about Brian Bulaga, but will the fans really be thrilled about another Iowa offensive lineman?
9. Buffalo—Brian Bulaga, OT
Speaking of Iowa offensive linemen, here’s a pretty good one. The Bills haven’t gotten over the loss of Jason Peters; they never went out and got a young talent to take over. Also, to make matters worse, young Brad Butler retired from football this past offseason, leaving the Bills awfully thin at tackle. A quarterback would be the sexy pick right here, but selecting a tough, hard-nosed offensive linemen and building around last year’s top picks Eric Wood and Andy LeVitre is a better choice.
10. Jacksonville—Brandon Graham, DE/OLB
Graham has been one of the hottest names since the Senior Bowl, where he tore up the field with his ability to disrupt the backfield consistently. I think Jacksonville did a nice job getting Aaron Kampman, but I think they would like to add another proven pass rusher. Jason Pierre-Paul has great physical tools and upside, but his lack of starting experience at the highest level is a huge concern. Graham is a guy that can contribute from day one and will give his best effort all the time. He can also stand up and play outside linebacker.
11. Denver—Dez Bryant, WR
The Broncos have a quarterback battle that will take place this offseason between Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn. Also, Brandon Marshall will generate plenty of attention and will probably be traded so they can get compensation. After that, the Broncos don’t have many targets. Bryant has “character” concerns to deal with, but he is a great deep threat and some are even calling him better than Michael Crabtree, who went 10th overall last season to San Francisco.
12. Miami—Dan Williams, NT
The Dolphins were aggressive in pursuing Karlos Dansby to shore up the middle of their defense, but getting a giant space-eater is the next task. Jason Ferguson is 35 years old, so getting a young talent to groom is the best solution. Williams has been progressing up the boards in the whole process, mainly because of his athleticism and the fact that he is a rare, attractive commodity as a 3-4 NT. Miami needs to be tougher in the middle and not get pushed around.
13. San Francisco—Joe Haden, CB
A poor running at the Combine may have cost Haden a few draft spots, but he is going to a better situation in San Fran, where he could not only be a potential starter, but also for a playoff-contending team. Haden is a great athlete and can support in the run game—something many corners shy away from. His 40 time at the Combine is getting blown completely out of proportion; this guy is training to become a cornerback, not a 100m dash champion.
14. Seattle—Jason Pierre-Paul, DE
Pierre-Paul has the most upside out of any player in the draft. He has great physical tools but only a year of starting experience at the Division I level. It raises a lot of concerns about how he will be able to handle an NFL playbook and the daily grind, but the talent level is too much to be dissuaded by those concerns. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Everson Griffen went here. He is a young man who is starting to play to his potential. However, I don’t see CJ Spiller or Taylor Mays here.
15. N.Y. Giants—Rolando McClain, ILB
McClain didn’t work out at the Combine because of a tweaked hammy, but it didn’t scare off many team. They figured if McClain ran in the low 4.7s that he would be a top 15 pick. That is exactly what he did, and the Giants are going to be thrilled with the addition. McClain is instinctive; a winner, leader, and a beast of a man. Sounds like he could be a really good fit in the middle of that defense.
16. Tennessee—Everson Griffen, DE
Griffen is really starting to show his true potential, which could get him drafted even higher when the draft rolls around. He showed great athleticism at the Combine and proved that he can get off the ball quickly. He would be a good fit in Seattle with coach Pete Carroll, but the Titans really lack pass rushers. If Griffen scratches the surface of the last first round Titans DE, that would be fantastic.
17. San Francisco—C.J. Spiller, RB
The Niners are a team on the rise with a good offense and solid defense. They made a great selection with Haden at 13 and take the best offensive player available with Spiller at 17. Iupati would make some sense, but the Niners should focus on value as opposed to need. Spiller is an explosive athlete with versatility in every phase of the game. He’s not going to be an every-down back, but he is an excellent complement to the injury-prone Frank Gore. They can shore up the offensive line later.
18. Pittsburgh—Mike Iupati, OG
The only difficult part about this pick is pronouncing his name. I’ve heard four variations—why not just ask the kid how to REALLY pronounce it so we stop looking like fools? He is a big, strong, nasty guard and fits the bill for the Steelers, who want to get more physical up front. His technique still needs fine tuning, but if he plays anywhere near the level of Steve Hutchinson, it’s a great pick.
19. Atlanta—Sergio Kindle, OLB
Kindle is an extremely versatile player and a good value at the 19th pick. He is much better against the run than attacking the pass rusher, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know how to get to the QB. Acquiring Dunta Robinson in free agency is a good move, and to keep shoring up a defense with more answers than questions is what Atlanta needs to do.
20. Houston—Earl Thomas, DB
There is no doubt about Thomas’ potential in the NFL—it’s just a matter of what position he’ll play. I think Kyle Wilson would be a good fit here, but Thomas’ playmaking ability and upside are too good to pass up. The Texans have a really good front seven, so if they can continue to improve their secondary, they can make some noise in a competitive AFC South.
21. Cincinnati—Jermaine Gresham, TE
The Bengals made a solid pick up in Antonio Bryant, but they still need a young, pass-catching TE to make defenses worry about him. Gresham has some medical issues, but he proved that he is almost 100 percent at the Combine by running extremely well. He’s a natural receiver and if he can improve his run blocking, he will help out Carson Palmer and get the Bengals back to the playoffs.
22. New England—Jerry Hughes, OLB
Hughes has been making his way up many draft boards since the end of the season. He’s a productive, versatile, high-character player; so he would be a natural fit in New England. Brandon Graham would have been the ideal selection, but I have him going to Jacksonville at 10. Hughes would instantly upgrade the pass rush and give the Patriots a young, fresh set of legs.
23. Green Bay—Anthony Davis, OT
I really had a difficult time putting this pick here. Do I go with a falling Davis, who has a ton of talent but isn’t doing well in the process, or a rising Campbell, who blew up the Combine? Campbell, in my opinion, shouldn’t crack the first round, but is a great pick up in the second for a team like Detroit. Davis is an exceptional talent and can keep Aaron Rodgers upright.
24. Philadelphia—Sean Witherspoon, OLB
The Eagles have a great nucleus on offense, but need to address a key area on defense—outside linebacker. Stewart Bradley went down last year and Will Witherspoon did a nice job filling in, but he was not retained. Witherspoon is powerful, explosive and a great leader. He will bring an attitude to Philly’s defense and hopefully some durability.
25. Baltimore—Jared Odrick, DE
Baltimore could use some depth on the defensive line, and Odrick is a great fit at the five technique and a good value this late in the first round. He has long arms and can push the pocket. He may need some time adjusting to the outside end spot, but he’s athletic and talented enough to do it.
26. Arizona—Ricky Sapp, DE/OLB
This could be a slight reach, but the Cardinals need someone who can get after the quarterback. Sapp has early second-round talent, so this isn’t a terrible placement for him, but I didn’t see anyone the Cardinals could really value at this spot besides a pass rusher. Sapp needs to show that he can be a dual-threat player, not just a one-trick pony.
27. Dallas—Charles Brown, OT
I thought Brown was a player who could sneak into the first with a good workout at Indy, and that’s exactly what he did. He was a solid performer at USC with good athleticism and lateral mobility. The Cowboys’ pass protection was exposed against Minnesota and was a huge reason why they didn’t advance to the NFC Championship.
28. San Diego—Terrence Cody, NT
Terrence Cody without a shirt on is awfully disturbing, but since when is the NFL a beauty show? Cody is the best player in this draft at stopping the run. He is a perfect fit in San Diego’s 3-4 defense and can hopefully be a Jamal Williams type player. If he can keep his weight down, this is a huge steal for the Chargers, who really need to reload the talent on their roster.
29. N.Y. Jets—Golden Tate, WR
I know that Demaryius Thomas is a hot name right now, but he hasn’t proven a lot at the college level. The Jets need to get a WR with experience and productivity in a pro-style offense. Tate, last season’s Biletnikoff winner, isn’t the biggest or the fastest, but he has great hands, can separate from DBs, and is great when the ball is up for grabs. The Jets are definitely a run-first team, but surrounding Mark Sanchez with weapons will be great when the running game falters.
30. Minnesota—Brian Price, DT
Value trumps need at this spot. Price, a top 20 player, is an exceptional value at the 30th pick. The Williams Wall isn’t getting any younger, so adding a great young talent to the DT rotation is great. There is no doubt that a young CB would be great here, but Price is too good to pass on in my eyes.
31. Indianapolis—Maurkice Pouncey, OC
The Colts need to be more physical up front. They proved that by releasing Ryan Lilja a couple weeks ago. Pouncey played center at Florida but has the talent and versatility to take one of the guard spots. He is a really solid player who can be a good addition to an offensive line looking to get tougher.
32. New Orleans—Tyson Alualu, DT
There is no OLB that is a good value here, but Alualu is a quietly rising DT in the draft. He plays the run very well, has been extremely durable, and is a high-character guy, which Sean Payton will love. The Saints would take a long look at Ryan Matthews, but I think they have to improve their defense.
ROUND 2
33. St. Louis—Kyle Wilson, CB
Cornerback is a big need for the Rams, so having Wilson fall here in the second is a great value/need pick.
34. Detroit—Bruce Campbell, OT
There are major questions about Campbell’s experience and technique, but he is a physical freak of nature and won’t be rushed into the starting lineup.
35. Tampa Bay—Carlos Dunlap, DE
Dunlap has character and effort concerns that have popped up recently, but he is a great athlete who could be dangerous off the edge.
36. Kansas City—Roger Saffold, OT
Saffold is a fast rising player. He didn’t get outstanding exposure at Indiana, but he has a really good skill set and is a strong pick in the second round.
37. Washington—Devin McCourty, CB
Rather than reach for an offensive tackle, the ‘Skins take a falling corner with a ton of talent. Matthews could be an option, but with Larry Johnson signing a three-year deal, it doesn’t appear to be happening.
38. Cleveland—Taylor Mays, S
He is really talented and may be one of the most physically gifted players in this draft. However, his game film doesn’t match up, so that is why he falls so far. This is a good pick for the Browns, who are shoring up a pitiful defense.
39. Oakland—Sean Lee, LB
The Raiders are switching over to a 3-4 defense, supposedly, so getting another middle linebacker would be a good pick up.
40. San Diego—Ryan Matthews, RB
Having the second best running back fall into your lap is a great pick up for the Chargers. He is a good complement to Darren Sproles, and it’s only a matter of time until he’s the starter.
41. Buffalo—Corey Wooton, DE
Wooton had some injuries last season, but he is a really good player and fits in the Bills’ 3-4 defense. The Bills would have two starters with Dwan Edwards and Wooton.
42. Tampa Bay—Kareem Jackson, CB
Jackson is a really solid player with good size and athleticism. He would be a good value and another tremendous pick so far for Tampa, who has already come away with Gerald McCoy and Carlos Dunlap.
43. Miami—Jahvid Best, RB
Ricky Williams is older, but he isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Ronnie Brown’s future in Miami is going to be uncertain, so grabbing Best here is a good value.
44. New England—Demaryius Thomas, WR
Thomas is still nursing a foot injury and didn’t play in a pass-oriented offense, but he’s big, strong and has shown the ability to be an explosive pass catching threat.
45. Denver—Daryl Washington, LB
Washington has the ability to slide inside in a 3-4 scheme. He is excellent against the run, something that Denver would love to be better against.
46. N.Y. Giants—Vladimir Ducasse, OG
With no good pass rushers available, the Giants take a developmental project at guard. Ducasse has the potential to be a great guard in the NFL but needs a few years.
47. Carolina—Rob Gronkowski, TE
The Panthers are committing themselves to Matt Moore, so getting him a weapon is essential. Gronkowski has medical concerns about his back, but his talent is undeniable.
48. New England—Tim Tebow, QB
Yes, someone pulls the trigger on him. He’s nowhere near ready, but learning under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady is a great situation for Tebow.
49. San Francisco—Nate Allen, S
The Niners still haven’t addressed their right tackle situation, but they take a player of good need and value. Allen is extremely athletic and can contribute on special teams immediately.
50. Houston—Lamarr Houston, DT
He’s a hometown kid and could fit in very well in the defensive tackle rotation.
51. Kansas City—Dennis Pitta, TE
The Chiefs need a replacement for Tony Gonzalez. Pitta is an instinctive route runner with underrated athleticism.
52. Pittsburgh—Cam Thomas, NT
Casey Hampton isn’t going to be around forever, so getting an eventual replacement is a good idea.
53. New England—Eric Norwood, OLB
He can get after the quarterback on a consistent basis. He’s a tough kid and a hard worker.
54. Cincinnati—Damian Williams, WR
They get a player who can fill the slot immediately and knows how to create separation.
55. Philadelphia—Jon Asamoah, OG
The release of Shawn Andrews leaves a gaping hole at guard. He’s durable and smart.
56. Green Bay—Patrick Robinson, CB
He takes a lot of chances and can be caught out of position, but he is a great athlete and a great value here.
57. Baltimore—Chris Cook, CB
He’s a big corner with good versatility. The Ravens need a good, young corner.
58. Arizona—Brandon Spikes, ILB
He’s not the fastest guy by any stretch of the mind, but he’s intelligent and knows where he needs to be.
59. Dallas—Eric Decker, WR
Adding another playmaker to the offense is a good idea. He’s more quick than he is fast, but he would fit in the slot nicely.
60. Seattle—Dexter McCluster, RB
Didn’t run well at the Combine, but he’s quick and ultra-productive.
61. N.Y. Jets—Arthur Jones, DT
Jones brings versatility and a good work ethic to the Jets’ defensive line.
62. Minnesota—Perrish Cox, CB
His character concerns are definite, but he’s a ball hawk and has great size.
63. Indianapolis—Al Woods, DT
Every year you think the Colts will take a defensive tackle…
64. New Orleans—Navorro Bowman, OLB
He has character concerns and didn’t look overly athletic at Indy, but he’s productive and physical.
Please feel free to comment—keep it clean! I appreciate any feedback.
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Now that the 2010 NFL Combine is behind us, it’s time to look forward to the draft and determine who is riding a good workout to an early berth and who is grasping straws to remain in contention.
Offensive linemen are the big uglies of the game and their individual athleticism is very important in determining how effective they will be.
Perhaps we will look back on this draft and see future pro bowlers and franchise tackles. Here’s a look at a few guys who had up-and-down performances at the combine.
Risers
1.Bruce Campbell (Maryland)
40-Yard Dash (4.85) Bench Press (34) Vertical Jump (32.0) 3-Cone Drill (7.58)
20-Yard Shuttle (4.69) Broad Jump (8’05″)
Campbell came into the combine as one of the more electric tackle prospects and he did not disappoint. He was fast, strong, and smart throughout the day. He posted strong numbers across the board and could be the first tackle taken in April.
He keeps a low center of gravity, has a great initial pop off the line of scrimmage, and has the speed to pull effectively and cut off the outside rush.
2.Trent Williams (Oklahoma)
40-Yard Dash (4.88) Bench Press (23) Vertical Jump (34.0) 20-Yard Shuttle (4.63)
Broad Jump (9’05″)
Williams was another lineman with elite potential who showed up big at the combine. He was easily one of the fastest tackles there and, while he didn’t look overly impressive at the bench, he showed excellent lower body strength at both jump stations.
The former Sooner has all of the physical tangibles you look for in an NFL-ready lineman without the production. He doesn’t have a deep history of injuries so durability isn’t a primary concern. He can be an immediate contributor at the next level and has the potential to be the best rookie tackle by next year’s end.
3.Marshall Newhouse (TCU)
40-Yard Dash (5.00) Bench Press (25) 3-Cone Drill (7.40) 20-Yard Shuttle (4.60)
Broad Jump (7’10″)
Newhouse was the decided captain of a strong TCU offensive line for nearly his entire career there. He has the speed to play tackle and the strength to play guard. He was one of the few linemen there that worked well in tight spaces, turning on his edges like a backfield defender.
Virtually unknown before the combine, the former Horned Frog has boosted his draft stock in ways that wouldn’t be possible without events like the NFL combine.
4.Mitch Petrus (Arkansas)
40-Yard Dash (5.29) Bench Press (45)
Petrus was easily the strongest lineman at the combine, and for a guy with that much bulk, he sure moved fast. The former Razorback was recruited at tight end, raised at fullback, and, after three years on an offensive line that saw enormous success in the SEC, Petrus is ready to make his NFL debut.
The Arkansas native has great athleticism and physicality. He could stand to be a little faster off the snap, but once he’s in motion, he’s a bull. He showed up big at the combine and could see a quicker exit off the board in April.
5.Jared Veldheer (Hillsdale)
40-Yard Dash (5.09) Bench Press (32) Vertical Jump (33.0) 3-Cone Drill (7.40)
20-Yard Shuttle (4.51) Broad Jump (9’01″)
Veldheer has a refreshing attitude towards the game. He is an absolute team player at heart and he has the mean streak to boot. The former Colt is a well-balanced athlete who also made an impression at the bench. He’s fast, quick, however you want to put it, and he has more upside than you’d expect.
Veldheer is a victim of the common rule where players from small school go largely overlooked; the combine is one of the few places where those who would otherwise go unnoticed, get a chance to prove themselves.
Fallers
1.Eric Cook (New Mexico)
Bench Press (19) Vertical Jump (25.0) Broad Jump (7’10″)
Cook came into the combine as a relatively unknown player and that’s how he’ll leave. There wasn’t anything impressive about his numbers and nothing stood out in the position-specific drills.
The former Lobo has his upside and his tape shows a lineman with good size and quick feet. He pulls well and has a fast kick step in pass protection. He’ll still have a chance to show his stuff at New Mexico’s pro day, but until then, he’s still just another number.
2.Ciron Black (LSU)
40-Yard Dash (5.49) Bench Press (23) Vertical Jump (25.5) Broad Jump (7’07″)
Black was on his way to becoming the first Tiger taken in the 2010 draft until he showed up to Indianapolis. The former LSU lineman posted nothing special across the board and was uninterested in his interviews and position-specific drills.
Black has the potential to be good; perhaps it was only the wear and tear of a stringent combine schedule that seems to excel at placing young players outside of their comfort zone. At LSU’s pro day, though, we should see a better player with quicker feet and a better disposition.
3.Kyle Calloway (Iowa)
40-Yard Dash (5.51) Bench Press (22) Vertical Jump (23.5) Broad Jump (7’08″)
Calloway doesn’t carry the same weight in the draft as his fellow teammate, Bryan Baluaga, does. He has better size and, arguably, quicker feet, but his technique still needs a large amount of work.
He doesn’t utilize his hands at the line effectively and he struggles at keeping his composure against larger defenders in pass protection. He still has some upside, though, and will likely see an exit off the board sometime early on day two of the draft.
4.Kyle Jolly (North Carolina)
40-Yard Dash (5.43) Bench Press (20) Broad Jump (7’05″)
Jolly was one of the few consistencies Tarheel fans saw in their team last year. The lineman has the size to play inside and the speed to be effective on the outside. It wasn’t completely clear where Jolly might end up before the combine but, after his performance, he may not end up anywhere.
The Tarheel showed a sluggish side of him that we haven’t seen since his sophomore season. One of the features that make Jolly special on the field was his fiery attitude and, without that, he’s just another big ugly without a memorable name.
5.Chris Scott (Tennessee)
40-Yard Dash (5.49) Bench Press (19) Broad Jump (7’06″)
Scott may have had the worst time at the combine than any other lineman. His numbers were poor and there were several drills in which the former Volunteer had to repeat.
After ending his season under fire against Virginia Tech, Scott received another chance to shine in the East-West Shrine game and, while he may have made an impression there, he flopped at the combine. Scott had a shot at becoming the second Vol to be taken, Eric Berry is a unanimous top ten pick, but not he may not see a berth until very late.
Find more from Zack Nally over at NFL Soup.
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The NFL Combine is an alternate way for players with low visibility to help their stock and for those with high expectations to meet them.
Game tape is still the primary source of how a player performs in real-time situations, but the combine measures physical tangibles and position-specific drills that show the strengths and weaknesses of each player.
Outside linebackers with hopes of NFL salaries are expected to be comfortable with both strong and weak side positions, as well as have above-average speed and good coverage skills. Here are a few players who had a good showing at the combine and others who still have work to do.
Risers
1. Cody Grimm (Virginia Tech)
40-Yard Dash (4.64) Bench Press (21) Vertical Jump (35.5) 3-Cone Drill (6.58)
Grimm is a typically undersized linebacker with great speed and good instincts. He was highly productive at Virginia Tech and that hard work will translate well to the next level.
Some project him as a safety in the NFL, but with a few added pounds, Grimm has the potential to be a very effective weak side linebacker. His lateral speed and lower body strength allows him to fly around the field and get to the ball quickly.
For now, he is looking more and more like an early pick on the second day of the draft.
2. Dekoda Watson (Florida State)
40-Yard Dash (4.56) Bench Press (24) Vertical Jump (40.0) 20-Yard Shuttle (4.11)
60-Yard Shuttle (11.35) Broad Jump (11’02″)
Watson is a player who will likely slip beneath the radar and surprise a lot of folks in the Fall. The former Seminole doesn’t have the production or the playing time some of the other prospects have, but he is a workaholic who spends atrocious amounts of time in the weight room.
For his size, he can really move. He has excellent lateral quickness and will eat up space quickly. He has the strength of an interior linebacker but the coverage skills of an outside defender. He still has some polishing to undergo but, in time, he will be a coveted defender in the NFL.
3. Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri)
40-Yard Dash (4.68) Bench Press (24) Vertical Jump (40.0) 60-Yard Shuttle (11.59)
Broad Jump (10’03″)
Weatherspoon is one of the more highly-regarded defensive prospects this spring and his performance at the combine solidified his legitimacy.
He was fast, alert, and strong the entire weekend. There wasn’t a particular drill that stood out among the others, but all of his numbers were solid.
Weatherspoon played on a defense that was often overlooked to the offense’s potency throughout the year. He doesn’t garner enough attention yet but after his weekend in Indianapolis, how can he not?
4. Keenan Clayton (Oklahoma)
40-Yard Dash (4.66) Bench Press (27) Vertical Jump (41.5)
Clayton doesn’t have exceptional production but he makes up for it with a strong football IQ and a tireless desire to play the game. He showed up big at the combine with strong numbers across the board and a good showing at the position-specific drills.
He has a great spring step at the line of scrimmage; he could eventually be a very good blitzer in the NFL. The former Sooner has problems in coverage at times, but he has the speed to be effective and will only need a little polishing at the next level to tap into his athletic resources.
5.Keaton Kristick (Oregon State)
40-Yard Dash (4.64) Bench Press (16) 3-Cone Drill (6.96) 20-Yard Shuttle (4.21)
60-Yard Dash (11.33) Broad Jump (10’00″)
As a projected mid to late-round player going into the combine, Kristick had much to prove in Indianapolis.
Like any other young prospect, the former Beaver felt the wear and tear of a season’s performance and the high-strung schedule of the combine, but he showed progress on the field and will only look to improve those numbers at Oregon State’s pro day.
Kristick has quick feet and does well changing directions in tight spaces. He has a quick step off the snap and can find the path around slower tackles, even at the next level. He’ll need some polishing and a little patience, but could eventually prove to be an effective weak side linebacker.
Fallers
1. A.J. Edds (Iowa)
40-Yard Dash (4.71) Bench Press (16) 20-Yard Shuttle (4.28)
Edds is another typical Iowa defender, a balanced tackle machine riddled with discipline and a fiery desire to play the game of football. The former Hawkeye had hopes of vaulting his draft stock at the combine, but a slow 40 time and an unimpressive showing at the bench didn’t speak well to his capabilities.
Edds was a tackle machine at Iowa who also learned how to play in coverage his senior season. He has everything you look for in a strong side linebacker, but we will have to wait until Iowa’s pro day to see if it’s as real as it is on tape.
2. Sam Maxwell (Kentucky)
Broad Jump (8’08″)
I completely understand when a player with hopes of a high draft pick declines to perform certain drills at the combine in hops of making a better showing at their respective pro day, but when you do decide to perform in only one physical drill, you better do well.
Maxwell, in respects to a light hamstring injury, opted to only perform in the broad jump. He struggled to maintain his balance and ultimately ended with a sub-par number. He’ll have another chance to perform at Kentucky’s pro day, but he will have to work very hard to escape the shadow of fellow teammate Micah Johnson.
3. Brandon Spikes (Florida)
Vertical Jump (29.0) 3-Cone Drill (6.97) Broad Jump (9’02″)
It’s hard to imagine a player of Spikes’ caliber performing in such a way that allow his draft stock to fall, but it’s much easier to fall from the very top rather than the middle of the road. Spikes entered the combine with high expectations and did not reciprocate.
Posting marginal numbers across the board, Spikes will need to put more work into the weight room in order to continue being associated with the words “top pick” or “elite”.
4. Eric Norwood (South Carolina)
40-Yard Dash (4.67) Vertical Jump (36.5) 20-Yard Shuttle (4.23) Broad Jump (9’07″)
Norwood had overwhelming production at South Carolina and is one of the most durable prospects to enter the draft this year. That being said, scouts were expecting a faster product than what they saw in Indianapolis.
The former Gamecock defensive superstar look sluggish at times and didn’t relay the spark he was so well known for in South Carolina. He did well at the position-specific drills but needs to trim down his 40-yard in order to contend for a quick berth in April.
5. Harry Coleman (LSU)
40-Yard Dash (4.65) Bench Press (13) 60-Yard Shuttle (11.67) Broad Jump (8’11″)
Coleman may be a victim of poor coaching at LSU, where coaches moved him from safety to strong side linebacker his senior season. He is extremely undersized to play linebacker, as it showed at the combine, but fast enough to still be effective as a safety at the next level.
He is a secure tackler and decent in coverage, but don’t rule out the possibility of Coleman playing safety in the NFL. Either way, he is a versatile player with capabilities on both sides of the ball. He isn’t the strongest, but if he puts a little work into the weight room, he won’t be overlooked in April.
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The NFL Combine is done and gone, but with NFL Free Agency talk sweeping the NFL buzz bin, it’s time to get our focus back on the 2010 NFL Draft .
To start, let’s wrap-up our Combine coverage with the two safety positions. Here, we analyze how the top free safeties fared in their drills, as well as some guys who simply did not show up.
To catch all the other Combine results , go here .
40-Yard Dash
1. Taylor Mays- USC (4.43)
2. Major Wright- Florida (4.48)
3. Darrell Stuckey- Kansas (4.49)
4. Darian Stewart- South Carolina (4.50)
5. Jonathon Amaya- Nevada (4.53)
Taylor Mays was the big story here, blowing away everyone with cornerback-type speed, while Major Wright and Darrell Stuckey also put in solid times.
Kendrick Lewis finished in last place with a time of 4.72, while LSU’s Chad Jones clocked in at a disappointing 4.57.
Bench Press
1. Lucien Antoine- Oklahoma State (28 reps)
2. Taylor Mays- USC (24)
3. Kam Chancellor- Virginia Tech (22)
4. T.J. Ward- Oregon (19)
5. Darrell Stuckey- Kansas (17)
Lucien Antoine was the big winner for the free safeties, registering an impressive 28 reps, while Taylor Mays showed some impressive strength (24) to go with his excellent speed.
Chad Jones notched a very disappointing nine reps, while Jonathon Amaya finished in last with just eight reps.
Overall
There weren’t enough competitors in the other drills to round out a top five, although it is definitely worth noting that Mays further exhibited his excellent athleticism with a vertical leap of 41 inches, while Stuckey of Kansas notched a vertical leap of 39.5 inches.
Mays was by far the most impressive specimen of this group, especially considering his great size and range. Now we know that the hype fits the billing, and that he has the potential to play a number of spots on the field.
LSU’s Chad Jones was probably the biggest disappointment of all the prospects that were fighting to increase their stock.
For more NFL Draft coverage, head over to NFL Soup.
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