2010 NFL Combine: Sunday Recap

Quarterbacks

The Combine really isn’t my favorite tool for evaluating quarterbacks. Unless you’re granted the opportunity watch these athletes in person – a difficult task being that it’s a closed event – there isn’t much to take from the Combine that you can’t grab from game film. They each throw only about 10 to 15 to random receivers so it’s impossible to judge accuracy. What scouts look for is to grasp a better feel of footwork and motion. None of these athletes really made any significant strides in helping themselves, but here are a couple bits I noticed.

Tim Tebow, Florida – The Tim Tebow legend continues to grow. Though he didn’t throw and the workout numbers are almost meaningless for most quarterbacks, Tebow showed the athleticism to potentially convert to another position if quarterback doesn’t work out. He tied a Combine record for quarterbacks with a 38.5” vertical jump. His 3-cone number (6.66) is well above the average of even last year’s cornerback class (6.83) – the position recording the best number in this specific drill – which shows great change-of-direction capability and balance.

Jarrett Brown, West Virginia – Brown really looked the part of a starting quarterback today, even though he clearly underthrew a couple deep balls. The ball was live coming out of his arm and his footwork was very consistent. Athletically, Brown has many traits and numbers similar to a running back. His numbers in the 40 yard dash, Vertical and Broad Jump are very close to those of James Starks, a back who had high praise coming into the year.

Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State – Sadly, this is probably the end of the line for one of the better D1-AA college quarterbacks. After measuring in at just a hair under 5’11, Edwards will face an even steeper uphill battle to play the position in the NFL. He delayed his timed drills while he nursed a minor hamstring injury, though he did throw today. Edwards has said he wants to play QB in the NFL, but is ready to make a position switch rather than move up north to play his college position.

Running Backs

Ryan Mathews, Fresno State – Mathews was my big winner today. With a 4.45 40 at 218 pounds, he answered one of my questions about his long speed. He has a great body and excelled across the board today. I’d be surprised if he wasn’t the 2nd back selected in the draft, though another west coast back may also be vying for that position.

Jahvid Best, California – Best is the other west coast back that earned some money today. Though CJ Spiller’s 40 time looked faster – I still contend that he is faster – Best led the pack with the fastest official time (4.35). He also answered questions about his size, measuring in at 199 pounds, 3 heavier than Spiller. He posted the fastest 3-cone time among running backs (6.75) and looked great going through the drills.

Toby Gerhart, Stanford – If there were any doubters remaining about his potential as a tailback in the NFL, they were erased today when he eased through the 40 yard dash in 4.53 seconds (unofficial). He also showed some good leg explosion with a 38” vertical and a 9’10” broad jump. Finishing near the top with 22 reps, the 6’0, 231 pound Gerhart did everything exceptionally well this week and moved himself up into the 2nd round range on the second platform of running backs.

Montario Hardesty, Tennessee – Truth be told, his numbers were the best across the board today among running backs. However, Hardesty may find it difficult to elevate himself due to his history of injuries. If it weren’t for that, teams may be more willing to forgive his one year of great production and potentially take a chance on him in the first round. With a 4.49 40, and tops in the vertical (41”) and broad jump (10’4”), Hardesty showed the explosiveness and leg drive in Indianapolis that he showed all year at Tennessee.

Ben Tate, Auburn – Tate had a darn near perfect week in Indianapolis and continued to generate some buzz. At 220 pounds, he ran an impressive 4.43 40, which was rather surprising to me. On the field, he looks like a back with great feet, but not necessarily great long speed. There’s a large correlation between the 40 and the vertical and broad jump, so the 40.5” vertical and 10’4” broad jump prove that his 40 was more than a fluke. Tate has the tools to be a “bell cow” back in the NFL, but in a draft that’s loaded with backs his size, he could go anywhere from the 2nd to 4th round, though the former seems far more likely after this week.

Dexter McCluster, Mississippi – McCluster’s 5’8 ¾, 172 pound frame was already well-known, but many people were expecting a sub 4.4 40. He delivered only a 4.58, which may scare some teams off expecting a track star. However, all of his speed translates to the field, and like Devin Hester a couple years ago who ran in the 4.4’s, McCluster runs faster with players chasing him. Keep in mind that he did lift 225 20 times, which was bettered by only 7 backs this year.

Wide Receivers

Jacoby Ford, Clemson – Ford recorded the fastest time at the Combine through the weekend and tied a record among receivers since 2000, with a 4.28. However, Ford is one of those track stars, so this shouldn’t come as too surprising. Teams shouldn’t move him up too much because at 5’9, 186 with limited routes, he isn’t a complete player yet. He also looked very smooth going through the gauntlet, catching balls cleanly and away from his body. I had him in the 2nd-3rd round prior to the Combine and Sunday’s performance verifies just that.

Taylor Price, Ohio – Not many have talked about Price, but after the Senior Bowl and now the Combine, his stock should be quickly ascending. At 6’0, 204, he has a good build and came out and ran a 4.41 40 today. He’s a good route runner who moves in and out of his cuts quickly and also showed today that he has nice deep speed.

Golden Tate, Notre Dame – Tate answered some questions today when he ran a 4.42 40 yard dash. A lot of people questioned his long speed, which at only 5’10 ½ could have been made a huge difference. However, having shown this type of speed, Tate has the potential to be every bit the playmaker that Steve Smith (Carolina) is. He has the same type of ability in attacking the ball at its highest point and making a play after the catch. Tate also runs good routes as he showed today in the drills.

Scott Long, Louisville – Not too many people know who Scott Long, but after today, he should start to garner some attention. Here’s an athlete who at 6’2, 216, ran a sub-4.5 40, benched 20 reps, and finished with elite jumping numbers (41.5”, 10’3”). However the most impressive number was the 6.45 in the 3-cone drill. I briefly mentioned earlier with how impressive Tim Tebow’s 6.66 mark was and Long’s is equally as eye-opening. After showing elite change-of-direction skills here in Indy, it’s time to go back to some Louisville games from earlier this year to see why he only had 700 yards and how close he is into developing into an NFL receiver.

Carlton Mitchell, WR, South Florida – Mitchell is an intriguing prospect who will certainly tempt many GM’s this April. His large 6’2, 196-pound frame with long arms and 4.49 speed creates an enticing opportunity. Mitchell is a long, smooth athlete who can develop into an elite playmaker down the field.

Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State – With a hamstring injury delaying his workouts to March 10 at his Pro Day, Bryant left early – with permission – after completing his physicals and interviews. It comes as a letdown after having missed watching him on the field for nearly an entire season, but his workout is only 10 days away. With only one opportunity now to impress scouts, there will be even more pressure upon Dez Bryant to perform well.

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