Official 2016 Combine Thread

[Rutnstrut]

Just saw the 40 times for WR's. Not much speed this year.

But that's not really saying much since the higher rated WR's didn't run.

[smuggler]

Don't you think the source of this could be a team that would like Smith to slip to them?

Seems this is not just draft spin...

From Tony Pauline at Draft Insider:

Finally, those in attendance when Jaylon Smith weighed in yesterday tell me his injured leg looked terrible when he stepped on the scale. Smith struggled moving the leg as well as controlling the leg. I was told it was a glum mood and there was a lot of sadness for Smith from the scouts and coaches on hand. From one source I heard, "I felt like crying for the kid." There are a number of teams who think Smith could fall into the draft's last day.

This really sucks. There's a real chance that this kid will never play football again. Just on a personal level, it sucks.

[pbmax]

^ Is that unusual six weeks out from surgery (Jan 7 or 8th)?

[woodbuck27]

Seems this is not just draft spin...

From Tony Pauline at Draft Insider:

Finally, those in attendance when Jaylon Smith weighed in yesterday tell me his injured leg looked terrible when he stepped on the scale. Smith struggled moving the leg as well as controlling the leg. I was told it was a glum mood and there was a lot of sadness for Smith from the scouts and coaches on hand. From one source I heard, "I felt like crying for the kid." There are a number of teams who think Smith could fall into the draft's last day.

This really sucks. There's a real chance that this kid will never play football again. Just on a personal level, it sucks.

I broke my leg sliding into second base (Tibia and fibia). It was a mess and in a cast 4 months.

Sometimes a Rehab takes time. My first cast was too high. Almost to my crotch so I wasn't able to place the proper weight on it trying to walk. When the specialist asked me to walk after the second cast was put on just above the knee I was in disbelief. The leg felt that wobbly.

I too hope he gets back to full speed. I hope he has the proper medical attention.

[wist43]

Just saw the 40 times for WR's. Not much speed this year.

2 WR's I like didn't run well.

Josh Doctson ran a 4.5 - which is survivable. I like him a lot.

Rashard Higgins ran a 4.64 - hopefully he runs better at his pro-day.

I like the tape of both these guys, but Higgins 40 time is a worry. We can always fall back on the fact that Jerry Rice ran a 4.6.

[wist43]

^ Is that unusual six weeks out from surgery (Jan 7 or 8th)?

6 weeks after my hip replacement, I was still walking with a cane.

Hip replacement and ACL/MCL surgery are two different animals to be sure, but everyone heals differently - I am a very slow healer. My recovery from the hip surgery was double the normal - and that's the way I've been with all my surgeries.

I wouldn't discount Smith on either the ACL/MCL, and the recovery from that, however long it takes. What is worrisome about him is the possible nerve damage.

[smuggler]

Some people take longer to recover to normal waking gait than others. If his limp is that pronounced, he should not have gone to the combine. He should have appealed for supplemental draft eligibility or held his own weigh-in session in a month. He was down nearly 20# from his playing weight, which isn't surprising since he can't squat or deadlift, but it can't be helping him...

[wist43]

2 WR's I like didn't run well.

Josh Doctson ran a 4.5 - which is survivable. I like him a lot.

Rashard Higgins ran a 4.64 - hopefully he runs better at his pro-day.

I like the tape of both these guys, but Higgins 40 time is a worry. We can always fall back on the fact that Jerry Rice ran a 4.6.

Guess the cat is out of the bag on Josh Doctson - Bleacherreport has a write-up on him. He's shooting up draft boards. CBSSportsline has him at #40, so assume he's going up from around that area - looks like it would take a 1st round pick to get him.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2620241-josh-doctson-turns-heads-with-explosive-nfl-combine-peformance

I've looked at him a few times now... I found myself looking at other WR's, and then going back and immediately looking at Doctson again just to make a comparison. I like Doctson, along with Coleman, over every WR I've looked at so far. That said, I haven't looked at everyone indepth. I do like him better than Thomas (Ohio State). I didn't think Treadwell looked good or moved well at the combine. He's supposed to be long-gone by our pick anyway.

Coleman is probably my #1 WR now... but I've still a lot of guys to look at.

I'd be okay with either Coleman or Doctson in the first round at this point.

[call_me_ishmael]

Braxton Miller will be the best WR from this class when all is said and done IMO. I want him badly - if he is there in round 2 I do give it in a second.

[BZnDallas]

Guess the cat is out of the bag on Josh Doctson - Bleacherreport has a write-up on him. He's shooting up draft boards. CBSSportsline has him at #40, so assume he's going up from around that area - looks like it would take a 1st round pick to get him.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2620241-josh-doctson-turns-heads-with-explosive-nfl-combine-peformance

I've looked at him a few times now... I found myself looking at other WR's, and then going back and immediately looking at Doctson again just to make a comparison. I like Doctson, along with Coleman, over every WR I've looked at so far. That said, I haven't looked at everyone indepth. I do like him better than Thomas (Ohio State). I didn't think Treadwell looked good or moved well at the combine. He's supposed to be long-gone by our pick anyway.

Coleman is probably my #1 WR now... but I've still a lot of guys to look at.

I'd be okay with either Coleman or Doctson in the first round at this point.

I agree with ya Wist on Coleman and Doctson. Actually I think there are 3 good WRs coming out of the Big12. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on Oklahoma's Sterling Shepard. He seems like a TT guy. All the guy did was put up numbers with less talent at QB than Coleman and Doctson. Was always the big catch in big moment receiver. Being down here in Big12 country I've heard about these guys nonstop. Think they could all be somebody in the right circumstance. AR and this offense could be that circumstance and Sterling2 would be the guy I can see slipping to an open armed TT. What do you think Wist?

[Carolina_Packer]

I agree with ya Wist on Coleman and Doctson. Actually I think there are 3 good WRs coming out of the Big12. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on Oklahoma's Sterling Shepard. He seems like a TT guy. All the guy did was put up numbers with less talent at QB than Coleman and Doctson. Was always the big catch in big moment receiver. Being down here in Big12 country I've heard about these guys nonstop. Think they could all be somebody in the right circumstance. AR and this offense could be that circumstance and Sterling2 would be the guy I can see slipping to an open armed TT. What do you think Wist?

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=125161&draftyear=2016&genpos=WR

I believe they compared Shepard to Randall Cobb during the coverage of the combine yesterday. In fact, Shepard's explosive measurables were better. I'll take all the talent that we can get, but is it realistic to think that they will go after a Cobb clone if they have to pick him in the 2nd or 3rd round? I'm not saying Monty or Abby is as good as Shepard, but wouldn't they already be considered Cobb's backup by position? Again, draft all the talent that you can, but I'm sure they do have to consider where he would fit in the rotation vs. the guys you are already developing. Is there room for him? Is there always room for a guy like this?

[BZnDallas]

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings...2016&genpos=WR

I believe they compared Shepard to Randall Cobb during the coverage of the combine yesterday. In fact, Shepard's explosive measurables were better. I'll take all the talent that we can get, but is it realistic to think that they will go after a Cobb clone if they have to pick him in the 2nd or 3rd round? I'm not saying Monty or Abby is as good as Shepard, but wouldn't they already be considered Cobb's backup by position? Again, draft all the talent that you can, but I'm sure they do have to consider where he would fit in the rotation vs. the guys you are already developing. Is there room for him? Is there always room for a guy like this?

Good point Carolina. I do think we'd all agree TT is pretty consistent on taking the players that fit his mold though. Wouldn't that mean taking a guy who compares to one of yours already? I think Montgomery is already similar to Cobb and think Davante could turn into Jordy 2.0 (probably not a popular opinion right now). But I think you stack your roster with as many guys that can run your system as you can and Sterling2 seems like a guy that can learn all the WR positions like our offense asks them to do. I guess we'll have to see where the WRs stack up after the combine, but going in, Sterling2 was only the 12-15th ranked WR. Could he fall a bit? I probably don't want him in the 2nd but if he falls to 3 or 4 I'd take a flyer on him. He even seems like Packer people, not the typical WR diva type.

[wist43]

When I was looking at WR's it was with an eye against our current crop of WR's. Jordy being above that fray.

Coleman and Doctson might have a higher upside than either Cobb or Adams. I like Monty much more now than when we drafted him, b/c the concern on him was hands. Not sure how many drops he had, but whenever I was paying attn, he caught the ball cleanly.

Cobb is limited to the slot and gadget plays - which he is very good at. He could never play outside consistently. Coleman is only 5'11", 194, but I think he has better instant acceleration that would allow him to get off the line and create separation downfield.

I see Shepard as more of a Cobb clone - so I'd pass on him for that reason.

I think the criteria for taking a WR high this year should be that he provide either, or both, of these qualities, 1) can play flanker and win outside, and/or 2) is a dynamic playermaker, better than what we have.

[Cheesehead Craig]

Braxton Miller will be the best WR from this class when all is said and done IMO. I want him badly - if he is there in round 2 I do give it in a second.

Miller just makes plays. Really an intriguing prospect.

[pbmax]

Was going to edit this down but running out of time and have to close this browser window or it will drive me insane. One scout's notebook on the offensive side of the Combine.

http://scoutsnotebook.com/2016/02/28/the-combine-checking-out-the-offensive-players/

The Combine – Checking Out the Offensive Players
Posted on February 28, 2016 by Tommy Lawlor
The 2016 Combine is half over, with offensive players having finished up their tests and workouts. Let’s talk about some of the players who stood out, good or bad.

QB Carson Wentz – It should be no surprise that the QB with the most experience under center looked the most natural pretending to take snaps under center and then taking 5 and 7-step drops. Wentz threw the ball very well and had an impressive showing. His footwork was outstanding. Wentz definitely has the physical ability to be a good starting NFL QB. The questions with him will be in regard to the mental side of things. Can he read defenses? Can he make the right pre-snap adjustments? Can he anticipate receivers coming open?

QB Cardale Jones – He got hurt running his second 40-yard dash. It would have been fun to see him throwing in the drills. I’m not a big fan of Jones, but there is no denying that he is very gifted.

QB Jared Goff – Measured in at 215 pounds and with only 9-inch hands. The small hands will be a concern for multiple teams. I thought Goff threw the ball well and looked smooth. He and Wentz were the most impressive QBs. You can see why the consensus is that they’ll be the first 2 taken in the draft.

QB Paxton Lynch – Listed at 6-7, 245 this year. Measured in at 6-7, 244. I wondered if he was really that big. Ran well and jumped well, showing serious athletic ability for such a big guy. Lynch showed an impressive arm and made some terrific throws (especially deep balls), but he needs work as he adjusts to playing in a pro-style system. Looks like a 1st rounder, but a project.

QB Christian Hackenberg – I watched every single college game in his career and I’m not a big fan. I thought the Combine might be a chance for Hack to impress. There is no question that he can throw the ball really well. Hack had some good moments, but hardly did anything to wow the coaches and scouts in attendance. One of my big concerns is footwork and that was up and down in Indy.

QB Kevin Hogan – I do like Hogan, but he didn’t impress. You could see that he lacks a big arm. One of the analysts noted that his motion looked a bit different and that he might be changing that with a QB guru. Hogan isn’t a workout guy. His best asset is his mind and that wasn’t a factor in the workouts.

QB Brandon Allen – I just like the way he throws the ball. Looks very natural and smooth. That’s true in games, the Senior Bowl and Combine workouts. Hands measured in just below 9 inches and that is a concern. Good mid-round prospect.

QB Dak Prescott – I have to admit that Prescott has grown on me. I still see him as a major project, but he does have the physical tools to play in the NFL. Shocks me that Mayock has him rated as the #5 QB. I don’t see anything close to that. Prescott had a solid showing in Indy. I also bet he did very well in interviews.