Risen Star
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Here are 15 prospects who helped their stock at the combine, starting with a quarterback who had a great workout.
Patrick Mahomes II, QB, Texas Tech
Mahomes, who measured in at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, put on an impressive display in the on-field workouts, showing that he can make all of the throws. He also put up the best 20-yard shuttle (4.08 seconds) time and third-best three-cone drill (6.88) time and had a solid 40-yard dash (4.8). The former Red Raider signal-caller is more of a thrower than a pitcher who can pick his spots at this point, but his arm talent is undeniable. He's extremely raw -- his footwork and mechanics on tape are maddeningly inconsistent -- and the air raid system in which he played will likely cause some hesitation among teams. From all I've heard, however, Mahomes is a sponge who wants to learn and develop, and he'll work hard to learn the playbook when he's drafted. I think Mahomes is entrenched as the fourth quarterback in this draft -- behind Mitch Trubisky, Deshaun Watson and DeShone Kizer -- and he's in the mix to be picked in the second or third round.
T.J. Logan, RB, North Carolina
Logan ran a 4.37 40-yard dash, which was tops among a stellar running back class, and he put up 17 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press test, showing off good strength. I haven't ranked him among my top 10 backs in this class, but that might change soon. Sharing carries with Elijah Hood in 2016, Logan (5-9, 196) rushed for 650 yards and seven touchdowns and averaged 5.4 yards per carry. He also added 29 catches and three receiving touchdowns. Logan's 40 time is tough to ignore -- he's a potential big-play threat who could fill a role as a third-down back in the NFL. I thought he was a fifth- or sixth-round pick before this weekend, and now I think he's in play for the latter part of Day 2 or early on Day 3.
Joe Williams, RB, Utah
The former Ute is another guy who hasn't cracked my ranking of the top 10 backs in this class -- it's a really strong group. Williams (5-11, 210) was one of the most productive players in the country after returning from a monthlong retirement, finishing the season with 1,407 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 6.7 yards per carry. There were some questions about Williams' athleticism, but those should be gone now; he posted the second-best 40-yard dash (4.41) and 20-yard shuttle (4.19) among running backs, and his 35-inch vertical was in the top half of backs in attendance. I have Williams rated as a Day 3 guy, but he could be taken in the third round.
Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina
Jones, my seventh-ranked wideout, was one of the most impressive prospects at the combine, continuing his rise after a huge senior season in which he had 158 catches for 1,746 yards and eight touchdowns. Jones ran a 4.45 40 and had a 36.5-inch vertical at 6-2, 201 pounds, putting him among the top wideouts in each category. He also had a 11-foot-1 broad jump and a 4.01-second 20-yard shuttle, which were each third-best among receivers. Jones was one of the top players at last month's Senior Bowl, too, showing off his ability as a savvy route runner. He can make contested catches look easy, high-pointing the ball over corners. Jones is a potential late first- or early second-round pick.
Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech
Henderson isn't big -- 5-11, 199 -- but he helped his stock at the combine, showing stellar explosion with a 4.46 40 and 36-inch vertical. He isn't a true No. 1 outside receiver, but he can help a team from the slot or outside and in the return game. Playing mostly outside for the Bulldogs in 2016, Henderson, my No. 9 receiver, had a breakout season with 82 catches for 1,535 yards and 19 touchdowns, which was tied for most in FBS. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. Henderson's versatility will help him, and his workout numbers wowed scouts, but he's still a boom-or-bust guy -- he had only one season of high-end play. Henderson is a solid Day 2 pick.
Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss
In a great group of tight ends, Engram is in the first-round discussion. He showed off his outstanding athleticism this weekend, posting the best 40 time (4.42) among tight ends and the fourth-best vertical (36 inches). At 6-3, 234, Engram has long arms (33.5 inches) and great hands. He had 65 catches for 925 yards and eight touchdowns in 2016, and he was a four-year player for the Rebels. He's a natural pass-catcher who could line up in the slot in the NFL, though he must improve his inline blocking. Engram is my No. 3 tight end.
Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech
At 6-6, 257, Hodges is one of the most physically gifted players in this draft. His 39-inch vertical and 11-foot-2 broad jump were the best among tight ends, and he ran a 4.57 40, which is outstanding for a guy his size. Hodges' tape, however, doesn't always match up with his athletic prowess -- he's not an effective blocker, and he's much more comfortable on his feet. He has a high ceiling as a pass-catching tight end, though, and a team could fall in love with his potential. Hodges, a former high school quarterback, had 133 catches and 20 touchdowns in his three-year career for the Hokies. He's my No. 4 tight end and in the second- or third-round range.
Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland
A 32.5-inch vertical was a great number for the massive Shaheen, who's 6-6, 278. He also put up 24 reps of 225 pounds on the bench, which was tied for best among tight ends. And he did that with long arms (33.5 inches). Shaheen is a former basketball player who lit up the GLIAC in Division II with 127 catches for 1,670 yards and 26 touchdowns over the past two seasons. There will be questions about his competition level because he dominated against smaller, less athletic defenders, but he could be a Day 2 pick in April. Shaheen is my No. 9 tight end.
Aviante Collins, OT, TCU
The 6-4, 295-pound Collins turned heads with a 4.81 40-yard dash, which was by far the best among offensive linemen. He comes from a family of sprinters -- his mom was a track star at Houston, and his dad and brother were sprinters at TCU. Collins also put up 34 reps on bench, second best among the O-line group. His tape shows a developmental prospect who's likely to be taken on Day 3; and he didn't consistently perform to the level of his testing. He is probably going to have to play guard in the NFL after spending time at tackle and guard for the Horned Frogs. Collins needs time to work on his technique.
Taylor Moton, OT, Western Michigan
Moton, a four-year starter for the Broncos, has continued to move up my rankings, coming in as the No. 6 tackle before the combine. He went back and forth between right guard and right tackle the past four years, but he excelled at tackle in 2016. The tape shows Moton (6-5, 319) has nice feet in pass protection and sustains his blocks well. His 30.5-inch vertical was third best among offensive linemen at the combine, and his 4.58 20-yard shuttle was fourth best. Moton could move up in my next batch of rankings; I think he's a second-round pick who can be a long-term starter in the right situation.
Patrick Mahomes II, QB, Texas Tech
Mahomes, who measured in at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, put on an impressive display in the on-field workouts, showing that he can make all of the throws. He also put up the best 20-yard shuttle (4.08 seconds) time and third-best three-cone drill (6.88) time and had a solid 40-yard dash (4.8). The former Red Raider signal-caller is more of a thrower than a pitcher who can pick his spots at this point, but his arm talent is undeniable. He's extremely raw -- his footwork and mechanics on tape are maddeningly inconsistent -- and the air raid system in which he played will likely cause some hesitation among teams. From all I've heard, however, Mahomes is a sponge who wants to learn and develop, and he'll work hard to learn the playbook when he's drafted. I think Mahomes is entrenched as the fourth quarterback in this draft -- behind Mitch Trubisky, Deshaun Watson and DeShone Kizer -- and he's in the mix to be picked in the second or third round.
T.J. Logan, RB, North Carolina
Logan ran a 4.37 40-yard dash, which was tops among a stellar running back class, and he put up 17 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press test, showing off good strength. I haven't ranked him among my top 10 backs in this class, but that might change soon. Sharing carries with Elijah Hood in 2016, Logan (5-9, 196) rushed for 650 yards and seven touchdowns and averaged 5.4 yards per carry. He also added 29 catches and three receiving touchdowns. Logan's 40 time is tough to ignore -- he's a potential big-play threat who could fill a role as a third-down back in the NFL. I thought he was a fifth- or sixth-round pick before this weekend, and now I think he's in play for the latter part of Day 2 or early on Day 3.
Joe Williams, RB, Utah
The former Ute is another guy who hasn't cracked my ranking of the top 10 backs in this class -- it's a really strong group. Williams (5-11, 210) was one of the most productive players in the country after returning from a monthlong retirement, finishing the season with 1,407 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 6.7 yards per carry. There were some questions about Williams' athleticism, but those should be gone now; he posted the second-best 40-yard dash (4.41) and 20-yard shuttle (4.19) among running backs, and his 35-inch vertical was in the top half of backs in attendance. I have Williams rated as a Day 3 guy, but he could be taken in the third round.
Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina
Jones, my seventh-ranked wideout, was one of the most impressive prospects at the combine, continuing his rise after a huge senior season in which he had 158 catches for 1,746 yards and eight touchdowns. Jones ran a 4.45 40 and had a 36.5-inch vertical at 6-2, 201 pounds, putting him among the top wideouts in each category. He also had a 11-foot-1 broad jump and a 4.01-second 20-yard shuttle, which were each third-best among receivers. Jones was one of the top players at last month's Senior Bowl, too, showing off his ability as a savvy route runner. He can make contested catches look easy, high-pointing the ball over corners. Jones is a potential late first- or early second-round pick.
Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech
Henderson isn't big -- 5-11, 199 -- but he helped his stock at the combine, showing stellar explosion with a 4.46 40 and 36-inch vertical. He isn't a true No. 1 outside receiver, but he can help a team from the slot or outside and in the return game. Playing mostly outside for the Bulldogs in 2016, Henderson, my No. 9 receiver, had a breakout season with 82 catches for 1,535 yards and 19 touchdowns, which was tied for most in FBS. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. Henderson's versatility will help him, and his workout numbers wowed scouts, but he's still a boom-or-bust guy -- he had only one season of high-end play. Henderson is a solid Day 2 pick.
Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss
In a great group of tight ends, Engram is in the first-round discussion. He showed off his outstanding athleticism this weekend, posting the best 40 time (4.42) among tight ends and the fourth-best vertical (36 inches). At 6-3, 234, Engram has long arms (33.5 inches) and great hands. He had 65 catches for 925 yards and eight touchdowns in 2016, and he was a four-year player for the Rebels. He's a natural pass-catcher who could line up in the slot in the NFL, though he must improve his inline blocking. Engram is my No. 3 tight end.
Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech
At 6-6, 257, Hodges is one of the most physically gifted players in this draft. His 39-inch vertical and 11-foot-2 broad jump were the best among tight ends, and he ran a 4.57 40, which is outstanding for a guy his size. Hodges' tape, however, doesn't always match up with his athletic prowess -- he's not an effective blocker, and he's much more comfortable on his feet. He has a high ceiling as a pass-catching tight end, though, and a team could fall in love with his potential. Hodges, a former high school quarterback, had 133 catches and 20 touchdowns in his three-year career for the Hokies. He's my No. 4 tight end and in the second- or third-round range.
Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland
A 32.5-inch vertical was a great number for the massive Shaheen, who's 6-6, 278. He also put up 24 reps of 225 pounds on the bench, which was tied for best among tight ends. And he did that with long arms (33.5 inches). Shaheen is a former basketball player who lit up the GLIAC in Division II with 127 catches for 1,670 yards and 26 touchdowns over the past two seasons. There will be questions about his competition level because he dominated against smaller, less athletic defenders, but he could be a Day 2 pick in April. Shaheen is my No. 9 tight end.
Aviante Collins, OT, TCU
The 6-4, 295-pound Collins turned heads with a 4.81 40-yard dash, which was by far the best among offensive linemen. He comes from a family of sprinters -- his mom was a track star at Houston, and his dad and brother were sprinters at TCU. Collins also put up 34 reps on bench, second best among the O-line group. His tape shows a developmental prospect who's likely to be taken on Day 3; and he didn't consistently perform to the level of his testing. He is probably going to have to play guard in the NFL after spending time at tackle and guard for the Horned Frogs. Collins needs time to work on his technique.
Taylor Moton, OT, Western Michigan
Moton, a four-year starter for the Broncos, has continued to move up my rankings, coming in as the No. 6 tackle before the combine. He went back and forth between right guard and right tackle the past four years, but he excelled at tackle in 2016. The tape shows Moton (6-5, 319) has nice feet in pass protection and sustains his blocks well. His 30.5-inch vertical was third best among offensive linemen at the combine, and his 4.58 20-yard shuttle was fourth best. Moton could move up in my next batch of rankings; I think he's a second-round pick who can be a long-term starter in the right situation.
