NFL scouting combine: Biggest winners and losers so far

[BrAinPaiNt]

Some of the most important developments at the NFL scouting combine happen behind closed doors — the medical and character evaluations of most of the 323 players attending — but the on-field product matters to a certain degree, too.


We’ve collected our data, sent out a barrage of text messages and calls to NFL evaluators and put it all together to determine who has helped themselves in Indianapolis and who has not.

[All Draft News, All The Time: Follow Shutdown Draft 365 on Tumblr]

(Note: This was written prior to some of the linebackers and defensive backs working out, so we’ll update you on their performances later.)

Here are the winners and losers:

WINNERS

Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota

They’re not guaranteed to be the first two picks in the draft, but their decision to throw at the combine did not hurt them at all. In fact, it might have solidified that the on-field products for both — while far different from each other — are good to very good.


Read the rest... http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...gest-winners-and-losers-so-far-184030592.html

 

[Future]

I'm on the Vic Beasley bandwagon I think.

I don't really love the idea of moving Lawrence to the strong side, but if he can rush from over there, he and Beasley are a nice pair.

 

[AsthmaField]

I'm on the Vic Beasley bandwagon I think.

I don't really love the idea of moving Lawrence to the strong side, but if he can rush from over there, he and Beasley are a nice pair.

I like him too but any chance of him lasting until Dallas picks, disappeared after his combine performance IMO.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

You have to wonder if he can stay at that weight because he did not look that big while playing.

Also...not sure he would be a starting pass rushing DE. Maybe a situational guy. I really don't know but it seemed like all year and going into the combine he was looked at as mostly a pass rushing OLB in a 3-4 vs a standup pass rusher in a 4-3.

If is that impressive he might not fall to us anyway.

 

[Future]

You have to wonder if he can stay at that weight because he did not look that big while playing.

Also...not sure he would be a starting pass rushing DE. Maybe a situational guy. I really don't know but it seemed like all year and going into the combine he was looked at as mostly a pass rushing OLB in a 3-4 vs a standup pass rusher in a 4-3.

If is that impressive he might not fall to us anyway.

I think Dallas would be using him like Seattle does Bruce Irvin. Let him use some of that speed at Will and rush the QB.

I'm not sold that he would be a fit, and doubt he'd be there at 27, but I just really like his skillset.

 

[darthseinfeld]

You have to wonder if he can stay at that weight because he did not look that big while playing.

Also...not sure he would be a starting pass rushing DE. Maybe a situational guy. I really don't know but it seemed like all year and going into the combine he was looked at as mostly a pass rushing OLB in a 3-4 vs a standup pass rusher in a 4-3.

If is that impressive he might not fall to us anyway.

I think he is a Leo in a 4-3. I think he has the ability to play Sam on first and second down and put his hand in the dirt and rush the passer on 3rd. It could hurt his stock as some teams running a 3-4 may not be interested in that. But it only takes one team to fall in love with you

 

[Zordon]

Some of the most important developments at the NFL scouting combine happen behind closed doors — the medical and character evaluations of most of the 323 players attending — but the on-field product matters to a certain degree, too.


We’ve collected our data, sent out a barrage of text messages and calls to NFL evaluators and put it all together to determine who has helped themselves in Indianapolis and who has not.

[All Draft News, All The Time: Follow Shutdown Draft 365 on Tumblr]

(Note: This was written prior to some of the linebackers and defensive backs working out, so we’ll update you on their performances later.)

Here are the winners and losers:

WINNERS

Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota

They’re not guaranteed to be the first two picks in the draft, but their decision to throw at the combine did not hurt them at all. In fact, it might have solidified that the on-field products for both — while far different from each other — are good to very good.


Read the rest... http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...gest-winners-and-losers-so-far-184030592.html

BP, you got anymore good articles like this?

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

BP, you got anymore good articles like this?

Found it on the Yahoo sports page if that helps.

 

[xwalker]

I think Dallas would be using him like Seattle does Bruce Irvin. Let him use some of that speed at Will and rush the QB.

I'm not sold that he would be a fit, and doubt he'd be there at 27, but I just really like his skillset.

Von Miller played in a 4-3 as a SLB on base downs and a DE on pass rushing downs. He had 14 sacks in 2014.

 

[Future]

Von Miller played in a 4-3 as a SLB on base downs and a DE on pass rushing downs. He had 14 sacks in 2014.

Yea but Vic Beasley doesn't wear glasses so I didn't want to make that comparison :lol:

And, more seriously, Miller wasn't really drafted to do that, but it is a good comparison.

 

[xwalker]

Yea but Vic Beasley doesn't wear glasses so I didn't want to make that comparison :lol:

And, more seriously, Miller wasn't really drafted to do that, but it is a good comparison.

Miller will be in Wade's 3-4 this year.

 

[KingintheNorth]

I'm on the Vic Beasley bandwagon I think.

I don't really love the idea of moving Lawrence to the strong side, but if he can rush from over there, he and Beasley are a nice pair.

Don't worry too much about that.

Most likely Beasley would be at SAM and Lawrence would be at RDE on run downs, with Lawrence moving over to LDE and Beasley flipping to RDE on obvious pass downs.

Can't see Beasley making it anywhere near us at 27 though. The Cardinals would jump all over him if he somehow makes it to them.

 

[RamziD]

Agree, would love to have Beasley but he won't make it to 27.

One offensive coordinator told Shutdown Corner that Winston “still comes off as immature, even if he can be likeable. He needs to stop smiling when we’re asking him tough questions. But he swatted back every [football question] we had for him easily. It was impressive. The kid knows the game ... has a feel for it, a real gift.”

Jameis Winston seems like a guy who believes he is beyond reproach and that is going to come back to bite him at some point. He will eventually get caught doing something illegal, because people like him think they can get away with anything.

 

[xwalker]

Jameis Winston seems like a guy who believes he is beyond reproach and that is going to come back to bite him at some point. He will eventually get caught doing something illegal, because people like him think they can get away with anything.

I could never pull the trigger to draft Winston. Yes, he might be great, but you have to live with him a long time and the media scrutiny on players and especially on QBs these days is just so intense. That would be a big distraction for whatever team drafts him because he is highly likely to do something stupid.

RG3 put on a good show prior to the draft in terms of his personality, but it turned out that he is not very coach-able. I could see Winston being even worse in that regard.

 

[AzorAhai]

My Winners
1. Vic Beasley OLB
Guy just excelled in every area. Blazing speed, incredible strength for his size and weighed in at more than I expected. I had been hearing his rumors of him dropping to late 1st-early 2nd but I think hes cemented into top 10 territory.

2. Bud Dupree DE/OLB
Same as above. This is a large man and ran a blazing 4.56 at 267 lbs. Also did incredible in all the explosive skill challenges. If he somehow makes it to 27 he is the pick and I don't think it's close.

3. Kevin White WR
Was debated among scouts if he was the Number 1 WR or Cooper was. His Exceptional 40 time with his size physicality and upside in my books should push him above Cooper.

4. Chris Conley WR
Another workout warrior. Has problems with his hands, but his metrics very well could have pushed him up from a late 6th-UDFA to the late 4th-5th rd

5. Trae Waynes
His 40 time of 4.31 is the main reason he is here for me. He struggled in the 20 yard SS a little, but his straight line speed cemented him as a top 15-20 pick in my eyes

Honorable mention:

Jake Fisher OT
Guy showed some very good Athleticism and agility. Could have securely placed himself in the 2nd rd.

My losers

1. Paul Dawson LB
Guy looked out of shape and proved it. He was incredibly slow for his weight. He may have very well confirmed teams fears a dropped from the late 1st to a 3rd rd pick.

2. Ereck Flowers OT
May be a but controversial, but he looked absolutely atrocious in the kick step drill. If he wasnt injured, seeing that drill makes me wonder how he will deal with any kind of speed rush. Looked ok in other drills though.

3. Chris Hackett FS
He was just slow. For a guy who had likely moved up to a 2nd Rd pick pre-combine, his 40 time was very disappointing. For a team looking for a center fielder, his speed makes me worry hes a between the numbers guy and not a sideline to sideline guy. Might be a 4th-5th Rd pick now.

4. Ameer Abdullah RB
For a small back with fumbling issues, I was expecting a very explosive player. His speed left me unimpressed and further questioning the 2nd-3rd Rd grade I've been seeing.

5. Sammie Coates WR
A big guy so I wasn't expecting him to run exceptionally well, but he did ok in that area. His hands are his weakness and that was on full display all day. He is not a natural catcher and I've heard stories of his hand eye coordination just not being very good.

Dishonorable Mention

Randy Gregory OLB
For his weight I was not impressed with his 40 time. That is not what I really disliked though. The reports of him being 218 lbs before starting his combine training was bad for me. If he has to work to stay at 235-240, how will he ever maintain that weight during the season, let alone be expected to bulk up any or add strength to a natural 220 lb frame.

Anyways these are my winners and losers. Im sure some people disagree with a few, but I welcome that. Anyone have any players of their own to add to either category?

 

[KingintheNorth]

I agree with your winners/losers list. I do think Conley's performance will just force teams to review the film and they will come away unimpressed.

 

[KingintheNorth]

I would also add Josh Shaw to the winners list. 26 reps and a 4.4 40? Assuming he didn't say anything stupid in interviews and owned his mistake, his performance will probably cause a few teams to put him back on their boards.

 

[AzorAhai]

I would also add Josh Shaw to the winners list. 26 reps and a 4.4 40? Assuming he didn't say anything stupid in interviews and owned his mistake, his performance will probably cause a few teams to put him back on their boards.

Agree on shaw. Was debating between him and Jake Fisher on the winners list. I'm not impressed with Conley on film either, but you know how these workout warriors jump up boards. I think some team with a need at WR will fall in love with the metrics and think they can coach him up.

 

[endersdragon]

Did they say Gordon could fall out of round 1... as someone who values film over workouts I like that idea.

 

[AzorAhai]

People have been saying that about Gordon and Gurley for months due to the devaluation of RBs league wide. Gordon ran a little slower than was projected, but his agility numbers were good in other areas. I doubt id he droos sue to the combine. If either do drop into the 2nd it wont be near low enough for the Cowboys to pick. It could potentially push someone like Ajayi or Coleman into the Cowboys range in the 2nd.