Attention turns to NFL Combine in Indy
By Patrick Woo
Reese's Senior Bowl Scouting Assistant
A total of 323 NFL prospects will make the trek to Lucas Oil Stadium for the NFL Scouting Combine. On-field workouts start on Feb. 20 and run through Feb. 23 and can be seen on the NFL Network.
NEED FOR SPEED
One of the measurable workouts that captures everyone’s attention is the 40-yard dash. With news that this year’s top three 40-time holders will win Porsches, let’s take a look at which five could come away with the fastest time.
1. Phillip Dorsett, Miami
2. JJ Nelson, UAB
3. Mario Alford, West Virginia
4. Devin Smith, Ohio State
5. Sammie Coates, Auburn
Dorsett is seen as the favorite to run the fastest but UAB’s dynamic return man, Nelson, and West Virginia speedster Alford are two guys that have stood out to me that could also run sub-4.4. Then there’s Smith of Ohio State and Coates of Auburn that have both showcased elite straight line speed and have made explosive plays. All five of my 40-time favorites are wide receivers, but two others to keep an eye could be cornerbacks Ronald Darby (Florida State) and Doran Grant (Ohio State).
SEARCHING FOR THE BEST
Some other questions that could be answered in Indianapolis this week are who the best wide receiver in this year’s class is and who’s the best edge rusher?
Alabama’s Amari Cooper is regarded by most as the best receiver in the 2015 NFL Draft, but DeVante Parker (Louisville) and Kevin White (West Virginia) are going to be favored over Cooper by some teams. All three should have a good week in Indy. Two others to keep an eye on as risers are Arizona State’s Jaelen Strong and UCF’s Breshad Perriman. Both could help themselves rise at the Combine.
Between Vic Beasley (Clemson), Shane Ray (Missouri) and Randy Gregory (Nebraska), who’s the best edge rusher? Most expert mock drafts have Ray and Gregory in the top ten with Beasley in the first round. The one I am most intrigued in seeing at the Combine is Florida Gators star Dante Fowler, Jr. Fowler could wow a lot of scouts with his strength, speed and athleticism and emerge as this year’s top edge rusher. The pass rushing drills will be very important for him, Beasley Ray and Gregory as all four should display explosive first steps off the ball.
TEN OTHERS I WANT TO SEE AT THE COMBINE
1. Sammie Coates - WR - Auburn
Coates took full advantage of being a fourth-year graduate to compete in the Reese’s Senior Bowl. The Auburn standout impressed with his size, speed and demeanor and also showed his infectious personality that teams could fall in love with. Coates is a freak athlete and could have one of the fastest 40 times and jump out of the gym, but the Gauntlet for receivers will be important as his inconsistent hands are what have NFL teams worried.
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Abdullah was MVP of the Reese's Senior Bowl. |
2. Ameer Abdullah - RB - Nebraska >>>
The Cornhuskers can build on the momentum from being named the Most Valuable Player in the Reese’s Senior Bowl. His size and small hands could still be a concern, but he should be able to showcase his athleticism and speed in Indy.
3. Brett Hundley - QB - UCLA
The fourth-year junior from the Bruins passed on an opportunity to compete in the Reese’s Senior Bowl and for some teams that may have drawn a red flag. Hundley has a chance to answer questions for the first time in Indy and his passes will be scrutinized for accuracy. He also made a bold proclamation to the media that he will run a 4.55 40-yard dash. Hundley is still regarded as the third best quarterback prospect by some while thought to be a project at the next level by others.
4. Paul Dawson - LB - TCU
Dawson was not healthy enough to participate in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, but has drawn a lot of buzz. Character has been marked as a big concern for Dawson so the interviews at the Combine will be important, but more importantly, Dawson’s athleticism should show well in the pass drop and hip rotation drill for linebackers. Dawson might be the best athlete of the linebacker group and could prove he’s a three-down player in the NFL.
5. Shaq Thompson - LB/S - Washington
Thompson is some kind of athlete but may not have a natural NFL fit. Is he a linebacker or a safety? Thompson also averaged 7.5 yards per carry as a running back at Washington but said he will not perform any RB drills and plans on playing linebacker. The Huskies star had four defensive touchdowns in 2014. Thompson should perform well in all of the drills and have one of the best 10-yard splits of the linebackers in the 40-yard dash, but his size will be monitored closely as some teams may see him as a safety.
6. Brandon Bridge - QB - South Alabama
Bridge has been a reason for NFL scouts to visit Mobile before January for the Reese’s Senior Bowl. The South Alabama quarterback has the eye-opening size, athleticism and physical traits, but now he has a chance to put it all together at the NFL Combine. Bridge may have the strongest arm in the Draft but struggled at times to complete passes and will have to display a changeup and touch during the passing drills.
7. Owamagbe Odighizuwa - DE - UCLA
Odighizuwa overcame a hip injury that cost him the entire 2013 season to bounce back with a big year in 2014 and capped it off with a good week at the Reese’s Senior Bowl. The Bruins defensive end is physically imposing and could jump off the charts in the drills and run a sub-4.6. He is relentless with a high-motor and has the ability to bend like the best of them in this year’s defensive line group. He will ‘win’ a lot of drills in Indy.
8. Danny Shelton - NT - Washington
The 343-pound mammoth is a wide specimen that can move and displayed his skills in a dominating week at the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Shelton emerged from Mobile as a projected top-10 NFL Draft pick. Shelton rarely exited the field in college and his endurance will be put to the test in the Indy, but it’s his strength and quickness that wows. Shelton could surprise with his 40-yard dash time too at his size.
9. David Johnson - RB - Northern Iowa
Johnson is a running back that many came away more intrigued with after the Reese’s Senior Bowl. He is physically imposing for the position and ran with a lot of power and was a great person away from the field. Johnson’s lower body strength should be on display in Indy during the jumping drills and the 40-yard dash will be important.
10. Jalen Collins - CB - LSU
Collins didn’t start many games at LSU but it was still hard to keep the junior off of the field because of his height, weight and speed combination. Collins stuck with some of the SEC’s fastest wide receivers and should run a good 40-time. His ability to redirect his body and his jumping skills will also be on display. Collins could away from Indy seen as a much better athlete than some thought he was and continue drawing buzz heading towards the Draft.