Review of the NFL Scouting Combine - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Article by Ian Hughes

With the Combine in the rear view mirror, we can now look back and see who helped themselves and who hurt themselves. For the players it’s all about comparisons. How well they did compared to everyone else in their Draft Class and Pros playing their position in the NFL. Good comparisons are key to rising draft stock, Bad comparisons or ‘slow’ times can lead to questions.

The Good –

Ryan Kelly, Center, Alabama: Had a nice workout, weighed in nicely and knocked out a useful 26 in the Bench Press. But what impressed me was his movement skills. Looked comfortable in the on field drills and timed well in the measurable drills.

Derek Henry, RB, Alabama: The 2^nd guy from the national champs to make the Good list. Henry was one of the guys coming into the Combine needing some good times. Questions about his quickness at his size was hamstringing his draft stock, so coming out and running a respectable 4.54 40, that was faster than both Yeldon and Ingram (ex Alabama running backs starting at the NFL level) even pulling away in the final 10 yards. Add to that, he out jumped all other backs while carrying that 247lb frame. Just WOW. Won’t be a fit for everyone, but those that think he fits there system will have jumped him to the top of their Draft Boards.

DB Group: We all knew there were plenty of ballers playing on the DL but the DBs on Monday really impressed. The time were good, the measurable were good. The Gauntlet, as always for the DBs, was a bit hit or miss. There are a lot more guys that will be playing some snaps week 1 after watching the combine, than they would of just of footage.

The Bad –

WR 40 Times:  Are you guys kidding me. Those that had watched plenty of NCAA football or watched the tape would have known that there aren’t too many vertical threats coming out this year, but these guys, as a groups, were slow. The 12 Guys at the top of the 40 Timing board will have earnt money just because of the lack of speed this year.

Jaylon Smiths Knee: Smith was a top 5 pick on a lot of Boards going into the last few games of the season. 1 Big knee injury later and he slid to a possible top 10 pick. The looking to fall even further now after the news that the condition of his Knee is worse than teams feared. We could see the ND LB still on the board on Day 2 of the Draft, with some saying he might still be waiting for his name to be called on Day 3. A real shame for a guy who could really play.

The Ugly –

Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State: No one was expecting Bosa to light up the Combine. Technician not an athlete. He hasn’t hurt his stock with his measurables. Saying that, he didn’t look pretty out there Sunday. Slips on the shuttles. Stiff and robotic were words used to describe Bosa during the day.

Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis: Lynch is a Prospect, not NFL ready. So it not a surprise that he was very hit and miss during the workout Saturday. Showed why he’s high on peoples Draft Boards, but also showed what needs working on. Might have hurt his spot on a few teams boards, but the teams that have done the leg work on him would have expected what they saw and it wouldn’t have bothered them.