2010 NFL Scouting Combine: The Wide Receivers

The receivers were running today at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine and except for cornerbacks, speed means more to them than any other position. Speed is not everything obviously, they still need to be able to run crisp routes and catch the ball, but without top flight speed they will have difficulty separating from defensive backs in the NFL.

On the Rise:

WR Jacoby Ford, Clemson (5' 9" 186 lbs): The fastest player at the combine so far. Ford ran a 4.27 and a 4.28 forty. He can stretch the field. In 2009 he amassed 779 receiving yards and 6 TDs and he had 15 catches of over 20 yards. Ford might have moved up into the second round unless the Raiders nab him with the 8th overall pick.

WR Golden Tate, Notre Dame (5' 10" 199 lbs): We all knew he could catch and run and rack up huge numbers. In 2009 he amassed 1,496 yards and 15 TDs. What we didn't know was just how fast he was. Now we know he can run, at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine he ran an official 4.42 forty.

WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois JR (6' 1" 219 lbs): Benn has looked fantastic, very solidly built, very athletic and ran a 4.48 forty at the Combine. He is a first round lock for the 2010 NFL Draft. Benn was also the strongest receiver with 20 reps on the bench.

WR Marcus Easley, Connecticut (6' 3" 210 lbs): A sleeper and a player that might get drafted much sooner than most people think. Easley ran an amazing 4.39 forty at the combine and had a productive senior year catching 48 passes for 893 yards and 8 TDs.

WR Emmanuel Sanders, SMU (5' 11" 186 lbs): Some thought he was a system receiver in June Jones' pass happy offense, he finished 2009 ranked 7th in the NCAA with 1,339 yards and 7 TDs. Now we know he can run also to go along with his production. He ran an very nice 4.41 forty at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine. Sanders was also 2nd fastest of all the receivers in the 3-cone drill with a time of 6.60 seconds.

WR Andre Roberts, Citadel (5' 11" 195 lbs): Who will be the next small school star like Pierre Garcon from last year? It might be Roberts or Chris Bell or Donald Jones. Roberts is a speedster, he ran a 4.46 forty and last year in the FCS (formerly division 1AA) he amassed 791 receiving yards and 8 TDs. WR Chris Bell (6' 2" 211 lbs) caught 51 passes for 958 yards and 13 TDs for Norfolk State and ran a nice 4.47 second forty at the combine. Youngstown State's Donald Jones (6' 0" 214 lbs) ran a 4.47 forty and recorded a 41 inch vertical jump.

TE Clay Harbor, Missouri State (6' 3" 252 lbs): Another Small School Prospect that I really like is Clay Harbor. Harbor is an excellent athlete with nice size. He caught 59 passes for 729 yards and 4 TDs last year. At the combine he ran a very nice 4.69 forty, benched 225 pounds 30 times and executed a 41 inch vertical jump.

WR Blair White, Michigan State (6' 2" 209 lbs): Was very productive in the Big 10 where he recorded 990 receiving yards and 9 TD. White has always been noted for running crisp routes and now his 4.53 second forty at the combine will only help him. White was also 3rd fastest of all the receivers in the 3-cone drill with a time of 6.69 seconds.

WR David Gettis, Baylor (6' 3" 217 lbs): Didn't put up huge numbers at run happy Baylor, but he showed a lot of explosiveness for a big receiver running a 4.47 forty at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine.

On the Decline:

WR Desmon Briscoe, Kansas JR (6' 2" 207 lbs): Very productive on the field last year catching 84 passes for 1,337 yards and 9 TDs, but the big question on him has been speed and he didn't look real fast at the combine running a 4.61 forty.

Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati (6' 0" 187 lbs): I still like Gilyard a lot as a receiver and a return man, he catches the ball very well and runs precise routes. His 87 catches for 1,191 yards and 11 TDs are impressive, but running a 4.56 forty at the combine will cause him to slip in the draft a bit. I thought he would run better, but I still think he has nice football (on the field) speed.

WR Damian Williams, USC (6' 1" 197 lbs): Not real big and not real fast. Williams ran a disappointing 4.53 second forty at the combine.

WR Brandon LaFell, LSU (6' 2" 211 lbs): Didn't look real explosive at the combine where he ran a mediocre 4.62 forty.

The Truth about NFL Draft Rumors

This time of year is when all the rumors start flooding in. The Buccaneers are reportedly interested in South Florida's DE Pierre-Paul is one that's floating around right now. To all the myth mongers I say phooey. NFL teams have absolutely zero motivation in letting us know what their plans are and who they are interested in. If anything is being officially released it is probably mis-information anyway. You will see in the next (approximately) six weeks before the draft, the rumors will be flying all about, so believe them at your peril. Most of these rumors are just made up to get people like you and me to read them.

Team Draft for the Future:

The other mistake that the average Draftnik (NFL Draft Fan) makes is thinking that NFL teams always draft players for immediate help. Most teams think ahead 2-3 years for their draft picks. A couple years ago the Cowboys drafted OLB Anthony Spencer and they already had Greg Ellis in that spot, who by the way just made the pro bowl. The next year Ellis is with the Raiders and Spencer steps in and has a great year in Ellis' spot. Last year the Eagles draft RB LeSean McCoy and they already had a pro bowl running back in Brian Westbrook, now they release Westbrook and give McCoy the starting spot a year later.

So just because an NFL team looks strong at a certain position right now doesn't necessarily mean they won't draft for that same position. For example, in my 2010 NFL Mock Draft I have the Steelers drafting massive Alabama nose tackle Terrance Cody. The Steeler fans are shocked, "we already have Casey Hampton" they say. Yes they might Franchise Hampton, but where will he be in two-three years? Smart, successful NFL teams are proactive and not reactive and they draft with vision for the future.

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Should the Rams draft Jimmy Clausen or Ndamukong Suh?

Ryan West, WestSportsReport.com

The Rams have a hard decision to make coming up in April, but some people are making it much harder than it should be. The question is whether they should take stud defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who is considered the best player in the draft, or should they take a franchise quarterback in Jimmy Clausen? Hard? Maybe for some people, but if I'm running a franchise and I lack a franchise quarterback - I'm acquiring one any way possible. Yes, I understand there is bust potential on quarterbacks. I understand that there are chances Suh becomes the next Reggie White. But ask yourself, is Suh, who would get #1 pick money really going to help the Rams franchise make the playoffs in the near future? I'm thinking not. I'm thinking one defensive linemen is going to help a franchise win 2-4 more games, not 9-10. It's no coincidence that a high percentage of winning teams have a franchise quarterback (Manning and Brees in the Super Bowl are good evidence). Clausen is a higher prospect than last year's picks Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez were at this point, and even more than Matt Ryan was the year before that. If the Rams truly want to start being successful, they have to start at square one - having that franchise quarterback. Clausen has to be the pick for the Rams.

Hunter Ansley, DraftZoo.com

I’ve got to note that I personally think the Rams have to address the QB spot. But, for the sake of the debate, I’ll argue for Suh. You’ve got a coach in place who is an admitted defensive-lineman addict with a chance to draft the most heralded defensive tackle prospect in years. It’s almost too perfect. Plus, it’s not like the Rams don’t need just as much help on the defensive side of the ball. Chris Long and Adam Carriker haven’t done much of anything up front to warrant their high selections not long enough ago. And no one else seemed interested in participating as St. Louis finished 29th in total defense and 27th against the run. Then there’s the thought that the Rams might not have the protection or receiving corps to make use of a top passer. And while we’re speaking of passers, although I like both, Jimmy Clausen hasn’t been a big winner and has an attitude that turns some people off, while Sam Bradford just missed an entire season after injuring his shoulder… twice. No prospect is a sure thing, but sue me if I’m wrong; Ndamukong seems close.

Who is the top wide receiver in the 2010 class?

Ryan West, WestSportsReport.com

When evaluating the wide receivers in this draft class, I noticed a couple of things. First, this is a pretty weak receiving class for a team looking for a number one go to guy (only 2 have potential in my opinion). Second, in my analysis of the receivers, I think Damian Williams is the best receiver of this class and has the most potential to be a "go to receiver." Damian Williams has everything I look for in a receiver: great route running (can contribute immediately), a great work ethic, and has great hands. Also being a pro system helps his case and I really think whoever gets him in the draft is getting great value.

Hunter Ansley, DraftZoo.com

I’m going with a slight underdog here and taking Golden Tate out of Notre Dame. Michael Crabtree might have sparked some hope for spread receivers, but there’s still a premium on getting a guy who’s at least tried to run pro routes. Tate’s coming out of Charlie Weis’s offense with loads of experience in a similar system to what he’ll likely play in next season. He doesn’t have great height, and there are better pure speed guys, but if you’re looking for a playmaker, Tate fits the bill. He’s got good enough speed to stretch a defense, is a dangerous athlete especially after the catch, and has nice instincts. His route running needs work, but he’s got that special something that you see in a Percy Harvin type. Plus, he’s got great leadership abilities, and is a pretty heady player.

What team is the best fit for Tim Tebow?

Ryan West, WestSportsReport.com

The Tim Tebow question is the biggest question of this draft. Can Tim Tebow play at a elite level? Can he be successful? Will he play quarterback? And most importantly, where and who will draft him? I honestly believe he will be a first round pick, not based on just his character and talent, but on his appeal to a franchise. I really think he will get drafted by Jacksonville, but I'm not sure that is his best fit. I really think he could do well in any offense as long as he has to sit behind for a couple years and work on his mechanics. Guys with poor mechanics have sat (Tony Romo, Steve Young) and became very successful quarterbacks in the NFL. I don't see Tim Tebow as any different.

Hunter Ansley, DraftZoo.com

I’m higher on Tebow than most, but I still think that any rookie can benefit from some transition time on the bench. Sure, there are some, like a Matt Ryan, that can come in and have an immediate positive impact, and maybe Tebow can do that, but I’d rather see him drafted into a position where he is allowed maximum time to use his greatest strength – his desire to work harder and become a better player. Give him a season behind Matt Leinart in Arizona and see what happens. Leinart hasn’t shown much yet, other than an innate ability to complete passes to corners, but the team has hope for him, and he did get to learn enough to pass on to Tebow from one of the all-time greats in Kurt Warner. The offense has plenty of skill position talent to insulate a young starter once Tebow takes over, and I believe that Ken Whisenhunt is creative enough to fully utilize a guy with this skill set. What I don’t want to see is Tebow ending up somewhere like Miami where he’ll be wasted as a Wildcat project.

Who is your favorite sleeper?

Ryan West, WestSportsReport.com

One of the guys I'm ecstatic to see in the combine is running back Toby Gerhart from Stanford. This guy reminds me so much of one of the more exciting running backs to watch in the NFL, Marion Barber. He is physical, a downhill runner, and he loves contact. Gerhart is projected anywhere from the 3rd round all the way to possibly the 5th round. If he has a good combine, he could slip into the 2nd. He has questionable hands and elusiveness, but he works hard and I can see him being a very underrated running back in the NFL.

Hunter Ansley, DraftZoo.com

Hard to call him underrated after an incredible week at the Senior Bowl has his name bouncing around draft conversations everywhere, but a guy I’ve been high on for a while is Kyle Wilson out of Boise. He’s an intelligent player with the kind of confidence successful corners need and a versatility that should be coveted by all 32 teams. Whether he’s blitzing, covering, or returning, he’s a dynamic guy that can change a game in an instant. Also, have to mention Ryan Matthews out of Fresno State. He’s got good enough size, underrated vision, and was extremely productive last season. He seemed to play better against tougher opponents too, going off for 230 yards against Boise, 160 against Wisconsin, and 150 against Cincinnati.

Who will make the easiest transition to 3-4 OLB from college DE?

Ryan West, WestSportsReport.com

We all know the NFL is a copycat league and a lot of teams are now running a 3-4 defense. With this, scouts have an even harder job evaluating prospects because they have to figure out if a guy fits in a 4-3 as a defensive end, or if he is a 3-4 Rush Linebacker. In my evaluation, I believe that Sergio Kindle could be the best 3-4 rush linebacker and certainly has the measurables and athleticism to succeed. He is 6'4" 255 pounds and has some very nice speed. If he can get the right coaching and learn to be a little more physical, he could end up being a good pass rusher in the NFL.

Hunter Ansley, DraftZoo.com

I’m going with the “safe” pick I guess, but it’s hard to bet against Jerry Hughes if you’re looking for a speed rusher in the 3-4. He’s got top-line speed for the position and was highly productive in college when it came to getting to the quarterback. He just seems to have a knack for it. And it’s not just that he gets there, its how he does it. He plays well in space and really explodes into his tackles, but not at the expense of wrapping up. It’s tough to see him not getting sacks at the next level when you look at his unique combination of quickness, instincts, and an array of dangerous pass rushing moves

More 2010 Senior Bowl Observations

WR Andre Roberts

Many of the nation’s top senior football players got together last Saturday to play a game. Unlike the NFL’s Pro Bowl, this game meant something to the players besides clowning around and a quick paycheck. Here’s some notes from the game:

Brandon Graham, the DE from Michigan, won MVP honors. The young Wolverine had a great game and from most reports, was close to unblockable in the practices leading up to the event. He cemented his first round status, and probably climbed most NFL teams draft boards. If he didn’t, the scouts didn’t watch the same game I did.

WR Mardy Gilyard from Cincinnati also stood out. He had the best game of any WR. While this doesn’t mean he was the best receiver at the game, he made the most of his national TV time. Gilyard got open easily and seemed to feel at ease among the college all stars.

Another receiver, Andre Roberts from the Citadel, also made some nice catches.

Many people were interested in seeing what Florida QB Tim Tebow could do at the game, and I’ll give him credit for showing up at a competition he didn’t have to, but wow, did he look bad. From what I saw, he was the worst of the QB bunch at the Senior Bowl. He didn’t even scramble that well. He is a huge project if he insists on playing QB.

Jarrett Brown, QB, West Virginia looked to have the nicest release and the best looking ball thrown out there. Good size too.

LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon ran hard and has good size. He is definitely pro material physically, but seems very excitable on the field. With his history, that’s not a good thing. The coaches seemed to turn to him when they needed the tough yards, and that’s a good sign that the coaches liked him.

Taylor Mays, the safety from USC grabbed one interception, but otherwise didn’t do much to stand out.

Auburn RB, Ben Tate showed good burst on a couple plays. With his listed size of 5’10, 220 lbs, he could be a mid round steal. Reports from practice also said good things.

I was looking for DE George Selvie from South Florida to do some exciting things, but he did not.

Two DT’s from Georgia looked good. Jeff Owens and Geno Atkins looked like solid 2^nd or 3^rd rounders.

QB Tony Pike from Cincinnati performed adequately, but the ball took awhile to get out of his hand. He’s also too slender right now. If he gains some weight and strength, he could be a capable NFL backup someday.

The Senior Bowl was a chance for these players to play against the best. Some stood out, some did not. The game will be only one factor in where they get drafted, but for my money, how a kid plays and practices against top competition is more important than how he performs at the upcoming NFL Combine. Some NFL teams still have not figured that out.

By Mark Stein

2010 Senior Bowl Post Game Report

I am sure I am not alone in saying I grew tired of hearing about how Tim Tebow was going to perform this week, how much Terrence Cody weighs, and looking at Mel Kiper’s hair, so I assure you not much else will be said about those issues. The story of the 2010 Senior Bowl for me came in the trenches, which is where football games are still won. A dominant performance by the defensive front of the North squad, along with solid play from the front seven of the South team as well were what made this game for me.

Led by defensive end Brandon Graham, the defense of the North was in the South’s backfield all day long. Graham, a 6’1 263 pounder from Michigan, routinely harassed the quarterback, had 2 sacks and a forced fumble, and also showed he has the ability to stop the run as well. He may be a bit undersized, but I can see him having a Dwight Freeney-like impact at the next level. Sean Weatherspoon of Missouri also had a good day. The 6’0 241 pound middle linebacker was all over the field for Coach Jim Schwartz, and also seemed to be the vocal and emotional leader of the team. That is something every team needs and will not go unnoticed by scouts and GM’s. A few other players from the North that impressed me defensively were defensive end Tyson Alualu of Cal, and linebackers Daryl Washington of TCU and Koa Misi of Utah.

Offensively, the North looked somewhat stagnant early on, but benefitted from good field position after the defense forced a couple turnovers. Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount had a good day averaging about 5 yards per carry to go along with a TD run of 14 yards. Obviously character issues are a huge concern with this guy, but at 6 feet and 245 pounds with good lateral quickness and the ability to get downfield in a hurry, he could end up having some good value since he will most likely fall to the late 2nd or 3rd round in the draft. Cincinnati wide receiver Mardy Gilyard had a huge day hauling in 5 catches for 103 yards and a TD, while also performing kick and punt return duties, showing scouts he is as dynamic as anyone in the nation. Dan LeFevour of Central Michigan had the best day among all the quarterbacks. The NCAA’s all-time leader in TD’s showed he has the poise, athleticism, and arm strength to be considered an NFL quarterback.

Defensive tackle Dan Williams of Tennessee and cornerback Patrick Robinson of Florida State led the South team defensively. Williams, a 6’ 2" 329 pounder, battled all day long with Idaho guard Mike Iupati who is widely considered to be the best offensive lineman in this draft. Williams got the best of Iupati on several occasions, constantly collapsed the pocket, plugged the gaps making it nearly impossible for the North to get a run game going while he was on the field, and even deflected a pass. Robinson, a 5’ 11" 190 pound speedster, showed he is the best senior corner in this year’s draft. The rules of the Senior Bowl only allow the defense to play Cover 1 or Cover 3, so there was a lot of man to man coverage played on the outside which allowed us a good look at the corners, and Robinson impressed by consistently staying with his man and not giving up big plays. Question marks still remain about his desire and play-making ability. Others that had good days for the South defense were DT Terrence Cody of Alabama, DE’s Brandon Lang and Cameron Sheffield of Troy, and LB Dekoda Watson of Florida State. USC safety Taylor Mays answered questions about his ability to make plays on the ball with a big interception at the goal line of a Tony Pike pass to halt a drive from the North. Scouts are still waiting for answers about the speed of Alabama cornerback Javier Arenas, especially after he was beaten deep by Gilyard on a 32 yard score from LeFevour. There are no questions, however about his ability in the return game after he showed he can to break tackles and get loose in the open field with a big return that was negated by a penalty.

There is not too much to tell about the South’s offense. They were limited to two field goals of 43 and 33 yards by Alabama’s Leigh Tiffin, along with a 19-yard TD pass from Zac Robinson of Oklahoma State to tight end Colin Peek of Alabama. Robinson came in on the final possession of the 1st half and executed a 2 minute drill to perfection, making excellent throws and showing some serious moxy, and then spontaneously combusted in the 2nd half. Tim Tebow looked about how everyone thought he would, but I still would not count this kid out. He is obviously open to constructive criticism and his drive and determination is unmatched. I think he will do everything he can to become successful at the next level, with that said he has a lot to work on but this game was a good starting point for him.

We saw a lot of guys lose and make money for themselves today, some speedsters make big plays, guys like LeGarrette Blount and USC tailback Stafon Johnson get some redemption, but the story came from the big guys in the middle who don’t get the glory. The North squad dominated the trenches, where football games have always and will always be won.

By Aaron Taylor