Scouting Combine Recap – Defense:
The NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis is the place where NFL careers can begin or end. Every team in the league sends a contingency of coaches, scouts and personnel guys as the players are measured, interviewed and put through a variety of drills. Here is a brief look at the defensive players who most helped and hurt their causes this weekend. For more draft info, go to www.thedraftnarrative.com
Stock Up
Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina – Perhaps the most scrutinized player on the defensive side of the ball acquitted himself well at the Combine. With numbers (6’5” 266lbs 4.53 in the 40 and 37.5” vertical) that almost mimic former Titans DE Jevon Kearse (6’5” 262lbs 4.58 in the 40 and 37” vertical) and, reportedly, a solid and upfront round of interviews, there is no doubt Clowney will hear his name in the first 3 picks of the NFL Draft.
Scott Crichton, DE, Oregon State – Though the actual numbers from the Combine look pedestrian, Crichton excelled in the drills and came in at a solid weight for a 4-3 DE, both of which should land him near the top of Day 2.
Kareem Martin, DE, UNC – Except for his 40 time, Martin actually put up as good or better numbers than Clowney at the Combine, winning in both the 10 yard split (1.53) and the 3-cone drill (7.220).
Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt – Donald absolutely owned the Combine, posting a 4.68 in the 40 and 35 reps of 225lbs. He has easily vaulted to the #1 tackle in the draft, which might be bad news for the Cowboys.
Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame – Coming off a torn meniscus at the end of his college career, Nix saw his first action in front of scouts and looked very fluid in drills. With several other undersized DTs near the top of the draft, Nix should be the #1 target for any team looking for a nose tackle and run stopper.
Stephon Tuitt, DE/DT, Notre Dame – The other DL from Notre Dame also did quite well at the Combine, slimming down to 304lbs and showing some of the burst not really seen since his sophomore year. Back in the discussion for a late 1 or early 2 selection.
Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo – Mack locked in his spot as the top OLB on the board above Barr with a solid showing. Posting a 40” vertical helps too.
Jackson Jeffcoat, OLB, Texas – Even though he worked out with the DL, Jeffcoat’s size (6’3” 247lbs) and speed (4.63) make him a great candidate to be a Day Two selection for a 3-4 team needing an OLB.
Telvin Smith, OLB, Florida State – Smith blazed a 4.52 in the 40 and looks like a great WLB in a 4-3, despite his weight (218lbs).
Kevin Pierre-Louis, OLB, Boston College – With a class-best 4.51 in the 40 and 28 reps on the bench, Pierre-Louis sent scouts scurrying for game tape to back up these numbers. That’s always a good thing for prospects.
Ryan Shazier, OLB/ILB, Ohio State – Though he didn’t run, Shazier’s measurements (6’1” 237lbs), bench (25 reps) and impressive vertical (42”) give him scheme flexibility and put him near the top of the linebacker class.
Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma St – Maybe no one defensive prospect had a better Combine than Gilbert. He dominated every aspect, from the 40 (4.37) to bench (20) to the drills. Gilbert clearly separated himself as the #1 CB and might be pushing for the top 10 in the entire draft.
Keith McGill, CB, Utah – The trend for big corners brought on by the Seahawks Superbowl win will definitely help McGill (6’3” 211lbs). With the longest arms (33.25”) and a nice vertical (39”) McGill looks like a round 2 pick.
Phillip Gaines, CB, Rice – Getting on the map is the ultimate goal for many prospects at the Combine and running a sub 4.4 will almost always do that. Gaines’s 4.38 and work in drills will get him a second look by many teams.
Terrence Brooks, S, Florida State – Brooks had been overshadowed by fellow FSU DB Lamarcus Joyner so far this offseason. But with a 4.42 in the 40 and a 38” vertical, Brooks squarely established himself as his own guy and should be a Day 2 value.
Antone Exum, CB/S, Virginia Tech – This year’s class of DBs contains many cornerback/safety hybrids (ala Kenny Vacarro for the Saints) which are a great fit for the Cowboys. Exum played CB at VA Tech but would likely best fit at safety in the NFL. Though he has a few medical red flags, Exum could be a real value pick in the 4-5 range.
Brock Vereen, S, Minnesota – Vereen had the best bench press among the DBs, a whopping 25 reps of 225lbs. Add to that a 4.47 in the 40 and Vereen went from a borderline undrafted free agent into the 5-6 round range as a strong safety.
Stock Down
Kony Ealy, DE, Mizzou – As seen on the game film, Ealy just has little burst on the edge, running just a 4.92 in the 40. Ealy’s best position in the pros will be to add some bulk to has 6’4” 273lbs frame and play inside as a 3-4 DE or a 3 technique where his quickness makes him elite (ala Henry Melton of the Bears).
Dee Ford, DE, Auburn – Ford made a few headlines with comments about Clowney during the Combine, and then had to leave workouts with a back injury. Already undersized at 6’2” 252lbs, that back injury will make NFL teams very leery and will probably knock him out of round 1 without an excellent pro day.
Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Boise State – Lawrence is a classic speed rusher, only problem is he has no speed. Running a 4.8 in the 40 and with a host of character red flags, not sure I’d touch this guy in any round.
Ra’Shede Hageman, DT/DE, Minnesota – Hageman is best summed up with the “looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane” phrase. His numbers weren’t awful, but his stiffness in drills and lack of moves outside using pure strength reminds me of Tyson Jackson, the DT out of LSU who was a bust in Kansas City. Hageman is probably best served as a 3-4 DE at the next level.
Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State – Like Hageman, there really wasn’t anything “bad” about Jernigan’s Combine performance, it just wasn’t “special.” This time of year, scouts look for splash and Jernigan did not deliver. Though still a top level DT, he probably got passed for the #1 DT off the board.
Anthony Johnson, DT, LSU – Johnson’s numbers made him look like “just a guy” and will keep him a 3-4 round prospect.
Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA – I was hoping Barr would either add some bulk to make him more scheme versatile or really wow with his speed and athleticism. He did neither. Add to that only 15 reps on the bench and Barr looks like strictly a 3-4 OLB who could use some seasoning.
Jonathan Brown, LB, Illinois – Brown’s numbers were awful. He even got beat in the 40 by Yawin Smallwood who pulled his hamstring while running. Undraftable.
Chris Boreland, ILB, Wisconsin – I love Boreland as a player. He reminds me a lot of former Dolphins LB Zach Thomas: short and slow but somehow always at the bottom of the pile. That being said, his numbers did not help him and, like Thomas, he’s likely a Day 3 pick.
Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan St – Dennard was just ok at the Combine, but got eclipsed by some other great showings and fell back as a result. Dennard looked stiff in drills and might be a better zone coverage corner in the NFL than a man-to-man guy.
Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida – I was really high on Roberson coming into the Combine, but a slow 40 (4.61) and a terrible bench press (8) have me rethinking my position.
Basahud Breeland, CB, Clemson – Maybe it’s just the perception, but I am so accustomed to Clemson players being fast. Breeland’s 4.62 in the 40 was disappointing and keeps in the 3-4 round area.
Players of Note
Michael Sam, DE, Mizzou – If Sam really wants to be known as a football player and not “the first openly gay football player” his game will need some work. No burst off the edge, a poor bench and vertical make Sam on the very fringe of draftable players.
I K Enemkpall, DE, LA Tech – Enemkpall is on this list as one of the players Dallas showed interest in at the Senior Bowl. He is a classic tweener at 6’1” 261lbs, strong (28 reps) but slow (5.01 in the 40). Not sure where he fits in the NFL.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama – Clinton-Dix had a pretty solid Combine but nothing eye-popping. He is certainly the #1 FS on the board and fits a need for the Cowboys. However, reports that Dallas would have no interest at pick 16 are puzzling and make me think perhaps Dallas will not address their safety position in the draft.
Jason Verrett, CB, TCU – If Verrett were 3 inches taller, he might be the best CB in this class. I love his cover and ball skills in press. However, his 5’9” 189lbs frame hurts him. At the Combine he proved himself worthy of late first round consideration, with a 4.38 in the 40 and an impressive 39” vertical that should ease concerns about height.