Scouts Inc.'s 2011 Combine coverage....

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Newton's struggles lead QB news

Todd McShay, Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl
Scouts Inc.


More questions regarding the top quarterbacks in this year's draft class need to be answered than in most years. How they come off the board will have little to do with how they performed inside Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, but there was still valuable scouting formation to be taken from the workout sessions.

For starters, the 2011 class is one of the most competitive, most athletic and fastest groups to come through Indianapolis in several years. The only prospect who elected not to throw was Missouri's Blaine Gabbert, and even he elected to participate in the running and jumping portions of the workout. In the end, seven quarterbacks ran the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds or faster.

The most anticipated workout of the entire combine was that of Auburn's Cam Newton, who tied for the best broad jump among quarterbacks and finished in the top five in the vertical jump and 40-yard dash. Things didn't go as well for Newton during passing drills, though.

Newton showed very good touch on vertical throws and was accurate for the most part on post-corner routes. He was far too erratic on short-to-intermediate throws, though, failing to get back in his drops quickly enough and struggling with timing. Newton appeared to become frustrated figuring out when to get the ball out, and he failed to throw to spots as receivers were breaking.

Some of that can be chalked up to throwing to unfamiliar receivers and struggling to adjust to the differences in speed from one receiver to the next, but that issue can't be blamed for the three out routes Newton completely sailed over the heads of receivers.

Newton has clearly worked on his footwork and improving his balance when transferring his weight from back to front, and we expect to see more consistent drops and anticipation when he throws to his own receivers in a scripted throwing session at Auburn's March 8 pro day. But even if he performs well in that workout, where Newton comes off the board -- likely among the top 12 overall picks -- will have much more to do with how he interviews and what teams find out as they investigate his character and mental makeup.

We've heard wide-ranging opinions on Newton's intangibles while talking to NFL types this week in Indianapolis, but overall, he does not appear to be helping his cause much.

Gabbert's athleticism shines

Veteran scouts grumbled about Gabbert's decision not to throw, but it will have no effect on his draft stock. Remember, eight of the past 12 quarterbacks drafted in the first round have opted out of combine passing drills.

The rest of the workout went well for Gabbert, who ran the 40 in 4.62 seconds and posted a 10-foot broad jump. Speed, mobility and athleticism are among the least important traits when evaluating a quarterback, but Gabbert is clearly in the upper echelon in those categories and an underrated athlete for a 6-foot-4, 234-pound prospect. He will throw for scouts March 17 at Missouri's pro day.

Mallett, Ponder throw well

Ryan Mallett (Arkansas) and Christian Ponder turned in the best passing performances of the day. Mallett has the strongest arm in the class, and although his delivery looks smooth and easy, the ball explodes out of his hand. He threw with velocity but also showed good touch and anticipation on timing throws.

Ponder is continuing to build momentum after a strong Senior Bowl week and is shaking off the frustration of an injury-riddled senior season. His accuracy on quick-hitting passes and out routes was impressive, and he did the best job of any quarterback leading receivers on fade routes. Keep in mind, though, that the combine did not test Ponder's weakness in terms of maintaining accuracy when dealing with pressure.

Taylor shows athleticism, struggles while passing

Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor had the fastest 40 time among quarterbacks at 4.51 seconds and tied for the best broad jump at 10-foot-6, but he looked timid throwing the ball and had one of the most underwhelming passing performances of the day.

Taylor seemed nervous and appeared to aim the ball rather than driving through and letting it fly. He is determined to be a quarterback in the NFL, but the team that drafts Taylor is likely to put him in a versatile role while he develops. He has the build (6 feet, 217 pounds) and athleticism to transition to wide receiver. His 40 time would have ranked in the top third among wide receivers, and his broad jump would have been ninth among wideouts.

 

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Jones steals show at WR

Todd McShay, Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl
Scouts Inc.


Alabama's Julio Jones was the star among wide receivers Sunday, putting on one of the best shows we've seen at the position in recent years. At nearly 6-3 and 220 pounds, Jones posted a 38-inch vertical jump, and his 11-foot-3 broad jump is the best for a wide receiver since Jerome Simpson (Bengals) in 2008. His workout won't erase the concerns Jones' film raises about consistency, and it won't push him past A.J. Green (Georgia) to the top of the class, but Jones did close the gap a bit and perhaps got himself into the top 10 overall.

Green was not quite as good as Jones but still had a good day. Green's 34.5-inch vertical equals the average at the position of the past three years, his 10-6 broad jump is adequate and his 4.5-second 40-yard dash is solid for a prospect his size. He did drop a couple of balls during the gauntlet drill, but he showed off his elite ball skills when tracking deep passes.

Other standouts

Abilene Christian's Edmund Gates was the small-school star of the day, running an unofficial 4.35 in the 40 and posting a 10-11 broad jump. He showed off the explosiveness and quickness that allow him to stretch the field, and as a former basketball player, he brings pure athleticism to the table. Gates was a bit tight getting in and out of breaks, but we won't be surprised if he moves into the Day 2 discussion.

Meanwhile, Kentucky's Randall Cobb (4.46) and Miami's Leonard Hankerson (4.43) ran quicker 40 times than expected. Cobb is a very polished route-runner and added some speed to his repertoire, while Hankerson might have begun changing the perception that he is simply a sure-handed possession receiver.

Finally, Maryland's Torrey Smith looked as good as expected with a 4.43 time in the 40, a 41-inch vertical and 10-6 broad jump, but he is still raw as a pass-catcher. Smith looked raw in his route-running and is still figuring out how to catch the ball with his hands away from his frame. He let the ball get to his body at times, resulting in some drops.

 

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Top RBs hold steady

Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.


When the running backs took the field, all eyes were on Alabama's Mark Ingram, the only prospect in the class with a first-round grade. It would be easy to look at his 4.63 time in the 40 and say he didn't have a great day, but because the three-year average for the position is 4.59 and Ingram posted a 10-yard split below the three-year average of 1.63, it would be incorrect.

In fact, none of our top three backs -- Ingram, Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech), Mikel Leshoure (Illinois) -- finished with a 40 time among the top 10 at the position. All three will remain atop our rankings, which should tell you something about the importance of the 40 when evaluating running backs.

Our fourth-rated running back, Kansas State's Daniel Thomas, did not work out because of a hamstring injury suffered several weeks ago. Thomas is expected to work out during the Wildcats' March 15 pro day showcase.

Vereen leads smaller backs

California's Shane Vereen had a monster day, running the 40 in 4.48 seconds, posting a 34-inch vertical jump and putting up 25 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press. Vereen is an instinctive back on video and shows good skills in the passing game, but we haven't seen the kind of explosiveness on film that Vereen displayed Sunday. It's time to go back to the film room and see whether we missed anything during our previous evaluation.

Other diminutive backs had good showings as well. Pittsburgh's Dion Lewis, Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers, Syracuse's Delone Carter and Kentucky's Derrick Locke all showed good balance and lateral explosiveness when bouncing to the outside and then cutting upfield during position-specific drills.

Big guys up and down

Ingram, Williams and Johnny White (North Carolina) all stood out during running back drills, running with great balance and lateral agility. White has plenty of experience as a pass-catcher, and it shows on film, but for Ingram and Williams, the combine offered a chance to prove their skills in that area, and they passed the test.
On the flip side, Damien Berry (Miami), Matt Asiata (Utah) and John Clay (Wisconsin) struggled during the same drills. Berry looked lost at times and was not explosive out of his cuts, leaving teams wondering whether he'll be a high-rep guy after watching him butcher the three-cone drill. Clay and Asiata had their stiff hips exposed during change-of-direction drills, with Clay faring a little better. Both struggled to plant their outside foot and explode back inside. Leshoure, on the other hand, looked quick and fluid for his size.

Under the radar

Roy Helu (Nebraska) ran the short shuttle in 4.01 seconds and Graig Cooper Miami in 4.03, the fastest times in the past six years. Helu also had a top-five finish in the three-cone drill and ran the sixth-fastest 40 time of his group with a 4.42.

In all, 15 running backs completed the short shuttle in 4.2 seconds or less after just six went that low in 2010. In fact, Anthony Allen's third-best time of 4.06 this year tied the best mark in last year's class. Allen also had a 41.5 vertical jump, tied for the best since 2006.

 

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Record day for Paea

Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.


Defensive linemen and linebackers took part in the bench-press test on Sunday, and Oregon State DT Stephen Paea set a combine record with 49 reps, besting the previous record of 45 most recently accomplished by guard Mitch Petrus last year.

Top DL bench presses
1. Stephen Paea, Oregon State (49)
2. DT Marvin Austin, North Carolina (38)
3. DE Bruce Miller, Central Florida (35)
T4. DT Adrian Taylor, Oklahoma (34)
T4. DE J.J. Watt, Wisconsin (34)

Top LB bench presses
1. Ross Homan, Ohio State (32)
2. Justin Houston, Georgia (30)
3. Mark Herzlich, Boston College (29)
4. Brian Rolle, Ohio State (28)
5. Orie Lemon, Oklahoma State (27)

 

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QB results

Top 40-yard dashes
1. Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech (4.51 seconds)
2. Colin Kaepernick, Nevada (4.53)
T3. Jake Locker, Washington (4.59)
T3. Cam Newton, Auburn (4.59)
T5. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri (4.62)
T6. Josh Portis, California (Pa.) (4.62)

Top broad jumps
T1. Cam Newton (10 feet, 6 inches)
T1. Josh Portis (10-6)
T1. Tyrod Taylor (10-6)
T4. Blaine Gabbert (10-0)
T4. Jake Locker (10-0)

Top vertical jumps
1. Josh Portis (40 inches)
2. Tyrod Taylor (37.5)
T3. Jake Locker (35)
T3. Cam Newton (35)
5. Christian Ponder, Florida State (34)

Top three-cone drills
1. Jake Locker (6.77 seconds)
2. Tyrod Taylor (6.78)
T3. Ryan Colburn, Fresno State (6.84)
T3. Blaine Gabbert (6.84)
T3. Josh Portis (6.94)

Top short shuttles
T1. Christian Ponder (4.09 seconds)
T1. Tyrod Taylor (4.09)
T3. Jake Locker (4.12)
T3. Josh Portis (4.12)
T3. Scott Tolzien, Wisconsin (4.12)
T3. T.J. Yates, North Carolina (4.12)


WR results

Top 40-yard dashes
T1. Edmund Gates, Abilene Christian (4.37 seconds)
T1. Ricardo Lockette, Fort Valley State (4.37)
3. Julio Jones, Alabama (4.39)
T4. Torrey Smith, Maryland (4.43)
T4. Leonard Hankerson, Miami (4.43)

Top broad jumps
1. Julio Jones (11 feet, 3 inches)
2. Edmund Gates (10-11)
3. Andre Holmes, Hillsdale (10-10)
T4. Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh (10-9)
T4. Greg Little, North Carolina (10-9)
T4. Jamar Newsome, Central Florida (10-9)

Top vertical jumps
1. Jonathan Baldwin (42 inches)
T2. Torrey Smith, (41)
T2. Terrance Turner, Indiana (41)
4. Greg Little (40.5)
T5. Edmund Gates (40)
T5. Al Robinson, SMU (40)

Top three-cone drills
1. Jeff Maehl, Oregon (6.42 seconds)
2. Dane Sanzenbacher, Ohio State (6.46)
3. Terrence Toliver, LSU (6.48)
4. Cecil Shorts, Mount Union (6.50)
5. Marshall Williams, Wake Forest (6.61)

Top short shuttles
1. Austin Pettis, Boise State (3.88 seconds)
2. Jeff Maehl (3.94)
3. Dane Sanzenbacher (3.97)
4. Terrence Toliver (4.03)
5. Cecil Shorts (4.07)


RB results

Top 40-yard dashes
1. Da'Rel Scott, Maryland (4.34 seconds)
2. Mario Fannin, Auburn (4.38)
T3. Derrick Locke, Kentucky (4.40)
T3. Jordan Todman, Connecticut (4.40)
5. Demarco Murray, Oklahoma (4.41)

Top vertical jumps
1. Anthony Allen, Georgia Tech (41.5 inches)
2. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech (40)
T3. Mikel Leshoure, Illinois (38)
T3. Jordan Todman (38)
T5. Mario Fannin (37.5)
T5. Derrick Locke (37.5)

Top broad jumps
1. Jordan Todman (10 feet, 6 inches)
2. Demarco Murray (10-4)
3. Ryan Williams (10-3)
T4. Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State (10-2)
T4. Mikel Leshoure (10-2)

Top three-cone drills
1. Graig Cooper, Miami (6.66 seconds)
2. Roy Helu, Nebraska (6.67)
3. Kendall Hunter (6.74)
4. Stevan Ridley, LSU (6.78)
5. Anthony Allen, Georgia Tech (6.79)

Top short shuttles
1. Roy Helu, Nebraska (4.01 seconds)
2. Graig Cooper (4.03)
3. Anthony Allen (4.06)
4. Delone Carter, Syracuse (4.07)
5. Damien Berry, Miami (4.12)

 

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Prince Amukamara shows well at combine

By Todd McShay, Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl


The final day of workouts at the NFL combine puts defensive backs in the spotlight, and there are some noteworthy prospects making early impressions.

• One of the questions facing CB Prince Amukamara (Nebraska) is his deep speed. He helped ease those concerns early Tuesday. Amukamara ran in the high 4.3-second range in the 40-yard dash, and he displayed the ball skills and foot quickness we like so much on film.

As for Amukamara's top competition at cornerback, LSU's Patrick Peterson checked in at 219 pounds and is built like a running back. Peterson put up a very good broad jump at 10-foot-6, and we're interested to see how he moves and runs with some extra weight on his frame.

• Miami DC Brandon Harris stayed low and balanced when asked to backpedal, flip his hips and run. He also did a better job of ripping his elbow through than most of the corners. Ripping the elbow through turns the torso and forces the legs to whip around.

• Virginia CB Ras-I Dowling pulled a hamstring on his only 40 attempt of the day, and even though he ran an unofficial 4.40 it only serves to reinforce durability concerns.

Dowling has the tools to quickly develop into an effective starter in a zone-heavy scheme but hamstring, knee and ankle injuries limited him to five games and just two starts last year. Injuries also prevented him from attending the Senior Bowl, so we were excited to see him work out in Indianapolis.

• Texas CB Curtis Brown did not rip off a blazing 40 time, but his time in the mid-4.5s is good enough. Brown is standing out in drills, showing quick feet, good ball skills and timing leaps, and high-pointing the ball well. He also showed more fluid hips than expected.

• North Carolina CB Kendric Burney did not run well (low 4.6s), but that was somewhat expected due to questions about his long speed. However, Burney looked good during drills with his short-area quickness and elite ball skills.

He tracked a ball over his shoulder and made a nice catch on a deep pass, and while he will need to be protected in a Cover-2-heavy scheme at the next level, he has the potential to develop into an adequate starter in time and a valuable special-teams contributor early on.

• Temple S Jaiquawn Jarrett struggled a bit during drills, looking tight and taking extra steps to gather at the top of his backpedal and transition forward. He also showed inconsistent hands. We like the way he plays near the box on film, though, and because of his limitations in coverage Jarrett will be utilized a lot in run support at the next level.

Every year prospects try to cheat drills in an effort to mask their weaknesses. Colorado DC Jalil Brown looked like he tried to hide the tightness in his hips, backpedaling slower than a lot of the corners to make it easier for him to open and run. This rarely works for two reasons. First, teams already know about his tight hips based on film study. Secondly, scouts will take a second look at the film of these workouts and pick up on any attempts at cheating.

 

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Demarcus Van Dyke is fastest in 2011

By Todd McShay, Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl


Defensive back workouts always produce some of the best 40-yard dash times at the NFL combine, and 2011 is no different.

Miami CB Demarcus Van Dyke blazed the fastest time at this year's combine on Tuesday, posting an official time of 4.28, and LSU CB Patrick Peterson was close behind at 4.34. How do those times compare to recent bests?

RB Chris Johnson (4.24) is the only player since 2005 to run a faster time than Van Dyke, while WR Jacoby Ford ran an identical 4.28 last year. Peterson's time is two-tenths of a second below the average for all cornerbacks (4.54) over the last three years.

Here's a look at the top five official times from this year's defensive back class.

1. Demarcus Van Dyke (4.28)
2. Patrick Peterson (4.34)
T3. Chimdi Chekwa, Ohio State (4.40)
T3. Chris Culliver, South Carolina (4.40)
T5. Prince Amukamara, Nebraska (4.43)
T5. Joe Lefeged, Rutgers (4.43)

• Colorado CB Jimmy Smith posted an impressive 4.46 at 6-foot-2 and 211 pounds, showing good speed to go with his elite size for the position. All three of our top corners -- Amukamara, Peterson, and Smith -- have held up under scrutiny and backed up what we've seen in film.

• Chekwa's 4.40 was also impressive, but Van Dyke and Chekwa are tight in the hips and struggle to make lateral cuts to turn and run in coverage.

• UCLA S Rahim Moore looked good in position drills, showing quick feet and more fluid hips than expected. He was technically sound when turning and running, and just like on film Moore tracked the ball very well.

• West Virginia S Robert Sands is high-cut at 6-4 and struggles to open his hips, something that stood out even more today while he performed alongside smaller, quicker cornerbacks. Sands can play the point effectively but he has limitations in man coverage and will be more of an in-the-box safety at the next level.

• We talked about Chattanooga CB Buster Skrine during the practice week leading up to the NFLPA (Texas vs. Nation) all-star game, and while his technique and anticipation need to be refined Skrine did run a 4.44 40 and confirmed his ability to turn, run and recover when caught in trail position.

 

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Importance of the 40-yard dash

Players, coaches and evaluators often dismiss the 40 -- but don't dismiss the outliers

By Chris Sprow
ESPN Insider


INDIANAPOLIS -- Nobody ever runs his best 40-yard dash here. Nobody. And they are all happy to tell you why.

"It's the setup," one player grumbled. He will be among the top 10 picks in April's NFL draft but was in no mood to consider it as he walked alone through the halls of the convention center, away from Lucas Oil Stadium, his NFL: Men in Tights outfit bound for a hotel floor. "They keep you up all night, ask a ton of questions, wake you up early -- then expect you to work out great."

Earlier that morning, he'd propelled his massive frame to a 40 time of about five seconds, which is more impressive than the number implies. Weighing in the neighborhood of 300 pounds, within 25 yards, he'd accelerated to 20 miles an hour.

If you consider well-researched but unofficial lists such as this, which seemingly dot the Web, you'd conclude that 40 times are actually very indicative of future NFL greatness.

But even restricting that list to players timed after the advent of electronic timing 12 years ago points to a trend. Nine players have run sub-4.3 40s in that time: Five went in the first round, four (Champ Bailey, Chris Johnson, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Jerome Mathis) are Pro Bowlers and two (Bailey and Johnson) are stars and potential Hall of Fame talents. Others, such as Jacoby Ford and even Darrius Heyward-Bey, have shown flashes. In a league where the average career is just more than three years, eight of the nine are still playing -- even in a small sample, it's eye-opening.

The bottom line is that, as one GM said, "Maybe it gets overhyped a little in terms of value, but nobody ignores the long end of the tail, guys that are just way out there. That just says 'athlete.'" Adds a scout, "Every year the consensus is the forty gets too much hype. Then every year, two months later at the draft a kid goes high and we all say, 'Hard to ignore that forty number.'" Paul Brown created a monster, one perhaps too easy to dismiss.

Since team personnel are watching through that prism, and admittedly affected by it, here are guys in each position group who could be considered this year's outliers, or the closest thing to it, having beaten their direct peers. (And remember, outliers here need to be put in context. It can take a decade to shave a few hundredths off a record 100-meter time. So a half-tenth in the 40 -- less than half that distance -- is more significant than you'd think.) So with the help of some evaluators, let's put this weeks' into context.

Quarterback: Tyrod Taylor's 4.51-second time isn't really an outlier -- Cam Newton is a likely top-10 pick and Jake Locker a late-first-rounder or early-second-rounder, and both ran the dash in 4.59 seconds -- but his time is just more of an indication that scouts are correct to peg him for another position. He most likely will end up as a wideout.

Running back: Auburn's Mario Fannin ran a solid 4.38 but, more remarkably, was a full two-tenths of a second faster than any back who weighs as much as or more than his 231 pounds. "He should have that number tattooed on him," said George Whitfield, who is Newton's personal coach. Although he was once considered a possible undrafted free agent, "His stock will soar -- just watch," Whitfield said.

Wide receiver: There were no true outliers in this group. Edmund Gates and Ricardo Lockette both ran 4.37, just one-hundredth of a second better than Julio Jones, who, like Fannin, may be the big story. That's because the Bama star weighed in at 220 pounds and apparently ran with a broken bone in his foot; many think he has edged into top-10 discussions.

Tight end: He's no Vernon Davis, who ran a 4.38 time in 2006, but Rob Housler's 4.55 was a half-tenth of a second clear of the field. Mel Kiper pegged Housler to shine in Indy and it's safe to say his stock has risen.

Offensive line: No outliers, but Ryan Bartholomew wins the prestigious title of 300-plus pounder who ran a sub-5.0 40. He also won the O-line bench-press title, with 34 reps.

Defensive tackle: Marvin Austin fell out of the first round on most mocks after sitting a full year, but his 4.80 40 is an outlier based on his 309-pound frame. He blew away the field of players who weigh more than 300 pounds, and when you consider that possible top pick Nick Fairley, an athletic tackle by every standard, ran nearly a full tenth slower at 291 pounds, Austin's time looks even better. The first round is back in play.

Defensive end: Dontay Moch's 4.44 was a record-setter for defensive ends, but he projects to switch to 3-4 outside linebacker. He beat every other D-line participant by almost two-tenths of a second -- and he was disappointed. "I was there when he ran it in about 4.2," said Matthew Eck, his strength and conditioning coach at Nevada. "There were about 15 NFL scouts there at our junior day, and they could tell you." (There are many combine tall tales, but several people can confirm this one.) Eck also denied a rumor that Moch has always been playing small. Word was he was at 230 pounds for much of the season, which helped his speed, but, "He's been up to 255. He was sick and dropped some for a time," Eck said. As for his stock, Moch was once a likely midrounder, and some see him as a late-first-round option now. Even if he drops, he's made a serious leap given his size-speed combo.

Linebacker: Martez Wilson of Illinois ran 4.49, about a half-tenth of a second faster than any other linebacker. More impressive is that he's a middle linebacker -- most of the speed guys are on the edge. Many believe that he'll now be the first interior linebacker taken.

Safety: No safety really stood out, which is in line with a class where perhaps only one can crack the first round.

Defensive back: Watch the rise of Demarcus Van Dyke. A likely undrafted free agent before the combine, he ran 4.28 and will provide an easy test for the outlier effect. Patrick Peterson had a strong showing, running a 4.34 at 219 pounds, made more remarkable by the fact that the current class of combine corners averaged a hair more than 193 pounds. He's the definition of an outlier.

According to Tony Villani, who trains for XPE Sports and prepares many guys for the combine, prospects can "drop two- to three-tenths" in the short period between the end of the college football season and Indy.

But Villani couldn't aid this: The greatest "40" outlier from the week that people are buzzing about is the 48 that former Bama quarterback Greg McElroy reportedly scored on the Wonderlic test. McElroy's 4.91-second 40 time is downright pedestrian in comparison.


Fastest Forty's

The fastest 40-yard dash times from the 2011 NFL Combine, according to the NFL:

Demarcus Van Dyke: 4.28
Patrick Peterson: 4.34
Da'Rel Scott: 4.34
Edmund Gates: 4.37
Ricardo Lockette: 4.37
Mario Fannin: 4.38
Julio Jones: 4.38
Chimdi Chekwa: 4.40
Chris Culliver: 4.40
Derrick Locke: 4.40
Jordan Todman: 4.40

 

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Tackles lead impressive D-line group

Todd McShay, Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl
Scouts Inc.


The 2011 defensive line class is shaping up as the deepest one in a decade, and we could see 12 to 14 line prospects come off the board in the first round, depending how you categorize the DE/OLB 'tweeners.

It was obvious while watching Monday's workouts and seeing the impressive showings in the 40-yard dash, agility drills, jumps and position-specific drills that this group is special. We were most impressed with the performances by some top defensive tackles and their blazing 40 times and 10-yard splits.

Marcell Dareus, Alabama: The combine could not have gone much better for Dareus, who looked good while weighing in at 6-foot-3 and 319 pounds and then ran a 4.94-second 40 (unofficial) with a 1.69 10-yard split, very impressive times for his size. He also looked strong and powerful during position-specific drills.

Nick Fairley, Auburn: He checked in smaller (6-3⅞, 291) than Dareus and was slightly better in the 40 with an unofficial 4.87, though his 10-yard split (1.76) was behind that of Dareus. However, Fairley did post a 31-inch vertical jump and showed good movement during position drills.

Marvin Austin, North Carolina: Austin showed why he entered the season with a first-round grade, running 4.80 (unofficial) with a 1.63 split and reminding teams of his explosive athleticism. There are questions about his maturity and he did not play in 2010, so Austin will get drafted later than his natural tools might indicate. He validated the short-area quickness and ability to penetrate we've seen on film.

Corey Liuget, Illinois: He has adequate size (6-2⅛, 298) and his 18 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press were not as many as expected, but Liuget showed a lot of quickness during drills and ran a respectable 5.01 in the 40. One NFL defensive line coach we talked to raved about Liuget's quickness and motor and told us he rates Liuget as the No. 2 tackle in the class behind Dareus.

Phil Taylor, Baylor: Taylor is a highly regarded two-gap nose tackle prospect and displayed very impressive agility and mobility for a 334-pounder by running in the 5.0 range and showing well in position drills.

 

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Separating the top DEs

Todd McShay, Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl
Scouts Inc.


There was also a lot to like about the performances by the defensive ends Monday. Because there is such variety in the group, let's break them down based on where they are expected to play in the NFL in order to make apples-to-apples comparisons of their workouts.


Undersized college ends moving to OLB

No one impressed more than Nevada's Dontay Moch, who turned in perhaps the best workout of the entire combine. Moch (6-1½, 248) ran an official 4.44 in the 40, the fastest among both defensive linemen or linebackers, and his 42-inch vertical jump is the best in the last six combines. He also posted the best broad jump among D-linemen at 10-foot-8.

However, Moch's results won't fool many people. His impressive explosiveness and straight-line speed are offset by his lack of lateral agility, hip fluidity and body control to bend the edge as a pass-rusher. He's also raw in terms of instincts and looked tight during drills. Moch looks like a third-rounder to us, though with his size/speed ratio, he has Oakland Raiders written all over him.

Brooks Reed, Arizona: Reed isn't an elite athlete, but he has good short-area explosiveness and a nonstop motor that will have him off the board before Day 2 is over.


4-3 right ends

Teams running 4-3 schemes look for speed and athleticism at right end. Most offenses are right-handed and line their tight end up to that side, leaving their backside (the defense's right) with more space. Teams will sacrifice size and strength at right end in order to get more speed and athleticism to get after the quarterback.

Robert Quinn leads the prospects who fit that mold, and while he did not quite live up to the hype, Quinn did have a good day. He is an impressive athlete for his size (6-4, 265). He did not play in 2010 because of off-field issues, so there was an expectation by some that with a year to prepare for this very event, Quinn would blow the doors off Lucas Oil Stadium.

That wasn't necessarily the case, but Quinn was at least above average in everything he did. His 4.70 (official) in the 40 was sixth-best among defensive linemen and his 9-8 broad jump and 34-inch vertical were good for his size. In the end, he did nothing to raise concerns about his standing as a first-round prospect.

Justin Houston, Georgia: He worked out with the linebackers, but at 6-3 and 270 pounds, Houston is a right end in our eyes. He has an impressive combination of size, speed and explosive power. He carries his weight well and has a quick first step. His 36.5-inch vertical jump, 10-5 broad jump and 4.68 in the 40 are all very good for his size.

In addition, Houston has huge hands (10.⅞ inches), long arms (34½) and a wide wingspan (81⅝), and with some coaching to refine his technique he could become a very effective pass-rusher. Houston exceeded expectations and improved his chances of coming off the board in the first round.

Adrian Clayborn, Iowa: Clayborn has the size (6-2⅝, 281) of a left end, but getting after the quarterback is what he does best. He showed good agility during the shuttle runs (DL-best 4.13-second short shuttle), but a right arm injury could limit his ability to take on blocks and use the arm in combat on the left side.


4-3 left ends

Left ends typically take on tight ends more frequently, so they tend to be thicker, stronger and more powerful in order to anchor against the run, though teams still like to get at least some pass rush from the left end.

Miami's Allen Bailey(6-3, 285) quietly had a very good showing. His 36½-inch vertical was third-best among defensive linemen, his 27 bench press reps are impressive given his long arms, and Bailey also showed some versatility by taking part in some outside linebacker drills.

Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue: He is not an elite athlete and has some limitations in space, but Kerrigan ran well (official 4.71) and did a nice job overall during position drills, performing as well as expected and giving himself the best possible chance of remaining in the first-round conversation.

Christian Ballard, Iowa: He ran in the 4.8 range, and at 6-3¾ and 285 pounds there are some similarities between Ballard and Bailey, both of whom flash on film but lack instincts and consistency. Bailey looked better overall this week, though, and remains ahead of Ballard on the board.


3-4 defensive ends

Ends in 3-4 schemes (5-techniques) play a little farther inside and are asked to take on blocks, anchor at the point of attack and occupy blockers so linebackers can run free to the ball. They most often check in somewhere between 6-3 and 6-5 and weigh 275 to 295 pounds, and the three players listed here could all be top-20 picks.

J.J. Watt, Wisconsin: Watt has a prototypical build (6-5⅜, 290, 11⅛-inch hands, 34-inch arms) for a 5-technique, and with 34 reps on the bench, he proved he has the tools to get the job done. He spent most of his college career using his hands to fight off blockers, so he'll need some work in terms of taking on and holding up against blockers. But with his athletic ability (37-inch vertical, 10-0 broad jump, 4.21-second short shuttle, 6.88-second 3-cone drill), Watt has all the tools to get the job done.

Cameron Jordan, California: Jordan (6-41, 281) continues to build momentum after a strong showing at the Senior Bowl. He ran a 4.78 and put up 25 reps with 35-inch arms, and continued to show the speed and athleticism to make an impact as a mid-first round pick.

Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple: Wilkerson ran an unofficial 4.99 at 6-4⅛ and at 315 pounds, he looked nimble and athletic during position drills. He is starting to get more attention, but Wilkerson remains one of the five most underrated prospects in the entire class.

 

[sbk92]

Miller leads impressive OLBs

Todd McShay, Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl
Scouts Inc.


Plenty of outside linebackers stood out Monday, but no one had a better day than Texas A&M's Von Miller.

Miller is up to 246 pounds, and some wondered whether the added weight would affect his athleticism. But he put those concerns to rest with an official 4.53 in the 40, a 10-6 broad jump, a 4.06 short shuttle and 6.70 3-cone drill. He has freakish overall physical tools and fits best as a 3-4 outside linebacker who can be turned loose off the edge. Miller has secured his standing as a top-10 pick.

Martez Wilson, Illinois: He showed his explosiveness with a 10-4 broad jump, and while Wilson is a bit high-cut (6-3⅝, 250) and looked a bit tight in drill work, he has a rare combination of size, speed and range.

Akeem Ayers, UCLA: Ayers could have helped lock down a spot in the first round, but he failed to impress. He ran in the low 4.8-second range, failed to show good change-of-direction skills and was not elite in the jumps, shuttles or cone drill. He had a chance to prove he is an elite prospect, but his workout did not match up to the productive player we saw on film early in the season before Ayers was nicked up.

Orie Lemon, Oklahoma State: Lemon checked in at 242 pounds and had made some headway early in the process, but his unofficial 4.99 in the 40 raises concerns about his overall range, and he also showed some tightness during drills.

Scott Lutrus, Connecticut: Lutrus (6-2½, 241) far exceeded expectations based on what we've seen on film. He's not an overly explosive prospect, but he posted good results in the 40 (4.68), broad jump (10-1), vertical jump (38), 3-cone (6.89) and short shuttle (6.89). We now have to go back to the tape to see if we missed something during our initial evaluation and figure out why his explosiveness and lateral quickness are so much better at this point.

Casey Matthews, Oregon: Matthews aggravated a recurring shoulder injury during the bench press and raised another red flag for a guy who struggled to get off blocks and has an average body type. He's tough and instinctive, but the injury dates to his freshman year and is cause for concern.

Mark Herzlich, Boston College: There is no questioning the intangibles and character of a player who fought back after missing the entire 2009 season while battling cancer, and the players who worked out alongside Herzlich in Indianapolis clearly have a lot of respect for him.

However, he was never an elite athlete, and having a titanium rod in his femur has made him less mobile. His unofficial 4.9 in the 40 is not far off the three-year average of 4.81, though, and Herzlich is convinced he's continuing to get stronger and approaching 100 percent. A team could take him on Day 3 and hope he continues to progress and get back to where he was before his illness.

 

[sbk92]

DL results

Top 40-yard dashes
1. Dontay Moch, Nevada (4.44)
2. Christopher Carter, Fresno State (4.62)
T3. Sam Acho, Texas (4.68)
T3. Brooks Reed Arizona (4.68)
5. Jabaal Sheard, Pittsburgh (4.69)
6. Robert Quinn, North Carolina (4.70)
T7. Ugo Chinasa, Oklahoma State (4.71)
T7. Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue (4.71)
9. Allen Bailey, Miami (FL) (4.77)
T10. Cameron Jordan, California (4.78)
T10. Aldon Smith, Missouri (4.78)

Top broad jumps
1. Dontay Moch (10-8)
2. Ryan Kerrigan (10-2)
3. J.J. Watt, Wisconsin (10-0)
T4. Cheta Ozougwu, Rice (9-11)
T4. D'Aundre Reed (9-11)

Top vertical jumps
1. Dontay Moch (42)
2. J.J. Watt (37)
3. Allen Bailey (36.5)
4. Chris Carter (36)
5. D'Aundre Reed (35.6)

Top three-cone drills
1. Sam Acho, Texas (6.69)
T2. Chris Carter (6.88)
T2. J.J. Watt (6.88)
4. Ryan Winsterswyk, Boise State (7.01)
5. Bruce Miller, Central Florida (7.05)

Top short shuttles
1. Adrian Clayborn (4.13)
2. J.J. Watt, Wisconsin (4.21)
3. Brooks Reed, Arizona (4.28)
4. Cheta Ozougwu (4.31)
5. Sam Acho, (4.32)


LB results

Top 40-yard dashes
1. Martez Wilson, Illinois (4.49)
2. Von Miller, Texas A&M (4.53)
3. Brian Rolle, Ohio State (4.56)
4. Adrian Moten, Maryland (4.62)
5. Douglas Hogue, Syracuse (4.63)
6. Colin McCarthy, Miami (4.65)
T7. Ross Homan, Ohio State (4.68)
T7. Justin Houston, Georgia (4.68)
T7. Scott Lutrus, Connecticut (4.68)
T7. J.T. Thomas, West Virginia (4.68)
T7. Chris White, Mississippi State (4.68)

Top broad jumps
1. Von Miller (10-6)
2. Justin Houston (10-5)
3. Martez Wilson (10-4)
4. Akeem Dent, Georgia (10-3)
T5. Doug Hogue (10-1)
T5. Scott Lutrus, Connecticut (10-1)

Top vertical jumps
1. Scott Lutrus (38)
2. Akeem Dent (37.5)
3. Von Miller (37)
T4.Justin Houston (36.5)
T4. Colin McCarthy (36.5)

Top three-cone drills
1. Von Miller (6.70)
2. Mike Mohamed (6.70)
T3. Scott Lutrus (6.89)
T3. Brian Rolle (6.89)
4. Colin McCarthy (6.93)

Top short shuttles
T1. Nicholas Bellore, Central Michigan (4.00)
T1. Mike Mohamed (4.00)
3. Von Miller (4.06)
4. Scott Lutrus 4.09)
5. Colin McCarthy 4.20

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I'm loving this DE class. JJ Watt with a 6.88 3-cone and 4.21 short shuttle. Damn, that's impressive. He's gonna make a lot of plays on backside pursuit.

 

[Cr122]

Akeem Ayers, UCLA: Ayers could have helped lock down a spot in the first round, but he failed to impress. He ran in the low 4.8-second range, failed to show good change-of-direction skills and was not elite in the jumps, shuttles or cone drill. He had a chance to prove he is an elite prospect, but his workout did not match up to the productive player we saw on film early in the season before Ayers was nicked up.

This is the thanks I get for propping you for the last few months? :WTF

ASSHOLE.

~I hope he sees this~

 

[Bob Sacamano]

This is the thanks I get for propping you for the last few months? :WTF

ASSHOLE.

~I hope he sees this~

I told ya. Anthony Spencer part 2. He might even be worse.

 

[sbk92]

Top corners leave no doubt at NFL combine

Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.


If you're a top NFL prospect and decide to work out at the combine, you want to put on the kind of performance CBs Prince Amukamara and Patrick Peterson did Tuesday. Amukamara and Peterson were the most complete athletes in the building and were simply on a different level than all other prospects.

Both checked in at 6 feet, and the only significant difference is that Peterson was 13 pounds heavier (219 to 206). Both had a 38-inch vertical jump; Amukamara posted a 10-foot-8 broad jump compared to 10-6 for Peterson, and Peterson's 40-yard dash (4.34 seconds) was slightly ahead of Amukamara's (4.39).

They came to Indianapolis with Peterson atop the cornerback class and Amukamara just behind him, and they leave having cemented their status even further.

Peterson's elite combination of size and athleticism, along with his ability in the return game, will make teams picking in the top five think hard about him, and while we don't expect him to be the No. 1 overall pick, Peterson is worth any pick from No. 2 on. Should he get past No. 3 it then becomes a matter of which team might pass on a need in order to take the best player on the board at that point.

As for Amukamara, he has assured himself a spot in the elite tier of prospects in 2011, which this year is eight players deep. His anticipation, instincts and ball skills are impressive, and at any spot from No. 9 on he would become the best player on the board if available.

Harris shines as well

Miami's Brandon Harris had the best day among the second-tier cornerbacks, consistently showing good leverage and staying low in his backpedal, displaying good footwork and bursting out of his pedal when turning and running. He was also smooth and under control during position drills.

His ball skills were good, though he did struggle at one point to track and locate a ball over his shoulder, and a lack of playmaking skills is something that stood out to us during film study of Harris. He had only four interceptions in 32 career starts, but he can cover well and is always around the ball. Overall, Harris couldn't have had a much better day, and he's still in the late-first or early-second round discussion.

Smith comes with baggage

Colorado's Jimmy Smith is a big, fast corner with excellent balance and the skills to be a high-first round pick, and he competed well at the combine. However, he faces questions about his work ethic and character and whether off-field issues could affect his play.

Teams must decide if they are comfortable with his attitude and dedication, whether he will pay the price to be great or if the paychecks and free time he will suddenly have on his hands will be a bad combination. Scouts we've talked to made it clear that Smith's character is under scrutiny.

 

[sbk92]

Mixed bag for other CBs

Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.


Curtis Brown (Texas) was among the quickest corners during position drills in terms of footwork, backpedaling and opening his hips and changing direction. His athleticism and agility should allow him to mirror just about any receiver at the next level. However, he shows some weakness in terms of tracking the ball, and he is somewhat allergic to contact, both in run support and against bigger receivers who try to dictate their own routes. However, his good showing at the combine will have scouts going back to the tape for a closer look.

Rashad Carmichael (Virginia Tech) was expected to be among the fastest defensive backs in attendance but finished outside the top 10 in the 40-yard dash, though he did show very good quickness and agility throughout position drills. He's a smaller corner, but the athleticism he showed will give him a chance to contribute at the next level.

Where to play Williams and Gilchrist?

Aaron Williams (Texas) and Marcus Gilchrist (Clemson) both had good workouts, but we're still not sure whether they fit better at corner or free safety.

Williams is a good athlete for his size (6-0½, 204) but has just enough stiffness in his hips to cause concern, and while his recovery speed is adequate it is certainly not elite. Throw in less-than-ideal ball skills and it's not a good recipe for a cover corner.

His size is not far off the average for a safety prospect, though, and Williams shows a willingness to deliver hits. He's also a good special-teams player who will return and cover kicks and had four blocked kicks in his career. In the end, all that should help him come off the board in the second round.

As for Gilchrist, he proved to be a big, fast (high 4.4s in the 40) and explosive (38.5 vertical) player with good strength (26 bench-press repetitions at 225 pounds), though he also showed some stiffness and is not quite the player Williams is.

Gilchrist also has questionable ball skills but remains a Day 2 pick like Williams.

Three who will get a closer look

A trio of corner prospect looked better than expected based on their tape and solidified their status as potential value picks.

Chattanooga's Buster Skrine caught our eye during practice leading up to the Texas vs. Nation all-star game and was near the top in most areas at the combine. He showed off good lateral quickness by posting the best times in the 3-cone drill (6.44 seconds) and short shuttle (3.90), and his 40 was just outside the top 10. Skrine also moved well during drills, and while he needs a lot of work in terms of technique and footwork, he can be a very good special-teams player in the return game and as a gunner on punt coverage.

Utah State's Curtis Marsh is a long (6-0⅛, 197, 32-inch arms) press-cover corner who showed surprisingly fluid hips and tested well in most areas, and he showed the strength, fluid hips and recovery speed that are important to a press corner.

Finally, Joshua Thomas of Buffalo is a player who has good tape and displayed explosiveness (10-6 broad jump), agility and burst out of his backpedal. He also made sharp cuts all day, and while Thomas is a work in progress and needs to improve his recognition, he does have the skill set teams look for in a Day 3 developmental prospect.

Speed matters, but how much?

Miami CB Demarcus Van Dyke blazed the fastest 40 time of the combine with an official time of 4.28 (second-fastest since 2005), and while he has a good frame and size potential, we still have to determine what kind of football player he is.

Van Dyke was inconsistent on tape, shows lazy footwork at times and is a gambler in coverage who was benched at one point during the 2010 season. However, scouts will now go back to the tape to compare his timed speed with his playing speed, and at the very least his speed will give teams the ability to make him a special-teams contributor while he develops.

Three other corner prospects -- New Mexico State's Davon House, Citadel's Cortez Allen, Texas' Chykie Brown -- also fit in the category of fast players who have a lot of developing to do in other areas.

 

[sbk92]

Moore the clear leader at safety

Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.


Rahim Moore of UCLA is not a potential top-10 pick like Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara -- Moore might not come off the board until the second round -- but like those elite corners, Moore was on a different level compared to his fellow safeties. He showed quick feet, excellent fluidity and great ball skills during drills, all of which helped him solidify his standing atop the safety board.

Two other prospects turned heads as well and will now send scouts back to the tape to see what they might have missed the first time around.

Idaho's Shiloh Keo was a ball hawk in coverage during his career (11 INT, 20 PBU), and while his 40 time (4.7 range) will limit his return ability in the NFL, he was impressive otherwise. Keo has a thick build (5-11½, 21) and looks like he should be stiff, but he had a good time (6.55) in the 3-cone drill and with his strength (24 bench-press reps), motor and instincts he could become a contributor in the NFL.

David Sims of Iowa State is undersized (5-9⅜, 200) but has quick feet, and a 40 time in the low-to-mid 4.5s is good for him. He also posted a 37.5-inch vertical and 24 reps on the bench, and while he was a bit stiff, he did show quick feet.

S Sands leads underwhelming prospects

Four safety prospects failed to meet expectations and did not help themselves as much as expected.

Robert Sands, West Virginia
Sands is very high-cut (6-4⅞) and his stiff hips stood out next to so many other smaller, quicker defensive backs. He's a big, physical safety who will deliver hits, but his athletic limitations in coverage will keep him out of the first couple of rounds, and we have to take another look at the tape to see exactly where he'll grade out.

Jaiquawn Jarrett, Temple
Jarrett is physical and productive against the run, but he is stiff in the hips and undersized (5-11⅞, 198) for a safety who would play in the box at the next level. He also had nine career interceptions, but he didn't do a lot at the combine to show teams he can be a starter at the next level.

Jerrard Tarrant, Georgia Tech
We give Tarrant a Day 3 grade based on his film and injury history, and he did not show the overall athleticism to improve his stock. He is stiff in space and looks to be very limited in coverage, and some are wondering if this underclassman should have stayed in school.

Will Hill, Florida
Hill looks the part at 6-0½ and 202 pounds with big hands and long arms, but he looked lost during drills and fought the ball all day. And like Jimmy Smith, Hill faces questions about his off-field character. It was a tough overall week for the late-round prospect.

 

[sbk92]

Top DB results

Top 40-yard dashes
1. Demarcus Van Dyke, Miami (4.28)
2. Patrick Peterson, LSU (4.34)
T3. Chimdi Chekwa, Ohio State (4.40)
T3. Chris Culliver, South Carolina (4.40)
T5. Prince Amukamara, Nebraska (4.43)
T5. Joseph Lefeged, Rutgers (4.43)
T7. Ras-I Dowling, Virginia (4.46)
T7. Curtis Marsh, Utah State (4.46)
T7. Byron Maxwell, Clemson (4.46)
T7. Jimmy Smith, Colorado (4.46)
T7. Shareece Wright, USC (4.46)

Top 3-cone drills
1. Buster Skrine, Chattanooga (6.44)
2. Chykie Brown, Texas (6.50)
3. Shiloh Keo, Idaho (6.55)
4. Patrick Peterson (6.58)
5. Curtis Brown, Texas (6.59)
6. Davon House, New Mexico State (6.65)
7. Brandyn Thompson, Boise State (6.66)
8. Rashad Carmichael, Virginia Tech (6.69)
9. Aaron Williams, Texas (6.72)
10. Eric Hagg, Nebraska (6.73)

Top short shuttles
1. Shiloh Keo, Idaho (3.90)
2. Buster Skrine (3.90)
3. Rahim Moore, UCLA (3.96)
T4. Chykie Brown (4.00)
T4. Curtis Brown (4.00)
6. Cortez Allen, Citadel (4.01)
T7. Rashad Carmichael (4.06)
T7. Quinton Carter, Oklahoma (4.06)
T7. Robert Sands, West Virginia (4.06)
T7. Jimmy Smith (4.06)

Top vertical jumps
1. Curtis Brown (39½)
T2. Chris Culliver (38½)
T2. Marcus Gilchrist, Clemson (38½)
T2. Josh Thomas, Buffalo (38½)
T5. Prince Amukamara (38)
T5. Patrick Peterson (38)
T5. Richard Sherman, Stanford (38)
T8. Curtis Marsh (37½)
T8. David Sims, Iowa State (37½)
T8. Aaron Williams, Texas (37½)

Top broad jumps
1. Cortez Allen, Citadel (10-9)
T2. Prince Amukamara (10-8)
T2. Curtis Brown (10-8)
T4. Chris Conte, California (10-7)
T4. Aaron Williams (10-7)
T6. Chimdi Chekwa (10-6)
T6. Patrick Peterson (10-6)
T6. Josh Thomas (10-6)
9. Richard Sherman, Stanford (10-5)
T10. Bryon Maxwell (10-4)
T10. Robert Sands, West Virginia (10-4)

Top bench presses
1. Da'Norris Searcy, North Carolina (27)
2. Marcus Gilchrist (26)
T3. Jalil Brown, Colorado (24)
T3. Shiloh Keo (24)
T3. Byron Maxwell (24)
T3. David Sims (24)
T7. Jimmy Smith (24)
T7. Quinton Carter (23)
9. Jeron Johnson, Boise State (23)
10. Mark Legree, Appalachian State (21)

 

[sbk92]

CBs, Von Miller leave no doubt

Other defenders impress too, while Cam Newton still has something to prove

By Todd McShay
ESPN.com


There was plenty of news out of Indianapolis during the annual NFL scouting combine, but what does it all mean going forward?

Here's Scouts Inc.'s take on some of the biggest storylines of the past week and how they will impact the draft process over the next few weeks.


Those who slammed the door

A select few prospects came into the combine already being considered among the elite, and the players on this list left no doubt they belong at the very top of the draft board.

LSU CB Patrick Peterson -- There is a tiny bit of stiffness in Peterson's hips, but on tape he is the most complete and versatile corner in this class and he backed that up with his combine workout. Not many 6-foot, 219-pounders are going to run a 4.34-second 40-yard dash and show the kind of explosiveness and lateral agility Peterson displayed. He belongs in the top five overall and could go as high as No. 2 to Denver.

Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara -- He's just a notch below Peterson in terms of game tape, but Amukamara's workout was very similar. He won't provide the same versatility in the return game but as far as cover corners coming out of college, Amukamara has elite skills. Look for San Francisco (No. 7 overall), Tennessee (No. 8) and Houston (No. 11) to all have interest.

Texas A&M OLB Von Miller -- Miller is handling the draft process much like USC's linebacker trio (Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews, Rey Maualuga) did a few years ago. Miller knows he's an elite prospect and doesn't have to take part in everything but chose to compete and show off his skills. He has displayed freakish physical tools to go with the production seen on tape, and if you asked NFL general managers who the safest prospect is in this draft, you can bet Miller would get a lot of votes.

Alabama DT Marcell Dareus -- He might not be one of the safest picks, but Dareus cemented his status at the combine. He showed up in great shape at 319 pounds and is clearly taking the process seriously. His workout could not have gone much better in any area, and because he offers more versatility and a more complete skill set Dareus moves ahead of Nick Fairley on our board.

Wisconsin DE J.J. Watt -- We had him as a possible top-10 pick heading into the combine and Watt made a strong case for remaining there. He finished among the top five in all testing areas at 6-5 and 290 pounds, and he has the ability to play the 5-technique in a 3-4 scheme or left end in a 4-3. In a three-man front he can not only take on blocks but also provide pressure on passing downs, and guys like that are rare in the NFL. There's not much more Watt can do to help himself at this point.


Most important pro days

Some of the players below took part in complete workouts at the combine and others did not, but all have a lot riding on their private and/or on-campus workouts.

Auburn QB Cam Newton (March 8) -- I don't much believe that throwing against air can have a big impact on a prospect's stock one way or the other, but after Newton struggled to find a rhythm at the combine there is some importance to his workout. He has to show more consistent footwork and throw with better balance, and I'll be hoping to see live the same things my colleague Trent Dilfer and others witnessed at Newton's media-only workout a few weeks ago.

However, how Newton handles the interview process will have much more to do with where he comes off the board than any workout between now and draft day. Plenty of teams will fly him in and grill him for hours at their facilities, getting him in the film room and on the whiteboard in order to get a hold on his football intelligence and poise. It's all mental for Newton at that point and that process will ultimately determine where he ends up.

Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert (March 17) -- I'll also be in attendance when Gabbert works out for scouts, but in all likelihood his session will be a formality. He didn't throw at the combine and it will be interesting to see how he handles the spotlight, but assuming Gabbert continues to excel during the interview process and that nothing unexpected surfaces between now and draft day he is on track to be the No. 1 quarterback on our board and a likely top-10 pick.

USC OT Tyron Smith (March 31) -- The medical staff at the combine found fluid in his knee and suggested Smith not work out, but based on what we're hearing there is little concern about the long-term effect of the injury. He should perform well based on his game tape, but I'm interested to see if he can maintain his quickness and agility after playing the season around 285 pounds but bulking up to 307 at the combine. Assuming Smith's athleticism and lateral movement are up to par he could go as high as No. 13 to Detroit.

Indiana WR Tandon Doss (April 6) -- A minor injury kept him out of the combine, but Doss is expected to be at full strength for his pro day. He's not a big name but I believe he is one of the most underrated prospects in the entire class. Doss isn't the most elusive runner and I don't expect incredible times in the agility drills, but he should run the 40 in the 4.4 range and this is his chance to showcase the strongest hands on the board other than A.J. Green's.

Notre Dame TE Kyle Rudolph -- The hope here is that Rudolph is fully recovered from a significant hamstring injury that ended his season in October and required surgery. He doesn't need to set the world on fire but Rudolph does have to show enough to maintain his spot atop the tight end class and make teams comfortable with spending a second-round pick on him. He will need to show he has some of his burst back and that he can move more like the player we saw on 2009 film than the one who was nagged by the hamstring last year.