The NFL Combine or as I call it, a reunion for a dysfunctional family we call the National Football League. The combine provides Owners, General Managers and Coaches a chance to reconnect, make generalized statements to the media and observe potential draft prospects in the first official event of the off season. Unfortunately two players that I really wanted to see – Matt Barkley and Eddie Lacy – did not participate. Some of my favorite moments include Chip Kelly’s “Erroneous” interview, GM Tom Telesco stating that Ryan Mathews will be the starting running back for the Chargers (not buying it), watching the hundreds of people gather at Manti Te’o’s interview only to get the same information we have known for months, the blazing 40 times including 6’ 5” 305 LB Terron Armstead run a 4.65 and of course everyone’s overreaction to under or over performers. I half expected for Jerry Jones to have an interview stating that he was looking forward to watch Leon Sandcastle and that he was on the Cowboy’s radar…sorry Jerry, it’s just a joke. Seriously though it might have been entertaining to watch in regards to the background noise but ultimately we watch the combine for one reason and that’s to keep an eye and get a first look as Fantasy Football owners of the talent that could possibly land on our fantasy rosters and give us the best opportunity to win the coveted championship. Lets take a look at a few combine standouts from each position and how their performance effects their relative draft position. One thing to keep in mind with these grades and scores is that a good evaluation does not always mean that a player is or is not a great NFL prospect this is more of a track meet and as we know there is more to football than running, jumping and lifting weights. Track speed and strength does not always translate to football speed and strength. But enough about that, let’s see how the 2013 NFL Combine played out and what, if any, effect it will have on 2013 fantasy football…
Quarterbacks
Geno Smith West Virginia: There was a lot of talk about Geno and how skipping the Senior Bowl would affect his draft status. I will tell you that without a doubt after the combine he quieted all doubters by posting stellar numbers.
40 Yard Dash: 4.59 Seconds (Tops all Quarterbacks)
Vertical Leap: 33.5 Inches
Broad Jump: 124 Inches
EJ Manuel Florida State University: Manuel was drawing skepticism from critics that he actually wasn’t as athletic as he appeared and should not be considered a mobile Quarterback. I think EJ proved the exact opposite, for his size he posted equally impressive numbers.
40 Yard Dash: 4.65 Seconds
Vertical Leap: 34 Inches
Broad Jump: 108 Inches
*Nothing in particular stood out with any of the other Quarterbacks and really didn’t do much to drastically improve and hurt their draft status.
Running Backs
Johnathan Franklin UCLA: I wrote about Franklin in my Senior Bowl article describing him as one of the most complete running backs in the draft but said he needed to post good numbers in he combine to build a case that he can be an effective edge runner in the NFL, he did just that.
40 Yard Dash: 4.49 Seconds
Bench Press: 18 Repetitions
Vertical Leap: 31.5 Inches
Broad Jump: 115 Inches
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.31 Seconds
Michael Ford LSU: Know as somewhat of a “plodder” in a very simplistic LSU offense Ford surprised many with very competitive combine scores. I think Ford is catching the eyes of scouts and his draft stock could be rising.
40 Yard Dash: 4.50 Seconds
Bench Press: 25 Repetitions
Vertical Leap: 38.5 Inches
Broad Jump: 130 Inches
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.25 Seconds
Montee Ball Wisconsin: The touchdown machine of the Wisconsin Badgers was under close watch at the combine. Most have classified him as undersized, with average speed and are concerned with the abuse he took in college as an every down back. Ball posted average numbers in all events as expected.
40 Yard Dash: 4.66 Seconds
Bench Press: 15 Repetitions
Vertical Leap: 32 Inches
Broad Jump: 118 Inches
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.40 Seconds
Giovani Bernard UNC: Considered one of the top running back prospects the main concern with Bernard is how well he recovered from a previous knee injury and some were projecting less than stellar numbers in the combine. Bernard did just the opposite and ran one of the faster 40 sprints and Shuttle runs of the running back prospects.
40 Yard Dash: 4.53 Seconds
Bench Press: 19 Repetitions
Vertical Leap: 33.5 Inches
Broad Jump: 118 Inches
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.12 Seconds
*Disappointments included slow 40 times from Andre Ellington Clemson, Ray Graham Pittsburgh and Stefan Taylor Stanford
Wide Receivers
Tavon Austin West Virginia: One of the top wide receiver prospects in the draft and I think Austin has the ability to be an immediate impact player if he goes to the right team that needs a dynamic receiver. His combine scores show why he is such a threat with the ball in his hands.
40 Yard Dash: 4.34 Seconds
Bench Press: 14 Repetitions
Vertical Leap: 32 Inches
Broad Jump: 120 Inches
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.01 Seconds
Cordarrelle Patterson Tennessee: Considered by most as the top wide receiver in the draft because of his size and amazing athletic ability, Patterson only strengthened his status by posting combine scores similar to players much smaller than him making his performance even more impressive. I still have questions regarding ability to make NFL type catches but he is making a strong case as the best receiver in this class.
40 Yard Dash: 4.42 Seconds
Vertical Leap: 37 Inches
Broad Jump: 128 Inches
Marquise Goodwin Texas: I wrote in my previous article Senior Bowl Wide Receivers that Marquise would have no problem with the combine and his football skills were the only question mark. The Olympian lived up to all expectations by running the fastest 40 time nearly beating Chris Johnson’s record of 4.24 Seconds.
40 Yard Dash: 4.27 Seconds
Bench Press : 13 Repetitions
Broad Jump: 132 Inches
Quinton Patton Louisiana Tech: Patton has drawn a lot of attention for a player from such a small school, he proved himself by performing well in Senior Bowl workouts and now again in the combine. His 40 time wasn’t didn’t stand out but his shuttle run was one of the best matching Tavon Austin’s time.
40 Yard Dash: 4.53 Seconds
Bench Press: 8 Repetitions
Vertical Leap: 33 Inches
Broad Jump: 118 Inches
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.01 Seconds
