The NFL Combine begins tomorrow and many players will make, or lose, themselves money with their performances. Some players have more to prove than others and it’s not just about a fast 40 time..
Here’s our list of players that must show scouts that they are worthy of a selection in May’s draft.
10. Blake Bortles
Bortles is gaining a lot of momentum heading into the combine and many analyst have him projected as the #1 overall pick. I think that’s a bit lofty but Bortles can cement himself as a Top 5 QB with a strong athletic performance. If he can test in the Cam Newton/Andrew Luck range then teams will fall in love with his upside.
9. Jadaveon Clowney
Clowney is still being accused of taking plays off and being disinterested last season. Its really one of the dumbest accusations to be inflated by the media this year. I’d like to see these analyst and journalist have to take on double and triple teams by 300+ pound men and not get tired. If Clowney runs in the 4.4 range then scouts will ignore all of these laziness whispers.
8. De’Anthony Thomas
Thomas is a man without a position. He had his best season at Oregon as a slot receiver and it kept him relatively healthy, but this year he broke down as the feature running back for the Ducks. His best worth in the NFL is at HB though because his 4.3 speed would be matched up with LBs and not Nickel DBs or Safeties. If he drops to the late 2nd or early 3rd round I wouldn’t put it past Chip Kelly to take him as a slot WR.
7. AJ McCarron
McCarron didn’t play in the Senior Bowl and has a ton of question marks surrounding him. Scouts range from late 1st rd grade to 5th rounder at best. McCarron will do well in the meeting and on the chalk board but he’s looking to be the first Nick Saban era QB to make a name for himself in the NFL.
6. DaVante Adams
Adams was voted the best WR in the nation this past year but Fresno State’s offense afford him a ton of opportunities. He’ll have to prove that he isn’t just a system WR and that he is worth a 1st round pick. If he test with average speed and agility then he’ll slide into the 2nd round and be a steal for a team; similar to Keenan Allen in last year’s draft.
5. Kelvin Benjamin
Benjamin is the most intriguing wideout in this year’s draft. He was an unstoppable red zone threat for FSU this year but had a bad case of the drops at times. He’ll need to show that his hands have improved during his training and also that he understands NFL style offenses. At FSU his primary route was a Fade & Jump. He’ll need more than that to succeed at the next level. A 4.4 could push him into the top 15 (Giants *cough,cough*) but an average showing will leave him in the 2nd – 3rd round. Teams recently passed on Alshon Jeffrey for these same reasons.
4. Seantrel Henderson
Henderson is a mid-round pick that can shoot up into the 3rd round with a good showing. Out of HS Henderson was the #1 overall lineman in the country but he never broke out at Miami. He was a career RT but his potential can still be unlocked with the right teaching. The Chargers staff will have all eyes on him this weekend.
3. Dominque Easley
Easley is coming off of the second ACL tear of his career and must show that he is on pace to become the player he was last year. He was arguably the best interior lineman to begin the season and is looking to work his way into the back end of the 1st round. His interviews will be very important for him in his quest to wow GMs and scouts.
2. LaMarcus Joyner
LaMarcus Joyner was the best defensive playmaker in the NCAA last season. He is the cog that made the FSU defense work and his on the field performance should be enough to make him a 1st round pick, but of course its not. His height (5’8″) and his projected 40 time (4.5) will make many teams overlook him, but his interviews should be enough to make him a late 2nd round pick. We all saw the impact an instinctual yet undersized DB could have in the NFL last year with the Honey Badger.
1. Michael Sam
This one is obvious. Michael Sam has made himself must see television at the combine with his recent announcement. The fact that he’s a gay male will draw all of the media attention but he’ll have to prove to scouts that he can play 3-4 OLB at the next level. Most of his production last year came against bad offensive lines and he will have to test well to keep himself in the 3rd/4th round range.