NFL Combine performances can be a two-way street
Another NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone.
Scouts now have a better feel for the 2015 draft prospects after watching most of them work out, run, jump and lift. They also have much-needed medical information.
Film doesn’t lie, as the old scouting adage goes, and scouts will rely on that more than anything to evaluate prospects. But some prospects helped themselves … or hurt their chances and draft positions during this year’s combine.
Here are some of the winners and losers:
Winners
▪ DE/OLB Vic Beasley, Clemson: The 6-foot-3, 246-pound edge rusher had a 40 time of 4.53 seconds, did 35 reps on the 225-pound bench, had a 41-inch vertical leap and had excellent shuttle times (6.91 three-cone drill, 4.15 20-yard shuttle).
▪ CB Byron Jones, Connecticut: The 6-1, 199-pounder set a combine record and drew the attention of USA Track & Field with a broad jump of 12 feet, 3 inches. Jones played seven games last season before tearing the labrum in his left shoulder, requiring surgery.
▪ CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State: The 6-foot, 186-pounder solidified his spot at the top of his position with a 4.32 in the 40 and a good showing in position drills.
▪ WR Kevin White, West Virginia: The 4.35 that he ran in the 40-yard dash officially makes the 6-foot-2 1/2, 215-pounder “a freak,” according to draft analyst Mike Mayock. White also had a 36 1/2-inch vertical and a 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump.
▪ QB Jameis Winston, Florida State: He hit it out of the park, impressing in interviews with teams and the passing drills. The only thing he didn’t do well was the 40-yard dash, running a 4.97, but everyone already knew he wasn’t fast.
Losers
▪ QB Shane Carden, East Carolina: After struggling at the Senior Bowl, the 6-foot-2, 218-pounder did nothing at the combine to help his stock. Many scouts rate him a “system quarterback,” and he might go undrafted.
▪ LB Paul Dawson, TCU: The 235-pounder ran only a 4.93 in the 40, had a 28-inch vertical and a 9-foot, 1-inch broad jump. He also drew low marks for his work in the position drills. Dawson needs a solid Pro Day to move back up into the first-round conversation.
▪ OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa: He had 23 reps in the bench and ran a 5.07 in the 40, but the Outland Trophy winner injured his right hamstring in position drills. The 6-foot-5, 319-pounder still projects as a first-round pick, but some scouts believe he might be a better fit at guard in the NFL.
▪ WR Ty Montgomery, Stanford: The 6-foot, 221-pounder had trouble holding onto the football in position drills, and scouts had expected a faster 40 time than the 4.55 he ran.
▪ LB/S Shaq Thompson, Washington: Scouts don’t know the position the 6-foot, 228-pounder best fits, and he has ruled out a move back to running back. He was not nearly as fast (4.64) or athletic (33 1/2-inch vertical, 9-foot, 9-inch broad jump) as advertised.
This story was originally published February 24, 2015 at 6:01 PM with the headline "NFL Combine performances can be a two-way street."