10 Notes From Thursday and Friday Combine Numbers
While Thursday and Friday had no times recorded, no passes thrown, or
drills run, the Combine still provided some useful insight onto the
makeup of the offensive side of the ball.
Here are ten notes that really meant something from these weigh-in and
offensive line bench press numbers.
1. Both Baylor Bears Pass the Size Test
Both quarterback Robert Griffin and receiver Kendall Wright
had size concerns coming into the NFL Combine. Griffin was listed at
6'2, but reports were that he could measure in closer to the 6'0 range.
As for Wright, he was listed at just 5'10, and with many schools
"rounding" up heights for smaller players, concern was there as well.
But Griffin measured in OVER 6'2, and a more built 223, while Wright
was his listed 5'10 and at 196, adequate for a smaller yet potential
outside NFL receiver.
2. Despite Not Even Working Out, Ryan Tannehill Raises Minor Flag
Ryan Tannehill will not do any workouts while at the NFL Combine, but
he did raise one minor concern for myself at the
weigh-ins/measurements: he has just 9 inch hands. For comparison's
sake, that's tied for the smallest of any quarterback at the Combine,
and smaller (by 3/8 of an inch) than Alex Smith, the infamous
"small-handed" quarterback prospect in 2005. While it may be a minor
detail, it's also of note that Tannehill has 10 fumbles in his career,
including 4 this year as the full-time quarterback.
3. USC's Matt Kalil Has Bulked Up, Showed Strength
Similar to Tyron Smith a draft-season ago, this year's USC tackle
prospect Matt Kalil had some bulk concerns coming off his junior
season. A light-on-his feet left tackle, scouts wanted him to be a bit
more stout and add weight to be stronger at the point of attack. Well,
he gained over 15 pounds since the end of the season, reportedly still
looks cut and in shape, and put up 30 bench reps. If there was ever a
doubt, now there shouldn't be: Matt Kalil is the top left tackle in
this draft and a near Top 3 lock.
4. Alshon Jeffery Starts Out Big Week With On A "Light" Note
A prospect I spotlighted as one that NEEDED to show up in shape and
ready to impress at the Combine, and so far, he's done his job. While
also showing off catchers mit 10 1/4 inch hands, he came in
at just over 6'2 and a half, 216 pounds, Jeffery answered some of his
conditioning/weight questions. While the weight question is a concern
now, it doesn't look like he played at that weight in college. He's had
a long time to prepare to get in shape for the Combine, but his ability
to keep that weight off still isn't answered yet.
5. "Premier" Tackle Prospect Mike Adams Struggles on Bench
After Matt Kalil, it's been Riley Reiff, Jonathan Martin, and Mike
Adams battle for the #2 offensive tackle spot. While Reiff measured,
weighed, and worked out well enough and Martin won't be performing at
the Combine, Mike Adams did not have such a great first day of
workouts. While long terms may be a deterrent to some linemen putting
up big bench rep numbers, only pushing 19 reps at the bench will only
add to the "softness" label he has as a tackle prospect.
6. Mammoth Blocker Cordy Glenn Displays Raw Power Despite
Wingspan
While Adams struggled on the bench, a longer, mammoth blocker in Cordy
Glenn of Georgia was ultra impressive. He finished with 30 bench reps
despite having the 2nd longest arms among the offensive lineman (the
longest, Josh Oglesby, only put up 22 reps). He gets by as a left
tackle prospect by using his length and raw power on film, and while
it's not always pretty, his abilities as a left tackle pass blocker
make him a worthwhile first rounder.
7. We May Have Our Yearly Tight End "Workout Freak" Already Decided
The Tight End position has become the yearly workout show for the
Combine because of the leagues value on these athletic match-up
nightmares. Before the Combine started, it looked like Orson Charles of
Georgia would be the favorite to fill that role. That hasn't changed,
but the fact that he came in at 251 and put up 35 bench press give him
two surprisingly impressive numbers in areas that he wasn't expected to
impress in. He should wow this weekend in drills as well.
8. Justin Blackmon Doesn't Quite Live Up to Size Expectations
While size for a receiver is sometimes overblown, many were expecting
Justin Blackmon to be in a 6'2, 6'3 range. But now that he's been
measured in at just over 6'0 and a half and 207, teams may think twice
about taking him in the Top 15 or so picks. He's still the top receiver
in this draft (not by much though with Kendall Wright gaining steam),
but it's starting to become clear to everyone he's not the elite guy
many thought he was.
9. Chris Polk Uses Rumored Senior Bowl Critiques, Drops Nine
Pounds Since
Despite the Senior Bowl practices not being a great indication of
running back scouting, Chris Polk left the week with concerns about his
"soft body" and some weight issues. Since that final day in Mobile,
he's dropped 9 pounds, going from 224 to 215. The weight isn't much of
a concern to me (think he's a Top 3 back in this draft at either
weight), it could show teams that he's able to stay in shape as well as
likely testing better this week.
10. Wake Forest Early Declaring Wide Receiver Shows Off Small
Hands
A surprise declaring junior, Wake Forest wide receiver Chris Givens
didn't impress all that much on film as anything more than a 3rd or 4th
receiver and run after catch in the short area type receiver. Combine
that with his now measured 8 1/4 inch hands (tied for 2nd lowest at the
Combine for receivers), and teams will be even more considered that
he'll be a short area body catcher.
SCOUT: 2012 NFL Combine Central
Eric Galko is a contributing NFL scout for Patriots Insider at
Scout.com.
Eric Galko is the Owner, Director
of Scouting of Optimum
Scouting and lead editor for OptimumScouting.com. He
has been scouting college football for eight
years, and for pro teams and other sports professionals for the last
four years. Eric is also a member of the
FWAA.
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