NFL Scouting Combine notes

[ChrisPozz]

DB Vertical Jump

Eric Reid - 40 1/2 inches - (T-15th best since 2006)
Xavier Rhodes - 40 1/2 - (T-15th best since 2006)
Shamarko Thomas - 40 1/2 - (T-15th best since 2006)
B.W. Webb - 40 1/2 - (T-15th best since 2006)
Steve Williams - 40 1/2 - (T-15th best since 2006)
Robert Alford - 40
T.J. McDonald - 40
Earl Wolff - 39
John Cyprien - 38 1/2
Dwayne Gratz - 38
Kenny Vaccaro - 38
Nickell Robey - 37 1/2
Desmond Trufant - 37 1/2
D.J. Swearinger - 37
Rod Sweeting - 37
Keelan Johnson - 36 1/2
Rontez Miles - 36 1/2
Mike Edwards - 36
Demetrius McCray - 36
Dee Milliner - 36
Jawanza Starling - 36
Shawn Williams - 36
Blidi Wreh-Wilson - 36
David Amerson - 35 1/2
Will Davis - 35 1/2
Matt Elam - 35 1/2
Terry Hawthorne - 35 1/2
Zeke Motta - 35 1/2
Darius Slay - 35 1/2
Marc Anthony - 35
Josh Johnson - 35
Jamar Taylor - 35
Phillip Thomas - 35
Kayvon Webster - 35
J.J. Wilcox - 35
Sanders Commings - 34 1/2
Josh Evans - 34 1/2
Bradley McDougald - 34 1/2
Leon McFadden - 34 1/2
Johnthan Banks - 34
Tyrann Mathieu - 34
Tharold Simon - 34
Robert Lester - 33 1/2
Brandon McGee - 33 1/2
Khalid Wooten - 33 1/2
Adrian Bushell - 33
Micah Hyde - 33
Daxton Swanson - 33
Logan Ryan - 32 1/2
Jordan Poyer - 30 1/2
Daimion Stafford - 30 1/2
Aaron Hester - 29


Johnny Adams - DNP
John Boyett - DNP
D.J. Hayden - DNP
Tony Jefferson - DNP
Bacarri Rambo - DNP
Greg Reid - DNP
Jamoris Slaughter - DNP
Duke Williams - DNP

-------------------------------------------

DB Broad Jump (Avg last year for CBs - 9 feet, 11 inches)

Eric Reid - 134 inches - 11 feet, 2 inches - (T-2nd best since 2006)
Earl Wolff - 134 - 11 feet, 2 inches - (T-2nd best since 2006)
Shamarko Thomas - 133 - 11 feet, 1 inch - (T-5th best since 2006)
Robert Alford - 132 - 11 feet even - (T-8th best since 2006)
Xavier Rhodes - 132 - 11 feet even - (T-8th best since 2006)
B.W. Webb - 132 - 11 feet even - (T-8th best since 2006)
T.J. McDonald - 131 - 10 feet, 11 inches
Tharold Simon - 128 - 10 feet, 8 inches
Steve Williams - 128 - 10 feet, 8 inches
Blidi Wreh-Wilson - 128 - 10 feet, 8 inches
David Amerson - 127 - 10 feet, 7 inches
Will Davis - 127 - 10 feet, 7 inches
Nickell Robey - 127 - 10 feet, 7 inches
Jamar Taylor - 127 - 10 feet, 7 inches
Demetrius McCray - 126 - 10 feet, 6 inches
Zeke Motta - 126 - 10 feet, 6 inches
Johnthan Banks - 126 - 10 feet, 6 inches
Dwayne Gratz - 125 - 10 feet, 5 inches
Keelan Johnson - 125 - 10 feet, 5 inches
Desmond Trufant - 125 - 10 feet, 5 inches
Kayvon Webster - 125 - 10 feet, 5 inches
Mike Edwards - 124 - 10 feet, 4 inches
Darius Slay - 124 - 10 feet, 4 inches
D.J. Swearinger - 124 - 10 feet, 4 inches
Rod Sweeting - 124 - 10 feet, 4 inches
JJ Wilcox - 124 - 10 feet, 4 inches
Josh Evans - 123 - 10 feet, 3 inches
Rontez Miles - 123 - 10 feet, 3 inches
Bradley McDougald - 122 - 10 feet, 2 inches
Dee Milliner - 122 - 10 feet, 2 inches
Jawanza Starling - 122 - 10 feet, 2 inches
Daxton Swanson - 122 - 10 feet, 2 inches
Phillip Thomas - 122 - 10 feet, 2 inches
Micah Hyde - 121 - 10 feet, 1 inch
Kenny Vaccaro - 121 - 10 feet, 1 inch
Shawn Williams - 120 - 10 feet even
Leon McFadden - 119 - 9 feet, 11 inches
Brandon McGee - 119 - 9 feet, 11 inches
Marc Anthony - 118 - 9 feet, 10 inches
Matt Elam - 118 - 9 feet, 10 inches
Jordan Poyer - 118 - 9 feet, 10 inches
Sanders Commings - 117 - 9 feet, 9 inches
Robert Lester - 117 - 9 feet, 9 inches
Tyrann Mathieu - 117 - 9 feet, 9 inches
Khalid Wooten - 117 - 9 feet, 9 inches
Adrian Bushell - 116 - 9 feet, 8 inches
Terry Hawthorne - 116 - 9 feet, 8 inches
Logan Ryan - 116 - 9 feet, 8 inches
Josh Johnson - 114 - 9 feet, 6 inches
Aaron Hester - 112 - 9 feet, 4 inches
Daimion Stafford - 111 - 9 feet, 3 inches


Johnny Adams - DNP
John Boyett - DNP
John Cyprien - DNP
D.J. Hayden - DNP
Tony Jefferson - DNP
Bacarri Rambo - DNP
Greg Reid - DNP
Jamoris Slaughter - DNP
Duke Williams - DNP

------------------------------------------

DB 3-Cone Drill

Will Davis - 6.52 - (4th best since 2006)
Josh Evans - 6.64
Jawanza Starling - 6.68
Logan Ryan - 6.69
Dwayne Gratz - 6.70
D.J. Swearinger - 6.70
Brandon McGee - 6.71
Marc Anthony - 6.74
Nickell Robey - 6.74
Zeke Motta - 6.75
Keelan Johnson - 6.77
Micah Hyde - 6.78
Kenny Vaccaro - 6.78
Leon McFadden - 6.81
Jamar Taylor - 6.82
B.W. Webb - 6.82
Tyrann Mathieu - 6.87
Jordan Poyer - 6.87
Robert Alford - 6.89
T.J. McDonald - 6.89
Steve Williams - 6.89
Darius Slay - 6.90
Adrian Bushell - 6.92
Mike Edwards - 6.94
Dee Milliner - 6.95
Khalid Wooten - 6.95
Johnthan Banks - 6.97
Rontez Miles - 6.97
Blidi Wreh-Wilson - 6.97
Josh Johnson - 6.99
Eric Reid - 6.99
Shawn Williams - 7.01
J.J. Wilcox - 7.02
Daimion Stafford - 7.06
Bradley McDougald - 7.07
Sanders Commings - 7.10
Demetrius McCray - 7.17
Aaron Hester - 7.26


Johnny Adams - DNR
David Amerson - DNR
John Boyett - DNR
John Cyprien - DNR
Matt Elam - DNR
Terry Hawthorne - DNR
D.J. Hayden - DNR
Tony Jefferson - DNR
Robert Lester - DNR
Bacarri Rambo - DNR
Greg Reid - DNR
Xavier Rhodes - DNR
Tharold Simon - DNR
Jamoris Slaughter - DNR
Daxton Swanson - DNR
Rod Sweeting - DNR
Phillip Thomas - DNR
Shamarko Thomas - DNR
Desmond Trufant - DNR
Kayvon Webster - DNR
Duke Williams - DNR
Earl Wolff - DNR


-------------------------------------

DB 20-yard Shuttle

B.W. Webb - 3.84 - (2nd best since 2006 - 0.03 behind 1st)
Desmond Trufant - 3.85 - (3rd best since 2006 - 0.04 behind 1st)
Will Davis - 4.02
Logan Ryan - 4.06
Jamar Taylor - 4.06
Kenny Vaccaro - 4.06
Marc Anthony - 4.07
Keelan Johnson - 4.07
Earl Wolff - 4.07
Nickell Robey - 4.09
J.J. Wilcox - 4.09
Josh Evans - 4.10
Steve Williams - 4.10
D.J. Swearinger - 4.11
Blidi Wreh-Wilson - 4.12
Tyrann Mathieu - 4.14
Dwayne Gratz - 4.15
Zeke Motta - 4.16
Mike Edwards - 4.18
Brandon McGee - 4.18
Jordan Poyer - 4.18
Khalid Wooten - 4.18
Micah Hyde - 4.20
T.J. McDonald - 4.20
Darius Slay - 4.21
Eric Reid - 4.22
Robert Alford - 4.23
Adrian Bushell - 4.25
Josh Johnson - 4.25
Shawn Williams - 4.25
Shamarko Thomas - 4.26
Johnthan Banks - 4.27
Leon McFadden - 4.27
Rontez Miles - 4.27
Sanders Commings - 4.30
Demetrius McCray - 4.32
Dee Milliner - 4.32
Aaron Hester - 4.33
Jawanza Starling - 4.34
Bradley McDougald - 4.44


Johnny Adams - DNR
David Amerson - DNR
John Boyett - DNR
John Cyprien - DNR
Matt Elam - DNR
Terry Hawthorne - DNR
D.J. Hayden - DNR
Tony Jefferson - DNR
Robert Lester - DNR
Bacarri Rambo - DNR
Greg Reid - DNR
Xavier Rhodes - DNR
Tharold Simon - DNR
Jamoris Slaughter - DNR
Daimion Stafford - DNR
Daxton Swanson - DNR
Rod Sweeting - DNR
Phillip Thomas - DNR
Kayvon Webster - DNR
Duke Williams - DNR
----------------------------------------------

DB 60-yard Shuttle

B.W. Webb - 11.06 - (T-9th best since 2006)
Logan Ryan - 11.28
Khalid Wooten - 11.41
Josh Johnson - 11.51
Jordan Poyer - 11.51
Keelan Johnson - 11.53
Blidi Wreh-Wilson - 11.56
Jawanza Starling - 11.62


Johnny Adams - DNR
Robert Alford - DNR
David Amerson - DNR
Marc Anthony - DNR
Johnthan Banks - DNR
John Boyett - DNR
Adrian Bushell - DNR
Sanders Commings - DNR
John Cyprien - DNR
Will Davis - DNR
Mike Edwards - DNR
Matt Elam - DNR
Josh Evans - DNR
Dwayne Gratz - DNR
Terry Hawthorne - DNR
D.J. Hayden - DNR
Aaron Hester - DNR
Micah Hyde - DNR
Tony Jefferson - DNR
Robert Lester - DNR
Tyrann Mathieu - DNR
Demetrius McCray - DNR
T.J. McDonald - DNR
Bradley McDougald - DNR
Leon McFadden - DNR
Brandon McGee - DNR
Rontez Miles - DNR
Dee Milliner - DNR
Zeke Motta - DNR
Bacarri Rambo - DNR
Eric Reid - DNR
Greg Reid - DNR
Xavier Rhodes - DNR
Nickell Robey - DNR
Tharold Simon - DNR
Jamoris Slaughter - DNR
Darius Slay - DNR
Daimion Stafford - DNR
Daxton Swanson - DNR
D.J. Swearinger - DNR
Rod Sweeting - DNR
Jamar Taylor - DNR
Phillip Thomas - DNR
Shamarko Thomas - DNR
Desmond Trufant - DNR
Kenny Vaccaro - DNR
Kayvon Webster - DNR
J.J. Wilcox - DNR
Duke Williams - DNR
Shawn Williams - DNR
Steve Williams - DNR
Earl Wolff - DNR

 

[ChrisPozz]

I don't know what took so long but they just made these official this afternoon:

DL 3-Cone Drill

Barkevious Mingo - 6.84
Devin Taylor - 6.89
Michael Buchanan - 6.91
Ty Powell - 6.98
Nate Williams - 6.99
Dion Jordan - 7.02
Lavar Edwards - 7.03
David Bass - 7.07
Margus Hunt - 7.07
Ziggy Ansah - 7.11
Corey Lemonier - 7.14
Josh Boyd - 7.16
Joe Kruger - 7.17
Sam Montgomery - 7.18
William Gholston - 7.20
Jared Smith - 7.20
Bjoern Werner - 7.30
Armonty Bryant - 7.32
Datone Jones - 7.32
Chris Jones - 7.34
Sharrif Floyd - 7.40
Jordan Hill - 7.49
Bennie Logan - 7.53
Nick Williams - 7.55
Johnathan Hankins - 7.59
Everett Dawkins - 7.61
Cory Grissom - 7.79
Akeem Spence - 7.82
Montori Hughes - 7.85
Sylvester Williams - 7.93
Brandon Williams - 8.09
Kwame Geathers - 8.11
T.J. Barnes - 8.26


Cornellius Carradine - DNR
Quinton Dial - DNR
Malliciah Goodman - DNR
Brandon Jenkins - DNR
John Jenkins - DNR
Abry Jones - DNR
Kapron Lewis-Moore - DNR
Star Lotulelei - DNR
Stansly Maponga - DNR
Stacy McGee - DNR
Damontre Moore - DNR
Alex Okafor - DNR
Sheldon Richardson - DNR
Kawann Short - DNR
John Simon - DNR
Quanterus Smith - DNR
Damion Square - DNR
Walter Stewart - DNR
Jesse Williams - DNR
Tourek Williams - DNR
Trevardo Williams - DNR



-------------------------------------

DL 20-yard Shuttle

Ziggy Ansah - 4.26
Devin Taylor - 4.30
Datone Jones - 4.32
David Bass - 4.33
Dion Jordan - 4.35
Barkevious Mingo - 4.39
Jared Smith - 4.39
Corey Lemonier - 4.40
Ty Powell - 4.40
Bjoern Werner - 4.40
Michael Buchanan - 4.44
Chris Jones - 4.44
Nate Williams - 4.44
Joe Kruger - 4.46
Lavar Edwards - 4.51
Jordan Hill - 4.51
Margus Hunt - 4.51
Sam Montgomery - 4.51
William Gholston - 4.59
Johnathan Hankins - 4.61
Josh Boyd - 4.64
Nick Williams - 4.65
Bennie Logan - 4.67
Montori Hughes - 4.70
Akeem Spence - 4.72
Sharrif Floyd - 4.75
Sylvester Williams - 4.80
Cory Grissom - 4.81
Everett Dawkins - 4.88
Brandon Williams - 4.91
T.J. Barnes - 4.96
Armonty Bryant - 5.00
Kwame Geathers - 5.27


Cornellius Carradine - DNR
Quinton Dial - DNR
Malliciah Goodman - DNR
Brandon Jenkins - DNR
John Jenkins - DNR
Abry Jones - DNR
Kapron Lewis-Moore - DNR
Star Lotulelei - DNR
Stansly Maponga - DNR
Stacy McGee - DNR
Damontre Moore - DNR
Alex Okafor - DNR
Sheldon Richardson - DNR
Kawann Short - DNR
John Simon - DNR
Quanterus Smith - DNR
Damion Square - DNR
Walter Stewart - DNR
Jesse Williams - DNR
Tourek Williams - DNR
Trevardo Williams - DNR

----------------------------------------

DL 60-yard Shuttle

None

 

[HammerDown]

 

[Ray_Dogg]

Thank you Pozz. I might have left out some positional unofficial times in the first posts but I think everything else is all there. Spacing as you know was a bear. haha. Thanks a ton Pozz.

 

[ChrisPozz]

Thank you Pozz. I might have left out some positional unofficial times in the first posts but I think everything else is all there. Spacing as you know was a bear. haha. Thanks a ton Pozz.

It's all good. No problem. I had to keep track of it all anyways.

 

[supreme_clientele81]

Well crap. Eric Reid, one of my favourites, had a great combine. Long arms, 40.5 vertical (best for DBs?), 134 broad and a 1.47 freeking 10 yard split in his 40. What a burst in those legs! Looks like he won't be there for the Niners' 2nd round pick either.

DJ Swearinger didn't have a great performance. 4.67 40 is bad for a safety. That could drop him down to the 5th round.

Jordan Poyer had a really good 10 yard split at 1.51, but his vertical wasn't amazing (30.5) nor was his broad jump. Will he be there in the 2nd round? And can he play FS?

I would Leon Sandcastle sprint to the podium if he was there in the 5th that kid can play and if we keep Goldson then Whitner would be cut the minute the ink is dry

 

[supreme_clientele81]

It's all good. No problem. I had to keep track of it all anyways.

Not meaning to pry Pozz and you have no obligation to answer this but what is your occupation? Not sure if you have answered this a 100 times but I was just curious if you are a talented amateur or a professional if you answer or don't

 

[Dodub]

Every time I see Manti Te'o videos or pictures from the combine it makes me wonder if this guy has ever seen a weight room, he has no muscle definition what so ever. The guy needs to hit the weights and loose someof the flab.

 

[I_am_1z]

HERE'S MY NEW MOCK
1.) Jonathan Banks
2.) William Gholston
3.) Jeff Tuel
3.) Quinton Patton
4.) Cornelius Washington
5.) Ace Sanders
5.) Nose Tackle
6.) Kicker
6.) Rontez Miles
7.) Darius Slay
7.) Gary Gilliam


sig doesn't have enough space this year

 

[numone9er]

Every time I see Manti Te'o videos or pictures from the combine it makes me wonder if this guy has ever seen a weight room, he has no muscle definition what so ever. The guy needs to hit the weights and loose someof the flab.

He's such a joke. He's not only going to be a distraction for any team he goes to, but he's also one of the bigger boom or bust players in this draft IMO. I'm just wondering who's going to be dumb enough to take him in the first round.

 

[bvanthielriceyoung]

 

[Ray_Dogg]

HERE'S MY NEW MOCK
1.) Jonathan Banks
2.) William Gholston
3.) Jeff Tuel
3.) Quinton Patton
4.) Cornelius Washington
5.) Ace Sanders
5.) Nose Tackle
6.) Kicker
6.) Rontez Miles
7.) Darius Slay
7.) Gary Gilliam


sig doesn't have enough space this year

Slay might go late first early second. I don't see how he lasts until the 7th round.

 

[HammerDown]

 

[ChrisPozz]

Not meaning to pry Pozz and you have no obligation to answer this but what is your occupation? Not sure if you have answered this a 100 times but I was just curious if you are a talented amateur or a professional if you answer or don't

College Football (FBS/FCS) and NFL Draft writer. I also do some radio work 9 months out of the year. I help coach high school football, too.

 

[ChrisPozz]

Top 10: Compelling NFL Combine story lines - CBSSports.com

9. (tie) Da'Rick Rogers passed a whole lot of tests. The former blue-chip WR, who had all sorts of issues at Tennessee before finally getting booted and ended up at Tennessee Tech, told me he was drug tested 10 times while at Tech and says he came up clean each time. At 6-2, 217 and clocking a 4.52 40 with a 39.5-inch vertical, Rogers has the measurables to turn heads, but he's had a litany of problems that included positive drug tests and clashes with coaches at UT. Asked why he bombed out in Knoxville, Rogers said, "Simple. I was immature. I had to take full responsibility, look in the mirror at who I was and what I was doing wrong. I did those things when I went to Tennessee Tech, and it humbled me a lot.

"I play with an edge, and I had to learn to control that edge off the field also. I had to learn how to fix my flaws, and life got easier."

Has he really learned, though? A source told me that Rogers's attitude bothered some of his coaches at Tech, too, and they were skeptical about just how much he really had matured.

 

[ChrisPozz]

This is one of the dumbest things that a guy could do while in Indy in my opinion. Maybe the dumbest. It doesn't shock me, though.

Gil Brandt: Texas A&M RB Christine Michael was a rockstar @ #NFLCombine, a top performer in 5 events. The bad: He overslept and missed 2 team interviews

 

[ChrisPozz]

This is one of the dumbest things that a guy could do while in Indy in my opinion. Maybe the dumbest. It doesn't shock me, though.

Gil Brandt: Texas A&M RB Christine Michael was a rockstar @ #NFLCombine, a top performer in 5 events. The bad: He overslept and missed 2 team interviews

What I'm referring to:

Michael rehabs image for NFL after troubled finish at A&M - Houston Chronicle

Then came 2012. Clashing with Sumlin over his perceived bad attitude, Michael saw a dramatic reduction in playing time during a drama-filled campaign that included an early-season suspension for violating team rules.

To top it all off, he didn't play a down in the Cotton Bowl victory over Oklahoma.

----------------------

Michael also admits he didn't handle things well after the school fired Mike Sherman following the 2011 season and replaced him with Sumlin, who installed a spread offense to cater to quarterback Johnny Manziel, who won the Heisman Trophy.

"We had a whole new coaching staff, a whole new offense. It got shaky for me," Michael said. "I went into my own tunnel and got a little stubborn and was just in my own world. … It was just frustrating for me not to get as many carries and not to be that No. 1 guy in that offense."

So what did he learn from the experience?

"Let a lot of things go," Michael said.

 

[deep9er]

He's such a joke. He's not only going to be a distraction for any team he goes to, but he's also one of the bigger boom or bust players in this draft IMO. I'm just wondering who's going to be dumb enough to take him in the first round.

teams do draft 'boom or bust' players in the 1st round? we read posts here all the time about considering 'boom or bust' players ourselves?

not defending his hoax deal nor his 40 time, but don't think NFL teams will get caught in it as much as you guys asr? theyll look at his film (not only the Alabama game) and see there's a reason he's even known in the first place. there's a reason he even got to be a heisman finalist.

all these things occurred before the hoax (non football related) and the Alabama game.

 

[BINGO]

What I'm referring to:

Michael rehabs image for NFL after troubled finish at A&M - Houston Chronicle

Then came 2012. Clashing with Sumlin over his perceived bad attitude, Michael saw a dramatic reduction in playing time during a drama-filled campaign that included an early-season suspension for violating team rules.

To top it all off, he didn't play a down in the Cotton Bowl victory over Oklahoma.

----------------------

Michael also admits he didn't handle things well after the school fired Mike Sherman following the 2011 season and replaced him with Sumlin, who installed a spread offense to cater to quarterback Johnny Manziel, who won the Heisman Trophy.

"We had a whole new coaching staff, a whole new offense. It got shaky for me," Michael said. "I went into my own tunnel and got a little stubborn and was just in my own world. … It was just frustrating for me not to get as many carries and not to be that No. 1 guy in that offense."

So what did he learn from the experience?

"Let a lot of things go," Michael said.

At one point he was my second rated running back (before the college season began):

http://www.sportshoopla.com/forums/san-francisco-49ers/69708-2013-nfl-draft-prospects-top-5-rankings.html

 

[BINGO]

NFL Draft 2013
Combine standouts, rising players
Austin among most impressive; Washington leads players moving up
Updated: February 27, 2013, 11:40 AM ET
By Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr.

Wide receiver Tavon Austin boosted his draft stock with a blazing 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine.

With the 2013 NFL combine in the books, we checked in with draft experts Todd McShay and Mel Kiper to see which prospects stood out in Indy. Here's a look at their five most notable standouts and five players who might soon be climbing up draft boards around the NFL based on outstanding combine performances.



Todd McShay

Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

Coming into the combine, the only negative was that Austin lacked prototypical size. He's one of the quickest football players I've ever studied, and with the 4.38 40-yard dash he ran, which was the second-fastest of all WRs, Austin confirmed what we had seen on tape. Tennessee's Cordarrelle Patterson may be the most explosive athlete at receiver, but Austin could push him to be the first WR drafted. Even if he isn't, Austin has locked down a spot in the first round, and possibly the top 25.




Ezekiel Ansah, DE, Brigham Young

You can factor in his lack of a football background and game experience, but it's hard not to get excited about Ansah's potential. He has the height, weight, speed, length, quickness and power to be highly disruptive in all facets of the game. After dominating the Senior Bowl, Ansah came to the combine and gave an impressive all-round performance. To be 6-foot-5 and 271 pounds and run a 4.63 40-yard dash is exceptional. He was also a top performer in the 20-yard shuttle at 4.26 seconds. He turned in one of the more complete workouts at the combine. Considering that he's never been a full-time starter, it's amazing that Ansah could work his way into the top 10 of this draft.



Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU

While Ansah would be more of a five-technique player, Mingo (6-4, 241) is a defensive end who fits best as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Mingo is not as big as Ansah, but he ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash among D-linemen at 4.58, and his 10-yard split was 1.59, which was faster than Dwight Freeney's 1.6. His numbers across the board -- 37-inch vertical, 10-8 broad jump -- were great. Some would say that his production last season failed to stack up to his physical ability. I'm not excusing it, but if you watch the tape, he was often playing more in read-and-react and gap-control looks than being turned loose. Whatever concerns people have about his game, Mingo has the motor and physical tools to be a top-10 pick.



Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon

Jordan is another defensive front-seven guy who has turned it on at the combine. This past season, he was hampered to a certain degree by a shoulder injury, but he's shown that he can be an explosive pass-rusher and dynamic athletically. I haven't seen many 6-6 players who possess Jordan's movement and fluidity. His workouts here in Indy have matched what we've seen on tape as he was one of the five D-linemen to run the 40-yard dash in 4.6 or faster. He had an amazing 1.56 10-yard split. Like Mingo, Jordan is projected to be a conversion outside linebacker or could play DE in a 4-3 front. Jordan is likely to go before Ansah and Mingo, especially with the Eagles (and his former college coach Chip Kelly) picking at No. 4.



Margus Hunt, DE, Southern Methodist

Like Ansah, Hunt is a raw prospect from another country who has limited football experience but has shown improvement over time. We're still watching tape on Hunt and other scouts have mentioned that he played his best near the end of the season, including the Hawai'i Bowl against Fresno State. At 6-8¼ and 277 pounds, we knew he was a freak physically, but he surpassed our expectations with 38 reps on the bench, and was one of the five D-linemen to run under 4.6 in the 40-yard dash. He's stiff, mechanical when he moves, and he's not polished, but he'll immediately contribute on special teams. A team will look at him and see a lot to work with. I'd be surprised if he gets out of Day 2.




Mel Kiper

Honey Badger helped his image with a strong showing in Indy.

For this list, I'm not necessarily looking at the top prospects -- many of those players didn't shift at all based on where I had them before Indy. Instead, I want to highlight players whose combine performances might have dramatically changed how teams view them. Here are players whom I think really opened some eyes, based on my reports and according to other evaluators I spoke with.




Cornelius Washington, DE/OLB, Georgia

He simply crushed the combine. Washington came in at 265 pounds with a frame that might get him pegged as a 'tweener for some -- not quite light enough to be a three-down, 3-4 OLB, not quite big enough to hold up full-time as a 4-3 DE. Instead, at that weight, he showed tremendous explosive power, with 36 reps and a 10-7 broad jump. He also showed off a 4.55 40-yard dash, and an equally impressive 39-inch vertical. That doesn't make him a first-rounder, but it certainly gets people to think his tweener status might really imply versatility. He can stand up, has speed to cover and explosiveness off the edge, but he can also play with a hand down. I think Washington has worked himself into late second-round consideration, with third round more likely.


Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU

I'll hear critics question Mathieu's cover skills (that's fair), his decision-making (fair) and whether he's really a player who should be considered among the top 45 picks in the draft (absolutely fair). But considering where Mathieu has been this year, the combine can be called a major success. Look at the facts: Yeah, he profiles as a slot corner who can help in the return game and might also have an ounce of offensive utility. Is that so bad? Slot corners barely come off the field in the current NFL some weeks. Mathieu ran a 4.43 40-yard dash, looked fluid in drills and has among the best ball skills of any defender in the draft. I like a third-round grade for him. Nice week.



Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee

In a draft that lacks a single receiver who should threaten the top 10, Hunter closed the gap on the field. He measured a full 6-4, showed off good burst and straight-line speed with a 4.44 in the 40-yard dash and also displayed some serious leaping ability with a 39.5-inch vertical. His frame is lean, and he can be knocked off routes if he doesn't get stronger; he's also lacking elite change-of-direction burst. But Hunter improved his stock in a class where few others did -- Patterson came in shorter than expected and Keenan Allen couldn't work out. Hunter could see looks in the late first round.



Jamie Collins, OLB, Southern Miss

Collins received a major stock boost based on workouts, because the production was already there. At 250 pounds, Collins ran 4.64 40-yard dash, had a 41.5-inch vertical and an off-the-charts 11-7 broad jump. So he's an athlete. Well, it helps that Collins also backs it with production. He had 10 sacks this season, and did it for a team that was simply terrible. He came to work and is an athlete to boot. He could land as high as the early second round. He's an ideal pass-rushing 3-4 OLB.



Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech

His 4.53 40-yard dash might confirm some suspicions that Patton really isn't a guy who can routinely take the top off a defense, but he can do absolutely everything else. He might be the best route-runner in the draft and is a hands-catcher who shows enough burst and change-of-direction skills to make a play after the catch. I thought Patton or Cal's Keenan Allen might be the two WRs best suited to make an early impact because of their chops at the position, and Allen couldn't work out. Late first round isn't out of the question for Patton, with the second round a safer bet.



Others: In terms of cornerbacks, David Amerson (NC State) got a bounce, and Xavier Rhodes (Florida State) could crack the first round. Sio Moore (UConn) and A.J. Klein (Iowa St.) raised their stocks at linebacker. Robert Woods (USC) and Ryan Swope (Texas A&M) helped themselves at WR. Knile Davis (Arkansas) got the biggest bounce in a weak running back class. Overall, the safety class is impressive.



Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.

Mel Kiper Jr.
Football analyst