Post 6 - Who stood out? Combine Review

Hello! And welcome to my corner!

The combine is over, 323 guys have shown what they can do in front of legions of scouts and coaches. Some guys disappointed and others wowed, now all they have left are their pro day's to put the final touches on their draft stock.

In the last article I picked out some guys to watch, here is how they did:



  • Adrian Amos, Penn St, FS: Adrian ran a 4.56 second 40, a 7.09 second 3-cone drill, a 4.03 second* 20-yard shuttle, an 11.33 second* 60-yard shuttle, jumped 35.5 inches on the vertical and 10'2" on the broad jump. All of these good for the safeties. In drills he looked okay, he looked fluid, as he did on tape but (like a lot of the DB's) his hands weren't fantastic. I think he could still be worth a look if he is there in the 2nd or 3rd round.  
  • Kurtis Drummond, Mich St, FS: Drummond ran a slightly disappointing 4.65 second 40, a 7.09 second 3-cone drill, a 4.33 second 20-yard shuttle and a 12.03 second 60-yard shuttle. He
    did jump 39.5 inches* on the vertical and 9'9" on the broad jump. I quite liked the look of Drummond, I think he looked more like the safety we need than Amos. I think we could look at him in the 2nd or 3rd round. Though he must run better and bench press at his pro day.
  • Derron Smith, Fresno St, FS: Frustratingly, Derron Smith didn't work out so we will have to wait until his pro-day.
  • Kevin  Johnson, Wake Forest, CB: Johnson looked good. Though his 4.52 40 was disappointing, the rest of his stats were good; 41″ vertical* and  10’10” broad*. He also ran a 3.89* 3-cone drill and a 6.79* 20-yard shuttle. Add all of this to his measurable's (and a hopefully improved 40 at his pro day) he looks to be worth a 1st round pick.
Ifo Ekpre Olomu
  • Ifo Ekpre Olomu, Oregon, CB: Ekpre Olomu didn't work out either due to the fact he tore his ACL in training for the Rose Bowl. So I think he could fall to us later in the draft, though I believe he has late 1st round talent.
  • Jalen Collins, LSU, CB: Jalen Collins' athleticism stood out, he looked good. He ran a 4.48 40, a 6.77* 3-cone drill, a 4.27 20-yard shuttle and 11.32 60 yard shuttle. He jumped 36" and 10'3" respectively. In drills though he didn't look great. He dropped lots of balls, almost swatted them down (a coach told him he wasn't playing volleyball). Though his athleticism still makes him a 1st round talent.
Melvin Gordon
  • Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin, RB: Melvin Gordon certainly confirmed that he deserves to be one of the first 2 running backs picked (in the 1st round). He ran a 4.52 40*, a 4.07 20-yard shuttle*, an 11 second 60-yard shuttle* and a 7.04 3-cone drill. He benched 215lbs 19 times and jumped 35" and 10'5"* respectively. Then in drills he showed good burst and change of direction and very good hands out of tha backfield. I love this guy. 
  • Todd Gurley, Georgia, RB: Gurley is also recovering from an ACL  tear but he did bench 17 reps of 215lbs. His tape, though, is enough to cement him as arguably the number 1 back in the draft.
  • Tevin Coleman, Indiana, RB: Coleman also didn't participate due to a foot injury. Like Gurley though, he did do the bench press, and he did 22 reps. I still like him a lot, but I'm starting to prefer Ameer Abdullah.
  • Davante Parker, Louisville, WR: Parker looked well worth his high grade, he definitely belongs in the top 3 recievers. He ran a 4.45 40, which is very good for a big guy. He jumped 36.5" and 10'4" respectively, which is also good. I'd be very surprised he he fell to us at 26.
  • Jaelen Strong, Arizona St, WR: Strong also did himself a favor and performed very well. He ran a 4.44 40, which was far far faster than the times expected by everyone! he really improved his stock. Furthermore, he jumped 42"*! That's huge! He broad jumped 10'25" as well. His drills were also very good.
DeAndre Smelter
  • DeAndre Smelter, Georgia Tech, WR: Smelter is also recovering from an ACL tear so he couldn't participate. Though I still like him and think, due to his injury, there is a chance he falls to us in the 3rd round (also due to the quality of the receivers this year).
Of course, every year players pop up out of nowhere and impress absolutely everyone. This year, it was Bryon Jones out of UCONN. He is a freak. He is 6'1", 199lbs and 10" hands. Furthermore, of all the tests he participated in (all but the bench and 40) he was a top performer... He ran the 3-cone drill in 6.78 seconds, he ran the 20-yard shuttle in 3.94 seconds and he ran the 60-yard shuttle in 10.98 seconds. But, it was his two leaps that made the headlines. He had a vertical jump of 44.5 inches! Just consider his reach, that vertical jump plus a 6'1" frame, that's crazy. His broad jump however, was a record for the combine. By 8 inches. He jumped 12'3". Here's how he looked: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0UeHxglMJ4

*= Top Performer

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