NFL Combine 2015: Matt Bowen's Day 4 Notebook

INDIANAPOLIS — Throughout the NFL Scouting Combine, former NFL defensive back Matt Bowen will bring you his daily notebook.

Click here for notes from Day 3 of the combine.

Winston Is the Clear No. 1 QB

After Jameis Winston threw on Saturday, it's clear that he is the top quarterback prospect in this draft.

A true pro-style quarterback at 6'4", 231 pounds, the Florida State product looked comfortable and confident working three- and five-step drops on Saturday. His footwork was consistent, and he showed little wasted movement in his transition off the back foot. Winston throws a catchable ball, and his accuracy was on display even though he was working with new receivers. Smooth.

Is there a knock on Winston? I would say his athletic measurables are below-average when looking at the 40-yard dash (4.97 seconds) and the vertical jump (28 inches) numbers he posted on Saturday, but the focus here is on his ability as a dropback passer at the pro level. That's the key for a quarterback coming from a pro system in Tallahassee.

I can't see how Lovie Smith passes on Winston given the quarterback situation in Tampa. Winston should be the No. 1 pick on April 30. 

Mariota Workout Answers Some Questions

Marcus Mariota has the athletic measurables, as should have been expected from watching the Oregon product on tape. He ran the 40 in 4.52 seconds, jumped 36 inches and posted a 10'6" broad jump. Those are impressive numbers for a 6'4", 222-pound quarterback.

However, the talk here before the workout focused on Mariota's ability to execute the three- and five-step drops in positional drills after spending the majority of his career at Oregon working out of the shotgun alignment.

In my opinion, Mariota has put in the time on his footwork. He looked clean simulating the drops from under center and showed the quickness to gather his base while controlling the release. He had a strong day throwing the ball and should carry a top-10 grade into the draft.

Cooper, White and Parker Solidify Top-10 Grades

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

This wide receiver class is loaded, and the top prospects produced legit numbers during testing on Saturday morning with Amari Cooper (4.42), Kevin White (4.35) and DeVante Parker (4.45) all answering questions on their vertical speed in the 40-yard dash.

I see Cooper as the most polished route-runner in this class, and that was on display during positional drills. He glides through his cuts and is smooth at the top of the route.

White's size (6'3", 215 pounds) is going to create matchups in the NFL, and he has the ball skills and body control to adjust at the point of attack (go check out the tape versus Alabama). With Parker (6'3", 209 pounds), think about the athleticism and the ability to stretch the field. That's where he shows up on tape—making plays on contested throws.

White is expected to come off the board first in the draft (possibly No. 4 to Oakland); however, all three of these wideouts should grade out as top-10 picks after the workouts on Saturday in Indianapolis. There is a ton of talent (and pro speed) with this group.

Slow Day for the Running Backs

I don't overreact to 40 times at the running back position. Anything in the 4.5 to 4.6 range works when you see the burst and acceleration on tape. Melvin Gordon (4.52), Duke Johnson (4.54), Ameer Abdullah (4.60) and David Johnson (4.50) all posted respectable times in the 40. However, the 10-yard split times were much slower than I expected.

With running backs, you want to see a 10-yard split at 1.56 seconds. On Saturday, only one back (Michigan State's Jeremy Langford) hit that mark, with Gordon (1.63), Duke Johnson (1.61), Abdullah (1.61) and David Johnson (1.58) missing it.

That doesn't mean this class isn't deep at the position, and the tape is still the deciding factor. Plus, Todd Gurley and Tevin Coleman didn't run. However, for as much buzz as there has been this week on the running backs, the speed was lacking.

Dorial Green-Beckham's Stock Continues to Rise

Green-Beckham's draft stock has been a topic of discussion because of his unique measurables (6'5", 237 pounds), raw talent and the off-field concerns that have scouts doing extra work on the wide receiver.

I've heard mixed reviews from veteran scouts this week on Green-Beckham and how he projects to the NFL, but we can't deny that he took advantage of the combine stage to improve his overall grade. The former Missouri wide receiver clocked in at an impressive 4.49, plus he put together a solid workout in positional drills. Good day for Green-Beckham. 

More from Day 4

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• The disappointing 4.7-second 40 time for Devin Funchess will force scouts to go back and study more tape on the Michigan product. Dash times don't tell the entire story on wide receivers, but a slow time does have an impact on prospects. Does Funchess play faster on tape? That's what scouts have to see.

• Alabama strong safety Landon Collins weighed in on Saturday morning at 228 pounds, and Samford strong safety Jaquiski Tartt came in at 6'1", 221 pounds. They are two physical safeties who will come downhill and deliver a shot to the ball-carrier.

• Phillip Dorsett turned in a 4.33 40 time, and that speed translates to the field with the wide receiver. He displays a burst coming out of his breaks and can get up the field. He was a star at the Senior Bowl. The Miami product should come off the board in the second round.

• South Alabama quarterback Brandon Bridge (6'4", 229 pounds) is a prospect I need to do some work on. During workouts, he showcased his arm strength, velocity and a quick release, but he needs to clean up his mechanics.

• Randy Gregory, the defensive end out of Nebraska, did 24 reps on the 225-pound bench press. That's a good number given his length (34" arms).

• UAB wide receiver J.J. Nelson (5'10", 156 pounds) posted an official 4.28 40 time on Saturday. That's moving.

• Don't forget about Florida State's Rashad Greene. The wide receiver posted times in the 4.4-4.45 range and is a polished route-runner. He had a ton of production for the Seminoles and should develop into a solid pro receiver.

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

• Baylor QB Bryce Petty still has to develop his footwork when working from under center, but I saw an improvement since the Senior Bowl. He has the arm strength to make NFL throws. The technique and mechanics are the next step in his progression.

• One receiver to check out on tape is wide receiver Tyler Lockett (5'10", 182 pounds). The Kansas State product had a great week of practice at the Senior Bowl working out of the slot and ran an official 4.40 40 on Saturday. He's a good player.

• Missouri outside linebacker Shane Ray won't work out on Sunday due to a foot injury he suffered in the Citrus Bowl. He does plan to take part in a pro day back on campus.

• The 4.43 40 time for Sammie Coates didn't change my opinion on the Auburn wide receiver after watching him at the Senior Bowl. He can get down the field on the 9 route and has the size (6'1", 212 pounds) at the point of attack. However, his route running will have to develop at the pro level, plus there are still questions about his hands and ability to make plays on contested throws.

• Washington's Danny Shelton is considered the ideal fit as a 3-4 nose given his size, and he should come off the board early in the first round. He weighed in at 339 pounds here in Indianapolis. That's a slight drop from his Senior Bowl weight of 343.

• UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley showcased his athleticism during testing on Saturday with a 4.63 40, 36-inch vertical, 3.98 short shuttle and a 6.93 three-cone drill.

• Duke wide receiver Jamison Crowder (5'8", 185 pounds) was a favorite of mine at the Senior Bowl because of his quick change-of-direction speed. However, I did expect a better 40 time than the 4.56 number he posted Saturday. That was surprising.

• Georgia's Chris Conley (6'2", 213 pounds) took advantage of the combine stage to produce some impressive numbers. The wide receiver ran a 4.35 40, posted a 45-inch vertical jump and recorded an 11'7" broad jump. Ridiculous.

• East Carolina's Shane Carden struggled at the Senior Bowl with his ball placement, and I didn't see anything during workouts to change the narrative on the quarterback.

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

• Stanford wide receiver Ty Montgomery needed a solid workout after a subpar week at the Senior Bowl, but he didn't stand out Saturday. He posted an average 40 time (4.55) and failed to flash during drills.

• Edge-rushers take the field on Sunday morning, and I'm excited to see Florida's Dante Fowler Jr. go through drills. Given his athleticism and versatility, the outside linebacker/defensive end can boost his stock with a good workout.

• Saturday was a perfect example of why the top quarterbacks should throw at the combine. This is part of the interview process. Go out and compete. Both Winston and Mariota turned in good workouts despite the narrative that it's tougher to throw to receivers whom they haven't worked with in the past.

Seven-year NFL veteran Matt Bowen is an NFL National Lead Writer for Bleacher Report.

Follow @MattBowen41