NFL Combine 2016: Full Monday Schedule and Predictions for Top Prospects
Some would argue there isn't a more important positional group than the one taking the stage Monday at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Defensive backs close the show in Indianapolis by taking the field in front of the league and a national audience. The task? Post strong numbers in drills and show those watching they have the coverage skills and instincts necessary to play at the next level.
It's not easy to follow the strong performances put on by Kevin Johnson, Marcus Peters, Byron Jones and others from a year ago. The good news? NFL teams need more defensive backs than ever on the field to combat the passing trends.
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For those who want to catch the action, here's a look at the schedule and some of the top prospects to watch.
Workout Schedule
| 9 a.m. | 7 | 40-Yard Dash |
| 10 a.m. | 7 | Positional Skill Drills |
| 11 a.m. | 8 | 40-Yard Dash |
| 1 p.m. | 9 | 40-Yard Dash |
| 2 p.m. | 9 | Positional Skill Drills |
| 3 p.m. | 9 | Three-Cone & Shuttle Drills |
Projecting Top Performers
Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
Players like Florida State's Jalen Ramsey don't enter the draft often.
Ramsey should come in around 6'1" and 209 pounds, but more impressive than his NFL-ready frame is the droves of positive tape. He does it all, whether it's from the slot or on the outside, playing press coverage, trailing receivers at a smart distance, disrupting with his hands and keeping his head on a swivel to deter yellow laundry.
It goes on and on, but a succinct post by Bleacher Report's Matt Miller says it all:
What the league will like most about Ramsey, which is something he will have to show often Monday, is that he can plan any position in the defensive backfield.
That is an especially valuable trait in the NFL these days. Not only can Ramsey lock down one side of the field or play the deep center as a safety, he can trail an opposing offense's No. 1 wideout.
A former track star, there is little doubt Ramsey will put on a show in the drills. It's when he gets to run wild in actual simulated play that Ramsey might come away looking like the best player in class. With the size to bring violence against the run and the best coverage package and most versatile skill set in the class, Ramsey might have some thinking top-overall selection by the time the combine concludes.
Mackensie Alexander, Clemson
There was a sense of hesitation around Clemson's Mackensie Alexander after the collegiate season ended, in large part because folks don't want to jump the gun on a prospect just because he played in a high-profile game.
Alexander deserves the hype.
While a tad smaller than Ramsey at 5'10" and 190 pounds, Alexander has the on-field confidence that helps him make major plays. Athleticism isn't an issue, and the positives combined to see NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compare him to Desmond Trufant of the Atlanta Falcons:
"Alexander is a difficult evaluation because there are times on tape that he looks vulnerable to quickness off the line of scrimmage and he doesn’t have the prototypical size of a top-end NFL cornerback. However, he was consistently sticky in man coverage and played with the instincts and confidence needed from a true cover corner. Alexander’s confidence may border on cockiness at times, but that also seems to feed his competitive fire. Alexander may struggle early on, but should settle in to become a quality starter by his second year.
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The confidence in his abilities hasn't been hard to see. Alexander provided some entertainment at the podium, as captured by NFL Network:
Some would disagree, but Alexander certainly has himself in position to prove to the world he isn't bluffing when he drops such a line.
Alexander has essentially everything an NFL team looks for, sans the ideal size. But he's quick with elite instincts, can catch up in a hurry if he takes a bad step, sniffs out the run well and didn't allow a touchdown on film.
While perhaps not as versatile or eye-popping in the measurements department, Alexander can do much for himself Monday with a big performance.
Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida
While also a tad on the smaller side, Vernon Hargreaves out of Florida looks like one of the top overall prospects this weekend because of a major advantage compared to most—his level of competition in college.
Level of competition is a silly argument at some spots. Take quarterback, where some suggest North Dakota State's Carson Wentz might not pan out because of who he faced. But that's silly—a quarterback has it or doesn't.
Corner is a tad trickier. Hargreaves has been tested by the best of the best in the SEC and mostly passed with flying colors, something he was quick to point out in interviews, according to Katherine Terrell of NOLA.com:
It's a big boon for a guy who weighed in at 5'10" and 204 pounds. Hargreaves has some of the best instincts in the class and always has himself in position to make a play on the ball, though the sticking point for most of Monday will be size.
Still, Hargreaves isn't going anywhere in the top-15 conversation because of his body of work. What's on years and years of film always outweighs a combine performance outside of a complete implosion.
Not that Hargreaves won't put on a show. It's hard not to for a guy who looks like the second coming of Joe Haden, moves well in drills and will flash elite coverage skills that will have the crowd in Indianapolis abuzz.
Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of Monday. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
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