Alshon Jeffery Combine: WR Will Defy Critics and Shine at Combine

Perhaps no player has more at stake at the NFL combine than wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who is considered anywhere from a top-10 pick to a player who will drop into the second round, depending upon whom you ask.

At the NFL Combine, he'll remind folks of why he is a top-10 talent.

Let's go through the arguments his detractors make against him.

He's way too slow to be an elite wide receiver

The rumor mills were buzzing last week with some claiming that Jeffery's weight was around 250 pounds and he was running close to a 4.9 40-yard dash in January. But it seems we can put those rumors to rest.

"

Hearing that South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery has actually lost weight down to 217 to 220 and hopes to run in 4.5 range at combine. We'll see

- Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) February 19, 2012"

No, Jeffery will never have elite speed or separation ability in the NFL. But, as long as he is in the 4.5 range and isn't lumbering down the field about as slowly as a fullback, he should be an excellent possession receiver at the next level who is a nightmare for smaller cornerbacks on deep routes.

Plus, no receiver in the draft is better at out-jumping defenders and snaring the ball at its highest point, at least in my opinion.

So when Jeffery runs well at the combine, teams will be reminded he has a first-round skill set.

He had a disappointing 2011 season

Most were expecting far bigger things from Jeffery in 2011 than 49 receptions for 762 yards and eight touchdowns. But South Carolina's quarterback play was mediocre at best in 2011, marked by the inconsistent play and eventual dismissal of fifth-year senior Stephen Garcia.

And in 2010, it was Jeffery who led the SEC in receiving.

Player	School	Receptions	Yards	Touchdowns
Alshon Jeffery	South Carolina	88	1517	9
Julio Jones	Alabama	78	1133	7
A.J. Green	Georgia	57	848	9

So let's not assume that Jeffery suddenly forgot to be dominant, and instead focus on the fact that South Carolina had a poor passing offense in general, ranking 95th in the nation with only 181.5 passing yards per game.

If teams are smart, they'll look past his numbers this year and instead focus on his full body of work and freakish abilities.

And after he tests well at the NFL Combine, teams will begin moving him toward the top of his draft boards, where he belongs.

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