Workout Warriors Whose NFL Draft Stocks Have Come Back to Earth

There are several tools that NFL teams use to identify the top talent at the collegiate level in preparation for the draft.

Game performance, film, pro days and all-star games all play an integral part in that evaluation process, but the combine gives team officials their first up-close look at most of the players in the draft pool.

While not to be taken as the entire equation, there are some instances where certain players jump off the page and make a name for themselves with their performance at the yearly event.

Known as "workout warriors," these are the guys that make a rapid rise up the draft board with how well they test while off the field.

Though some players carry that shine all the way through the draft itself, most see the luster wear off and settle back in to their true ranking.

Here are five workout warriors whose draft stocks are falling back to a more realistic level.

Combine Results from NFL.com/combine

* indicates top performer at position

Terron Armstead, Offensive Tackle

40 Yard Dash: 4.71 seconds*

Bench Press Reps: 31

Vertical Jump: 34.5 inches*

Broad Jump: 112 inches*

3 Cone Drill: 7.62 seconds

20 Yard Shuttle: 4.72 seconds

Height and Weight: 6'5" and 306 pounds

College: Arkansas Pine-Bluff

If players were drafted based on their combine performance in respect to their particular position group, offensive tackle Terron Armstead might be a shoo-in for the No. 1 overall pick for the Kansas City Chiefs in this year's draft.

Instead, Armstead's measurables are not quite enough to bump him above the other top tackle prospects.

Players from lesser-known schools—who lack the exposure on a national scale—bank on the combine to finally showcase their talents in front of NFL team officials. Armstead's emergence certainly raised his profile heading in to the draft.

With offensive tackle being such an important position in the NFL, organizations want as much information as possible when investing high picks on certain players. Armstead is not quite as polished as the rest of the bunch, but he will certainly receive plenty of looks on draft day.

Chris Gragg, Tight End

40 Yard Dash: 4.5 seconds*

Bench Press Reps: 18

Vertical Jump: 37.5 inches*

Broad Jump: 125 inches*

3 Cone Drill: 7.08 inches*

20 Yard Shuttle: 4.51 seconds

Height and Weight: 6'3" and 244 pounds

College: Arkansas

The appeal of Chris Gragg goes beyond his outstanding performance at the combine. As this league continues to transform into its current pass-happy self, the tight end position is becoming a much more central weapon within NFL offenses.

More of a wideout-tight end hybrid, Gragg will have no trouble getting behind defenses at the next level. And there is still room to add to his frame, which would allow the tight end to do more traditional things asked of his position—though he is still raw in this department.

The biggest issue with Gragg is his ability to stay on the field, however, as he missed most of his senior season with a leg injury in addition to other nagging health issues throughout his college career.

All the potential and measurables in the world mean nothing if Gragg can't stay off the trainer's table.

Knile Davis, Running Back

40 Yard Dash: 4.37 seconds*

Bench Press Reps: 31*

Vertical Jump: 33.5 inches

Broad Jump: 121 inches

3 Cone Drill: 6.96 seconds

20 Yard Shuttle: 4.38 seconds

Height and Weight: 6'0" and 227 pounds

College: Arkansas

Following his predecessors at Arkansas, Knile Davis was on the fast track to become the next Darren McFadden or Felix Jones in terms of his NFL prospects. Injuries have derailed that path, however, and the running back now finds himself in an uphill battle to make a consistent impact at the next level.

When healthy, Davis is as effective of a runner as there is in this class. He has a thick frame and hits the hole hard, and his straight-line speed will result in the occasional big play.

Teams should not get too enamored with the potential here, though, as durability is a major concern. But as offenses resort to more of a running-back-by-committee approach out of the backfield, there is certainly a place in the NFL for Davis.

Shamarko Thomas, Safety

40 Yard Dash: 4.42 seconds*

Bench Press Reps: 28*

Vertical Jump: 40.5 inches*

Broad Jump: 133 inches*

3 Cone Drill: N/A

20 Yard Shuttle: 4.26 seconds

Height and Weight: 5'9" and 213 pounds

College: Syracuse

There is no doubt that Shamarko Thomas is a workhorse whose motor and measurables will be valued at the next level.

Thomas is a traditional run-stuffing, hard-hitting strong safety who plays very well within the space that he is responsible for on the field. He is quick, strong and shows great burst at the point of attack.

Thomas' biggest issue, however, is that he becomes too reliant on always moving forward to make plays and can easily get swallowed up by taller wide receivers or tight ends down the field. As the NFL becomes more pass-happy, he will have to adjust in order to not be relegated to a situational role.

While he acclimates himself to the next level, his skill-set plays well on special teams. But with the NFL making player safety top priority, his impact could be minimal here, too—not to mention potential concerns over his concussion history.

Margus Hunt, Defensive End

40 Yard Dash: 4.6 seconds*

Bench Press Reps: 38*

Vertical Jump: 34.5 inches

Broad Jump: 121 inches

3 Cone Drill: 7.07 inches

20 Yard Shuttle: 4.51 inches

Height and Weight: 6'8" and 277 pounds

College: Southern Methodist

When throwing around the term "workout warrior," Margus Hunt is the poster child in this year's draft class. He has a track and field background, which is a testament to his work ethic and drive to succeed on the football field as well.

Hunt has a natural ability to rush the passer because of his speed around the edge, his length and his overall athleticism. While these are obvious strengths on passing downs, the defensive end could have trouble defending the run in the NFL for the same reasons.

Hunt will have issues with pad level when locking up against stockier offensive linemen against the run. Leverage is key when pushing back the pile, so expect Hunt to be more of a specialist in the NFL—however, there are certainly spots in this league for guys who have a knack for getting to the opposing quarterback.

The upside is obviously there with Hunt, but teams should temper expectations as the 25-year-old prospect acclimates himself to the next level.

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