NFL Combine 2016: Most Notable Measurements from Wednesday in Indianapolis

Wednesday was a big day at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine, as it was the first day that teams conducted interviews with running backs, offensive linemen and special teamers.   

In addition to the vetting process, teams were also afforded the opportunity to get actual measurements on players at those positions.

NFL teams need an accurate representation of how players measure out physically to set up a baseline determination about their skills. Short arms for an offensive lineman are bad because it allows defenders to hit the line with more burst, making it easier to hit the quarterback. 

Here are some of the notable measurements, positive and negative, for key players from the combine on Wednesday, per NFL.com: 

Player	Position	Height	Weight (Lbs)	Arm Length (Inches)
Player	Position	Height	Weight (Lbs)	Hand Size (Inches)
Laremy Tunsil, Mississippi	OT	6'5"	310	34 1/4"
Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame	OT	6'5 3/4"	312	35 5/8"
Taylor Decker, Ohio State	OT	6'7"	310	33 3/4"
Jack Conklin, Michigan State	OT	6'5 3/4"	308	35"
German Ifedi, Texas A&M	OT	6'5 3/4"	312	35 5/8"
Joshua Garnett, Stanford	G	6'4"	312	33 7/8"
Vadal Alexander, LSU	G	6'5"	326	35 1/4"
Tyler Johnstone, Oregon	OT	6'5"	301	34"
Avery Young, Auburn	OT	6'5"	328	33 3/4"
Derrick Henry, Alabama	RB	6'2 1/2"	247	8 3/4"
Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State	RB	5'11 3/4"	225	10 1/4"
Alex Collins, Arkansas	RB	5'10"	217	9 1/4"
Kelvin Taylor, Florida	RB	5'10"	207	8 1/4"
C.J. Prosise, Notre Dame	RB	6'0"	220	8 1/2"
Kenyan Drake, Alabama	RB	6'1"	210	9 3/4"
Vernon Adams, Oregon	QB	5'11"	200	9 1/8"
Devontae Booker, Utah	RB	5'11"	219	8 5/8"
Tre Madden, USC	RB	6'0"	223	9 3/8"
Brandon Wilds, South Carolina	RB	6'1"	220	10 1/4"
Peyton Barber, Auburn	RB	5'10"	228	9 3/8"
Jordan Howard, Indiana	RB	6'0"	230	9"

Mississippi offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil was one of the first winners. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller noted how important the long arms were for the Ole Miss standout:

Tunsil has been a steady presence at or near the top of draft boards all year, with his position only being solidified Wednesday. 

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com released his newest top 50 for this year's draft Monday, listing Tunsil as the best overall prospect:

"

He has a sharp, powerful punch and he is quick to re-work his hands if he loses inside position. He has the speed to cut off edge rushers, the power to anchor vs. the bull rush and the athleticism to redirect vs. counter moves. In the run game, he has the upper-body strength to torque and turn defenders but he doesn't generate a lot of movement at the point of attack. Overall, Tunsil is a Day 1 starting left tackle and he should quickly emerge as one of the top players at his position.

"

With two months to go before the NFL draft, things may change on some team's boards, but Tunsil does not have to worry about waiting long to figure out where he is going. 

Following his impressive first day in Indianapolis, Tunsil made his pitch to the Tennessee Titans with the No. 1 overall pick (via Dane Brugler of CBS Sports):

Another offensive tackle looking to make an impression this week is Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley, who is facing questions about his work ethic moving to the NFL. 

Via Brugler, Stanley was asked about his dedication after measuring in, saying "“I don't think many people know how important football is to me and how big of a role it's played throughout my life. ... That I'm a laid-back guy that just relies on his talent, doesn't really love the game like he should. So I'm really trying to show those people what football means to me.”

Stanley's measurables were very good, and Mayock threw in a wrinkle worth thinking about, via College Football 24/7:

Things were not very rosy for 2015 Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. The Alabama running back is not regarded as a top prospect for this year's draft anyway, but College Football 24/7 provided a measurement he probably isn't proud of:

This isn't to say that big running backs cannot succeed in the NFL, but among the players who finished in the top 10 in rushing yards last season, Oakland's Latavius Murray was the heaviest at 230 pounds. 

Via Brugler, Henry did not seem concerned about his weight, smiling as he said "I didn't think I'd be that heavy" even though he's been working to add weight. 

One player in Henry's corner, via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, is Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome:

Henry also has to overcome the small hands stigma after his mitts only measured 8 ¾", more than one full inch smaller than Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott. 

In fact, things couldn't have worked out better for Elliott. College Football 24/7 noted the former Buckeye tied for the biggest hands among running backs:

NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock predicted on a conference call (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle) prior to the combine that Elliott would be the only running back taken in the first round. He's off to an excellent start. 

One of the players who are seeking to make an impression on NFL teams is Oregon's Vernon Adams Jr., who may have to find a new position to play other than quarterback given his small stature. 

Bruce Feldman of FoxSports.com did point out that Adams has gotten bigger since 2014 when he was at Eastern Washington:

Adams was great in the East-West Shrine Game, winning MVP honors by completing six of nine passes for 191 yards and three touchdowns. He will inevitably get compared to Russell Wilson because of his small stature, but Wilson is the exception to the rule. 

It also didn't hurt Wilson's stock that his hands measured freakishly large at 10 ¼" four years ago. Adams shouldn't be dismissed as a quarterback at the next level, but a lot of things will have to go right for him to stick there. 

This stage of the draft process is all about gathering information. It's the first step on a long journey for players and teams, so even players who didn't fare well in their measurements shouldn't dwell on it for long. 

As long as they look good in workouts, showing speed, strength and vision, all will be forgiven if their weight isn't where it should be or their hands look too small.