NFL Combine 2016: What to Watch for on Day 2
The 2016 NFL Scouting Combine is starting to heat up as the week progresses. The intensive interviews and medical tests have already begun. New positional players will be introduced each day to the various tests that could change their lives forever, depending on the result.
Day 1 of the mega-event in Indianapolis was fruitful for many offensive linemen who needed to ease any size concerns. The specialists, running backs and offensive trench players will continue their journeys through the event as others just begin the process. Thursday is when quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends must check in for the coming challenges.
The main action of Day 2 will be the measurements of quarterbacks and thorough interviews of potential playmakers. Let’s take a look at the biggest storylines for Thursday’s slate before television coverage begins on Friday.
Second Group In
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Thursday marks the arrival of the most exciting group of individuals for fantasy football players. The quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends join the rest of the offensive personnel that checked in on Day 1. Players such as Cal quarterback Jared Goff and Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott highlight the group of players who will be measured and interviewed.
The major milestones of the day for these players include registration, preliminary medical checks, orientation and the first round of interviews with teams and media. Don’t be surprised to hear some leaks after this round of events. Teams looking to jockey themselves into better position to land the players they desire may intentionally leak bad information.
Here’s a look at which prospects have major questions to answer on Day 2.
Medical Checks
Several of the top receivers in the class have major medical questions surrounding them. Baylor wide receiver Corey Coleman is incredibly talented and productive, but his sports hernia is concerning. He already has ruled himself out of running the 40-yard dash this weekend, according to Rand Getlin of NFL Network.
Western Kentucky tight end Tyler Higbee sprained his knee midway through October and was diagnosed as just week-to-week. He missed three games in 2015, which slowed some of the momentum he built after an excellent start to his senior year. Higbee is talented, but teams need to see whether he’s set for the long term.
Interviews
While interviews can help give teams the chance to ask off-the-wall questions to trigger certain responses, they are a better opportunity to ask specific scheme- or production-related questions.
Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett is one of the most physically gifted players at his position in the class at 6’6”, 256 pounds. But he produced just 585 receiving yards in Ohio State’s run-first offense. Is he a polished enough receiver to take on a larger role in the NFL?
Mississippi State receiver De’Runnya Wilson is another playmaker who must answer questions about where he fits in the NFL. He’s got tremendous size and raw talent, but he had just 918 yards in 2015. He improved every season in college but never fully took over as a dominant player. Does he have what it takes to be great?
Character Concerns
The 2016 class has a number of players with character concerns needing investigation, two of which will be in line for questioning on Day 2.
Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook has drawn character concerns in the past from NFL scouts, according to ESPN’s Todd McShay. He’s also had teammates and coaches come to bat for his leadership, according to Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports. So what’s the truth? Teams must find out this week.
One other player with massive character concerns is Florida receiver Demarcus Robinson. He was suspended four times by the Gators before he declared for the NFL as a junior. Can he become a reliable person and professional?
Quarterback Hand Size
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One of the most important measurements of the week is at the quarterback position. It’s fitting that the position is scrutinized so closely since finding a franchise signal-caller is incredibly difficult.
A quarterback’s hand size has been a predictor of future success since the NFL began keeping track of it. Only Tony Romo has been highly successful with a hand size less than nine inches. One of the draft’s top quarterbacks, Jared Goff, is facing an important measurement on Day 2.
According to USA Today writer Tom Pelissero, Goff has the smallest hands of the top signal-callers. Pelissero even called his hands “supposedly tiny.” We’ll see if that’s true or not. Small hands could tank his draft stock since teams subscribe to size preferences.
Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson confirmed this, as he said he values large quarterback hands. This would seem to give either Paxton Lynch of Memphis or Carson Wentz of North Dakota State an advantage since each has huge mitts. Lynch has 11-inch hands, per Eric Adelson of Yahoo Sports. Wentz’s hands measured in at 10 inches at the Senior Bowl, per Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports.
Separating the Wide Receivers
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The NFL has seen a significant number of quality receivers entering the ranks in the last few draft classes. The 2016 class looks to continue that trend, as underclassmen have added depth and strength. It’s not easy to separate these receivers from one another just based on their on-field accomplishments.
What will help mid-round prospects create separation from the pack is the interview stage. Those who can prove their ability to understand a playbook and situational football should rise. NFL teams need players able to make an impact early in their careers, and football intelligence can help that transition.
The on-field portion of the workouts on Saturday will further give clarity to the stockpile of receiver talent. But the momentum for that portion of the combine starts on Day 2. Winning on the whiteboard and in the medical tests will set the stage for a large jump in value.
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Time to Get Measured
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Like it or not, the NFL has an idealistic mindset when it comes to size. Height, weight, hand size and arm length are among the top measurements that check boxes for teams. This can limit where uber-talented players go in the draft, even if they have the on-field ability to overcome their size limitations.
Here are three players who could see their stock greatly affected by a good or bad measurement.
Corey Coleman
The athletic playmaker from Baylor is undoubtedly dynamic, but how tall is he? NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah has heard Coleman could measure at 5’9”. If he does, his size, coupled with long-term concerns with his sports hernia injury, could cause a drop.
Along with height concerns will come weight and hand size questions. Coleman struggled with drops, totaling 10 in 2015. Small hands could be the culprit for that issue in his game.
Sterling Shepard
A silky route-runner with great speed and quickness, Oklahoma’s Sterling Shepard is among the best receivers in the class. He dominated throughout college to the tune of 233 receptions, 3,482 yards and 26 touchdowns. Whether he can hold up against more athletic and talented cornerbacks at the next level is a looming question, though.
Listed at just 5’10”, 191 pounds, Shepard cannot afford to be much smaller than that and maintain his late Day 1 or Day 2 projections. His play strength was already an issue with the Sooners when he faced press coverage. Measuring under his listed height and weight will only raise more eyebrows about his transition to the next level.
Tyler Boyd
It’s a big week for the Pittsburgh Panthers receiver. Star Tyler Boyd isn’t the fastest, quickest or most physically filled-out player, but he’s been productive throughout his career. He needs to prove this week that he’s got enough athleticism and football intelligence to be more than just a role player.
His arrest for a DUI in June 2015 shouldn’t be a major red flag, but it’s something he’ll be asked about. He must answer questions about that as well as show he’s able to add bulk to his 6’2” frame. On the field, he often looked too lanky for his height and well under his 200-pound listing.
More Players to Watch
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Here are a few more players who could stand to benefit from an excellent set of interviews or measurements. Day 2 of the NFL Scouting Combine could ultimately prove to be the start of an excellent career for these highly talented players, but they need some positive buzz.
Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
The mammoth quarterback from Memphis has all of the physical traits you could ever want in a franchise player. But he comes from a simplified scheme and was a breakout player in 2015. Is he behind the curve developmentally, or can he step into an NFL offense early in his career?
Vernon Adams, QB, Oregon
Sometimes, talent gets brushed aside due to a lack of size. The 5’10”, 200-pound quarterback is diminutive and has a history of head injuries. He must interview well and show he has any chance of staying healthy in the NFL.
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
The top receiver of the 2015 class needs to remind everyone why he was considered an alpha-dog playmaker on the field. He’s seen some negativity lately over concerns with his 40-yard dash. He’s not going to run the 40 this week, according to Brooke Cersosimo of NFL.com. He needs to check out medically and in interviews to help make up for that head-scratching decision.
Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
Another dynamic receiver in the class is TCU’s Josh Doctson. Coming from a spread system that often featured just a small handful of routes and low competition, Doctson needs to prove he’s not just a one-trick pony. He also needs to be cleared medically from the broken left wrist that he suffered in November.
All stats used are from Sports-Reference.com. Schedule of events courtesy of NFL.com.
Ian Wharton is an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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