NFL Combine 2011: 9 Prospects That Need To Interview Well at the Combine

The 40-yard dash is the most eye-catching part of the combine.

The bench press can be a great test of strength for the tight ends, linebackers and linemen.

The vertical jump, broad jump and shuttles can showcase a players overall athletic ability.

And the position workouts display a player's skills in his particular field.

But maybe just as important as all those pieces of the combine is the interview process, where prospects have to answer football IQ questions, off-the-field concerns, overall intelligence and much more in their brief 15-minute interview with many NFL teams.

Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 07: Marvin Austin #9 of the North Carolina Tar Heels watches on against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Kenan Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

On the field, I still believe Austin is an elite talent and has the potential to be a top-flight defensive tackle. In my opinion, he could have been a top-10 pick in last year's draft if he had declared, so the talent is there for sure.

Austin was off the team this past season due to ineligibility from taking money, so he will have to assure NFL teams that his taking money doesn't represent his overall character as a guy who breaks the rules.

Also, he has some character issues regarding his motor on the field, and teams will be sure to ask him about his motivation on and off the field as well.

Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

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LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Rex Burkhead #22 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers slips past Jimmy Smith #3 of the Colorado Buffaloes during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated Colorado 45-17 (Photo by Eric Fr

While we at www.OptimumScouting.com aren't huge on Jimmy Smith for on-the-field reasons such as tackling concerns and his ability to stay consistent against NFL receivers, teams will for sure be asking about his two off-the-field issues.

He has two minor-in-possession charges, one as a freshman and one as a junior when cops asked for ID while he was at a bar.

Though neither are huge concerns, a team's willingness to give him top-20 money could push him down the boards slightly.

Josh Portis, QB, California (PA)

To speak about Josh Portis' questions he'll face at the combine, here's part of an interview I had with Josh a few weeks back (via www.OptimumScouting.com)

I also asked about his arrest for using a stolen credit card at a mall in Pittsburgh. He said that he "didn't know the card was stolen" and was "doing a favor for a friend, a kid I mentored."

He understands that NFL teams will want to find out if his transfers and arrests have anything—or everything—to do with his character moving forward.

When I asked about his thoughts on possibly changing positions at the NFL level to receiver, he said that "right now, I've been groomed to play the quarterback position," but did seem at least slightly aware he may have to change positions to make it.

FULL INTERVIEW: http://www.youtube.com/user/Airric1491?feature=mhum#p/a/u/1/F3iq7vfJbpg

Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 26: Jonathan Baldwin #82 of the Pittsburgh Panthers watches as teammate Dion Lewis #28 fumbles the ball at the goal line against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game on December 26, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (

For an elite talent like Baldwin, he should be a lock for the first round. With his 6'5" size, likely sub-4.4 speed and overall elite skill set, he could quickly be one of the NFL's elite.

But scouts are concerned with his character on and off the field, his work ethic and his willingness to continue to get better with NFL coaching.

As of now, he's not in our Top 32 at www.OptimumScouting.com, but if he can come away from the combine answering those question marks, he'll definitely belong in that crop.

Cedric Thornton, DT, Southern Arkansas

After I got a chance to speak with Cedric at the Senior Bowl and talked with scouts about his character concerns, I could see where they stemmed from.

He received a two-game suspension this season and teams will be very cautious when looking at a player who not only has level-of-play concerns, but off-the-field issues as well.

Kenrick Ellis, DT, Hampton

As far as athletic ability is concerned, Ellis could shoot up draft boards with his skill set.

He moves like a linebacker despite being 300-plus pounds and has an immense amount of potential, possibly as this year's non-FBS first-rounder.

But as far as character issues are concerned, there is a reason he ended his career at Hampton and not in the SEC. Ellis was suspended for the first three games of 2008 while at South Carolina and was eventually dismissed from the program for repeated violations later on that year.

If he can show that time of immaturity is over, there is no doubt that teams in the back end of the first round will strongly consider him with their first pick.

Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates their 22-19 victory in the locker room after defeating the Oregon Ducks in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10

Cam Newton's character issues stem more importantly from his locker room style than just his pay-for-play concern that took up most of the headlines this year.

I've heard from people close to him at both Florida and Blinn Jr. College, and both sources told me he wasn't overly liked at either place.

He apparently ran his teammates hard, had a sense of entitlement and didn't mesh with the overall locker room.

While those concerns may not all be true, having leadership and/or locker room concerns is for sure something teams will address in interviews before investing a top-10 pick on a raw quarterback like him.

Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates the Tigers 22-19 victory against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (

Nick Fairley doesn't have any major character question marks. He wasn't arrested and didn't have any disciplinary actions against him while in college.

But a combination of his academic ineligibility out of high school, his on-the-field, penalty-causing actions and his ties to people and former players that aren't of the highest character will be questions he'll have to answer, especially since he's viewed as one of the top players on everyone's board.

Top-five money is a lot to give to a guy if you don't feel he's both a lock to be successful and won't be changed by the money.

Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks on against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Image

Let's first make it clear that as of now, Ryan Mallett has not been convicted, caught or suspended for anything he's done, so it's unfair to assume that.

But scouts have told many—including Wes Bunting and myself—that teams have many concerns with Mallett's leadership, locker room character and off-the-field activities.

Some reports have even surfaced that Mallett has used fairly serious drugs—more serious than just marijuana—and that would be a concern.

Whether all, none, or even just a handful of the reports are true, teams will surely be focused on that come interview-time before they invest in Mallett as their franchise quarterback.