NFL Combine 2011: How Will the Weigh-Ins Impact Draft Stock?
The 2011 NFL Scouting Combine is officially under way and whether you consider it Day 2 or Day 3 (technically the offensive lineman, tight ends and specialists arrived on Wednesday but coverage started yesterday), Friday is a big day in Indianapolis.
The specialists are the only ones working out, the offensive lineman and tight ends are going through meetings, exams and interviews, but the quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs are tipping the scales and hitting the podium for media interviews.
Quarterbacks are typically the most scrutinized group of players in Indianapolis for various reasons, including whether or not they fully participate.
Wide receiver measurements are extremely important and if a player does not match up to what is expected, or exceeds them, it could change the way scouts and teams see him.
Running back measurements are also important and if a player comes in too small, too heavy or too light, it could do damage to their draft stock.
Basically, we take today to see if the top players at these positions pass the "eye test" and put solid measurables up next to their Draft stock.
Here's a look at some of the top prospects at the offensive skill positions and how their measurables will affect their Draft stock.
A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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Take this one with a grain of salt because A.J. Green is one of the top five prospects in the Draft and I do not think this will hurt him too much.
Green weighed in at 6'3 5/8", 211 pounds, but did not look solid like some of the other prospects.
His physical gifts are incredible, but it does not seem like he has done a lot of work in the weight room so far, and his frame shows it.
He has great route-running ability, can separate from almost every defender and goes up for the football very easily.
His unimpressive physique will get a number next to it when he hits the bench press.
Again, I do not think this will truly hurt Green much at all, but it's something to keep an eye on, especially for consideration as the No. 1 overall pick.
Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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On the flip side of A.J. Green, the No. 2 wide receiver, Julio Jones of Alabama, looked great.
Jones came in at 6'2 1/2", 220 pounds, and has impressive muscle tone.
The junior receiver is as an extremely physical receiver with big-play ability and uses his strong, muscular frame to box dominate smaller competition.
He does not always get great separation, and he is still developing as a route runner, but it is no shocker to see him look so good.
Jones may creep a bit closer to Green if he posts good numbers throughout the rest of this Combine, and he is almost assuredly going to be a top 15 pick.
Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
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The Pittsburgh wide receiver might be the one prospect with the most to gain here in Indianapolis this weekend.
Baldwin measured in at a solid 6'4 3/8", 228 pounds.
We know he is an impressive physical specimen, and this is just the start to a weekend that could end with him sneaking his way into the bottom of the first round.
His lack of production this season is certainly troubling, but teams will be enamored with his physical presence if he runs in the expected low-4.4, high-4.3 range.
Again, this alone does not boost him too high, but it is certainly a good start for him.
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Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
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The Arkansas quarterback is a very interesting prospect and has seen his stock fluctuate a bit as of late.
Mallett is one of the top four quarterbacks in the Draft and came to the Scouting Combine looking to solidify himself as a first-round pick.
He weighed in a 6'6 1/2", 253 pounds, and did not show an impressive body; some went as far as to call him soft.
Mallett is not the type of prospect that will be completely damaged by this, but his stock is already in question and this certainly will not help.
Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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As expected, Cam Newton passed the eye test with flying colors at the weigh-in.
The Auburn quarterback measured in at 6'5", 248 pounds, and simply looked like an extremely impressive athlete.
He has become the highest rising prospect in the Draft since season's end, and it is not inconceivable for him to become a potential No. 1 overall pick.
The latest news out of Indy is that the Cowboys, who own the No. 9 pick, want to sit down and talk with Newton. While I for one believe the Cowboys will eventually have to give up on Tony Romo, because he is not a winner, this is probably just a strategic maneuver to help them get a shot at a player they really want.
Newton has a big weekend in front of him in Indy, and this is a good start.
Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
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The heavily debated junior quarterback prospect was not Cam Newton good, but he certainly showed up in his own right.
Gabbert is an intriguing prospect and is likely to be the second quarterback off the board and is a potential top 10 pick.
He will not fully participate at the Combine (he will not throw) so his interview process will be very important.
The Tiger measured in at 6'4 3/8", 234 pounds, and looked every bit the part of an NFL quarterback.
Remember, not every quarterback franchise quarterback comes in between 6'4"-6'5"; both Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez are 6'2".
We expected these numbers from Gabbert and his above-average athleticism accompanied with his size make him a prime candidate to be selected as franchise quarterback; good start for him.
Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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The former Heisman Trophy winner looked the part at weigh-ins and is off to a good defense of his standing as the No. 1 running back prospect on may boards.
Ingram measured in at 5'9 1/8", 215 pounds, and looked very much in shape.
He's possibly the only running back worth drafting in the first round this year, and I believe that he will be a tremendous player right away next season.
His timed speed is something many will still want to see, but his tape speaks for itself and it is good to see that he is in shape and ready to work (whenever the NFL allows him to).
Jerrell Jernigan, WR, Troy
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On the prospects expected to bring some serious noise to the Combine, Jernigan looked good at weigh-ins.
5'8 7/8" is not optimal height, but he weighed in at 187 pounds, showcased a strong physique and has long arms to go with it.
Jernigan has the potential to blow people away with his speed in the 40-yard dash and while his height may be a cause for concern, his physique and speed overshadow that.
This is solid start for him and on Sunday, he will put on a show that should elevate him up draft boards.
Niles Paul, WR, Nebrasksa
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Looking at the picture to the left you can already see what type of prospect Niles Paul is.
He measured in at 6"0 7/8", 224 pounds and looks more like a running back that a wide receiver.
Paul dropped too many balls this season for me to jump on board with him right now, but his physical nature is something that a lot of teams could be interested in.
This is an expected start for him, and if he puts up numbers, he could certainly see a rise in his draft stock.
Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky
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The do-it-all Kentucky Wildcat is one of the most intriguing prospects in the Draft.
He will play wide receiver in the NFL and weighed in at 5'10 1/4", 191 pounds with a solid build.
Cobb displayed playmaking ability from anywhere and everywhere on the field this season, has a good sense of how to run routes and will make the tough catches in traffic.
He is extremely competitive, has good ball skills and is likely to be one of the second-round wide receivers to come off the board.
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