NFL Combine: Cam Newton, Mark Ingram and Everything Else to Watch on Day 4

Danny FlynnFeb 27, 2011

Today marks day four of the 2011 NFL Combine in Indianapolis and that brings us to the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers.

This is usually the most scrutinized day of the combine considering these are the players who NFL teams will be trusting with producing points. It’s also a day that has the most collegiate stars partaking all at once.

There are going to be a lot of big-name players out on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium today. Here’s a list of a few prospects you need to keep your eye on.

QB Cam Newton, Auburn

Cam Newton is obviously the No. 1 focus of this entire combine and the player with the most to gain or lose.

He’s already on his way to becoming this year’s Tim Tebow. He’s the definitely the most disputed player in this class.

The Heisman winner has just as many critics and doubters as he does supporters and fans, but luckily for Newton, he was able to get positive momentum going early on with a stunning workout in San Diego.

Newton has a charisma that draws your attention in and he’s sure to have the eyes of the entire scouting community firmly planted on him today.

Let’s see how he responds.

QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas

Ryan Mallett has all the tools to be a successful starting quarterback in the NFL but he’s had to deal with recent drug addiction accusations at the most inopportune time.

The big Arkansas QB didn’t handle his first press conference at the combine overly well yesterday, refusing to answer most of the media’s questions about his supposed troubles.

Mallett has the arm to light it up in throwing drills, and he’s going to need to have a big day to get back in the good graces of the scouting community.

QB Jake Locker, Washington

Jake Locker may not have had the senior season he was hoping for, so he’ll have to impress today and show that he was deserving of all the preseason hype he received.

Locker, who also has the potential to a professional baseball player, is a terrific athlete who should test out really well. But the most important thing is how he throws.

People have questioned how well Locker can deal with pressure and now he has the chance to show everyone he can stay cool when the lights are on him.

QB Colin Kaepernick, Nevada

He’s a project.

Every year, you hear the same phrase about three or four quarterback prospects. He’s a project

Colin Kaepernick fits that bill this year.

Athletically, the big Nevada QB is as good as it gets at the position. But scouts are going to have questions about whether Kaepernick can handle the switch from a Pistol to a Pro-Style offense.

I’ll be specifically looking at how accurate some of his deeper throws are. That’s something that seems to be somewhat of a concern for him.

RB Mark Ingram, Alabama

It’s kind of odd that we have to force a running back, who dominated on the field throughout his career in the toughest conference in the game, to prove that he’s just as good in gym shorts, but that’s precisely the world of football scouting.

Even though Ingram won a Heisman Trophy and a national championship during his collegiate career, we’re still going to chalk our final evaluation of him up to a three-digit time on a stopwatch.

Ingram, a former high school track star, should have no trouble proving his worth in the timed drills such as the 40-yard dash and the 3 cone drill.

The little running backs—Quizz Rodgers, Dion Lewis, Derrick Locke, Noel Devine

Don’t forget about the little guys.

Running back is usually the position where the biggest, fastest player grabs the most attention, but as they say—speed is a great equalizer.

Backs such as Ray Rice, Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren Sproles have proven that there is a place in the NFL for running backs under 5'10'' and that guys like Quizz Rodgers, Dion Lewis, Derrick Locke and Noel Devine shouldn't be tossed to the side.

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These guys all have a little more to overcome because they weren't given the body of some their counterparts, but they were blessed with tremendous athleticism and running ability.

Derrick Locke, specifically, could light up the 40-yard dash.

RB Mikel Leshoure, Illinois

The top running back spot is Mark Ingram’s to lose, but if he does end up having to hand it over, it will likely be to Mikel Leshoure of Illinois.

Leshoure is a bigger, better version of Marshawn Lynch. He’s got a combination of power and speed that doesn’t come along all too often.

Leshoure should continue to rise as we inch closer to draft weekend.

RB DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma

To me, DeMarco Murray looks like a terrific receiver who just so happens to line up in the backfield.

I want to see Murray do some diverse things today.

I know he can catch—the 71 receptions in 2010 are evidence of that. What I want to see is Murray run. I want to see him in the running back drills. I want to how he stacks up with the rest of the backs in his group.

RB Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech

Fact: Ryan Williams had two runs over 20 yards last season.

Granted, Williams was injured as a sophomore, but you could tell, at times, the explosiveness we saw from Williams as a freshman just wasn’t there a year later.

I’m interested to see what kind of gear Williams can kick into for the 40-yard dash.

WR Julio Jones, Alabama

From a physical standpoint, Alabama’s Julio Jones is the total package. Size, speed, hands, concentration—he’s got it all.

What’s missing?

Not much. It's hard to find a flaw in Julio Jones.

If he times in the 4.4-4.5 range, he should be a top 15 pick.

WR Titus Young, Boise State

Titus Young really came into his own as a senior, elevating himself up to playmaker status.

Young opened eyes with his game-changing speed in 2010 and he has continued to carry that positive momentum with him into the offseason.

Young put on a show during the Senior Bowl week practices and had onlookers bringing up DeSean Jackson’s name as a comparison.

The 5’11’’ receiver could come up with a real nice 40 time.

WR Jonathan Baldwin, Pitt

Jonathan Baldwin, I can’t figure you out.

One second you look like James Hardy, the next you show flashes of Calvin Johnson.

Baldwin catches everything thrown in his general radius and he has the makings of a true No. 1 receiver. However, we’re going to have to wait and see how he performs today before true judgements and opinions can be formed.

Some say Baldwin can run a sub 4.4. 40-yard dash.

We’ll see.

WR A.J. Green, Georgia

At this point in the process, Georgia’s A.J. Green is widely considered to be the top wide receiver in the draft and one of the best receiver prospects to come along in years.

Green has every trait you would want in a go-to receiver.

He may not necessarily wow with his workout numbers, but Green has the chance to really solidify his status a top 5 pick with a solid performance.

WR Torrey Smith, Maryland

If you’re a fan of the 40-yard dash, then you’ll probably be a fan of Torrey Smith before the end of the day.

Smith should slaughter the 40. He’s got 4.3 range-type playing speed.

WR Greg Little, North Carolina

We didn’t have the opportunity to see Greg Little compete out on the field in his senior year this past season, so now a lot of people will be wondering what kind of shape he’s currently in.

Judging from the 27 reps Little put up on the bench yesterday, he could be in the right shape to shine in workouts.

The Unknown Guy