NFL
NFL Scouting Combine Stock Report
Who impressed decision-makers the most? Who disappointed?
Brian Spurlock / USA TODAY Sports
The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine is officially in the books. As expected, there were saw some incredible athletic feats and plenty of highlights. While many players confirmed everything evaluators thought they knew, several others gave reason to revisit their game film. The Draft is still well over a month away, but here are the prospects that capitalized on the biggest opportunity of their career, and those that didn’t.
Compilation video of Andrew Thomas and Jedrick Wills on field work at the Combine. Wills really blew me away tonight (look at that punch!) and Thomas continues to look smooth and incredibly athletic. Absolutely awesome to see these athletes go to work. pic.twitter.com/eTYHXp1PWK
— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) February 29, 2020
Put simply, the top of this year’s OT group is fantastic. In any given draft class, each of Jedrick Wills (Alabama), Tristan Wirfs (Iowa), Andrew Thomas (Georgia), or Mekhi Becton (Louisville) would be OT1. Instead, we get to see them workout side-by-side and marvel at their unfathomable athleticism.
Even outside of the top 4, Josh Jones (Houston), Austin Jackson (USC), and Isaiah Wilson (Georgia) also looked like strong top-50 picks. This class is star-studded and very top-heavy, so any team that needs a tackle should make sure they secure one early.
Proj. Round: 4 OT in 1st Rd
Ht: 6’1″ | Wt: 202 lbs | Hand: 9-1/8″ | Arms: 33″
40-YD: 4.43s | Bench: N/A | Vert: 37.5″ | Broad: 126″
Justin Jefferson gauntlet pic.twitter.com/pXwBc5nsj8
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 28, 2020
Despite an incredibly productive season, many had questions about Jefferson’s athletic profile along with the fact he was catching passes from the Heisman Trophy winner.
Not only did he run faster than expected, he looked like the dynamic receiver who lit up the SEC all season. His strengths were evident and his supposed weaknesses appeared nonexistent.
After showing out in front of all 32 teams without his regular QB, Jefferson could possibly soar all the way up to WR3 in a deep, talented class.
Proj. Round: 1st Rd
Ht: 6’4″ | Wt: 238 lbs | Hand: 9-7/8″ | Arms: 32.5″
40-YD: 4.42s | Bench: 19 reps | Vert: 40.5″ | Broad: 126″
.@NDFootball WR @ChaseClaypool‘s impressive workout at Combine!
: 2020 #NFLCombine continues at 4 pm ET on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/45caaNKgIo
— NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2020
Due to his size and supposed lack of explosiveness, many entertained the idea of Claypool working out as a TE (which certainly would have bolstered the group). And at 6’4″, 238 lbs, that’s not a far-fetched idea.
However, Claypool came to Indy on a mission to prove his worth as a WR. He killed the athletic tests and looked great in the on-field drills, effectively quieting the TE talk for now. While the Calvin Johnson comparisons are a bit ridiculous, Chase Claypool definitely earned himself some money Thursday.
Proj. Round: 2nd-3rd Rd
Ht: 6’3″ | Wt: 293 lbs | Hand: 9″ | Arms: 33.5″
40-YD: 4.83s | Bench: 31 reps | Vert: N/A | Broad: N/A
Pass rush drill
Benito Jones – Ole Miss
Rashard Lawrence – LSU
Justin Madubuike – Texas A&M
Larrell Muchison – NC State pic.twitter.com/EHhoSIua04— SUSPENDED AGAIN (@FTBeard1) February 29, 2020
Justin Madubuike was already pretty high in PSO’s rankings (full list coming soon), but what a performance for the A&M product. Among participating DL, Madubuike earned the 3rd-best athleticism score (94), just barely behind Khalil (99) and Carlos Davis (96), and well ahead of 4th place (Neville Gallimore — 88).
Along with 33 bench reps (4th among DL) and a top-10 40-time (4.83) and 3-cone (7.37), Madubuike had one of the more impressive on-field workouts. Leaving no questions about his athleticism unanswered, expect to hear his name a lot more leading up to Draft Night.
Proj. Round: Late-1st Rd
Ht: 6’4″ | Wt: 238 lbs | Hand: 9-5/8″ | Arms: 33-3/8″
40-YD: 4.39s | Bench: N/A | Vert: 39″ | Broad: 132″
Isaiah Simmons is just differentpic.twitter.com/53ktaS4p6C
— PFF (@PFF) March 1, 2020
This was expected. Everyone already knew Isaiah Simmons was an athletic freak, the Combine simply confirmed this fact. While he performed as-advertised, evaluators were thrilled to see his weigh-in: 238 pounds.
“What position will he play?” is often the question that follows the mention of Simmons. Testing that well at that size, it’s clear he can line up wherever the defense needs him on any given play. Big enough to play Linebacker in the box, and athletic enough to run with skill players as a Defensive Back.
The ultimate Swiss Army Knife, Simmons can cover the middle of the field, cover deep, cover the slot, rush the passer, and play the run at an extremely high level. Creative defensive coordinators should be salivating over a talent like this, not pigeon-holing him into a single position.
Proj. Round: Top-5 Pick
.@LanceZierlein’s bio on Mitchell Wilcox:
“Struggles getting hands catch-ready when throws are on top of him”
Yeah, checks out. Good work Lance!
pic.twitter.com/4IGm5I32nV— Ste Hoare (@stehoare) February 27, 2020
After Cole Kmet (Notre Dame), this year’s TE class was interesting but unsettled. Unfortunately, Thursday’s workout and on-field drills presented more questions rather than answers.
Harrison Bryant (FAU) appeared to have added weight, which slowed him down considerably (4.73). Jared Pinckney (Vanderbilt) could have rebounded from a rough 2019 season but was stiffer and slower (4.96) than some of the OL.
At least one of CJ O’Grady (Arkansas), Hunter Bryant (Washington), Adam Trautman (Dayton), Charlie Taumoepeau (Portland State), or Brycen Hopkins (Purdue) was expected to separate themselves from the pack, but none could.
Dalton Keene (Virginia Tech) tested well and Albert Okwuegbunam (Missouri) ran an impressive 4.49s 40, but the class as a whole is uninspiring. Kmet should be selected relatively early, but the rest might be waiting a while for their name to be called in April.
Proj. Round: None in 1st Rd
Ht: 6’5″ | Wt: 275 lbs | Hand: 10-1/8″ | Arms: 34.5″
40-YD: 5.04s | Bench: 17 reps | Vert: 32.5″ | Broad: 117″
Hoop drill
Raekwon Davis – Alabama
AJ Epenesa – Iowa pic.twitter.com/4nK7fmgxUT— SUSPENDED AGAIN (@FTBeard1) February 29, 2020
A very intriguing prospect coming into the season, AJ Epenesa’s stock has taken a tumble after a slow start to the season. Too big and stiff for a true EDGE, his 17 reps on the bench did him no favors.
While nobody expected Myles Garrett-like numbers, he needed to at least display raw strength in order to compensate for the lack of athleticism.
Once thought of as a top-10 pick, Epenesa could very well fall out of the 1st round altogether without a redeeming Pro Day performance.
Proj. Round: Early 2nd Rd
Ht: 6’2″ | Wt: 308 lbs | Hand: 11″ | Arm: 34.25″
40-YD: 5.07s | Bench: 22 reps | Vert: N/A | Broad: N/A
Hoop drill
Benito Jones – Ole Miss
Rashard Lawrence – LSU pic.twitter.com/5ctJN9Vhd3— SUSPENDED AGAIN (@FTBeard1) February 29, 2020
Despite a strong career that culminated in a National Championship, Rashard Lawrence did not look great compared to his peers. A lot of it has to do with stiffness and the fact he plays very upright, and that didn’t change much during his on-field drills.
With average size and athleticism, he was at least able to show some powerful punches with those 11″ mitts (video above). Though I do like his hand fighting, it doesn’t make up for the inability to drop his hips and play with a lower pad level, which will limit his effectiveness against stronger competition.
Proj. Round: 3rd Rd
Ht: 6’1″ | Wt: 227 lbs | Hands: 9″ | Arms: 31-7/8″
40-YD: 4.58s | Bench: 17 reps | Vert: N/A | Broad: N/A
#Colorado WR Laviska Shenault with a 4.59u on his 1st 40 attempt.
Shenault is 6’1”, 227. Built like a tank.#GoBuffs | @CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/s2xp7Zkn3s— Steve Frederick (@_SteveFrederick) February 28, 2020
Shenault was projected near the top of this loaded WR class, but shortly after a disappointing 40-time, news broke that he will need surgery to repair a core muscle injury (out 4-6 weeks).
That explains why he participated in nothing else after the 40, but it’s unfortunate that he won’t be able to make up for it at his Pro Day. Hopefully this injury doesn’t leave Shenault as the forgotten man, but the class may simply be too talented for his stock to not fall.
Proj. Round: Late 1st/2nd
Patrick Queen goes down as well with an hamstring injury… He finished his 40 and ran 4.51… #NFLCombine
pic.twitter.com/keo3l0anFV— Christopher Reiss (@NFL_ChrisReiss) March 1, 2020
After Isaiah Simmons (Clemson), the battle for LB2 initially appeared to be a two-horse race between Kenneth Murray (Oklahoma) and Patrick Queen (LSU). Both, however, unfortunately pulled a hamstring while running the 40. They tested well, clocking a 4.52 and 4.51, respectively, but were unable to participate any further.
EDGE Josh Uche (Michigan) was also unable to participate due to a hamstring injury sustained during the Senior Bowl (as were two of his teammates, G Ben Bredeson and TE Sean McKeon — what’s going on, Jim?).
All 3 still project as early-round picks, its just unfortunate that they were unable to give a full display of their athleticism.
Proj. Round: Late 1st/2nd Rd
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