Combine: Winners and Losers

This past week the NFL combine took place. It featured different drills such as the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical jump, broad jump, 3-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle and 60-yard shuttle; along with interviews one on one with the player so scouts and team officials can see the psychological aspect to their prospects. For more information about each drill you can click the link. I generally do not put a lot of emphasis in combine numbers because I believe that game film is the most important part to scouting a prospect. Still some prospects had some impressive numbers that will force scouts to take note of. All prospects will have a second chance to do the same drills as the combine at their Pro-Day later this month.

Winners:
Ben Tate, RB, Auburn- Tate came into the combine with the reputation as a hard-nose downhill runner. He didn't fail to prove that by tying for first for running backs in the bench press with 26 reps. What was most impressive was that Tate finished 3rd among RB with a 40-time of 4.43 along with impressive numbers. Tate showed that he has strength to backup his known tough running style and his 40-time help show that he can be an complete back that has not only strength but speed.

Ed Dickson, TE, Oregon- Dickson reputation has always been he will be a great receiving TE but doesn't have the size to be dominate in blocking. If he wants to make it in the NFL he needed to show he can be a play maker by catching the ball. From watching him on throwing drills he showed great awareness and effort by adjusting his route according to the ball. His 40-time was a 4.67, which was probably higher then most had him at. I think Dickson proved that he can be a good receiving threat for teams.

Taylor Mays, S, USC- Mays was projected a top-15 draft pick last year but decided to return to USC for his senior year. That choice might just drop him out of the first round of the draft this year. Mays showed he is not a ball-hawking safety, there is no denying he is an athletic freak and has the potential to be great. Mays entered the combine tagged as a fast and powerful guy. His 40-time didn't disappoint as he posted a 4.43, the fastest out of any defensive back. When it comes to his strength he helped show it in the bench press by tying for second doing 24 reps.

Other notable winners: Jacoby Ford ran fastest 40 time of a 4.28. Jahvid Best ran the fastest RB 40 time of 4.35. Elite prospect Eric Berry had 4.47 40 time, third best overall vertical jump and second overall long jump. Golden Tate shut the critics about his speed. Tim Tebow showed his athleticism and maybe that he can play more then QB.

Losers:
Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida- The Gator star didn't look impressive during his workouts at all. He was very stiff and had a terrible base while running drills. During the interviewing process he seemed immature. Dunlap had legal trouble during college which already hurts his draft stock. Before the combine I had Dunlap falling out of the first round, now I have no reason to believe he will fall into the second round.

Vince Oghobaase, DT, Duke- Oghobasse was known as an athletic DT that had great size. While you can't take away his size, his workouts had people scratching their heads when labeling him as "athletic." He ran a 5.43 40-time which for a DT they run slow 40s but most people would have expected his time to be much faster. Two years ago he looked like a 1st/2nd round prospect, after a disappointing senior season from injuries, decline in production and poor combine he is likely to be lucky to be a third round selection.

Ciron Black, OT, LSU- Black is hailed as a more of a power lineman, good for run blocking. But for the bench press he only did a mediocre 23 reps and even though 40-yard times for offensive lineman should not really be counted a 5.5 leaves many to believe he will struggle against fast DE. His sliding drills further reinforced this fear because he was very unbalanced. Black at one time had early mocks projecting him in the first round, now their is no way he goes that high. Look for teams to draft him in the second and more likely third round.

Other notable losers: Brandon Spikes, former Gator star showed his athleticism which might drop him out of the first and into the second round. Joe Haden another former Gator didn't "wow" people with his performance like we all expected, he is still the best CB but his stock might push him out of top-10. Fellow top CB prospect from Michigan Donovan Warren ran a awful 40-yard time of 4.69. These questions might help fellow CB Kyle Wilson and Patrick Robinson move up in their respected position.