No one has ever gone to the Hall of Fame for being a superstar at the NFL Combine. But one of the first chances for all 32 teams to take an up-close-and-personal look at most of the top prospects in this April’s draft is important, nonetheless. Exceed expectations, and you’ll make yourself a good chunk of money. Show up out of shape or bomb an interview, however, and watch your stock tumble.
Over the four days, many folks stood out for one reason or another. Here are three who saw their draft positions likely rise... and three who will take a fall on draft day:
Winners:
Jalen Hurts:
Many of the top quarterbacks in the class didn’t affect their stock much one way or another – Tua Tagovailoa’s medical reports came back positive, Justin Herbert’s measurables are a scout’s dream, and Joe Burrow is still the likely number one pick. Then there’s Hurts, who was merely okay at the Senior Bowl, but had a good combine. He was the second-fastest QB in the 40-yard dash, which isn’t surprising. What was impressive was his performance in the passing drills. For someone who some think might transition to wide receiver in the NFL, he may be a Day 2 quarterback.
Mekhi Becton:
It takes a decent amount for an offensive lineman to steal the show at a combine, and boy did Becton do that. The biggest player at this year’s event, the former Louisville Cardinal stands at 6-foot-7 and 364 pounds... yet still finished with a 5.1 time in the 40. For context, an offensive lineman that’s 30 or 40 pounds lighter would be expected to run that kind of time. He’ll be a first-rounder.
Jonathan Taylor:
One of the most decorated running backs in college football history, there were questions as to how Taylor would translate to the NFL. For starters, his 4.39 performance in the 40 was the fastest among all running backs, despite his 226-pound frame. The fact that he has 926 collegiate carries to his name will scare many teams off, and it will likely cost him an earlier selection. However, he’ll be phenomenal value late in Day 2 or early Day 3.
Losers:
Jake Fromm:
His measurables were average, as expected, and his passing drills only reiterated what many who saw him play at Georgia believed: he has a ceiling. He has everything you want in a franchise quarterback from an intangible standpoint, but does he have the physical tools to do it at the highest level? The answer isn’t any clearer after the combine.
Jared Pinkney:
The tight end from Vanderbilt stormed onto the scene with a big 2018 with the Commodores, but he’s tailed off since. His production dipped from 50 receptions, 774 yards and seven touchdowns to 20/233/2 (albeit in five fewer games), and then he disappointed in Indy. His 40 time was the slowest among all tight ends – in fact, it was the slowest among all non-linemen and quarterbacks. A potential Day 2 guy is now firmly entrenched in the mid-to-late rounds.
Laviska Shenault:
Another breakout guy after a monster 2018, injuries are piling up for the former Colorado receiver. At the combine he was dealing with a core muscle injury that will require surgery, forcing him to miss Pro Day. The result was a 4.58-second 40, one of the slower times among wideouts. He has all the physical tools, standing at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds. But he has a growing list of injuries, including inflammation of the pubic bone, toe surgery and shoulder surgery.
