2008 NFL Combine — QBs, WRs, and RBs, Oh My!

This is the day when the players in the spotlight…um…are in the spotlight. Each of the groups today — QBs, WRs, and RBs — are packed with unproven talent. And what I mean by that is aside from the top 3-5 prospects, there are a handful of players that have NFL potential and have alot to prove. And best of all, there are a crop of RBs thought to run some lightning 40-yard dash times!

In the case of the quarterbacks, there are three clear favorites…and one hiding in their shadows. Here are my top 5 quarterbacks:

1. Matt Ryan, Boston College. Decided to wait to throw the ball on BC’s Pro Day on March 18th. I like Matt because is the most NFL-ready QB in terms of his developed skill set. If it weren’t for that, he’d be #3 or #4 on my list. He threw 19 INTs, but boasts a 60% completion percentage. That, and I liked him in Van Wilder. He ran a 4.98 40-yd dash.
2. Joe Flacco, University of Delaware. The most upside of the “elite” group. He’s taking some criticism for his lack of footwork because he was primarily a shotgun QB, not to mention a Div I-AA player. Who cares? Watch his highlight video. He’s good. He ran a 4.78 in the 40, which definitely helped his stock.
3. Brian Brohm, Louisville. He has a ton of experience. He’s a 4-year starter. And he’s efficient with better than 63% completion percentage in each of his four seasons, not to mention he threw no more than 5 INTs each season but 2007. He threw 12 picks; but Louisville also went 6-6 and lost their offensive guide, Bobby Petrino. As far as the Combine, he ran a 4.83 in the 40-yard dash, leaped 30″ vertical (#3), and he threw the ball well in drills today.
4. Chad Henne, Michigan. Henne’s strong point is his accuracy, which he exhibited late in the day today as well as in the Senior Bowl throwing the North’s only two touchdowns. Like those of Brian Brohm, Henne’s fundamentals look natural. Henne ran a best of 4.90 in the 40-yard dash.
5. Dennis Dixon, Oregon. Lost draft stock momentum after his injury late in the season, but he’s still a valueable prospect. He threw for 368 yards and a career-high 4 touchdowns in the Ducks’ win over Michigan. I still believe he is the second coming of Vince Young, but with much more patience in the pocket…something VY is still working on. He did not work out at the Combine, but Oregon’s Pro Day is April 3rd.

This year will feature a handful of quality QBs from which to choose. It will be hard to ignore guys like John David Booty of USC, Erik Ainge of Tennesse, Matt Flynn of LSU, and Anthony Morelli of Penn State. Kevin O’Connell of San Diego State is certainly worth mention in the list of value prospects. He’s mobile and accurate.

Josh Johnson of U of San Diego ran a 4.44 & 4.40 (#1) in the 40-yard dash and exploded for a 33.5″ vertical jump (#1). Apparently he’s developed into a standout throughout the season (43 TDs, 1 INT), but did not receive national attention until he was named MVP of the East-West Shrine Game. And he threw the ball well in drills today.

Notice I left Andre Woodson of Kentucky out of the top 5 list. I don’t believe he’s an honorable mention either. I’ve got two words for you: Byron Leftwich. Despite not working out in today’s drills (he wore flip flops), he has an ugly throw, and overhyped as a result of team’s success. I know. Sounds mean…and probably ridiculous to most. I’m sure he’ll be one of the first five QBs drafted, but I just don’t think he’ll be as great as people think he’ll be in the long run. And Colt Brennan of Hawaii? He’s obviously lost momentum with his poor Sugar Bowl performance and his lackluster Senior Bowl. I honestly don’t know what will happen to him.

Wide Receivers
The wide receiver class isn’t horribly deep, but there are a good number of fast guys with good size and soft hands. Regardless, I’ll try my best to gauge the top 5 wide receivers available for the 2008 NFL Draft:

1. Dexter Jackson, Appalachian State. Let me get this straight. You don’t draft the best receiver first because he’s a Div I-AA player? Dex churned out a 4.27 (#1) in the 40-yard dash.
2. Limas Sweed, Texas. 4.46 & 4.53. Opted not to participate in any catching drills
3. DeSean Jackson, Cal. 4.31 (#2) in the 40-yard dash.
4. Mario Manningham, Michigan. Disappointing performances in the 40-yard dash (4.59 & 4.62), but he’s a gamer so to hell with those times.
5. Devin Thomas, Michigan State. Thomas caught 79 receptions for 1,260 yards and 8 TDs in 2007, and averaged about 30 yards per kickoff return. He raised even more eyebrows with his consistently fast 40-yard dash times: 4.34 & 4.32. And as Marshall Faulk so astutely pointed out, Devin Thomas’ Combine performance could be best described by the Price Is Right Cliff Hanger…climbing his way to the top of many team’s draft sheets.

Other receivers worth mention are Jordy Nelson of Kansas State who ran a 4.51 & 4.49 in the 40-yard dash, Malcolm Kelly of Oklahoma, and Early Doucet of LSU. All of these guys were studs on their respective squads and should be scooped up on the first day.

Running Backs
This one category that I can actually agree the “great” Mike Mayock…at least for the first three RBs:

1. Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois. Ran a 4.43 & a 4.37. He’s the best choice for any team because he’s an effective runner as well as an effective receiver.
2. Darren McFadden, Arkansas. Ran a 4.27 & a 4.33. Big playmaker in open space. Notsomuch in traffic.
3. Jonathan Stewart, Oregon. Ran a 4.44 & a 4.49, had a 36.5″ vertical, and knocked out 28 reps (#3) in the bench press. He’s the closest thing to Marion Barber III in this draft.
4. Ray Rice, Rutgers. Ran a 4.44. He’s got really good awareness behind the line of scrimmage. However, his burst of speed doesn’t ususally come until he sits that hole. Then it’s bye-bye Ray Ray.
5. Jamaal Charles, Texas. Ran a 4.36 & 4.39. Criticized for leaving Texas early…or prematurely, I should say. Regardless, he has great break away speed, and he can catch the ball well.

Chris Johnson of East Carolina ran a 4.24 in the 40-yard dash, which was the quickest 40 of the day (his first attempt was a 4.29). Aside from being the fastest man on the field (thought previously to be Jamaal Charles), he’s very surefooted between the tackles and obviously a threat outside of that. Mike Hart of Michigan turned in a 4.61 in the 40, but will be considered purely on his unmatched work ethic, his leadership, and relentless effort on every snap. And some analysts have Darren McFaddin’s Arkansas teammate, Felix Jones, as a top 5 RB. He’s good, but not that good. And like Hart, you can’t discount the abilities of Jacob Hester based on his disappointing 40-yard dash. And what about Kevin Smith of Central Florida? He [only] ran a 4.43…but 2,567 yards later and the joystick-like change of direction, he’ll be a great value to one lucky team.

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