NFL Combine Thoughts- Part 2

Part 2 of the Combine review-

- Stephen Hill, the WR from Georgia Tech, is this year's Julio Jones, only without the resume. The Yellowjackets are an option team, so the tape on his receiving ability is pretty short. Still, at 6'4, running a 4.36 40-yard dash, and with a vert of 39.5, plus very solid receiving drills may have made himself a first round pick.

- Michael Floyd is the real deal. He is extremely impressive, and will be a solid #1 receiver in this league.

- Justin Blackmon did nothing to hurt his stock, but he just wasn't as impressive because he didn't do all of the workouts.

- LaMicheal James is fast. Like, really fast. And he can catch. We will be a good change of pace back, maybe like Darren Sproles, who could help a team with a bigger main RB.

- There are two backs that I would take if I was an NFL GM looking for a true every down back a la Adrian Peterson or Maurice Jones-Drew. Shockingly, neither of those men are named Trent Richardson. They are Isaiah Pead from Cincinnati and Doug Martin of Boise State. Pead carried the Bearcats his entire career, and can handle a ton of carries. Martin is strong, fast, can catch, and (most importantly) is the best pass protecting RB available in the draft. I'd take Martin first. Fell in love with him yesterday. Expect big things.

- Oh the quarterbacks. They were fun to watch. Two men didn't throw, but were still amazingly impressive. Andrew Luck put up all of the same combine numbers as Cam Newton, and had the pedigree and football knowledge that the scouts already love to go along with it. Robert Griffin III won the Combine. He measured in at 6'2 3/8" tall. He put up the fastest QB 40-time since 2006, at 4.41 seconds. He had a great high and broad jump. He blew me away in his interviews with Rich Eisen and the boys at NFL Network. I would love to have him as my QB. If I am the Rams, I am trading Sam Bradford to get RG3. You could still get two first rounders for Sam Bradford. It is going to take a lot more now for RG3. (Note: SportsCenter just announced the Rams WILL NOT trade Bradford, and will move the #2 pick. So, pony up the picks, boys).

- Here is how much I love RG3: I hope he doesn't come to the Redskins. I would love it if he were the QB here in DC. But I have watched the Skins my entire life. I know how, in the past 20 years, they have done nothing. They have ruined the careers of solid young players who thrive elsewhere. They have constant upheaval and controversy. There is no doubt in my mind that Kyle Shanahan would destroy this kid's career. So, Cleveland or Miami, make your move and save RG3 from the Snyder Curse.

- Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill didn't participate in the workouts, so no news on him. Arizona State QB Brock Osweiler (all 6'8 of him) didn't participate either. Tannehill is the presumptive 3rd QB in the class, and Osweiler has some good buzz. But here are the guys that helped their stock in my eyes: Kirk Cousins of Michigan State carried himself well, had good workout numbers, and could make every throw. LSU QB Jordan Jefferson displayed a huge arm to go along with his athleticism that could guarantee him at least a spot on a 52-man roster. San Diego State QB Ryan Lindley measured in as a prototype starter at 6'4, 230 lb, and threw extremely well. He is still a developmental talent, but he could be the diamond in the ruff of this draft.

- Which QBs hurt themselves? Nick Foles of Arizona. He missed a lot of throws. He ran slow. He could have been passed by at least Cousins. He is still a mid-round pick, but we could be seeing him in the 4th instead of the 2nd round now.

- There are three big wild card QBs in the draft this year. Boise State's Kellen Moore may be the smartest QB in the draft when it comes to knowing how to play his position. But at 6'0 and with an arm that is more like Chad Pennington's than Cam Newton's, he will have to show he can make that deep out pass effectively if he wants to have an impact in the NFL. Darron Thomas of Oregon through well, measured well, and comes from a high powered offense at Oregon. He needs to prove he isn't a system QB, and fine tune his mechanics for a quicker release. Russell Wilson of Wisconsin is a brilliant talent. He has the arm, the athleticism and the leadership. The problem is that he is 5'11. There is only one starting QB in the NFL that is 6'0 or below, and that is Michael Vick. If Wilson can prove he can throw out of the pocket (like 6'1 Drew Brees) and take the hits an NFL QB takes without getting hurt (unlike Vick), then he is a great addition to any team.


Coming tomorrow- the defensive lineman and linebackers.