2015 NFL Combine- Friday

[datruth55]

The first full day of combine workouts are underway and we’re just getting started. One top rated tight end has already been injured during medical drills and no one will be driving away in a Porsche.

I posted several tweets last week over Adidas canceling the Porsche promotion for the three fastest forty times at the combine for athletes they sponsor. Several sources initially informed me of this Monday then a few more chimed in with the same information yesterday. Just about every source told me Adidas will substitute cash for cars. What caused the cancellation? I don’t know if we’ll ever get the entire story but a number of people have put forth the theory the league pressured Adidas to pull the promotion as Porsche is not an official sponsor of the combine. That has left a lot of people shaking there heads.

As posted earlier on twitter, Rutgers tight end Tyler Kroft had his ankle injured during combine medicals. Yesterday I reported Kroft was expected to run the forty in the 4.6s despite suffering the remnants of an ankle injury suffered during the season. I’m told doctors during the medicals pulled and twisted Kroft’s ankle to test the integrity of the joint and they stretched it a bit to much. Player getting injured during combine medicals is nothing new. I remember hearing a similar story years ago on Penn State linebacker Dan Connor who had to pull out of the combine workout after straining his knee when doctors pulled and twisted his leg to test the joint. Combine workouts can be a hazard as doctors will tug and pulls leg and other joints, especially if medical history shows a prior injury. The end result could be a combine participant who leaves the medical room worse for the where.

Keep a close eye on Cody Fajardo of Nevada tomorrow. Since the Senior Bowl there’s been talk of Fajardo making the move from quarterback to receiver. He’s a sensational athlete but his passing, specifically his accuracy, leaves a lot to be desired. Though there’s been no official word to date it’ll be interesting to see if Fajardo is put through receiver drills at the end of the quarterback practice session.

The same intrigue surrounds Devin Funchess of Michigan and Georgia Tech’s Darren Waller; will they be asked to participate in alternate position drills, specifically at the tight end position?

I’ve heard nothing on Funchess, who I presently grade as my number one tight end. On the other hand Waller is ready to complete tight end drills if asked and I’m told he’s also willing to workout at both positions during his pro-day.

There’s always one receiver who runs faster than expected or jumps higher than anticipated. This year it could be Chris Conley of Georgia who could break into the 4.3’s (listed as a 4.55s forty by scouts entering the season) and later jump north of 42-inches in the vertical.

Don’t expect a blistering forty time from Justin Hardy as he’ll clock around 4.5-seconds. I’m told Hardy has been running exceptional three cone times in training and could make run at the combine record. That represents his route running and separation skills.

I’m told Titus Davis of Central Michigan, who missed time in 2014 with a knee injury, is a 100% fit for his combine workout.

If receiver Devin Smith runs as well as expected the comparisons to Torrey Smith will begin.

Cameron Artis-Payne is riding high after a terrific 2014 campaign then a good performance at the Senior Bowl. While he should run in the mid 4.4’s scouts want him to stand out in pass catching drills on Saturday. The results could be the difference of Artis-Payne sliding into the draft’s initial 100 picks.

Defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin hits the free agent marked after spending his entire career with the Cleveland Browns. Will Rubin remain a Brown? The overriding belief is Rubin has achieved all he can with the Browns and its time to move on.

http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/

 

[xXwarXx]

If Waller is willing to switch to TE he could be intriguing.

But he's def no WR.

 

[j-off-her-doll]

I don't like the comparison of Devin Smith with Torrey Smith. Devin Smith is much, much better with the ball in the air. Smith's hands were always an issue; heading into the draft, he was much worse in that regard than Sammie Coates is.

 

[I am Bane]

"Don’t expect a blistering forty time from Justin Hardy as he’ll clock around 4.5-seconds. I’m told Hardy has been running exceptional three cone times in training and could make run at the combine record. That represents his route running and separation skills."


I love what they said above here on Justin Hardy of ECU. It's exactly what I have been liking a lot about him. Great footwork and route running, and great quickness.... I cant wait to see him in the drills, and if he ran a 4.5 40, thats not bad in any way. Justin Hardy I am big on, cant wait to see.

 

[xXwarXx]

I don't like the comparison of Devin Smith with Torrey Smith. Devin Smith is much, much better with the ball in the air. Smith's hands were always an issue; heading into the draft, he was much worse in that regard than Sammie Coates is.

Agreed about Devin, I don't refer to him as a deep threat WR, I refer to him as an elite deep threat WR. He's like Desean Jackson in that way, players keep getting compared to desean, but none of them become desean, because he's elite at what he does.

Also agree about Torrey, there's a reason the ravens are in no hurry to keep him around, and a good example of why raw stats can be tricky. They look really productive, but so many games you watch and wonder of he's still even on the team, so inconsistent.

"Don’t expect a blistering forty time from Justin Hardy as he’ll clock around 4.5-seconds. I’m told Hardy has been running exceptional three cone times in training and could make run at the combine record. That represents his route running and separation skills."


I love what they said above here on Justin Hardy of ECU. It's exactly what I have been liking a lot about him. Great footwork and route running, and great quickness.... I cant wait to see him in the drills, and if he ran a 4.5 40, thats not bad in any way. Justin Hardy I am big on, cant wait to see.

I would love to see hardy and Landry On Each side of tannehill in the slot. Hardy is one of my favorite players in the draft. You can't shut down players like Hardy and landry, As long as the ball is where it needs to be, there going to get it.

 

[MiamiDolphin618]

Devin Smith is a great deep threat receiver…excellent ability to adjust, with incredible leaping and body control ability. Allows him to play much bigger than he is down the field. I think he has potential to be much much more than a deep threat though. I see some Beckham Jr in him.

Hardy is probably the best route runner in this class. I was a little disappointed in his size just because I thought if he came in at 6' or so that he could play on the outside…Im not saying he can't but I do think teams will view him more as a slot guy. Gotta agree though if he is there in the mid rounds I wouldn't hesitate one second to scoop him up.

 

[matt11390]

"Don’t expect a blistering forty time from Justin Hardy as he’ll clock around 4.5-seconds. I’m told Hardy has been running exceptional three cone times in training and could make run at the combine record. That represents his route running and separation skills."


I love what they said above here on Justin Hardy of ECU. It's exactly what I have been liking a lot about him. Great footwork and route running, and great quickness.... I cant wait to see him in the drills, and if he ran a 4.5 40, thats not bad in any way. Justin Hardy I am big on, cant wait to see.

Some of the best WR's ever ran 4.5 or slower. I like Hardy a lot and he should be available late 2nd or 3rd

 

[Fin Thirteen]

Hardy looks a shade quicker than Landry to me. Landry did a 4.58 at his pro day. I bet Hardy is 4.5 or a tad below. I'd say his 10 yard split will be at least middle of the pack, if not better. We don't have room for Hardy on this roster, IMO, but some team will get a great receiver.

 

[I am Bane]

Hardy looks a shade quicker than Landry to me. Landry did a 4.58 at his pro day. I bet Hardy is 4.5 or a tad below. I'd say his 10 yard split will be at least middle of the pack, if not better. We don't have room for Hardy on this roster, IMO, but some team will get a great receiver.

no room for him??? You know we probably arent having many of our WRs coming back this year. Its looking like Wallace, Matthews and Hazel for now.... I am pretty sure we can squeeze Justin Hardy in there... lol

and if you're just going by his size and speed be careful, he is a very good route runner with great feet and possibly the better YAC guys in the draft. This kid can play... all you gotta do is get open. He can play wide and slot... just like Landry is working on... bring in guys that can play and you can do many things in your offense with them.