NFL Draft Grapevine: NFL Scouting Combine
The 2009 NFL Scouting Combine is almost wrapped up. It's time to review some of the high points and key notes of the offensive playmakers to help prep you for the upcoming NFL Draft.
Quarterbacks
Mark Sanchez, South California Trojans
Wow. Where to begin? The consensus on Sanchez's combine performance is, well, non-existent. You will read reports all over the place - he was terrible, he was average, he was very good. Sanchez threw well on underneath patterns, especially on slant routes, but he struggled making the deep out throws, according to most accounts. Some evaluators felt his deep ball was adequate, while others noted how receivers had to slow to catch the under-thrown passes. Furthermore, Sanchez was criticized for an elongated release. The reviews of Sanchez are a mixed bag, but it's probable he remains a likely top-15 draft pick this April.
Pat White, West Virginia Mountaineers
White continued the momentum he built from the 2009 Senior Bowl by further impressing observers with his arm. Not only did he throw well, the projected "slash" player moved well and posted a position-best 35-inch vertical jump. A secure midround selection, White's NFL future likely remains on the outside looking in at the quarterback position.
Josh Freeman, Kansas State Wildcats
The big-bodied Freeman's workout was erratic. He threw two nice deep passes, in particular, but he also looked very raw with plenty of other throws. Freeman has been speculated as a potential first-round pick due to his combination of size (6-foot-5 3/4, 248 pounds) and arm strength, but that seems overly optimistic at this point.
Running Backs
Chris Wells, Ohio State Buckeyes
Wells ran a 4.59-second 40-yard dash, which isn't bad at 6-foot-1, 235 pounds, but it's not great, either. The burly tailback probably did not harm his draft stock in any way, but we don't expect him to be a high first-round pick due to the lack of need at running back this year. He surely has the talent, but barring a trade, we don't expect him to go off the board until the late first round.
Knowshon Moreno, Georgia Bulldogs
The former Bulldog checked in a little heavier than expected - but in a good way - at 217 pounds on his 5-foot-10 5/8 frame. However, with the added weight came a 40 time that was less than stellar at 4.63 seconds. Despite the slower time (one time in the upper 4.5s), Moreno was nothing short of excellent with his footwork, hands and quickness in the other drills. He plays faster than he times and shouldn't find himself sliding at all on draft day.
Donald Brown, Connecticut Huskies
Brown measured 5-foot-10 1/4, 210 pounds, ran a 4.51 40, which is better than many had predicted he would run. He was fluid during his drills and reached 41 1/2 inches in the vertical jump test. Expect Brown's name to be called in the second round of April's draft.
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They are basically slamming Wells 40 time when he was faster than the smaller Moreno. go figure. I wasn't really impressed with Wells anyway, but thought that strange.
