February 24, 2015 - Greg Gabriel
2015 NFL Combine Notebook – Part IV
Going into this year's Combine, the safety class looked weak compared with the last few years. There have been a few scouts who have told me that they feel there is only one legitimate starter in this year's class and that's Alabama's Landon Collins. There are other players who have a chance to be eventual starters, but it's not a certainty.
As for the corner class, it has some depth to it, but when you look at the numbers posted yesterday, the athletic talent is average as compared to past years.
Trae Waynes - Michigan State
Waynes didn't disappoint as he ran a 4.32 in the 40. I was a little disappointed in his agility drills, where he posted times of 7.06 in the 3-cone and 4.39 in the 20 yard shuttle. There are linebackers who had better times. Don't be surprised if he runs those drills again at the MSU pro day.
Byron Jones - UConn
Jones was the talk of the day after jumping 44.5" in the vertical and 12'2" in the long jump to set a combine record. His 20-yard shuttle and 3-cone were also impressive. His 20-yard shuttle time was 3.94 and his 3-come was 6.78. The amazing part about those times is that Jones was just cleared to start working out after having shoulder surgery. He hasn't spent the last four to six weeks at a training facility preparing for the combine. Those numbers were on pure natural ability. Going into the Combine, Jones wasn't on many teams' radars. After that performance, you can bet all 32 clubs will be visiting UConn over the next six weeks.
Kevin Johnson - Wake Forest
Kevin didn't run as expected, timing 4.52 in the 40, but the rest of his workout was outstanding. He had a 41" vertical and went 10'10" in the long jump, while his agilities were 3.89 and 6.79 respectively. With Johnson's height and length and overall athleticism, he is a sure first round pick but I would bet he runs again at his pro day to try and improve on that 4.52.
Steve Nelson - Oregon State
After doing tape work on Nelson, I was excited because I love the way he plays the game. On tape he is quick, feisty and aggressive. What I thought might hurt him was his height. I thought he may be under 5'10, which is the cutoff number for many teams at the corner position. He measured an even 5'10 at Indy with 30 5/8" arms. With him running 4.49, he will be on every team's draft board and will most likely be drafted in the second or third round. He is a fun player to watch.
Adrian Amos - Penn State
With the safety position lacking quality depth, Amos really helped himself. At 6000 - 218 he has very good size. I think many people were surprised at how well he tested. He ran the 40 in 4.49, had a 35.5" vertical jump, 10'2" long jump and agilities of 4.03 and 7.09. Those were all very good numbers for the safety position.
Anthony Harris from Virginia and Derron Smith from Fresno State did not workout, so we will have to wait until their pro days to find out what they can do.
Kurtis Drummond - Michigan State
There were mixed opinions on Drummond going into the Combine and if anything, he may have hurt himself with his speed. He ran 4.65 and 4.70 with his two 40's. He did much better with the other drills, going 39.5 in the vertical and 7.09 in the 3 cone. He didn't bench, so at the MSU pro day he will need to run again as well as lift.
Cody Prewitt - Ole Miss
Prewitt is another player who will need to run again at his pro day. He ran 4.60 and 4.70 on his two 40's. With that difference, scouts are wondering which one is right?
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