All eyes will be on the NFL Combine later this week as college players are checked out all over and over again. Some of the more intriguing names to be in Indianapolis.
11. Daniel Jones, Duke
The 6-5, 220-pound Blue Devil quarterback has been consistent in his three college seasons, throwing for around 2,800 yards in each. His Duke coach David Cutcliffe knows quarterbacks and loves Jones. “He’s so accurate. He’s big. He’s fast. He’s athletic. He understands the game,” Cutcliffe said. :He’s got a fast-twitch mind to go with that fast-twitch body. He’s got impeccable character. You don’t get many chances to draft a guy like that.” He did not have a strong week at the Senior Bowl and arm strength is a question.
10. Ed Oliver, Houston
Ed Oliver had a controversial final year with the Cougars. He brings NFL talent to the draft and seemed to already have a pro attitude in college. The 6-foot-3, 292-pounder has been an incredible force from his freshman season. His junior year was derailed by a knee injury and he had a much-publicized dust-up with then-coach Major Applewhite on the sideline during a game.
9. Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
Comes into the Combine as a well-thought prospect. However, the 6-0, 200-pounder did not break the 900-yard mark in any of his seasons in Columbia. This day and age that is curious. Injuries derailed his first and third seasons as a Gamecock, limiting Samuel to eight total games. He is versatile and can be handed the ball as well as having it thrown to him. Strong route runner but must find a way to avoid the injury bug. Samuel caught 62 passes for 882 yards as a senior. He also has four kick return touchdowns at South Carolina.
8. Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
College career saw ups and downs as he was at Baylor when the scandal that led to Art Briles’ firing broke out. Big question is whether he is ready for the jump to the NFL from Auburn after a lackluster final year. Five of his 18 TD passes came in the Music City Bowl blowout of Purdue. Has strong arm. SI did fascinating story on his background in 2018.
7. L’il Jordan Humphrey, Texas
One of the best names in the draft. The Longhorns’ WR broke out big time in 2018 with 86 catches for 1,137 yards. Prior to that, he had 39 catches in two seasons. Great size at 6-foot-4, 225 and has excellent hands and is rugged to bring down after the catch.
6. Dan Godsil, Indiana
How about inviting a Hoosier long snapper to the Combine? That is what the NFL did and their bios have him as the lone person at that position to earn an invite. He’s 6-foot-3, 218 and his dad did the same work. His father, Dave, was a defensive lineman at the University of Dayton who also snapped the ball back to the punter.
5. KeeSean Johnson
No relation to the former USC star who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft. Kee Sean Johnson played college ball at Fresno State. Caught 192 balls and 16 TDs as a junior and senior at Fresno. If nothing else, his name makes more more than a curiosity.
4. Rashan Gary, Michigan
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sport
Arguably the top recruit in the country when he left New Jersey for Ann Arbor. Daniel Jeremiah had great things to write about the defensive lineman before the 2018 season: Gary is a special player and he’s not remotely close to tapping into his full potential. He fits in every defensive system and has the tools to dominate on all three downs. He’s 6-foot-5 and 280-plus pounds.
3. Elijah Holyfield, Georgia
Big name before he stepped on the field, the son of the former heavyweight champ comes out of the Athens running back factory. Todd Gurley, Nick Chubb, Sony Michel. Is Holyfield the next in line? He’s 5-11, 215 and did break the 1,000-yard mark as a junior. Prior to that, Holyfield rushed for only 322 yards. That could be a red flag.
2. Nassir Adderley, Delaware
Talk about defensive back genes. His cousin, Herb Adderley, was an All-Pro defensive back with the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, won three Super Bowls, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980. His grandfather, Nelson Adderley, played college football at Ohio State and later in the Canadian Football?League. Might be the best small-college player in this year’s draft process.
1. Kyler Murray
The NFL has to decide if he has the goods as a sub-6-0 quarterback coming out of Oklahoma. Doesn’t have the great size, but neither does Russell Wilson. His road to the NFL Draft has been a soap opera as he signed with the Oakland Athletics after being drafted ninth and then decided his heart was in football. All sorts of intrigue with Murray.
