My thoughts in the aftermath of the NFL scouting combine:
_ The secret is out. Henry Ruggs is fast. Like really fast, but he's so much more. He has reliable, large hands (measured at over 10 inches in Indy) _ eat your heart out Joe Burrow. Plus, he's a route technician. I'd be shocked if he falls outside of Top 15.
_ Cincinnati is likely locked in on Burrow, but a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will wreak havoc on the Top 5 and force the Bengals to do their due dilligence.
_ Jalen Hurts has done enough to warrant a day two selection as a developmental prospect ... at quarterback. I shouldn't have to clarify this.
_ The top four offensive lineman (Tristan Wirfs, Andrew Thomas, Jedrick Wills and Mekhi Becton) could all go in the Top 10 (more likely they're all gone by the Jets pick at No. 11). No way any of them are available outside the Top 20.
_ Laviska Shenault is a big-play receiver (think a bigger version of Deebo Samuel) and a first-round talent who likely will fall after his combine performance. A slower-than-expected 4.58 40-yard dash and durability concerns are starting to pile up. Trust me, he's plenty fast, but he won't be able to make up for the combine at his pro day because he's going to have surgery to fix a core muscle injury. He's going to be a steal in April.
_ Cornerback Jeffrey Okudah is in a tier by himself for his position, but C.J. Henderson might have seperated himself from the next group to settle just behind Okudah with his performance in Indy.
_ Jonathan Taylor joined only Saquon Barkley as one of just two backs since 2014 to run 4.40 or faster in the 40-yard dash at 225-plus pounds. Athletically, he and Barkley are similar, but you rarely see that in the narrative surrounding Taylor. His elite production leads the way. When you combine the two, you have a running back who deserves to go much higher than he will in April.
_ Isaiah Simmons is an alien.
