Every year there are plenty of questions and predictions on the NFL Scouting Combine. One of the biggest events during the pre-draft process, there is always players that surprise and some well-known that end up being snubs.
As the week ends, we are able to reflect on the outcome and draw up we didn’t know, but have a strong idea on as we enter a flood of Pro Days.
With that, here are six things we didn’t know before the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.
No. 1 | Who would take the 40-yard dash crown
Everyone’s attention is gravitated towards the 40-yard dash every year when it comes to combine. The question is always raised on who will run the fastest, and dethrone Bengals’ John Ross and his blazing 4.22. Though no one topped Ross’ time, an unexpected name appeared out of nowhere, Ole Miss’ Zedrick Woods.
Woods ran a 4.29-second 40-yard dash, topping Auburn cornerback Jamel Dean, who ran a 4.30 earlier, for the best time in the event. Ohio State’s Parris Campbell and Massachusetts’ Andy Isabella, both wide receivers, tied for third place after running 4.31, respectively.
With the time, Woods likely raised his draft stock from an undrafted free agent to a Day 3 selection. A three-year starter for the Rebels, Woods recorded 79 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles this past season as a senior.
No. 2 | Who would fly up the draft board
The combine isn’t about changing opinions on a player’s college production and film evaluation. It’s a chance for the many young football players to shine and show NFL evaluators that their athleticism exceeded what they showed on film, making their upside that much higher.
With that, we saw many players that helped themselves with a strong showing in Indy that were either supposed to test well from what was shown on the tape or the ones that came out of left field and surprising, helping their draft stock.
This year’s group of prospects included the likes of Washington offensive tackle Kaleb McGary, Ohio State wide receiver Parris Campbell, LSU tight end Foster Moreau and many more.
No. 3 | Where the injury bug would bite
In a weekend filled with athletic testing that includes going balls to the wall in strength and speed drills, injuries are bound to happen. No one has control of the outcome, but it occurs on a yearly basis at the combine, leaving many with the desire to know how a certain prospect fares.
This year was no different, as a handful of players either did not get to test in on-field drills like Ohio State cornerback Kendall Sheffield, who suffered a sprained pectoral muscle from the bench press or New Mexico State linebacker Terrill Hanks, who supposedly suffered a lower body injury during the 40-yard dash, which hindered his time significantly.
It’s unfortunate for these young players whose future is on the line during several days in front of many NFL decision makers. For some, they have the luxury of completing the drills at their perspective Pro Days, while others that are more severe have to sit and watch their draft stock to take a tumble.
No. 4 | Where Kyler Murray’s size (and draft stock) would be
While many prospects had to participate in all of the various drills, attempting to help their draft stock, one player looked from the outside in. Former Oklahoma Kyler Murray chose to not participate in any of the testing, but that’s not what people cared about. They patiently waited to see Murray’s measurements.
The former Sooner measured in at 5-foot-10 1/8 and weighed 207 pounds, and looked a little thick from that recent weight being added prior to the combine. For most, this was a huge win for the projected No. 1 overall selection, who was expected to come an inch or two shorter.
Outside of the measurements, some members of NFL teams that talked to Murray indicated he didn’t give great interviews, though. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Murray isn’t superb at interviews when the footage of him on the Dan Patrick Show was shown.
Now until April’s draft will be huge for his draft stock, as he is likely to participate at Oklahoma’s Pro Day later on. The question will remain if he is indeed a lock for the Cardinals, or if it’s all smokescreen.
No. 5 | The deep RB class would disappoint
Running backs in the 2019 draft class were always going to have a difficult time matching the talent of the Giants’ Saquon Barkley-led group in 2018. But no one knew that this year’s crop would be so poorly.
Among the top running backs coming into the event included Florida Atlantic’s Devin Singletary, Iowa State’s David Montgomery and Georgia’s Elijah Holyfield. The four were all duds last weekend, proving the inability to set themselves apart from the pack.
Getting Day 2 hype entering it, Holyfield bombed speed drills with a 4.79 40 before sitting out of the agility testing. Montgomery has been getting Chiefs’ Kareem Hunt comparisons, but didn’t back it up, as he showed lack of speed and explosiveness with a poor 40 time (4.64) and vertical jump (28.5 inches). Singletary is many people’s RB1, but like the other two, his 40 time wasn’t promising, especially for coming in at a smaller size (5-foot-7 and 203 pounds).
Jacobs opted to not participate in the combine after dealing with a groin injury. Although the top dogs disappointed, a few, including Penn State’s Miles Sanders, Kansas State’s Alex Barnes, Michigan’s Karan Higdon and Ohio State’s did show out, which helped their draft stock.
At the end of the day, the running back class is not a strong by any means. But the mid-tier group is stout and NFL teams will be able to find a good one on Day 2 or 3 that can contribute.
No. 6 | Which under-the-radar prospects would blow it up
Every year the media gets caught up in the more polarizing prospects from top schools, leaving the lesser known ones out in the dark. Despite the lack of attention, there are always a handful that are out to prove themselves and end up killing the event, putting their names on the map.
It was no different this year as several soon-to-be draftees rose from underneath to make their statement.
The crop included Minnesota linebacker Blake Cashman, Notre Dame wide receiver Miles Boykin, UCF defensive tackle Trysten Hill, Kansas State running back Alex Barnes and Eastern Michigan edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
All of the players posted superb athletic testing numbers and were lights out in the on-field drills, which left NFL decision makers keeping them in the back of their mind for April’s draft.
