Combine Risers: Staff Thoughts

Who is this man in the picture and why is he playing basketball?

You’ll know after the combine.

Below is a list of players we think will rise as the combine approaches the explanations for each.

My first one is CB Jimmy Smith out of Colorado a 6-2 CB who might run a blazing 40 yard dash.

This is taken from an article at profootballtalk.com

"According to statistics compiled by the University of Colorado, Smith was targeted just 20 times in man coverage throughout his 12-start senior season. He allowed 11 completions (55 percent) and one touchdown. The Big 12 has a reputation as one of the most pass-happy college football conferences. Clearly, offensive coordinators shied away from Smith.Smith also garnered first-team All-Big 12 honors from the coaches, despite not picking off a single pass. It’s an obvious sign of respect.The Colorado website, cubuffs.com, lists Smith with a 4.35 forty time at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds. Though he currently ranks just fifth in Mike Mayock’s cornerback rankings, it seems like a good bet that Smith could be one of the biggest “risers” as the 2011 draft approaches."

Now we’re not just saying that Jimmy Smith is going to be a big riser because profootballtalk.com, Jimmy Smith has been # 10 on our big board since we created it when we started as editors two weeks ago. When I wrote “Watch Smith’s stock soar after the combine should already be high.

If Smith runs anywhere near a 4.3 40 he won’t make it past the Lions at #13, but if runs really well he could go as high as #7 overall to San Fran as the 2nd cornerback taken off the board.

Smity is a tremendous athlete and a competitor and as long as he does well in the interview process is stock is going to go up. (If you’re on the home page there is more after the “continue reading” button).

A late round prospect I like is TE Juluis Thomas from Portland State (pictured above),  an inexperienced and raw player who just started playing football after playing basketball for Portland State for the past few years. Julius Thomas i sa 6-5 235-240 pound player with pretty good hands and good speed. Very athletic player. He’s going to be a combine riser because right now know one has heard of him, but that’s could really change after the combine after he looks impressive in shorts. I think he could sneak into the 4th or 5th round, or with possibly even higher.

Lastly, I’ll also go with OT Tyron Smith, USC.  For people who are avid draft followers like myself, forget to factor in Smith as a combine riser because of how much chatter is going on about Smith before the combine, but as far as the general public goes, and as for the prospects rating goes, Smith will be a combine Riser.  ESPN will start beating the drum on him after the combine: Smith is the definition of a player who is a combine riser. If Smith shows that he’s gained 10-15 pounds already (as he reportedly has) but still looks lean and trim then Smith will show well at the combine…the big  thing for Smith more than the 40 yard dash might be the bench press because teams want to know if he has the functional strength to try and dominate at the next level because his phsyical talent and upside is undeniable.

Mackenzie:

Cortez Allen, CB, Citadel: He is about 6’2 and he runs a sub 4.5 40. That will look good at the combine.

Sayre:

Most likely to rise after the comine: DE, Robert Quinn, North Carolina

Quinn didn’t get to play the whole season, so where the Combine usually plays a very small percentage into how high a player goes, it could loom large for Quinn. If he can check in at 6’5″ and about 275, he should be a lock for a top ten pick, if not top five. Then, if he can show some elite agility in the other drills as well as decent skills in the linebacker drills, he will prove to be even more valuable. I think Quinn has the potential to have a DeMarcus Ware type of impact at the next level, and I think he will skyrocket after the Combine.

Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

We already have Jimmy rated extremely high compared to other sites, but I can almost assure you he will be a top 20 pick after the combine unless something terrible happens. This is a guy who allowed 11 catches over the last two years. He is 6’2″, probably about 200 pounds, and runs a sub-4.4 second 40 yard dash according to Colorado’s official site. If he shows good hip movement, he will be the hottest CB prospect other than Patrick Peterson.

Alex Green, RB, Hawaii

Green is one of my favorite RB prospects. A lot like a productive wide receiver in the triple option offense, Green’s extremely impressive production last season was even more so considering he played at Hawaii in the spread offense. He is a big back at 6’0″ 225 pounds, and will likely run fast enough to qualify himself for a fifth round grade or better. He is one of my sleeper backs right now, and he could be a gem for a team later on in the draft.

Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

Cam Newton, the number one quarterback at NFL Mocks, is poised to have a great week at Indianapolis. His happy-go-lucky, confident with a touch of cocky attitude is something that will really draw the attention of scouts. He has a lot to lose in this process, and has committed to all of the drills at last word. What you will see from Newton is a lot of what you saw from Tim Tebow last year. He will have a great overall workout, and could wind up as the number one overall pick.

Nick Castillo says:

Here are my guys:

Prince Amukamara
At one point, he was considered a lock for the top 10. However, he has come under fire for his lack of elite vertical speed. A lot of people are questioning whether he can turn and run with speedy wide receivers. I have seen some draft boards that have Jimmy Smith and Brandon Harris ahead of Amukamara. If Prince can run a high 4.4- low 4.5 40 yard dash, I think he will go back up boards. He has a lot to gain and a lot to lose this week.

Robert Quinn
If players were drafted on athleticism alone, Robert Quinn would be a lock for the top 5. However, after missing his senior year due to suspension, Quinn is a big of an enigma. Nobody really knows where he is going to go. I have seen him anywhere from top 5 to middle of the 2nd round. If Quinn comes to the Combine in shape, and performs well, he could vault himself firmly into the top 10.

Titus Young
Young is already on the rise due to a very good Senior Bowl. He could launch himself into 1st round status with a good Combine. He has drawn many DeSean Jackson comparisons. If he can run a fast 40 such as a 4.3, then I can see many teams at the bottom of round 1 who will be interested. Baltimore comes to mind.

Tyron Smith
Smith is an athletic tackle who might be the best in the class. The problem is that he weighed just 280 at USC. However, word is going around that he has put on 20 pounds. If he shows up at the combine at 300 and still has his athleticism, he could be a lock for the top 15.

DJ Williams
DJ is a fantastic pass catching TE. The problem is that he came in at just a hair under 6 ft 2. This has him falling down draft boards. If he wants to climb back up boards, he will have to show off his catching ability in the gauntlet and have a fast 40. If he does those things, I think he has a decent shot to be the 2nd TE drafted.

These are the players we think are most likely to rise after a good combine, who are yours?

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