2011 NFL Scouting Combine Winners and Losers
The 2011 NFL Scouting Combine has now officially come to a close, and it’s important to note–as fun as the event is to watch, it holds very little weight come draft day. If I had to guess, I’d say the game tape and interviews make up about 90-95 percent of the pre-draft evaluation process, and the other things like the Combine and All-Star games make up the other five percent. There’s nothing about these prospects right now that we haven’t seen yet. Some guys have certain measurables revealed at the Combine that throw up red flags, but overall, the game tape is what does all the talking.
That being said, the players in this year’s draft, specifically the top tier of players have a wafer thin line of separation between them in terms of overall grade. You’ve heard at least ten guys names pop up as possible top five picks, 20 guys who could be top 10 picks, and so on and so forth. This is clearly a very deep draft, and for once, the small percentage that the Combine factors into the whole evaluation process holds much more weight this year than in years past.
So who were the winners and losers of the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine?
Winners
1. Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
6’3″ 220 4.39
Jones had one of the best performances at the Scouting Combine I have seen in recent memory, if for no other reason that he put up the numbers he did with a broken foot. Jones battled injuries at Alabama, and would disappear for stretches because of them. Still, for him to be one of the top performers in the 40 yard dash, broad jump, and the 60 yard shuttle, color me impressed.
He should be a top 15 pick. Last year, Demaryius Thomas missed significant time in the offseason and was unable to even perform at the Combine, and the Denver Broncos still made him a top 25 pick in April. Julio Jones might even be a better prospect, but he likely won’t be the first receiver taken. He should have a great NFL career, and this was a true testament to the guy’s toughness.
2. Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
6’3″ 246 4.53
Initially, Miller was clocked as a 4.46 unofficially on his 40, and it was later changed to 4.53. I don’t care, it’s extremely fast for a linebacker either way. His athletic ability is absolutely incredible, and while he seemed out of control at times, he had a good enough career and has shown scouts enough this offseason that he is going from a bottom ten pick to potentially going as high as 2nd overall to the Denver Broncos.
Miller has the potential to be great in any defensive scheme, and scouts love his potential as a pass rusher. He can be a hybrid rush linebacker or he can play the outside in a 4-3. He has great size, great speed, great burst, and great instincts. This kid is going to be a stud for a long time to come.
3. Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
6’0″ 219 4.34
This long-armed, speedy cornerback is going to be a dominant player at the next level, no matter what position he plays, but I think whatever team drafts him is going to be getting a “Peterson Island” on Sundays. His long arms and overall body type allow him to dominate receivers at the line of scrimmage. He did not disappoint in the speed department, and showed just how athletic he really is with a 38 inch vertical leap and a 10’6″ broad jump. He could be the first pick in the draft if Carolina so chooses.
One thing is for sure, I certainly think Peterson is the most impressive athlete that I have seen at the Combine. He is a four down player, and will be an immediate starter in the NFL.
4. Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
6’3″ 319 4.93
Dareus had fantastic short distance quickness, and proved that he is an elite combination of size, speed, strength, and intangibles. He is soft-spoken, but can absolutely dominate games. What you saw at the Combine was a guy who checked in 8 pounds heavier than his listing, and he not only ran well, but he checks out in every category physically. He has long arms, a great big lower body, and good strength.
He should be a starting defensive lineman in the NFL for a long, long time.
5. Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
6’2″ 310 4.8
Marvin Austin was a guy who definitely made great use of his year off at North Carolina. At the East-West Shrine game, he was totally dominant and pretty much unblockable. At the Combine, he showed exceptional athleticism. His explosion and strength are going to get him back into the 2nd round mix, and possibly even in the late first. At the beginning of the 2010 season, this was a guy who was considered to be a potential top five pick. He claims that had he played, there would be no question as to who the best defensive tackle is in this year’s draft. I think he would be in the same boat of Nick Fairley had he been able to play this year.
Austin had 38 reps in the bench and a 1.63 10 yard split, which is only a tenth of a second slower than Alabama’s Heisman Trophy winning RB Mark Ingram. Absolutely outstanding.
Losers
1. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
6’7″ 253
Fantastic size and arm strength, but decision making and intangibles right now are a major question for the former Razorback. He doesn’t strike me quite like a Ryan Leaf type, but he’s definitely got a lot of growing to do in terms of his maturity. I wouldn’t touch him before the third, maybe fourth round.
2. Jeremy Beal, DE, Oklahoma
6’2″ 262 5.1
Beal is definitely not going to be returning many fumbles or interceptions for touchdowns, if he gets the opportunity to get his hands on any. He will get a look in the NFL because his resume’ in college speaks for itself, and he certainly has a gift for getting to the quarterback, but to me, he looked out of shape and it showed in the drills. He did not show up ready to try out as a hybrid linebacker, and he ran an extremely slow 40.
3. Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
6’4″ 291 4.87
Fairley showed solid athleticism, but a shoulder injury was revealed at the Combine, and that could hurt him as far as the rest of the offseason goes. Fairley also had an unimpressive lower body, and actually had lost weight in preparation for the Combine. He still has good enough size to be an every-down contributor at the NFL level, but I have questions about him still. I don’t think he’s sliding out of the top 10 by any means, but he is now no longer a lock as the top defensive player to be taken.