Five Players Whose Combine Performance Won’t Be Indicative of Their Value
Each and every year there are a few players who don’t test well at the combine and they see a bunch of questions prop about their abilities. Akeem Ayers was a first round pick on a lot of draftniks boards heading into the combine, but a poor showing caused him to fall into the second round.
Ayers though looked every bit as good as people thought he might be from his film last year. Who are those players this year whose combine is not indicative of what they have done on the field?
Am I saying the combine is useless? No of course not. But fast players will run fast, slow players will run slow. Pay special attention to the players who could shock at the combine.
Here’s a look at five first round types who need a big combine
Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
Kuechly is a terrific linebacker who relied on his instincts and technique to amass huge numbers last year with the Boston College Eagles. Kuechly is not built like a typical N.F.L. linebacker and he’s not particularly fast. But his strength is reacting quickly and not taking false steps. He’ll still be able to do that at the N.F.L. level. Will he make a million of splash plays? No, but he can be London Fletcher for the middle of your defense for the next 10 years.
Don’t Hightower, LB, Alabama
Hightower is a long, intelligent, powerful linebacker who does not possess terrific speed. Hightower would have the same kind of workout Ayers had last year, but he should also be a good player. The question will be where is Hightower’s best fit? Is he a 34 ILB, or a 43 MLB, or like I think a 43 Sam linebacker?
Zach Brown, LB, UNC
I didn’t have any intention of making this all about the linebacker, but it’s just worked out this way. The reason I’m mentioning Brown here is because there is no denying his physical ability and straight line speed. The question about Brown is how good are is instincts? How well does he understand defenses? Brown is what you’ve seen on film. Don’t let his impressive (which I expect) combine performance change your evaluation of Brown.
Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia
Here’s a player I think is just powerful on the field. I’m interested to see how he looks, but I think if he runs slow (which is possible) that I’m going to disregard it. He has quick feet and he’s very powerful. Needs to improve his technique no doubt, but a player whose combine performance shouldn’t reflect his play on the field.
Tommy Streeter, WR, Miami
Here’s another guy that I think like Brown who will be very impressive at the combine. But what needs to be remembered his how raw he still is. He is reminiscent of Darrius Heyward Bey to me with better hands. Right now he really excels with one route, the go route and he can outrun everyone. He’ll take awhile to develop though.
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