2015 NFL Scouting Combine: Three Players with A Lot to Prove

Jan 2, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Chris Petersen (right) and linebacker Shaq Thompson (7) against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2015 Cactus Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Oklahoma State defeated Washington 30-22. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Shaq Thompson, Outside Linebacker or Safety, Washington: 

Plenty of NFL coaches, scouts and analysts will be keeping a close eye on Washington’s Shaq Thompson. Thompson played Outside linebacker at Washington, but questions have been raised over his size.

The average size of NFL outside linebackers are 6’2″and 230 lbs, according to sprayberryfootball.com. Shaq Thompson, unofficially, weighs

in at 6’1″ and 228 lbs, according to NFL.com, which according to the previous stat, is not that bad for an outside linebacker at the NFL level. But, NFL.com asked an AFC North scout about Thompson and here is what he had to say:

"He was 219 pounds when I visited late in the season. I’m concerned about whether he will be able to keep enough weight on to be a 4-3 WILL. Until I see him actually play deep as a safety, I’m not sure that is a projection I’m comfortable making."

At 6’1″ and 219 lbs, Thompson would a very small outside linebacker, but a very large safety, but he wouldn’t be the largest safety in the game. To compare, according to the Seattle Seahawks official website, Kam Chancellor weighs in at 6’3″ and 232 lbs. The issue with projecting Thompson to safety is that he would extremely raw and it would be hard to justify using a first round pick to draft him as a safety.

Thompson will have a lot riding on what he weighs in at the combine this week and how he tests in the drills to see what postion he compares best to.

Dorial Green-Beckham, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma: Dorial Green-Beckham hasn’t played in a game since he played since he played

Dec 7, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham (right) celebrates his touchdown reception against the Auburn Tigers during the first quarter of the 2013 SEC Championship game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

for Missouri in the SEC Championship game against Auburn on December 7, 2013. Watching Green-Beckham play in that game, scouts and analyst were salivating over his potential.

Green-Beckham is huge, unofficially weighing in at 6’6″ and 228 lbs, according to NFL.com. He also has freakish athleticism to go with his

freakish size. Even though Green-Beckham has every measurable a team wants, there are so many off the field issues with Green-Beckham, the some teams may consider him untouchable.

In April 2014, Green-Beckham was dismissed from Missouri due to many off the field issues, highlighted by an altercation with his girlfriend and two other women. Due to these issues, Green-Beckham transferred to Oklahoma, where he didn’t play in a single game. This means he will have a lot riding on his work outs and how he tests. If he tests well, he could find himself going as early as the first round, but if he struggles, Green-Beckham could see his name fall on draft day. 

Garrett Grayson, Quarterback, Colorado State University: Being in a smaller conference, Grayson went

Nov 8, 2014; Fort Collins, CO, USA; Colorado State Rams quarterback Garrett Grayson (18) passes in the second quarter against the Hawaii Warriors at Hughes Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

relatively unnoticed throughout the college football season, even though he put up record-breaking numbers in his final year at CSU. Grayson threw for 4,006 yards, 32 touchdowns and tossing only 7 interceptions.

The combine will be Grayson’s chance to put on a show with everyone watching. If he is able to impress at the combine, with how tests and how does with individual teams on the chalk board, Grayson could see his stock start to rise up boards, potential making him an option for teams on Day Two. If Grayson struggles on and off the field, Grayson could see his draft stock begin to plummet.

Let me know who you are most interested in watching during the combine this week in the comment section