NFL Scouting Combine Day One: 5 Biggest Risers and Fallers
By Erik Lambert
The NFL scouting combine is off and running, literally. Several players already saw their stocks for the draft take significant dips or climbs based on their performances in the workout sessions. Who among the groups of the first day got the best or worst of it? Here are the highlight names.
Riser: Keith Marshall, RB, Georgia
The big celebrity of the afternoon. After getting a shout out from former Georgia teammate Todd Gurley on Twitter, who predicted a fast time in the 40-yard dash, Keith Marshall delivered. His first attempted was a blistering 4.29 seconds, followed by an almost as good 4.31. To top it off he also put up a respectable 25 reps on the bench press. It’s apparent Marshall is quite the physical specimen and will get teams playing a lot closer attention heading towards the draft.
Faller: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
It wasn’t even the day for linebackers to participate but Jaylon Smith still received a piece of devastating news. Medical checkups on his left knee, injured with torn ACL and LCL in the Fiesta Bowl a few months prior, revealed there is nerve damage that will require extensive time to heal. Current estimates are Smith will miss the entire 2016 season and perhaps more as he goes through the rehab process. All chances of him being a 1st round pick are over.
Riser: Connor McGovern, OG, Missouri
He’s already been rising up boards thanks to a solid career at Missouri that involved playing at both guard and tackle. Connor McGovern solidified his ascent with a great all-around workout. He put up 33 reps on the bench press, good for second-best among offensive linemen and then turned in a respectable 5.11 dash in the 40. Most of his issues have to do with technique, which are correctable. Teams will be liking him a lot more moving forward.
Faller: Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana
For a brief instant it looked like Jordan Howard had a chance to leap frog Derrick Henry as the second-best running back prospect in the draft behind Ezekiel Elliott. His performance at the combine may have torpedoed those hopes. The fact he did not run the 40-yard dash soured things from the start, and his modest 16 reps on the bench press and 34-inch vertical jump were disappointing. Chances are he’s set as a late day two, early day three pick.
Riser: Christian Westernman, OG, Arizona State
The other offensive lineman who caught the attention of scouts and coaches was Christian Westernman. An athletic guard from Arizona State, he demonstrated a great deal more power than anticipated when he posted the best bench press of the afternoon at 34 reps of 225 lbs. His 5.17 in the 40-yard dash showed he had good speed and quickness as expected and the broad jump was on par with most of the top guards. No question his stock got a nice jolt.