The NFL Combine was once again highly entertaining. The thing to remember about the Combine is that it’s about medicals and character evaluations primarily. It’s also an opportunity to back channel collude among front offices and player reps. There is no small outcry in this regard, as it seems pretty clear that the Baltimore Ravens spent the week discussing how the league could show some solidarity in working together to keep Lamar Jackson’s deal manageable, and by extension the overall payrolls for all these clubs in the future. However, as a consensus-building event, it is unmatched. We have a much better idea of where the players stack up relative to each other, and scouts can go back to the tape to confirm if the measurables show up on gameday.
Here is the current Big Board for the NFL’s Top 60 best rookie prospects. This’ independent of what I feel the market value is on Draft Day. Just more of an early snap shot of talent. For instance, you could have a kicker in the Top 10 if indeed that athletic profile and skill set were greater than a cross-section of other players. He’s not going to sniff the first round of the draft, but it makes that player no less talented.
Some trends: These prospect are TINY. 170 lbs WRs, 6′ tall DLs, 5’10” QBs all near or at the top of their respective position groups. Absurdities in a typical year. But here we are. SPEED. These players are ridiculously fast, and that was on an uncharacteristically SLOW track at the Combine. I believe because the size/weight mattered so much this year, that the result of the extra water weight carried slowed down the 40s and 10-yard splits. You’ll see those number improve on the home field turf at the upcoming pro days, no doubt. DEFENSE MATTERS. Aside from Jalen Carter’s quick exit and Anthony Richardson making Cam Newton look Whimpey by comparison, the story of the Combine was the sick performance of the IDL, EDGE, CB & LB groups. It’s a great time to be looking for young defenders. You always need luck on your side, but Seahawks in prime position to address their offseason goals in the Front 7.
- Jalen Carter
- Bryce Young
- CJ Stroud
- Bijan Robinson
- Will Anderson
- Anthony Richardson
- Devon Witherspoon
- Christian Gonzalez
- Brian Bresee
- Calijah Kancey
- Tyree Wilson
- Myles Murphy
- Jack Campbell
- Nolan Smith
- Michael Mayer
- Joey Porter Jr
- Brian Branch
- Quentin Johnston
- Adetomiwa Adebawore
- Dawand Jones
- Mazi Smith
- Will McDonald
- Zay Flowers
- Dalton Kincaid
- Luke Musgrave
- Will Levis
- Lukas Van Ness
- Peter Skoronski
- Drew Sanders
- Darnell Wright
- Jalin Hyatt
- Cody Mauch
- Keion White
- Jahmyr Gibbs
- Tuli Tuipulotu
- Luke Wypler
- Cam Smith
- Emmanuel Forbes
- BJ Ojulari
- Anton Harrison
- Paris Johnson
- Deonte Banks
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba
- Josh Downs
- Broderick Jones
- Tank Dell
- Jordan Addison
- Felix Anudike-Uzomah
- Daiyan Henley
- Juju Brents
- A.T. Perry
- Darnell Washington
- Clark Phillips
- Sidy Sow
- Jose Ramirez
- Eli Ricks
- Michael Wilson
- Moro Ojomo
- Will Mallory
- Tyrique Stevenson
Hawks Nest 