NFL Combine Day 4 – Winners & Losers

Wide Receivers

This is a very deep receiver class and quite a few of them helped themselves on day 4. The list below is long and I could have added at least 5 more guys. The receivers were very impressive.

Winners:

Sammy Watkins, Clemson (6’1, 211) – His 40 time (4.43) was a little slower than rumored, but still plenty fast enough to secure a spot in the top 10 of the draft.

Mike Evans, Texas A&M (6’5, 231) – Wow. Evans locked up the #2 WR slot with a very impressive performance. He ran basically the same 40 time as his primary competition for the #2 WR, Marquise Lee (4.52, 4.53) despite being 6 inches taller and almost 40 pounds heavier. Evans natural pass catching ability was just as impressive as he didn’t let one ball hit his body and looked smoother running routes and catching passes than any other receiver except maybe Watkins and Cooks.

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Brandin Cooks, Oregon St (5’10, 189) – Was the most impressive receiver at the combine on day 4. Cooks had the fastest 40 time (4.33) and really shined during the drills showing explosive change of direction and great hands. I think Cooks locked up a spot near the end of the 1st round (Car, Sea, KC, SF).

Odell Beckham, LSU (5’11, 198) – Ran a little slower than Cooks, but was just as good in the receiving drills. Beckham’s 4.43 time and sure hands give him a shot to be selected in the back-end of round 1.

Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt (6’3, 212) – The only question keeping Matthews out of the first round was whether he had top-end speed. Matthews proved it on day 4 with a scorching 4.46 40-time. At 6’3, 212 that is an excellent time. Mathews ran crisp routes and showed good hands during the drills portion of the day.

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Donte Moncrief, Mississippi (6’2, 221) – Another big , productive receiver with questions about whether he was fast enough to be anything more than a possession receiver. Moncrief ran even faster than Matthews and solidified a 2nd-3rd round draft slot with the 3rd fastest 40 time from the receiver group (4.40).

Martevius Bryant, Clemson (6’4, 211) – Talented, but raw wide receiver who helped his draft stock today with a 4.42 40 time. At 6’4 that is a great time and Bryant could be a dangerous deep threat at the next level.

Paul Richardson, Colorado (6’0, 175) – Richardson’s best asset is his deep speed and he showed it off on day 4 with a 4.40 40-time. He also showed the ability to track the ball and catch it over his shoulder during the deep ball drill. Richardson is a legit deep threat and might be a good fit for a team looking to stretch the field like the 49ers or Panthers.

Brandon Coleman, Rutgers (6’6, 225) – The tallest receiver at the combine put up a good 40 time for his size (4.56) and caught the ball well in the gauntlet drill. Coleman’s speed, strength (21 reps), and hands were all better than expected this weekend and he helped his stock considerably.

John Brown, Pittsburgh St (5’10, 179) – This guy came out of nowhere to run the 2nd fastest 40 time from the receiver group (4.34). Brown looked quick running routes as well and put up some good stats during his career at Pitt St (185 catches, 3,380 yards, 35 total touchdowns). Brown is a slot receiver prospect who could also return kicks & punts at the next level (4 career return TDs).

Jeff Janis, Saginaw Valley St (6’3, 219) – Wasn’t impressive at all at the Senior Bowl, but Janis rebuilt his value a bit today with a 4.42 40-time and a good performance in the drills. Janis is a tall, well-built prospect who apparently has above average NFL speed, so some team is going to take a chance on him late in the draft.

Losers:

Allen Robinson, Penn St (6’2, 220) – With so many receivers running faster than expected, Robinson 4.60 40-time looks worse and probably drops him to the 2nd round. He could be a steal for some team that late in the draft.

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Jarvis Landry, LSU (5’11, 205) – By far the most disappointing 40 time of the day for the receivers was Landry’s 4.76 time. He did supposedly get hurt during the run, but there was no sign of the injury on film. After the injury, Landry didn’t run his 2nd 40 or participate in any of the drills. He’s going to need to run around better (4.5ish) on his pro day to have any shot of going in the first round. No team is taking a receiver in the 1st round with a 4.76 40-time when there are so many burners available. Landry’s tape is too good for him to drop farther than the 2nd round even if he doesn’t run much better at his pro day. Landry reminds me a lot of a smaller Anquan Boldin.

Ryan Grant, Tulane (6’0, 199) – Disappointing day for Grant, who is one of my favorite late round prospects. Grant ran slower than expected and had a few drops in the gauntlet drill. Grant showed great hands on tape and at the Senior Bowl a month ago, so the drops were even more surprising than his slow 40 time (4.64). It’s going to be tough for Grant to get drafted unless he blows up his pro day.

Marquise Lee, USC (5’11, 192) – Lee had a decent overall day, but ran slower than expected  (4.52) and the guys he’s competing with to be taken in the first round (Evans, Cook, Beckham) all had monster days. Lee is still a 1st round lock, but I can’t see a team taking him over Evans and it’s a toss-up with Cooks.