NFL Combine Day 3 – Winners & Losers

Wide Receivers / Running Backs:

Winners:

Cody Latimore, Indiana (6’2, 215) – Tall receiver who probably came out a year too early. Latimore had the most bench reps (23) of any wide receiver. Figures a guy named Latimore would have the most bench reps, let’s hope he didn’t break any car windows afterwards.

Brandon Coleman, Rutgets (6’6, 225) – The tallest receiver at the combine who struggled with drops in college and didn’t always play as big as his size. He showed good strength with 21 reps so the power is there if he ever learns to use it.

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Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt (6’3, 212) –  Continues to check the boxes in all categories. I have Matthews going late in the 1st round to the Seahawks and he could solidify that spot with a good 40 time on day 4.

Mike Campanaro, Wake Forest (5’9, 192) – The strongest of the under 6 foot group, Campanero looks stockier then the rest of the slot receiver prospects and his 20 bench reps backed that up.

Robert Herron, Wyoming (5’9, 193) – The 2nd strongest of the shorter receivers, Herron is a smooth slot receiver prospect who showed better than expected strength at 18 bench reps.

Jerick McKinnon, Georgia Southern (5’9, 209) – Former QB who really struggled at the Senior Bowl, McKinnon needs a big combine to get back into contention for the last rounds of the draft. He had by far the most bench reps of the skill position players (32 reps!) so is off to a good start.

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Bishop Sankey, Washngton (5’9, 209) – Well-rounded running back prospect who is a little leaner than ideal, but showed excellent strength with 26 bench reps.

JC Copeland, LSU (5’11, 271) – Did a solid 23 reps on the bench but more importantly, Copeland lost 14 pounds since the Collegiate Bowl which he needs to do in order to be considered near the end of the draft.

Dri Archer, Kent St (5’8, 173) – Little guy who showed surprising strength with 20 bench reps! For a guy with his size and speed, 20 reps is pretty darn impressive.

Losers:

Jared Abbrederris, Wisconsin (6’1, 195) – Weakest of all the receivers who participated in the bench press.  His lack of strength isn’t going to help him beat press coverage in the NFL and won’t help his draft stock either.

Odell Beckham, LSU (5’11, 198) – 2nd lowest bench total with only 7 reps. Beckham is near the top of the 2nd tier of wide outs and his lack of strength isn’t going to help secure a spot at the end of the 1st round.

De’Anthony Thomas, Oregon (5’8, 174) – Has similar size and skill-set to Dri Archer, but looked considerably weaker on the bench drill with only 8 reps compared to Archer’s 20.

Miscallaneous:

• Florida DT Domanique Easley said he would rather watch cartoons than a football game. Yikes!
• Missouri DE Michael Sam had his press conference today and did an admirable job fielding questions mostly about his sexual orientation and not football. Hopefully this is the last sideshow the media puts Sam through. Just let the kid play football already!
• Top LB prospect Khalil Mack from Buffalo said he wears the unusual linebacker number of 46 because the NCAA football video game gave him an overall rating of 46 his freshman year at Buffalo. That is kind of awesome.
• I didn’t see it, but all reports said QB Teddy Bridgewater was very impressive during his day 3 press conference. If I’m picking, he’s a lock for #1. Bridgewater is the best pure passer in the draft and has no obvious flaws.

Twitter: @MikeFlannery_