2015 NFL Combine: WR / TE Recap
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Draft Stock Falling:
WR Devin Funchess, Michigan (6’4 | 232 | 4.70): Maybe I should list Funchess as a tight end after a 4.70 40-time that will force a move from wide receiver on some team’s draft boards. Funchess has an unusual build and looked more like a tight end during the 40 and receiver drills. He’s still going to be a match-up nightmare against sub-6 foot defensive backs, but his inability to stretch the field with speed limits his scheme and perhaps position versatility. I still think Funchess is at worst a day two pick, but there won’t be any more talk about him going in the 1st round.
WR Ty Montgomery, Stanford (6’0 | 221 | 4.55): Some thought Montgomery would be among the fastest receivers at the combine, but his mediocre 4.54 was a disappointment. He looked a bit stiff in drills as well and had a couple drops. Montgomery may have been a 1st round pick if he came out after his junior year, but a lackluster senior season and then a disappointing combine could drop him all the way to early in day 3.
WR Mario Alford, West Virginia (5’8 | 180 | 4.43): Was another guy who some, like Mike Mayock, thought could challenge Chris Johnson’s 40-time record. Elite speed is really Alford’s only weapon as he basically ran just fly routes in college. With just better than average speed compared to NFL receivers and few other skills, I can’t see Alford getting drafted.
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WR Jamison Crowder, Duke (5’8 | 185 | 4.56): Was one of my favorite mid-round guys coming into the combine, but ran slower than expected with a troubling 1.71 in the 10-yard split. For a small guy who will be limited to the slot at the next level , the lack of quickness off the ball is a problem. On tape Crowder looks extremely quick, but it just didn’t show in the drills and he had a few drops as well. I thought Crowder had a shot to get drafted at the end of day 2 after a very strong Senior Bowl, but with those speed times he will be lucky to hear his name called on day 3.
WR Vince Mayle, Washington St (6’2 | 224 | 4.67): Another one of my favorite mid-round guys who ran a disappointing 40-time. Mayle at least is a big receiver at 224 pounds with wide shoulders, but that time is going to drop him firmly into the day 3 range. He caught the ball well and ran decent routes during the drills, but he looked closer to a 4.5-4.55 guy on tape.
TE Nick O’Leary, Florida St (6’3 | 252 | 4.93): It might be a stretch to put O’Leary on this list because he looked fluid in the drills and displayed soft hands. The reason he ultimately ended up here is his 4.93 40-time which is about 2 tenths slower than expected. I think O’Leary’s lack of speed and athelticism will drop him firmly behind Miami’s Clive Walford who had a similar performance in the drills, but ran a 4.79.
TE Mycole Pruitt, Southern Illinois (6’2 | 251 | 4.58): Ran a great 40-time, but then the drills started and Pruitt looked extremely raw and had a few drops. Pruitt is athletic, but has a long way to go before he can play TE in the NFL.
TE Jean Sifrin, UMass (6’5 | 245 | 4.84): Good frame up top, but the skinniest legs in the tight end group. His speed wasn’t terrible for his size, but he looked really stiff in the drills and dropped a bunch of passes. Sifrin is also 27 years old and didn’t do nearly enough to make up for his advanced age.