Well day one of the NFL Scouting Combine is in the books. We saw the tight ends and offensive line test and workout on the field while quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers weighed in. We also had a chance to see Manti Te'o have a press conference for the first time since the catfishing hoax. But with all that, here is my takeaways from this first day.
1. DJ Fluker isn't a Left Tackle!
Leading up to the combine there was a lot of talk about how Fluker is rising up draft boards because of his potential to play left tackle in the NFL. Even though Fluker has never played LT in college and struggled against speed rushers. But people loved his potential and are infatuated with is long arms???? Well in today's field drills it confirmed to me that he isn't a LT in the NFL. Fluker was stiff and showed no fluidity in his slides and labored when asked to drop back in pass protection. That's not what you want out of a left tackle. Fluker is a RT and maybe a guard.
2. The top spot at LT isn't as clear cut as we thought!
Going into the Combine it looked like it was Luke Joeckel alone at the top. But after today Eric Fisher and Lane Johnson are forcing scouts, coaches, and draftniks to go back and relook at tape. Now this isn't a knock on Joeckel by any stretch of the means. But more of how impressive Fisher and Johnson were. Both Fisher and Johnson had impressive 40 times and more importantly 10 yard splits that really show how quick off the ball they are. Fisher showed great technique to mach his athletic ability and great frame. Johnson looks like a natural and is the best athlete of the tackles. His potential has to make teams giddy.
3. Jon Cooper is a Stud!
Everything you would want out of a guard, Jon Cooper did it. We all knew he was a good athlete from film study, but he showed it on the field. On the mirror drill he was step for step with the "rabbit" and made it look effortlessly. He timed well in the 40 and the 10 yard split. But what was the most impressive was his bench press numbers. Putting up 35 reps shows some power that a lot of people didn't know he had. Heck Cooper even took some reps as a center and looking like a natural. With all the talk about Chance Warmack being a top 10 pick, Cooper is making a play to join him.
4. Six lineman run sub 5.0 40s
Normally when a lineman makes it under 5.0 in their 40 it's pretty good. We might see one a year, sometimes two. Last year the fastest 40 was 5.0 flat. This year was different. We saw 6 lineman run sub 5.0 40s. Two of them bested the previous record for a lineman. Terron Armstead and Lane Johnson broke Bruce Campbell's record while Alvin Bailey (Arkansas), Kyle Long (Oregon), Brian Schwenke (Cal), and Vinston Painter (Virginia Tech) rounded out the rest of sub 5.0 group.
5. Terron Armstead is making a name for himself
Terron Armstead was the workout warrior for the offensive lineman this year. He had the fastest 40 time running a 4.71 with a 1.64 10 yard split while putting up 31 reps in the bench press. Not only was he impressive in the testing, he showed a lot in the position drills. He looked natural and fluid dropping in pass pro and moved well latterly. Now Armstead isn't a first rounder now. However he is rising and could have worked himself into being a day 2 pick.
6. Kyle Long is climbing
One of the biggest topic of the combine today was that of Kyle Long. The former MLB draft pick out of high school is working his way up draft boards. Long played both left tackle and guard at Oregon. He has the demeanor of a guard but the athletic ability and size of a left tackle. He's still raw, but he showed how good of an athlete he is today. He had the third fastest 40 time, will showing impressive moves in the drills.
7. Tyler Eifert is separating himself
Going into the combine Eifert and Zach Ertz were neck and neck to who the first tight end off the board was going to be. The combine is the place where a lot of teams can help separate guys. For teams that think that way, Eifert might be their top choice. Other than bench press, Eifert bested Ertz in all testing categories and was flawless in drills. Add in that he has more impressive height and longer arms and he may have solidified his spot.
8. Vance McDonald is a name to remember
For most people they don't know who Vance McDonald is. Mainly because Rice hasn't been very good and thus doesn't get a lot of attention. But people are going to start to know who he is as the draft gets closer. Most TEs coming out are more or less glorified wide receivers, but that is what makes McDonald so valuable. He's a bigger TE coming in at 267 lbs and putting up 31 reps, but he moved very well running a 4.69 40 and looking fluid in pass catching drills. Look for some team to take him on day 2.
9. Dion Sims is going to be intriguing to teams
With more teams going to two TE formations they need physical blocking ends to pair up with pass catchers. That is where Sims comes into play. Sims is has the size and shown the ability to play as an inline blocker, but can also get out an make plays in the passing game. Sims ran a surprising 4.72 40 and run good routes in drills. He could be a target for teams in the 3rd or 4th round.
10. Can we move on from Catfishing?
Now that Manti Te'o has had his first press conference, can we now move on past the hoax? We've heard what's happened, now we've heard him talk about it. It's time to move forward and talk about him as a prospect. The thing that I found the most funny was that the analyst on NFL Network talked about how it's time to move on, but then spent almost an hour talking about his press conference. But I guess I might be doing the same thing here.
