The NFL’s version of a cattle market came and passed, which means we’re one step closer to the NFL draft, but still a long way to go until April 25.
Most prospects will still get a second chance to impress teams through pro days, private workouts or top-30 visits and Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane said the biggest aspects of the NFL scouting combine are in-person interviews and medical evaluations, but there is still stock put into the performances.
The Bills appeared to be aggressively searching for a receiver during their week in Indianapolis and the combine provided some temporary movement in who might be available when Buffalo is on the clock with the 28th pick of the first round.
STOCK UP
Brian Thomas Jr., LSU: Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU’s Malik Nabers and Washington’s Rome Odunze — the first two didn’t partake in drills — are still separate from the rest of the receiver class, but Thomas may have inched closer to the pack and further from being available late in the first round.
Thomas measured in at 6-foot-3, 209 pounds and ranked second among receivers with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, while also posting a 38 ½-inch vertical leap. Thomas also looked smooth out of his breaks and an ability to change directions quickly during routes.
Xavier Legette, South Carolina: The good news for the Bills, if Thomas keeps ascending, is that other receivers made a move. South Carolina’s Xavier Legette may have pushed into the first round — ranked 26th overall by ESPN — after running a 4.39 40 and showed his explosiveness at 6-1, 221 pounds with a 40-inch vertical leap. Legette is physical and attacks the ball at its highest point, something the Bills have been lacking at receiver.
Adonai Mitchell, Texas: Texas receiver Adonai Mitchell also had a strong showing, placing third at his position with a 4.34 40, was a ½ inch under 40 in the vertical leap and led all receivers with an 11-foot, 4-inch broad jump. In addition to his route-running ability, the 6-2, 205-pounder may have pushed his way into the first round for a receiver-needy team.
Xavier Worthy, Texas: Mitchell’s teammate Xavier Worthy was the top story of the weekend after setting a combine record with a 4.21 40, but his explosiveness was also noticeable with a 41-inch vertical leap and nearly 12 feet in the broad jump. He’s still just 165 pounds and didn’t participate in field drills, so Worthy still has questions to answer.
STOCK DOWN
Keon Coleman, Florida State: The biggest question for Coleman was his ability to separate from defensive backs and his combine performance likely didn’t help much. Coleman ran the second-slowest time (4.61) among receivers, while he struggled out of breaks during passing drills.
Troy Franklin, Oregon: Franklin was considered one of, if not the best deep threats in the draft. He ran a good 40 time at 4.41, but was measured at 6-2, 176 after being listed at 6-3, 187 in college. Questions already surrounded Franklin’s ability to play against press coverage and he spoke about his need to get stronger Thursday.
Additionally, Franklin dropped a few passes during the receiver gauntlet and bobbed around the straight line he was supposed to run across the field, while making a few sloppy breaks around cones during throwing drills.
Kinchens struggles
Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin was considered the top safety prospect in the draft and likely left the combine that way despite not participating in workouts. Miami’s Kamren Kinchens was considered the No. 2 prospect at the position, but he may need a superb pro day to avoid dropping to the middle rounds.
Kinchens had the worst broad jump among safeties (9-2), ran the second-slowest 40 among safeties at 4.65 and ranked near the bottom in vertical leap (35 inches). He’s instinctive and his tape suggests he plays faster — something Beane prefers over 40 times — but he’s probably going to have to boost his numbers a tad before the combine.
Meanwhile, Texas Tech’s Tyler Owens simply had a strange combine. He started the week by telling reporters he didn’t believe in space or other planets, which might not jive with the notion that he made some mental mistakes and was inexperienced after starting one full season in five years between Texas Tech and Texas.
But Owens also measured at 6-2, 216 and his 12-2 broad jump was an inch away from being a combine record, while also posting the top vertical leap at 41 inches. Again, though, Owens likely didn’t boost his stock much as he was forced to exit with a groin injury before running the 40.
Top edge rushers shine
Those opposed to the Bills taking another defensive end in the first round may be relieved that some of the top candidates likely priced themselves out of Buffalo’s range.
Penn State’s Chop Robinson, Alabama’s Dallas Turner and Florida State’s Jared Verse are considered the top-three edge rushers in the draft and they all ranked in the top-four in the 40.
Turner had a monster combine, finishing first in the 40 (4.46) and the vertical (40 ½) and fifth in the broad jump (10-7). His day was so good that he probably won’t need to retest at Alabama’s pro day and can add weight to his 247-pound frame.
Verse also had a strong combine, placing fourth at his position in the 40 (4.58), fifth in the broad jump (10-7) and ran away with the bench press, with his 31 reps being five more than Clemson’s Xavier Thomas. Verse and Turner entered the combine as the top prospects at defensive end.
Robinson needed a big combine because his athleticism is what scouts are raving about. He’s been picked by the Bills in several early mock drafts, but after running a 4.48 40 (second to Turner) and a 10-8 broad jump, which was also second, he may be moving up draft boards quickly.