5 Bold Predictions of the Scouting Combine

Every year, something weird/awesome/impressive/disappointing happens at the NFL Combine. A few years ago Calvin Johnson ran a 40 yard dash in 4.35 seconds in someone else’s shoes.  Dan Marino scored a 14 on the Wonderlic Test and then went on to have a hall of fame career. Most recently, Tim Tebow tied the record for the highest vertical leap for a QB at 38.5 inches.  We have seen offensive lineman blow away the field like Bruce Campbell did last year and then we watched him fall in the 2010 NFL Draft to the 4^th round. We also saw Emmitt Smith run a 4.8 40 yard dash at his college combine and still went on to be the leading NFL rusher of all-time. So basically the draft can mean all or nothing.  With that said, here are some of my bold predictions for the combine this week.

1.        Marcus Cannon (TCU) will have the best all-around workout of any offensive lineman.  At, 6’6” 250 lbs, he is a big man but I saw him play and I am expecting him to be motivated to impress the scouts since his has not been hearing his name as one of the top O-lineman.  Think of him as Shawn Andrews without the mental issues.

2.       Stud defensive tackle Nick Fairley (Auburn) will hurt his draft stock with a poor combine showing.  Rumors of Fairley having a bad attitude have been talked about and his work ethic was questioned in college.  He might not have worked out as hard as he needed to over the past couple weeks.  It could cost him a few spots in the draft, which ultimately could be a 10 million dollars guaranteed.

3.       Cam Newton (Auburn) will impress in his interviews despite the fact that most people expect him project himself as a “me” guy.  Combined with is amazing combine performance with the drills and I think he could shoot himself into a top 3 pick.

4.       Wide Receiver Jon Baldwin (Pitt) will have scouts DROOLING at the end of the day.  He is 6’5” 230 lbs.  He will probably have a 40 yard dash right around 4.45, 38 inch vertical, and will be able to manage himself through the interview process.  Baldwin has a real shot to get him self into the end of the first round as long as he doesn’t throw his quarterbacks in college under the bus for the reason for average college stats.

5.       Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon State) is easily going to have the best combine performance of any of RB.  He is only 5’7” 195 lbs but will turn heads.  Guys like Darren Sproles, DeSean Jackson, and Dexter McCluster have made it possible for Rodgers to have scouts actually pay attention to the smaller players.

Five Sleepers to Watch

Cecil Shorts, WR, 6’2” 210 LBS (Mount Union)

Andy Dalton, QB, 6’3” 220 LBS (TCU)

Greg Salas, WR, 6’2” 220 LBS (Hawaii)

Kenrick Ellis, DT, 6’5” 336 LBS (Hampton)

Ben Ijalana, OL 6’4” 320 LBS (Villanova)