Now that the dust has settled, we breakdown which prospects helped (John Ross) and hurt their stock at the 2017 NFL Combine.
The NFL combine happened just a week ago and now that the dust has settled, it is time to look at who ultimately boosted their stock and came out a riser and who didn’t match expectations and came away as the biggest fallers.Whether it’s answering questions about ability or jumping onto the radar with huge numbers, the combine helped many prospects find their way further up into the mock drafts across the country and likely, draft day. And for those who fell in such a deep class, their stock drop is unpredictable.
Riser 1: John Ross, WR, Washington
Let’s get the obvious out of the way, John Ross broke the combine record for fastest 40-yard dash at 4.22 (with an injured shoulder giving him less pump and with cramps). Ross was done for the day and didn’t need to do more, the film speaks for itself in the fact that he’s not just a runner. John Ross was a fringe first round prospect who has likely cemented himself in the top 25 and will have a chance to further boost his stock with a strong pro day.
Faller 1: Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington
Kupp was rising. He was fast approaching being a well warranted first round pick and most people thought a strong combine would get him there. The hands were never a question, the size was great. But the 4.6 is scary, and teams won’t risk a high selection in such a talented draft class. Kupp will find himself as a second-third round pick now with very little chance of moving up. There’s no telling whether or not he will be successful, but there’s a very likely chance his career won’t start being one of the first 32 picks.
Riser 2: Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland
The Division II phenom had a lot of teams curious to watch him. Standing at 6-foot-6, 270-pounds, the size isn’t an issue, and after watching film many teams could quickly put to rest any doubts about him in the receiving game. However, questions over strength and blocking remained. Shaheen took out half the worry pumping 33 Reps on the bench with those massive arms and leaves teams to only question his blocking.
Shaheen is a question mark for this draft as being a Division II player in a talented class is always going to hold you back but his ceiling may be higher than any other tight end in the draft. With a strong combine, Shaheen has only pushed the issue to forcing a team to pick him above well known commodities from the Division I stage.
Faller 2: Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
Teez was in debate to be the No. 1 CB in a class that was random in rankings. However, after failing at the “Underwear Olympics” with a 4.68 it’s hard to see him going first round with the whole slate or CB talent in the class. While he’ll have a chance to improve on his numbers at his pro day Tabor comes with his share of character concerns so a strong combine would force teams to overlook those, but the red flags and poor numbers combined may convince teams to pass for other talent.
Riser 3: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Deshaun Watson came away with the best combine of all the QBs. On the field drills for Watson couldn’t have gone better with great passes all day and excellent footwork. Watson ran a 4.66 as well, which is reliable for a mobile QB. Watson is in a close QB race that has seemed to come down to 2 between him and Mitchell Trubisky of North Carolina. Outshining him on the big stage where the two can be compared is huge for Watson to potentially pass him and be the highest QB selected.
Faller 3: Sefo Liufau, QB, Colorado
As you’ve seen in my previous article, I’m a big fan of Liufau. His toughness and ability to push the ball downfield are impressive. To me, he’s a top-six QB, but he didn’t do anything to help my claim at the combine. Missing throws, poor footwork and unimpressive numbers will likely keep Liufau on the draft bubble. Mix in the poor senior bowl and the draft process hasn’t been kind to Liufau.
Not to worry though, combines don’t define a player (I.e. Tom Brady), but if Liufau wants to make a career as an NFL QB he must gain the consistency that’s left to be desired.
Riser 4: Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA
If you’re not an avid follower of the NFL Draft then you won’t know who Fabian Moreau is. However, Moreau is a first round talent who lost his stock due to injuries while being in a stacked cornerback class. Moreau can’t look back at the lost season though, he has to prove himself where he can, and that he did. Standing at 6-foot and weighing 206 pounds, Moreau already meets the eye of many teams but his 4.35 40-yard dash, and great jumps both broad and vertical, have put Moreau into the conversation as he pushes his way further up the draft boards of many teams. Before the combine, Moreau’s stock was uncertain, but after a great performance, I believe he’s cemented himself in the second round.
Faller 4: Corey Clement, HB, Wisconsin
Wisconsin-system running backs leave a lot of doubt as to if they’re actually capable of being an efficient running back in the NFL. While the combine won’t determine that, a poor athletic testing is definitely bound to make teams write you off as not capable. So when Corey Clement tested a 4.68-40, he gets himself added to the list. Being the predecessor to Melvin Gordon III, the most successful running back in Wisconsin history (who also struggled early in the NFL) you already seem lesser quality when providing lesser numbers but a poor combine pushes Clement further down draft boards and he could find himself undrafted when it’s all said and done.
He still has time to prove himself and likely a team will draft him but it’s obvious Clement has a lot of work to do to impress teams again for a fair shot in the NFL.
Bonus Boommer: Jordan Willis, EDGE, Kansas State
Let’s look at notable 10 yard splits:
Jadeveon Clowney – 1.56
Khalil Mack – 1.56
Von Miller – 1.57
Vic Beasley – 1.59
So what did Jordan Willis run? 1.54
No, I’m not sending his stock up because of a 40. He’s already been well recognized as an elite run-stopper for a prospect. He also provided 9.5 sacks as a senior for the Wildcats and had a dominant senior bowl. Willis jumped 125 inches on broad jump, and 39 inches for vertical showing just how athletic he is. With a 6’4 255 body, teams are getting intrigued. While most people have him being a day two pick in the second-fourth round range I think he is a late first, early second now and although it will come as a shock, the writing’s on the wall for it to happen.
Willis has been one of my favorite EDGE rushers for quite some time and I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way. Expect his name to be called earlier than mocks have him listed come the NFL Draft.
Bonus #2: “Where’s Foster!?!”
Reuben Foster got sent home and could be an obvious pick for a faller slot, but I disagree. Despite the red flags, reports came out that due to the long hospital stay (way over schedule) prospects were missing meetings with teams. And although that gives no excuse for his actions, it appears it won’t hurt his draft stock much.
Foster will have to continue to talk to teams and impress and will need to stay clean during the rest of Draft season (hopefully forever, but who knows) if he wants to keep his stock but at the moment his talent mixed with the large linebacker need in the NFL it is unlikely to hurt his stock much.