Rookies Impress at NFL Combine
The NFL Scouting combine took place from February 28th to March 6th this year, and it was an opportunity for the young talent entering this year’s draft to showcase their skills in order to be drafted to a team. Team’s scouts and coaches were in attendance of the event in Indianapolis to ensure that they could find the most athletic and skillful prospects to fill their needs.
There are always quite a few takeaways from the annual combine, and sometimes there are some differing opinions. However, there is one opinion that seems to be universal with experts and fans alike. Bleacher Report’s Chris Simms said it best, “ Game over: Myles Garrett is the top overall pick.”
If this were to happen, and it very likely will, Garrett will be finding a new home in Cleveland to get to the quarterback. Garrett impressed everyone that was at the combine and watching at home. The defensive lineman from Texas A&M ran an impressive 4.64 40 yard dash time and he had quite the vertical as well. “The guy is just a freak,” said avid football fan Isaac Dean. “He was too good on the field and too good at the combine for the Browns to pass on him. If they do, it’d be a huge mistake.”
Garrett was not the only one that impressed during the week. Washington wide receiver John Ross set a combine record on the 40 yard dash, running a 4.22 which broke Chris Johnson’s record that many thought wouldn’t be beat for quite some time. Ross’ draft stock immediately skyrocketed, perhaps making him a lock for the first round of the draft.
Like everything but Myles Garrett’s impressiveness, this one has a bit of controversy around it. Many experts, including Rob Rang of CBS Sports have their doubts about Ross’ durability. He has underwent multiple knee surgeries and even a shoulder surgery. Rang elaborated on the great concern surrounding the safety of picking Ross on day one. “Ross “should” go in the first round but with his injury-marred past and narrow-shouldered 188-pound frame, there are many who question whether he can hold up to a 16-game NFL season.”
There were more than just individual stories coming out of the combine. Many groups impressed by either meeting or exceeding expectations that they had going into the week. The running back class, led by LSU’s Leonard Fournette and Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey, showed that they might just be the most talented running back class in recent memory. The very same could be said about the tight ends. Usually tight ends tend to be low on the list of priorities going into draft day, but guys like Alabama’s O.J. Howard are about to change that. “I’m really excited to see where all of these talented players will end up,” said NFL fan Jacob Van Divner. “With all of this new talent in the league, it should be a fun season next year.”
Stellar offensive positions combined with solid defensive players should make for an interesting three days at the NFL draft. It will be interesting to see what teams make what picks and where these young talents will end up. The combine was a good week, but with pro days and the actual draft to come, anything can happen.
To read more about the NFL offseason and its rookies, visit NFL Draft Right Around the Corner.
Eli Rafail is a senior and a second year Journalism student.
Eli participates in sports and activities in school including football, baseball, band,...