By Alex Kozora
Notes from the first day of workouts at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Offensive lineman and tight ends worked out today. Nothing too in-depth. Just some musings. Bear in mind tape, the interview process, and medical, are all far more important than the events themselves. Maintaining perspective when watching the Combine is critical.
Offensive Lineman
The Weigh In
– Florida guard Jonathan Halapio is only 6’3 1/2 but has above average length with 33 5/8 arms and 10 1/4 hands.
– Miami (FL) OT Seantrel Henderson is a house at 6’7 331 with 34 5/8 inch arms and 10 1/2 hands. 5th and tied for third biggest respectively.
– Kadeem Edwards from FCS Tennessee State has a ton of length for any lineman, let alone someone who is a guard. At 6’4 1/8, he has 35 1/2 inch arms. On that alone, makes him an interesting small school prospect and somebody I’d like to try and check out.
– Another small-school product failed to impress from a measurable standpoint. Bloomsburg’s Matt Feiler has the size at 6’5 7/8 320 but owns just 32 inch arms and 9 1/2 hands.
– Ditto for Utah State’s Ted Larsen. Above average height for a center standing in at 6’4 but Doug Legursky-esque 31 1/2 inch arms. Second shortest of the lineman.
– Compare that to USC’s Marcus Martin, a 6’3 3/8 center but has 34 inch arms and 10 inch hands.
– Cyrus Kouandjio had an uninspiring day (more on him later) but can still hang his hat on his rare size. Nearly 6’7 at 322 with 35 5/8 arms and 10 1/4 hands. A monster.
– Virginia’s Morgan Moses looks the part at 6’6 314 with 35 3/8 arms.
– If you were going to choose one man to get off the bus first, my money is on Auburn’s Greg Robinson. 6’5 332 and possesses 35 inch arms. Carries his weight as well as anyone you’ll ever see.
– Clemson OG Brandon Thomas another prospect with below average height (6’3 1/4 ) but tremendous length (34 3/4 ).
– Alabama guard Anthony Steen with the shortest arms. Just 30 1/2 standing at 6’3.
The Events
– Michigan’s Taylor Lewan with the fastest 40 of the day. 4.87 at 6’7 309. Even more importantly, had the second best 10 yard split at 1.64. Average for this year’s class was 1.76. Slender build but one he can grow in to.
– Nevada tackle Joel Bitonio will make scouts rewatch tape on him after his performance. 4.97 official 40, an excellent ten yard split of 1.68, and the second best vertical of 30 1/2 inches. One of three lineman with a broad jump that surpassed eleven feet (Lewan and Robinson were the others).
– Same can be said for Boston College’s Matt Patchan. 4.9 40 and the best 10 yard split on his first attempt, 1.59. Vertical of 32 inches. Another lineman with a lean look at 6’6 302.
– Having 32 1/2 arms helps but Russell Bodine’s 42 reps on the bench press is nonetheless impressive. North Carolina guard also had an above average 10 yard split, registering 1.72.
– Antonio “Tiny” Richardson’s strength is legit. 35 inch arms and still rattled off 36 reps of 225? Eye opening.
– Zach Martin isn’t abnormally muscular but it’s still disappointing that he only had 23 reps. Didn’t run the 40, either.
– Cyrus Kouandjio’s 21 reps may seem disappointing on the surface but keep in mind the arm length. Longer arms usually mean fewer reps. Have to lift the bar higher. Advantage T-Rex’s.
The Drills
– Wisconsin guard Ryan Groy lumbered around in drills. Screwed up instructions from the coach in one drill too, going to the wrong way.
– Florida’s Jonathan Harrison struggled to move in a straight line while working laterally in the mirror drill.
– Henderson did show good effort to bend his knees but is predictably tight-hipped at his size.
– Kouandjio was slow off the ball in drills, most notably in the fold block and mirror drills. Does have a wide base that makes up for the lack of movement he showed. And he looked better on tape than the drills. Still the most important aspect. Also receiving red flags on his left knee. Some teams have reportedly failed him in his physical.
– On the other hand, small school sleeper Dakota Dozier (Furman) looked explosive when asked to pull. A left tackle in college, he’ll likely convert to guard. Ability to pull is a big plus for power schemes.
– Stanford’s Cameron Fleming looks the part but very stiff in slow. Phone booth player, for sure.
– Feiler was relatively smooth when asked to flip his hips but pretty slow, too. Technician but not much of an athlete.
– Zach Fulton from Tennessee has a very wide base that helped him when asked to mirror.
– Halapio owns quick feet that are always moving. Plays with good bend.
– Not surprisingly, Taylor Lewan has fluid hips.
– Ohio State’s Jack Mewhort was too tall. Needs to show better bend.
– One of the top prospects, Texas A&M’s Jake Matthews, predictably showed excellent knee bend.
– Moses another lineman that couldn’t stay in a straight line. Looked like a failed sobriety test.
– Both Richardsons, Antonio and Cyril, were very tight-hipped and exposed in drills. Not as big of an issue for Cyril, a guard, as it is for Antonio, a left tackle in college.
– Guard Xavier Su’a-Filo looked a bit erratic and out of control in drills but also showed off a ton of athleticism.
– Billy Turner looked much better on tape than he did in drills. Concerning that he struggled when pitted against top competition.
Tight Ends
The Weigh In
– Jace Amaro impressive specimen at just over 6’5 265 and 34 inch arms. Empircal evidence of his catch radius. Arm length will be an asset as he learns how to in-line block. Rarely asked to do that at Texas Tech.
– Jordan Najvar of Baylor has just 32 1/4 arms on a nearly 6’6 frame. Not what you’re looking for.
– Iowa’s CJ Fiedorowicz did not stand out but has solid triangle numbers. 6’5 1/2 265 with 33 inch arms and 10 1/4 hands.
– Couple of true tweeners in this group. Florida’s Trey Burton (6’2 224) and Utah’s Anthony Denham (6’4 1/2 235).
The Events
– Mike Mayock was dogging Amaro for his 40 times. It was a little low but not too far off what should have been expected. He’s not a top notch athlete. Still a fan oh Amaro.
– Colt Lyerla’s off the field issues are clear, and I would never draft him, but his numbers jump at you. 4.61 40 and an eye-popping 36 1/2 inch vertical and a 10 foot, eight inch broad jump.
– Small school kid making a name for himself. Tennessee State’s A.C. Leonard ran the fastest 40, a 4.5 at 252 pounds. Also had a 10’8” broad. Well-built with a lot of muscle. 34 catches and 5 TDs in 2013.
The Drills
– Wisconsin’s Jacob Pederson showed good hands. Tracked the ball well on a nine route and plucked an off-target throw running a dig in a separate drill.
– As mentioned, Fiedorowicz is just an average athlete. Not a vertical threat. 0-2 on catches on the corner route drill.
Unfortunately don’t have as much on the drills. Watching on TV, not online, and much of the time was dedicated to covering the Michael Sam press conference.
