NFL Combine Risers and Fallers: Who improved their draft stock?
By Dan Dahlke
Six Fallers from the Combine
1. Teez Tabor, CB, Florida
The former Gator playmaker was frequently considered a first-round prospect. However, he did not perform well at all at the combine.
He tied for the slowest 40-yard dash time among all cornerbacks with an abysmal 4.62. He also recorded the second worst vertical at his position at 31 inches, and his broad jump (120-inches) and bench press (9 reps) were very average.
Tabor’s forty time alone will drop him out of the first round and could even plumet him into the latter half of the third round.
2. Tim Williams, Edge, Alabama
It was a rough week for Alabama defenders. While on tape Williams looks like one of the most explosive athletes in the draft class, his workout numbers paint another picture.
He recorded a very average 33-inch vertical, and looked sluggish in agility drills. His three-cone time (7.36) makes me question how well he can really bend the edge and turn a corner. His slow shuttle time (4.57) was in the bottom half of edge rushers and could be a concern for teams projecting him as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL.
It was an overall disappointing day for Williams, and adding in off-field concerns to this picture could lead him to drop well out of the first round.
3. Isaiah Ford, WR, Virginia Tech
Going into the combine, I viewed Ford as a my sixth-ranked receiver and a likely second-round prospect. He showed big-play ability at Virginia Tech.
However, his workout numbers were disappointing and raise several concerns about how well his game will translate to the NFL. For a receiver that’s supposed to boast downfield receiving ability, Ford’s 4.61 40-yard dash time is way too slow for a boundary receiver that is supposed to add speed to an offense.
He also didn’t standout in either the vertical or broad jump. He also posted a slow shuttle time (4.34) and finished in the middle of the pack in the three-cone drill.
The combine revealed that there isn’t any one athletic trait that Ford excels at, which could significantly hurt his draft stock. He may even drop into Day 3 if he doesn’t improve on his numbers at his pro day.
4. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
There may have not been a more disappointing combine performance than the day Dalvin Cook had. While many expected he’d be a guy that would put up eye-popping workout numbers, the former Florida State tailback not only performed below expectations, he also had surprisingly sluggish times in agility drills.
Cook’s 4.49 40-yard dash time was slower than expected, but still a good time for a halfback. He also put up a respectable 22 reps on the bench. However, his vertical (30.5-inches) and broad jump (116-inches) were surprisingly low, and this is concerning given these are the drills that are supposed to test a player’s lower body explosiveness.
He also recorded one of the slowest 20-yard shuttle times (4.53) for a running back, which is a drill that tests a players short-area burst and lateral movement. Cook’s agility and short-area movement are supposed to be assets to his game, but his testing numbers now put this into question.
Cook’s film is still strong enough to still keep him in the early rounds, but the poor testing, coupled with the injury and off-field concerns, could cause him to drop out of the first round.
5. Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
The former Alabama inside linebacker wasn’t going to workout in the drills at the combine because he’s still dealing with a significant shoulder injury.
Foster still had a lot to gain in being present in Indianapolis and conducting team interviews. By showcasing his extensive football IQ would have gone a long way in solidified his spot as one of the top defenders in the draft class.
However, Foster got in an altercation with a hospital worker Friday night while waiting for his medical examination, and consequently was dismissed from the NFL Combine. This incident did not help Foster’s cause, and may have raised some red flags about his maturity and demeanor off the field.
Despite the dispute, Foster should still be regarded highly by teams and still land in the first half of the first round.
6. Rasul Douglas, CB, West Virginia
Douglas did not run well (4.59) on Monday, and his vertical (33-inches), three-cone (6.97), and short shuttle (4.26) were below average.
In a cornerback class this deep, Douglas didn’t do himself any favors with his athletic testing. He now runs the risk of getting buried behind a long list of talented defensive back prospects as several other players with better testing numbers could leapfrog him on draft boards.
He’s now a likely Day 3 prospect.