The scouting combine concluded yesterday with defensive backs running 40′s and going through on-field drills. Today we’ll discuss which offensive players stood out over the weekend.
For the Washington Redskins, it was a great opportunity to gauge the talent pool in the upcoming 2014 NFL Draft prior to free agency. It gives the team an opportunity to see players up-close, get thorough medicals and pick some of these guy’s brains. Now, with less than two weeks until Free Agency, the team has a feel of which positions they can lean heavily on in the draft.
Washington Redskins’ top needs: OL, DL, ILB, S, CB, WR
Offensive Linemen that stood out:
- Florida Guard Jon Halapio stood out to me. He’s a guy we’ve mentioned for the Redskins since the Senior Bowl. Halapio played with an 80% pec tear his senior season, which tells you a lot about the guy. At 6ftt 3, 323 lbs, he fits the criteria of what we’d believe Washington’s head coach Jay Gruden would like. The team has met with Halapio twice (once at the Senior Bowl and again at the Combine). I think this will be a guy they seriously look at in that 4th-5th round range.
- Miami Right Tackle Sentreal Henderson is a freak athlete and he sure didn’t disappoint at the combine. The issue with him is character and finding out if he’s committed to being great. He has all the attributes to be a great right tackle at the next level. But his rocky collegiate career raises a few eyebrows. What Henderson needed to do at the combine is interview well. If he did, I think he’s a classic boom or bust guy the Redskins could take a flier on. Don’t forget, when Jay Gruden was in Cincy, it took him to motivate underachieving right tackle Andre Smith. Henderson could be that guy.
- Mizzou Offensive Tackle Justin Britt stood out to me. I didn’t know much about him prior to the combine, but he forced me to watch some tape. He’s a very versatile linemen who can play all five spots. He could be a day three steal in the draft.
Tight Ends that stood out:
- The tight ends somewhat disappointed me at the combine. Some of the top guys didn’t perform as well as I’d expect. But its still a deep talent pool. One guy who did stand out is Dixie St. TE Joe Don Duncan. The guy benched 35 times — showing great strength. He also faired well in drills. I like the guy and think he’s a bit underrated having attended a D-2 school.
Wide Receivers that stood out:
It became very clear that this may be the deepest group of receivers ever in an NFL Draft. Last year six WRs went in the first two rounds. I’ve heard that at least 10 will go in the first two rounds this year and you’ll be surprised how different teams rank them. So, while its a deep group — you better establish who you like early or that guy could be gone. There’s a bit of every flavor in this group — deep threats, slot WRs, possession guys and utility receivers. From a HWS (height, weight and speed) persecptive, there’s several freak athletes too.
- Clemson WR Martavis Bryant has been a guy we’ve talked about for a little over a month now. He’s the “other guy” in that Clemson offense with Sammy Watkins being the featured WR. Like many receivers who make some exceptional grabs, Bryant drops some easy ones at times. But he looked great at the combine. He’s a freak athlete and it’s backed up on tape. Only three WRs in the nation ran more yards per route than Bryant in 2013. His production was good considering his limited touches. He’s the guy I believe has the most “potential” to be exactly what Gruden would want in a WR. Then there’s that Doug Williams connection that I learned about over the weekend… Bryant was the top target of Doug Williams Jr. in High School. So let the dot connecting begin… Bryant has been training with Hall of Fame WR Chris Carter in Florida. I think he’s a guy the Redskins will be highly interested in early in the draft.
- Ole Miss WR Donte Moncrief is another guy we’ve discussed over the past month. Many people felt Moncrief was a slow receiver — but all I saw on tape was him never getting caught from behind. He had exceptional production against top SEC talent and excelled on deep routes. I felt that Moncrief was capable of running a 4.45, but he blew the top off at the combine and ran a 4.4 forty. He struggled with drops in college. However, he’s a receiver I think has nice upside.
- Alabama WR Kevin Norwood is Mr. Consistency. No one talks about the guy, but he did well at the Senior Bowl and continued to display good ability at the combine. He’s a guy who has a knack for high pointing footballs. He’s a polished football player and although he’s 6ft 2, he’s best in the slot. He’s a guy that will consistently move the chains for you (had 24 first downs last season). He fits the Gruden mold — could be a late round steal.
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