The NFL Combine Day 2 is always the day with the biggest spotlight because it involves the QBs. This year we saw some players show the progress they are making in preparation for the combine. However, some of the players are showing the same weaknesses that were highlighted during their season. With that said, let’s get right to some of the highlights and lowlights of the QBs, WRs, and TEs.
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Quarterbacks
Mitchell Trubisky of UNC – The man formally known as Mitch was just okay with his combine performance on day 2. He had a solid 40 time, almost equal to Deshaun Watson, but Trubisky didn’t separate himself. He didn’t have that look of someone who could be taken as a top 5 pick.
Deshaun Watson of Clemson – Watson was arguably the most impressive QB on the field. Sources say he showed an alpha male personality. Watson also had a crisp day throwing and ran a good 40 time. He made the race for 1st QB taken much closer.
Deshone Kizer of Notre Dame – Kizer is the true enigma of all the QBs. He has the size and arm to make all the throws. However, his accuracy is a mess right now and he was inconsistent all day. On deep routes, he was overthrowing, on short routes he was making WRs have to dive for the ball.
Patrick Mahomes of Texas Tech – A lot of people are not exactly sure where to put Mahomes. He could be taken at the back end of round one, but more likely fits into round 2. Mahomes had a solid day of throwing, but his throwing motion is a bit weird. He does nothing bad, but there is something missing about him.
Brad Kaaya of Miami – One of the most impressive performances of day 2 was from Kaaya, but most people expected it. The biggest knock on Kaaya is he’s horrible with pressure. However, if he can find his way on a team that can protect him, he will be a steal for some team on day 2.
David Webb of California – Webb was the guy that surprised people. He is projected to go in round 3, but he has really good size and a lot of people think he’s better than last year’s #1 overall pick, Jared Goff. He has one of the best arms in the draft and some scouts consider him the top QB in the draft.
Wide Receivers
John Ross of Washington – It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t start off with the new record holder. Ross broke Chris Johnson’s 40 time combine record by putting up a blazing 4.22. After the run, he started to cramp up and was done for the day. But that one run alone made him the headliner of the day.
Cooper Kupp of Eastern Washington – The man who is considered top 5 WR in the draft by more than a few people disappointed with a 40 time of 4.62 and an underwhelming broad jump of 9’8”.
Curtis Samuels of Ohio State – Samuels pretty much picked up where John Ross left off. He had the 2nd fastest 40 time of the day with a 4.31. He also had a 37 inch vertical. He’s going to make some team very happy as a slot WR, possibly in round 2.
Dede Westbrook of Oklahoma – Sources say the Westbrook did horribly with the team interviews. He also did not workout at the combine. The same sources say that more than a few teams have him off their board completely because of off-field issues.
Zay Jones of ECU – Jones is sneaking into some people’s 1st rounds. He had a great day with a fast 40 for someone his size. He also had an 11’1” broad jump and a 36 and a half inch vertical. No one has helped their stock this offseason more than him.
Neither of the consensus top WRs, Mike Williams of Clemson or Corey Davis of Wester Michigan, ran the 40. Davis missed the combine altogether. Williams did most of the drills except the 40 and the 3 cone.
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Tight Ends
Evan Engram of Mississippi – Engram was expected to have the best 40 time and he did just that. The biggest knock on Engram will not be his athleticism, it will be his blocking and size. At only 234 pounds, teams aren’t sure if he can block well enough to play TE, but with a 4.42 time in his 40, he may be able to just play on the outside.
OJ Howard of Alabama – Howard put up a 4.51 for his 40, which was better than expected. He solidified himself as the top TE, and probably lengthened the lead. He really has nothing to knock him on.
David Njoku of Miami – Most expected Njoku to rip off the combine and he was just okay. He wasn’t bad, but he didn’t really stand out for someone most expected to challenge for the top TE to be selected.
Bucky Hodges of Virginia Tech – Hodges had a great workout on day 2. He’s someone that was projected for round 3 or 4, but with a 4.57 time in the 40 and besting all the other TEs in the vertical and broad jump, teams must now debate between tape vs numbers for when to draft him.
Jordan Leggett of Clemson – For some unknown reason to me, Leggett did not run the 40. With how well all the other TEs did, it may have pushed him back a little bit by not deciding to run it. However, he still has his pro day to show off the wheels.
Now that we’ve gotten through the offensive players, next up, we move onto the defensive side of the ball. The linebackers and defensive ends show off what they can do. With Myles Garrett expected to put on a show and Jabrill Peppers working out with the LBs, the day will definitely be interesting.