NFL Combine Thoughts & Reactions
By Dylan Testin
The NFL Combine wrapped up on Monday with the defensive backs performing the last of the workouts. As usual, there were some shocking and disappointing performances. A couple of guys will be made by this combine, and a few others will see a dent in that first paycheck due to their lackluster performance. Here are my 5 takeaways from the 2016 NFL Combine.
Laremy Tunsil is Going to be the #1 Pick
Laremy Tunsil was initially predicted to be the first overall pick to the Tennessee Titans due to Marcus Mariota getting continually crushed his rookie season. Keeping Mariota healthy has to be the Titans’ main priority next season if they don’t plan on being in this same spot next off-season. Tunsil showed the league why he was considered the number one pick on Saturday when he worked out at the NFL Combine. He didn’t run the 40 or jump the vertical, but he participated in the offensive lineman drills. In those drills, Tunsil impressed everyone with his mobility, movement, and gracefulness. Mike Mayock went as far as comparing him to four-time pro bowler Trent Williams. He is the clear-cut pick for a team that needs to protect its franchise quarterback. Drafting Tunsil would allow the Titans to move Taylor Lewan to the right side, which would give Tennessee an excellent, young core on the offensive line.
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There Are Some Defensive Studs This Year
From the top all the way to the bottom, this draft class is loaded with defensive talent. With names like Myles Jack at the top, and Todd Matakevich towards the bottom of the class, there are some kids that can ball on the defensive side. At the top, there are some studs that will make an immediate impact on defenses and being game changers. When you go deeper into the class, there are guys like Matakevich and Scooby Wright who can flat out ball, but don’t have the measurables that other players above them have. If this weren’t such a dynamic class, Wright would likely be a first round pick and Matakevich would likely find himself in the second round. With the depth the defensive side of the ball, it is very safe to say that this should be an exciting draft for teams that need to improve their defenses.
This Year’s Wide Receivers Isn’t Anywhere Near the Past Two Years
It started with Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, and Odell Beckham, Jr. in 2014, and moved on to Amari Cooper and Kevin White last year. The 2014 wide receiver draft classes will go down as one of the best ever, and this past year’s class has the potential to be great as well. As great as the past two classes can be, this year’s class will be disappointing to the fans that are looking for the next superstar receivers. Laquon Treadwell is everyone’s top receiver this year, and there is no heavily favored second guy. Josh Doctson, Michael Thomas, Will Fuller, and even Braxton Miller could be the second wideout taken. Maybe one or two of those guys will break out and have a solid career, but their ceiling is nowhere near where Watkins’, Cooper’s, or White’s was coming out of college.
Jalen Ramsey Will be A Star
The only question marks surrounding Jalen Ramsey coming into the draft is if he is more suited to play safety or cornerback in the NFL. He is a supreme athlete and will be an impact player from day one no matter what team he goes to. Initially, I had Ramsey going to Jacksonville at number five overall, but after watching him perform at the combine, I am beginning to think he will go to San Diego with the third pick. He ran a 4.41 40, jumped 41.5″ in the vertical, and 11’3″ in the broad jump. From what I have seen of him, Ramsey would be better off playing hybrid safety in the league, where he can virtually be a center fielder and roam the field to make plays as he sees them. If Ramsey goes to the right team and avoids injury, he will be a first ballot hall of famer when he decides to hang up his cleats
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There Are Some Freaks in Football
I say it every year, and I will say it again: the athleticism and talent it takes to compete at this level is absolutely insane. The work that these young men put in is also something to be noted, as most of them never take a day off every year. It takes special talent and intense work to even be invited to participate at the combine, let alone thrive at it. So I would like to take a moment and applaud not only the men that have made it in the NFL, but the ones that will go undrafted this year, and fight to earn a spot on the practice teams, and will go uncredited for their respected team’s success. As always, I hope to see a great NFL season, and am excited to see what the draft class of 2016 has to show us.