NFL Draft: Day 4 Standouts

As a much hyped day two of the NFL Combine rapped up there were some surprises and disappointments as expected so here a look at the most notable.

Quarterbacks:

Ryan Mallet – Probably helped his stock more than any quarterback out there today. Despite the fact that Mallet basically proved to everyone what they already knew, he do so in convincing fashion. The guy has the best arm in the this quarterback class, not including Blaine Gabbert who didn’t throw today, and he has great size at 6’6.

I know everyones all over his maturity but it’s really evident that he has some character issues.

Jake Locker – He had an interesting day because he looked great at doing the things that don’t matter all that much and poor at the things that do.

He finished in the top three for quarterback for every drill other than broad jump in which he tied Blaine Gabbert for fourth. Locker is a great athlete but his accuracy issues took center stage and will likely impact his draft status, making him more of a middle round selection. Whoever takes him will have to develop him into the type of player that can move the ball with his arm and not just short throws.

Colin Kaepernick – He seems to be everyone’s “under-the-radar” guy but he did a lot of things well and that’s usually all it takes to increase your draft stock. I don’t think that he’s jumped Locker yet but I wouldn’t be shocked if did eventually only because he throws the ball so much better than Locker and that’s what really matters.

Andy Dalton – Longshot but I really liked what I saw from him despite the question marks regarding his arm strength. Should be a good value if taken later in the draft and heads to a good organization that will allow him to develop, kind of like Matt Flynn did in Green Bay.

Running Backs:

Mark Ingram – The guy looks like a solid player and proved to be what many had already believed. Ran a 4.58 and 4.62 which is good but not great, though you shouldn’t have expected him to come in as the fastest. Overall I like him and thinks he’s got a good shot to be a productive player.

It’s just interesting to see how much value the running back position has lost in the last five years. Even though he’s likely the best running back in draft, I wouldn’t want my team to be in a position where they were considering him over other players int he first round.

Mikel LeShoure – Had similar 40 times to Ingram and has a similar build which makes you wonder if he may be a better value given that Ingram is likely to be the only RB taken in the first round.

DeMarco Murry – Had great 40 times and looked probably the best runner in the group. He can prove that he can catch the ball out of the backfield it will go a long way towards making him a serviceable back in the NFL.

Da’rel Scott – Had the fastest 40 time (4.34) which is a great category to win considering the premium that’s put on speed. Teams are more likely to take a chance a fast and agile back than to invest in slow power-back.