Hello all,
Today at the NFL Combine, the quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends all worked out and participated in numerous drills. Like yesterday’s Daily Combine Review, we are going to review some of the top performers of the day, and outline the impact that each performance will have on the prospect.
John Ross – WR – Washington – Top Performer
It would be a crime not to start with John Ross. Ross’ performance today was limited to just a few drills, as he cramped up after his best drill. That drill, if you haven’t heard by now, was the 40 yard dash. The record time at the beginning of the combine was 4.24 seconds set by running back Chris Johnson in 2008. By the end of the day, the top 40 yard dash time at the combine is now 4.22 seconds, set by John Ross. Everyone knew how fast John Ross is, but his record setting performance today at the combine’s 40 yard dash is a whole new level of fast. Ross also had a 37 inch vertical jump, and an impressive 133 inch broad jump.
KD Cannon – WR – Baylor – Top Performer
KD Cannon is a wide receiver from Baylor who I honestly did not know much about until today. Cannon first impressed me with his speed, posting a 4.41 second 40 yard dash. Although its no where near what Ross timed, it still was a very good time, as he finished fourth of all wide receivers in the 40 yard dash. Then I watched him participate in some catching drills, and I was very impressed. I don’t recall him dropping a ball during the drills. During the gauntlet drill, which is where the receiver has to run down a line catching balls from different directions, he was able to quickly catch the football and bring it into his chest with ease. I was very impressed with KD Cannon today, who is not listed as a top wide receiver. Cannon also jumped for an impressive 37 inch vertical jump, along with a 119 inch broad jump and 13 reps on the bench press drill.
Chris Godwin – WR – Penn State – Top Performer
Chris Godwin is another wide receiver I didn’t know very well, despite my personal taste in Big Ten football. The Penn State receiver played very well last season, especially in the Rose Bowl where he had 9 catches for 187 yards. Godwin is very similar to Cannon in the way he caught my attention. I first took note of his 4.42 second 40 yard dash, and his 6’1″ 209 pounds build. Then when Godwin went on to the catching drills, I did not see him drop one ball. He also had the best gauntlet drill of any receiver, as he caught the ball very well, and brought it into his chest before continuing on. Godwin also had a 4 second 20 yard shuttle, an 11.21 second 60 yard shuttle, a 126 inch broad jump, a 36 inch vertical jump, and 19 bench press reps.
Deshaun Watson – QB – Clemson – Top Performer
Although this is a Ravens blog, and the Ravens aren’t in the market for a starting quarterback, I still have to recognize greatness. Deshaun Watson is great, and is the best quarterback in the draft in my opinion. His record should speak for itself, however, many analysts are putting him as the third best quarterback or bellow. Watson set out to prove himself today, and he did just that. Watson ran for the third best 40 yard dash of all quarterbacks today with a time of 4.66 seconds, a fifth best among quarterbacks vertical jump at 32.5 inches, a fourth best of all the quarterbacks broad jump at 119 inches, and a 4.31 second 20 yard shuttle. Most impressive, however, was the accuracy and precision with which Watson threw in the throwing and catching drills, which further solidified him to me as the best quarterback in this year’s draft.
Evan Engram – TE – Mississippi – Top Performer
Like two of the aforementioned wide receivers, I knew little about Evan Engram, mostly because this tight end class is so deep, players can get overlooked easily. No one will over look Evan Engram after today’s combine performance however. Engram, a 6’3″ 234 pound tight end, ran for an outstanding 4.42 second 40 yard dash. No other tight end came close to that time, as the second best was O.J. Howard at 4.51 seconds. Engram also put up an impressive 36 inch vertical jump, and a 125 inch broad jump. Engram also did very well in the catching drills, and impressed many.
