2016 NFL Scouting Combine: Post-Combine Risers & Fallers
By Jerod Brown
The 2016 NFL Scouting Combine is coming to a close. The only prospects left to do on-field workouts are the defensive backs on Monday. As players head home to prepare for pro days and private workouts, Niner Noise looks at risers and fallers from the weekend.
The San Francisco 49ers’ front office, scouts and coaching staff have been in Indianapolis for the past week observing NFL-hopefuls at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine. We looked at possible risers and fallers in the days leading up to the Scouting Combine and now, with the event wrapping up, we can assess who performed well and who left doubt among teams.
The weekend began with some not-so-surprising but big news about quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his future with the San Francisco 49ers. NFL Network’s Rand Getlin was the first to break the news.
Source: Kaepernick's agents have requested permission from the team to seek a trade.
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) February 25, 2016
Kaepernick requesting permission to seek a trade isn’t exactly surprising news. He’s had a falling out with the front office and likely feels burned by some of the recent actions. Bay Area Sports Guy Steve Berman wrote a great piece about the oncoming breakup between Kap and the 49ers. He wrote it in October. If anyone is shocked by this news, they haven’t paid much attention to the disconnect evident over the last year.
So, with the 49ers’ staff members in Indianapolis to observe prospects, the attention becomes squarely positioned on who will be the signal-caller next season.
Most fans figured the 49ers would select a quarterback in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft. When they might do that, however, was slightly muddied with the potential redemption of Kaepernick in new head coach Chip Kelly’s offense.
The 49ers might not allow Kaepernick’s representatives to seek a trade. There are reports that the team still believes he could be a star quarterback. However, having a disgruntled quarterback to lead the team with a new head coach isn’t exactly the best recipe for success.
Where does that leave us for risers and fallers from the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine? I’m glad you asked. The 49ers should’ve recognized the importance of this weekend before Kap’s request. Now, they should see quarterback as priority number one in the 2016 NFL Draft.
With the team needing to separate prospects and determine who can turn this franchise around, quarterback evaluations from now until April just got much more important.
Here are five prospects who affected their draft stock with their performances in Indianapolis at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine.
Next: Needs the Right Coach