2017 NFL Scouting Combine: Whose Rising, Falling and Other Early Observations, Pt. 2

Niner Noise looks at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine and gives fans our take on whose stock is rising, falling and other early notes so far.

Welcome back to part two in our series covering the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine. It we would be remiss if we did not start this update without going straight to one, Mr. John Ross III.

The former Washington Huskies wide receiver, Ross scorched the track at Lucas Oil Stadium on his way to setting the record for the fastest recorded time by anyone at the combine.

The record was previously held by Chris Johnson who went on to be an outstanding NFL running back. Since Johnson set the record back in 2008, many other prospects had come close to besting Johnson’s 4.24 40-yard dash. Unlike most of those other prospects who were simply fast athletes but not much else, Ross is actually a very talented WR who was already graded to be in the first-round conversation.

His record 4.22 40-yard dash time will guarantee that he goes somewhere in the top-10 of the NFL Draft.

Here are some of the twitter reactions from Ross’ 40-yard dash record-setting performance:

Someone, somewhere is probably getting Trent Baalke a paper bag to slow his breathing down, Ross also tore an ACL in the spring of 2015, which would have made him perfect for Baalke’s All-ACL team.

Oh, and parting words on Ross, he also posted this for his broad jump:

Rising: Deshaun Watson

In the battle of first-round quarterbacks, it was Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson who impressed in the eyes of most. It is really no surprise that Watson handled the pressure well considering that he has done exactly that his entire career.

Still, throws made in a controlled environment like those made at the NFL Scouting Combine should be taken with a grain of salt. Many past QBs have shined at the combine only to stink come Sundays (here’s looking at you, JaMarcus Russell).

Nonetheless, it is a positive sign that Watson outshined all QBs present. Especially considering that he followed fellow first-round projected QB Mitch Trubisky and effortlessly outperformed him. In addition, some are saying that Watson turned in a performance similar to that of current Tennessee Titans QB Marcus Mariota. Two years ago, Mariota needed to display accuracy on five- and seven-step drops in order to be drafted in the top five of the draft — he went No. 2 overall.

Niner Noise thinks Watson performed better than Mariota as he took less time in his set up, displayed superb footwork, and accuracy that was absolutely money.

In case you missed his performance, here are some of his throws:

He received some high praise from some notable names including Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who told USA Today Sports:

"Unbelievable. He had a great day. Every throw was on the money."

Here are some of the Twitter reactions to Watson’s throwing performance:

Closing comments on Watson will come courtesy of Alabama defensive linemen Johnathan Allen, a consensus top-five rated draft prospect, who was at the NFL Scouting Combine, what he thought of Watson. This is what he said:

Rising: Curtis Samuel

One name who is strangely not mentioned more by the mainstream draft media is former Ohio State’s Curtis Samuel. Like former Washington Huskie John Ross, Samuel can flat out fly.

No, Samuel is not as fast Ross, who set the combine record with a blazing 4.22 40-yard dash.

Regardless, Samuel’s 4.31 40-yard dash is fast — very, very fast. How fast you ask?

Well, per CheatSheet.com, only nine other players since Ross set the new record have recorded faster times than Samuel. It should be noted that Samuel is also tied with four other players. Nevertheless, a 4.31 is the seventh fastest 40-yard dash ever recorded at the combine.

Even more impressive is that Samuel is a true hybrid player who plays as a running back and as a slot wide receiver. As a dual-role player, Samuel recorded 822 receiving yards and 704 rushing yards. Put on the tape and you see a player with explosiveness, great lateral agility, and great hands.

Check out his highlight reel below:

Needless to say Samuel made himself some money. Here are some Twitter reactions to his combine performance so far:

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/838089407521419264

College statistics provided courtesy of Ohio State University.

Rising: Myles Garrett

As expected, Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett measured in at 6-foot-5 and 272 pounds, which was pretty much what was Texas A&M had listed him on their site. Also as noted below, Garrett pretty much measures up with former No.1 overall selection Jadeveon Clowney:

However, unlike Clowney, Garrett completely destroyed the bench press. The bench press is a drill that does translate to the field for players like Garrett. Garrett hoisted up an insurmountable 33 reps on the bench.

Take a look at Garrett’s performance below:

As noted by the tweet below, making this task more impressive is that he did this with super long arms.

More twitter reactions:

https://twitter.com/TommySledge/status/838144456238977024

Garrett still needs to impress with the on-field drills and, of course, the all important 40-yard dash. That will all be recorded later today. I bet Baalke is drooling somewhere uncontrollably thinking of Garrett’s arm length and strength.

Falling: Mitchell Trubisky

If Clemson QB Deshaun Watson lifted his draft stock, Trubisky certainly didn’t help his. By most accounts, Trubisky was largely overshadowed by Watson who one-upped him after every throw he made. No, seriously. Watson followed immediately after Trubisky made his throws.

At the combine, Trubisky looked timid and almost intimidated by the moment. Many have questioned his ability to lead especially since he is a one-year starter. Many, (including this sportswriter) started to see a decline in his decision making and poise in the latter part of his season with the University of North Carolina.

Since then, Trubisky suddenly started to throw more interceptions and started to misread defenses. Then of course came the Sun Bowl where he wilted under the pressure. It was a sharp contrast to what Watson has done under the big lights.

As was noted by Bryan Perez of Bears Wire:

"Trubisky is already fighting a lack of experience and some glaringly bad moments in his one full season of college tape."

Perez is not alone on that assessment either. NFL Draft analyst Bucky Brooks mentioned it as well during the live coverage of the NFL Scouting Combine on the NFL Network. Brooks stated that:

"He didn’t start throwing interceptions until late in the year. He gets a little rattled."

Statistics are one thing, toughness is another thing altogether. Some are also starting to wonder if Trubisky’s quiet nature is less quite confidence and more like former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s “aloofness.” In the Twittersphere, he is already starting to be mocked for his less-than-confident body language:

Check out more media reports critical of Trubisky heading into NFL Scouting Combine:

Another great read is Niner Noise’s very own Akash Anavarathan, who covered the same topic. Check it out below:

Why the 49ers Must Avoid QB Mitch Trubisky in 2017 NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers will need to find the franchise quarterback this offseason. At all costs, they should stay away from taking QB Mitch Trubisky.

Also, Trubisky asked the media to call him Mitchell instead of Mitch at the combine.

Which prompted the following:

Falling: Deshone Kizer

Another QB who hurt their stock was Notre Dame quarterback Deshone Kizer.

Kizer possesses prototypical QB traits which means almost always means that scouts end up pushing an average college QB into the first round on measurables alone.

Kizer seems to fit that same mold. Like QBs before him, Kizer has done little to impress on film except for having a cannon of an arm and one very exceptional game against Texas. Aside from that, Kizer is the classic high-upside QB. To be fair, Kizer had a poor cast surrounding him at Notre Dame and his film is not too shabby.

He is best suited as a day two QB but, from early on, he has been catapulted into the first-round debate. Yesterday, Kizer struggled with his footwork. It was clear that he was uncomfortable making three, five and seven-step drops. In addition, his accuracy suffered due to trying to time his release with the drops.

Some prominent members of sports media attempted to save Kizer some face, but the reality is that his footwork looked terrible.

The truth is that teams grade everything at the combine. This is how the previously mentioned Marcus Mariota leaped from possible first-round QB to No. 2 overall selection. He came in and displayed excellent footwork, throwing motion, fluid release, accuracy and mechanics.

Kizer displayed, well… arm strength. So have many other strong-armed QB prospects. Here’s looking at you Jay Cutler.

Here’s what others are saying about Kizer’s performance on Twitter:

Yeah, but he does have a cannon for an arm!

Honorable Mention

Tight ends. All of them. No, seriously. Seemingly, all of the top-graded TEs dominated their individual workouts. Leading the way is Alabama’s O.J. Howard who was widely expected to lead all tight ends.

However, this is a diverse group of tight ends in which teams can even find starters deep into middle rounds of the draft.

More from Twitter regarding the TE group:

Niner Noise will keep updating readers as the NFL Scouting Combine continues to roll on.

For more 49ers commentary, follow me on Twitter at @EricGamboa01 or on Facebook at @EricGamboaNinerNoise.

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Next: 2017 NFL Scouting Combine: Whose Rising, Falling and Other Early Observations Pt. 1

And, of course, GO NINERS!!!