After the NFL Scouting Combine, there are certain prospects that always improve their draft value based on their performance. Some players do so well they often soar up the draft board, typically moving up rounds.
The Scouting Combine in Indianapolis really kicks off NFL Draft season, with executives and scouts from all over the country piling in to see NFL prospects. At the same time, players come to the combine with hopes of increasing their draft chances.
Through various events, players are given the chance to improve their draft stock. Certain guys grab the attention of the media through the popular events of the 40-yard dash, the jumps or the bench press.
Regardless, coming out of the Scouting Combine, certain prospects earn themselves’ a raise by performing highly during this weekend.
Let’s take a look at five prospects, who made the most out of their opportunity at the combine and raised their draft value.
No. 1: WR John Ross
If you haven’t heard already, the Washington Wide Receiver ran the 40-yard dash in 4.24 seconds, which had teams drooling over him.
Ross went ahead and beat RB Chris Johnson’s record of 4.28 seconds and is the current record-holder in the 40-yard dash.
If you didn’t happen to catch it, here it is below:
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/838080788792893440
He wasn’t able to participate in the other events, due to cramping, but the 40-yard dash alone was enough to push Ross up some draft boards.
Ross had an outstanding comeback season in 2016, with 81 catches for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns. The most important thing was to see if Ross could show off his blazing speed — he sure did — after his gruesome injury in 2015.
After this combine performance, Ross will find himself soaring up draft boards into the first round. I think it might even help make the case that he should be the first wide receiver taken off the board in the draft.
No. 2: DB Obi Melifonwu
If you haven’t heard of Melifonwu, don’t worry, you’re not alone. The ex-Connecticut defensive back came into the combine as an athletic, rangy safety who has the athletic traits to become successful in the NFL.
Melifonwu stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 220 pounds and will be the back line of defense for an NFL team in the fall. The combine is important for prospects like this, who come and showcase their raw athletic ability.
The former Husky turned heads on Monday, as he had the second-longest broad jump in history, and ran a 4.40 second 40-yard dash. He’s only one of two prospects ever with those combination of statistics — the other being former teammate CB Byron Jones.
He came into the draft as a fringe second-round prospect, but might have worked himself into the late first round. The NFL Draft this year features a lot of good safeties, but Melifonwu’s athleticism stands second to none.
The combination of size, speed and athleticism are rare to see at the safety position. With a good display at the combine, Melifonwu has seen his stock rise over the past weekend.
No. 3: RB Christian McCaffrey
The prospect from Stanford showcased all of his talents at the combine, pushing for teams to draft him early in the first round. Coming in, McCaffrey was arguably the third-best running back in this draft class, but I think he’s passed RB Dalvin Cook.
McCaffrey excelled in all of the drills, posting a 4.48 second 40-yard dash. The ex-Cardinal running back had a three-cone drill time of 6.57 seconds, which was the second-fastest by a running back since 2003.
McCaffrey showed his versatility by also posting one of the better vertical jumps by running backs in the draft.
Coming out of Stanford, McCaffrey was one of the best all-round running backs, with nearly 2,000 yards rushing and receiving.
He’s warranted discussion to be taken in the first round, but with this combine performance, I think he’s taken in the top 20.
McCaffrey will be an electric player, impacting all facets of the game and his versatility was on full display at the NFL Scouting Combine.
No. 3: QB Deshaun Watson
For a quarterback, the NFL Scouting Combine can be one of the toughest environments to be in. But when you’re QB Deshaun Watson and you’ve been in two national championship games, the combine doesn’t phase you as much.
The quarterbacks in this draft had not separated themselves from each other — until this past weekend. Scouts couldn’t come up with a consensus number one quarterback, switching between QB Mitchell Trubisky, QB Deshone Kizer and Watson.
But this weekend, Watson came out and proved that he was THE quarterback in this draft.
The Clemson signal-caller was so impressive that Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs couldn’t help but fawn over him.
Reid told USA Today Sports, “Unbelievable, he had a great day. Every throw was on the money.”
Jarrett Bell of USA Today, who was at the combine, noted that Watson separated himself from the rest of the pack with his deep ball accuracy. While others sputtered, the ex-Tigers quarterback consistently hit on those throws.
It’s been hard to find a spot for Watson in the NFL Draft this season. Many think he’s a first rounder, but probably not the first quarterback taken.
With Watson’s stellar performance at the combine with his fellow competitors, Watson stood head and shoulders above the rest.
Will the Clemson quarterback be the first QB off the board at the Draft? Not sure, but I do know he’s got everyone buzzing about him now.
No. 3: TE Evan Engram
In a class of tight ends that’s one of the best in recent years, TE Evan Engram from Ole Miss managed to stand out. Arguably the third-best tight end in the class behind fellow tight ends O.J Howard and David Njoku, Engram showed he was no slouch.
Engram blew people away on the track with his 4.42 second 40-yard dash time. He ranked first among all of the tight ends in this draft class.
Think about this, Engram was so fast in the 40-yard dash, he was faster than a lot of wide receivers in this draft.
More from SF 49ers Draft
- 49ers 2023 NFL Draft tracker: Pick-by-pick news and analysis
- Predicting 49ers NFL Draft picks by looking at final mocks
- DraftKings NFL Draft Promo – Win $150 Guaranteed on Any $5 Bet
- 2023 NFL Draft: EDGE Byron Young could be impact player for 49ers
- 5 low-key NFL Draft options for 49ers who are flying under the radar
Although undersized, he was fifth in the vertical leap and sixth in the broad jump among all tight ends.
Coming into the combine, Engram was a borderline first-second round pick, but he might have worked himself back into the first round.
Next: How a Pocket Passer Can Save the 49ers
Engram may not possess the on-field talent that Howard or Njoku do, but he has pure athleticism and speed that was on full display at the combine.