The quarterback class this year looks to be pretty weak in my opinion, while the tight end class may just be the deepest of all time. I’ve been pretty against taking any of the quarterbacks from this class in the Top 15 and the Combine did not do anything to dissuade me. Frankly, this is the perfect year to show why I prefer GMs to actually think and not act in desperation and talk themselves into a player that is not right for them. I know they face a lot of pressure from Owners and Fans to win, but reaching for a quarterback is not the way to fix that.

Looking at these numbers isn’t really going to tell you very much. Just that anyone that compared Mitch Trubisky to a Marcus Mariota type athlete is a moron.

Deshone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame: Kizer is an intriguing prospect, but I would not take him in round 1. He has been all over the board with his play the past two years and his throws at the Combine seemed to match that. I think the physical traits are there, but he’s the type of guy that is going to need some time to develop.

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech: Mahomes is one of two quarterbacks that I would take in the first round if I was absolutely forced to…and I’m still not sure I would take Watson after he threw below the threshold for peak velocity.

Basically 55 MPH is the baseline for success and below 50 MPH is a red flag. No QB has had success in the NFL below 50. Mahomes showed off his live-wire arm at the Combine and while he missed a couple throws, he’s definitely got the ability to make all of them and from all sorts of throwing planes.

Mitchell Trubisky, QB, UNC: I still think that this guy has been so hyped up the past few months that he has no chance to live up to it. He definitely has the ability to make all the throws and proved that at the Combine, but it did not do anything to make me want to go back and look at his tape and see if I missed anything. He also is not close to the type of athlete that people have hyped him up to be.

Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson: Watson tested pretty well from a physical stand point, but he showed that he does not have a very strong-arm and this will be a red flag for a lot of teams. Any questions about whether or not he can learn an NFL offense are likely still there, but now there are questions about whether or not he has the arm talent to succeed. I am a Deshaun Watson fan, but the under 50 MPH is a problem. The high number doesn’t make a player better or worse than others on the list, but basically anything under 50 is unacceptable.

Now I could sit here and rattle off numbers and reviews for 15 different receivers but I really just don’t have time for that any more. It’s a deep class and while it’s not an explosive batch of wide receivers, there are some guys that are athletic and will be very good picks in rounds 3-5.

Jehu Chesson, WR, Michigan: Chesson had himself a very impressive day at the Combine and I think it’s going to help ensure that he gets drafted late. He did not have the production this past season to stand out, but combining his physical traits with his blocking ability is going to make him an intriguing pick for someone late. A 4.47 40, with a 35″ vertical and an 11′ broad jump are some big time numbers.

Amara Darboh, WR, Michigan: Darboh is a guy that his production in college never quite reached his potential as a wide receiver. At 6’1″ 214 lbs he tested extremely well. He posted a 4.45 40, 17 reps on the bench, a 36″ vertical and a 10’4″ broad jump. He looked smooth running routes and I think he’s going to be a very good WR2 in the NFL.

Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State: Godwin was easily one of the biggest winners of the Combine. He was a big play machine at Penn State this year and at 6’1″ 209 lbs he posted a 4.42 40, 19 reps on the bench, a 36″ vertical and a 10’6″ broad jump. Those are some big time numbers from a guy at that size. If he did this at 6’3″ he would be a round 1 lock.

Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech: Henderson was a guy that I really grew fond of during bowl season. He was a big-time playmaker and his numbers were pretty explosive. At 5’11” 199 lbs, he posted a 4.46 40, 13 reps on the bench, a 36″ vertical and a 10’11” broad jump.

Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina: Zay Jones is probably one of the fastest risers of the “post-season.” He ripped it up at the Senior Bowl and his stock has just continued to go through the roof. He weighed in at 6’2″ 201 lbs, then he posted a 4.45 40, 15 reps on the bench, a 36.5″ vertical and a 11’1″ broad jump. He’s an explosive athlete that should go in the second round.

John Ross, WR, Washington: Ross did not do much at the Combine other than blow the doors off the 40 with a 4.22 40. He broke Chris Johnson’s “record” (Trindon Holliday ran a 4.21)and got hurt during the attempt. Ross should go in the first round, but the injury did not do anything to quell concerns about his durability.

Curtis Samuel, WR, Ohio State: Despite being a Buckeye, Samuel is a guy that I like at the next level. Whether he ends up being a RB or a WR at the next level will depend on which team takes him, but I do know that he is a playmaker with the ball in his hand. For lack of a better comparison, just think Percy Harvin. Samuel weighed in at 5’11” 196 lbs and ran the quietest 4.31 40 ever because it was right after Ross’. He also posted 18 reps on the bench, a 37″ vertical and 9’11” broad jump. Do not sleep on this guy.

Mike Williams, WR, Clemson: Williams is a lot of draftniks WR1 and I have a hard time disagreeing with them. Corey Davis or Williams will be the first guy off the board, but Davis was hurt so he did not do anything at the Combine. Williams did not run, which is a concern for some, but he looked good catching the ball in drills. At his Pro Day, Williams ran around a 4.57 40, so he’ll be fine.

Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss: Engram is virtually a WR and he is going to be a matchup nightmare in the NFL. At 6’3″ 234 lbs he posted a 4.42 40 with 19 reps on the bench, a 36″ vertical and a 10’5″ broad jump. He’s probably going to end up on the Packers and ruin the NFC North.

OJ Howard, TE, Alabama: OJ Howard is an absolute freak. He’s the type of guy that Lions fans wish Eric Ebron was. OJ posted a 4.51 40 at 6’5″ 251 lbs which is scary fast. He then added 22 reps on the bench, a 30″ vertical and a 10’1″ broad jump. I do not want the Lions to draft a TE early, but if he was there in the first round, I would not be surprised if the Lions snatched him up.

George Kittle, TE, Iowa: Kittle is a personal favorite of mine because he can be had in the 3rd or 4th round and he’s a great athlete. At 6’3″ 247 lbs he posted a 4.52 40, 18 reps on the bench, a 35″ vertical and an 11′ broad jump. He’s the total package at tight end and while he’s not a ridiculous playmaker, he will be an asset.

David Njoku, TE, Miami: Njoku is an athlete but I want absolutely nothing to do with him. He’s going to end up going in the first round and while he’s an athlete, I’m not sure I’m totally sold on him. At 6’4″ 246 lbs he posted a 4.64 40, 21 reps on the bench, a 37.5″ vertical and an 11’1″ broad jump, he is without a doubt a supreme athlete. He pretty much assured he will go in the first round, I just do not know if he has the skill set to live up to that value.

Photo via: Tiger Net

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