After the NFL Combine is an important time to reevaluate key rookie draft questions. With more information about athletic testing, on-field drills, medical evaluations and team interviews, the NFL Draft and rookie draft market is gaining clarity. Below are the list of key answers, and new questions to evaluate as the pre-draft process continues.
Baker Mayfield’s character
The Baker Mayfield character question will likely never get a definitive answer, and he is a ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ type of player. Mayfield was called “beyond cocky” by NFL personnel, but that does not define his character any more than Sam Darnold being called too quiet or Josh Rosen too interested in the environment.
Derrius Guice’s health
Derrius Guice had a strong combine. He weighed in above 220 pounds (224) and tested well. He ran a 4.49 40-yard dash, good for fifth at the position, and a first-round quality 110.2 speed score. Reports prior to the combine indicated Guice was never truly heathy in 2017, with coaches saying 2016 was a better reflection of his talent. Guice certainly did not appear to be held back by injury at the combine. His NFL Draft cost should reflect his health. If he is a later Round 1 or early Round 2 pick, the team selecting him is comfortable with his long-term health. Anything later than that area of the draft warrants some concern.
Nick Chubb’s knee
In 2016, Nick Chubb never looked like he returned to pre-2015 injury form. During the 2017 season, Chubb looked better on tape, demonstrating the elusiveness and athleticism he showed pre-injury. The combine put to rest any questions about Chubb’s athleticism. Chubb ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash, good for a speed score of 108.8, a 38.5″ vertical jump and a 10’8″ broad jump. Chubb’s SPARQ score (top 11%) was the second best in the class behind only Saquon Barkley.
We will never get a full medical file on Chubb prior to the draft, but his athletic testing and production profile as an early Day 2 pick at worst. If he falls below that range, there may be lingering issues, or at least concerns, with his knee.
Bo Scarbrough’s durability
Bo Scarbrough tested well at the combine, finishing behind only Barkley and Chubb in SPARQ score (top 17%). Scarbrough never carried the ball 20 times in a game in college, so his laundry list of college injuries is alarming.
Scarbrough’s currently ranks as RB14 in our consensus rank at 40 overall. At the cost, Scarbrough could be an attractive selection if he is a Day 3 pick. Like Chubb, we will never get a full report of his injuries, but information about him will leak before the draft that is worth monitoring. Either way, Scarbrough profiles as a player to flip for an upgrade if he rises in value in-season.
Can Ronald Jones be a pass catcher?
Ronald Jones had a lot to prove entering the combine. After weighing in at 205 pounds, Jones pulled up lame during his 40-yard dash and was unable to test during the rest of the combine. As a result, his pre-draft process is an incomplete at this point. With the USC Pro Day scheduled for March 21st, Jones’s status is very much in doubt. If he is unable to test, Jones will likely try to schedule his own Pro Day in April. Even if Jones works out, it is unlikely sufficient tape of his receiving workout will be publicly available to evaluate. If you are considering him in the middle of the first round of your rookie draft, it is a faith-based pick, without a strong historical comparison.
What kind of athlete is Courtland Sutton?
Courtland Sutton is attempting to become only the third non-Power 5 receiver, to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2006. Sutton left the combine with a strong athletic profile. A 4.54-second 40-yard dash combined with an otherworldly 6.57-second three-cone drill at 218 pounds produced a top 14% SPARQ score. Sutton is not a great separator on tape, but his athletic profile points to room for growth with improved technique. He should be in the conversation of a top three wide receiver in dynasty rookie drafts after the NFL Draft.
James Washington’s 40 time
James Washington was a strong deep threat at Oklahoma State based off good technique and elite ball skills. Pre-combine his 40-yard dash time was estimated in the mid-4.4s. After producing a 4.54 second 40-yard dash time, Washington is unlikely to be a Day 1 pick like speed-based deep threats Will Fuller, John Ross, and Breshad Perriman. He figures to settle into Day 2 and will likely be discounted by owners who looked only at his 40-yard dash time. This could make him a value in round two of rookie drafts.
Will D.J. Moore’s metric hype train be warranted?
If you were not aboard the D.J. Moore hype train pre-combine, the number of seats are dwindling. Moore produced the second-best SPARQ score among wide receivers (top 3%), behind only Dylan Cantrell. Moore measured in at 6′ and 210 pounds, taller than he was listed at Maryland. Moore went wild in his testing, running a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, 6.95-second three-cone drill, jumping 39.5″ in the vertical and 11′ in the broad jump.
Moore is amongst the best metric production prospects in this draft and his athleticism places him firmly in the Round 1 conversation of the NFL Draft, and a top three wide receiver in rookie drafts.
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In addition to the prior questions, the combine has created new questions going forward
Is D.J. Chark a well-rounded wide receiver?
LSU has a long history of struggling in the passing game. Some of their receivers can overcome that fact in the NFL, like Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, while others flop, like Travin Dural and Malachi Dupre. Chark was able to lead the 2017 LSU Tigers in receiving, with a 33% receiving yards market share but only produced 17.6% of receiving touchdowns. Chark profiles as a boom-bust wide receiver in the NFL, so cost will be key. Chark currently ranks as WR21 in our consensus rankings and the 45th overall player. At the cost, Chark has some intrigue. If he continues with a strong pre-draft process, Chark could enter in the second round of rookie drafts, which would be too expensive for his profile.
Dallas Goedert’s athleticism
Dallas Goedert was unable to test at the combine after suffering an injury during Senior Bowl practice. Goedert was an elite producer at FCS South Dakota State, but it was against inferior competition. With strong athletic measures, Goedert could be the TE1 and a late Round 1 pick.
Can Auden Tate test better?
Auden Tate flopped at the combine, running a 4.68-second 40-yard dash, and only jumping 31″ in the vertical and 9’4″ in the broad jump. Everyone has bad days, but any hope Tate has of being a second-round rookie pick hinges on him improving significantly at his Pro Day.
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Jordan McNamara is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jordan, check out his archive and follow him @McNamaraDynasty.
