*Jonah Williams – Noteworthy
The 2019 NFL Scouting Combine kicked off just like many of the last 15 I’ve attended – with some naïve members of the media exaggerating the importance of a few eighths of an inch. Foreshadowing the firestorm coming Thursday when Kyler Murray’s measureables are released to the world, some raised the alarm Wednesday when Alabama’s Jonah Williams and Washington’s Kaleb McGary – two of the more impressive and battle-tested offensive tackles available – were found to have shorter than-ideal-arms. Cue the fake news alert, folks, because this just isn’t that “big” of a deal.
Williams has maintained his position atop not only NFLDraftScout.com’s but my own personal rankings as the top offensive tackle in this draft because of his stellar play on the field. While his arms are undeniably shorter than preferred at 33 ½” inches, Williams has shown the initial quickness, lateral agility, balance and core strength against elite competition throughout his career to alleviate concerns about his ability to remain at the left tackle position in the NFL. Is he a future Hall of Famer like former Cleveland Browns star Joe Thomas, who also had 33 ½” arms? Probably not, but he’s a step-in starter at the most important position along the offensive line and therefore well deserving of the first round projection given in both Ric Serritella’s and my own mock drafts. – Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
*Josh Jacobs – Noteworthy
Josh Jacobs would rather play it safe with so much at stake. The former Alabama running back opted against doing the physical drills — the 40-yard-dash included — in this week’s NFL combine after straining his groin in a recent workout. Instead, Jacobs said Thursday he would “save it all for my pro day.” That annual gathering in Tuscaloosa is set for March 19. The decision not to run Friday was more out of caution than anything. If there was a game to be played this week, Jacobs said he’d be out there. “I can obviously run on it,” Jacobs said. “I’m 85 percent but I feel like if I run and I do bad, it will hurt me more.” The 40-yard times he’s clocking in training are in the 4.46-second range, Jacobs said. The once-lightly recruited player from Tulsa rode a hot junior season to the top of the draft boards among running backs. He’s currently the top-ranked player at his position, according to most major outlet. Jacobs ran 120 times for 640 yards (5.3-yard average) with 11 touchdowns. He also caught 20 passes for 247 yards and three more scores. – AL.com