*Dwayne Haskins Jr. – Noteworthy
The Giants’ next quarterback undoubtedly will be younger than Eli Manning. But could he be slower than Manning, too? If it’s Dwayne Haskins from Ohio State, then yes. Haskins ran a lumbering 5.04 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday. He was the only one of the quarterbacks projected to go in the first few rounds to fail to crack the five-second mark and also did not better the far-from-blistering 4.9 seconds that Manning ran at his workout in 2004. According to the NFL Network, Haskins dealt with some leg cramps before his runs, and he will try to improve his time at his Pro Day later this month. But even that cringeworthy number shouldn’t do much to slow down the momentum some teams – including perhaps the Giants – have about Haskins and his potential in the NFL.
“There’s elements of mobility where a guy can just take off and run and gain 60,” Pat Shurmur said regarding quarterbacks. “Then there’s the mobility in the pocket to clear your feet, clear your vision and make a throw.” General manager Dave Gettleman said that was something he learned from Mike Shanahan in Denver in the 1990s, and it holds true today. “In this day and age with all the athletes on the field, at some point in time, a quarterback’s got to make plays with his feet,” Gettleman said. “And making plays with your feet doesn’t mean you [run] 4.4. It’s the subtle pocket stuff guys do.” Besides, everyone already knew Haskins is a bit cement-footed. Even he acknowledged it a bit when he spoke with the media on Friday. But when he participated in other on-field drills on Saturday, he really showed off what has made him a likely first-round pick. – Newsday
*Nick Bosa – Noteworthy
Nick Bosa found himself in the news again last week when Zion Williamson sprained his right knee in the opening minute against North Carolina. The sight of his left shoe tearing apart and Williamson grabbing his right knee unleashed feverish debate over whether Duke’s freakish freshman forward should ever again play for Mike Krzyzewski’s Blue Devils. Many wondered if he should just turn his attention to the pros like Bosa did six months ago when he got hurt in Ohio State’s third game of the season. Instead of rehabbing for a return to the Buckeyes, Bosa began training for the combine, the draft and a career in the NFL.
Bosa figures to get drafted higher than his father, John, who went 16th overall to Miami in 1987, and maybe even higher than big brother, Joey, the third overall pick by the Chargers in 2016. Williamson is the consensus top pick in the NBA draft this summer. So, Bosa was asked at the NFL scouting combine Saturday what advice he’d give Williamson, who missed his third straight game Saturday with a mild knee sprain. “I mean, just lean on the people that you love and go with your gut,” Bosa said. “I faced a pretty serious injury. I had surgery that took me out for the rest of the year, so kind of the choice was made for me.” – AP College Football
Parris Campbell – Noteworthy
Ten pass-catchers who boosted their stock at Combine not named Metcalf, Fant: Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State – Far from unexpected but in tying with UMASS’ Andy Isabella to post the fastest 40-yard dash time recorded thus far at the 2019 NFL Combine, Campbell certainly lived up to his billing as one of year’s most extraordinary athletes. Not only did the 6-0, 205 pound Campbell light up the track in 4.31 seconds, he also posted a 40″ vertical jump and enjoyed a strong positional workout. Campbell is a top 50 pick all day long. – Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com
Terry McLaurin – Noteworthy
Ten pass-catchers who boosted their stock at Combine not named Metcalf, Fant: Terry McLaurin, WR, Ohio State – Clocking a 4.35 second 40-yard dash at 6-0, 208 pounds after enjoying a breakout final season with the Buckeyes and turning heads at the Senior Bowl has given McLaurin as much positive momentum as any of the so-called “second tier” receivers in this draft. His 37.5″ vertical jump is another indication of McLaurin’s raw athleticism and any questions about his work ethic were put to rest with a solid 18 reps of 225 pounds. – Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com