The 323 invited prospects who will travel to Indianapolis for the 2016 NFL Combine represent 323 different situations and game tapes. But for one week, February 24-29, they will all be evaluated in the same environment at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The NFL Combine could be divided into four critical areas that NFL teams will focus on: agility drills, interviews, medical evaluations and verified measurements. And there are a number of prospects with a lot on the line depending on how they perform in those four categories.
Here are 12 players who need a solid performance in agility drills at the combine:
–Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
The 2015 Heisman-trophy winner, Henry should perform well in the 40-yard dash (mid-4.5 range) and straight-line drills, but it’s his performance in the short shuttle and three-cone drill that scouts care about most. Those two drills will help show his short-area burst and flexibility.
–Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
The 40-yard dash is an essential, yet often misunderstood drill. And for a player like Treadwell, his 40-yard dash will be a well-discussed topic because of all the strengths to his game, speed is down on the list. He wins with power, ballskills and a large catch radius so as long as Treadwell runs in the 4.5-range, it won’t affect his draft projection.
–Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State
Miller’s response when asked about his 40-yard dash? “It’s going to be low 4.3, but I want to run 4.28 seconds.” The Buckeye quarterback-turned-receiver said he ran a 4.36 at 215 pounds, but now his weight is closer to 200 pounds. Add in specialized training for the drill and Miller expects sub 4.3, which would obviously help his case for the draft’s first round.
–Kolby Listenbee, WR, TCU
The favorite to run the fastest 40-yard dash in Indianapolis? It’s Listenbee, who was also a member of the TCU track team, posting career-bests of 6.67 in the 60-meters and 10.04 in the 100-meters. He missed the Senior Bowl due to injury, but projects as a borderline top-100 draft pick due to his speed.
–Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State
According to some, Conklin is powerful, but not athletic. And that’s a notion the former Spartans’ left tackle is hoping to dispel in Indianapolis. At 320 pounds, Conklin should run close to 5-flat in the 40-yard dash, but it’s the 10-yard split and the three-cone drill that will better demonstrate his fluidity to NFL teams.
–Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
No, Bosa isn’t that twitched-up speed rusher like Von Miller. But he doesn’t need to be in order to disrupt and affect the offensive gameplan. His mechanics, leverage and power off the snap allow him to be effective, but he also has the explosive traits that stand out on film. Bosa should post positive numbers in the 10-yard split and vertical jump, securing his spot in the top-five picks.
–Jihad Ward, DL, Illinois
Ward has his issues on tape, but his athleticism, fluidity and change of direction skills are very impressive for a 300-pounder. Not all of his traits translate to football production right now, but the athletic tools will be on full display in Indianapolis and might push him into the first round discussion.
–Scooby Wright, LB, Arizona
One of the more difficult evaluations in this draft class, Wright has first round instincts and competitive toughness, but his athleticism was average-at-best on film. Nonetheless, his production in college was elite and the NFL is a bottom line business so it will be interesting to match his workout numbers with the tape.
–Montese Overton, LB, East Carolina
A later round prospect on tape, Overton has the athleticism that could move him up some team’s draft boards based on his Combine performance. He has explosive speed, smooth hip action and natural bend that really popped off the screen. His take-on skills and anticipation aren’t NFL-ready, but his athleticism is pro quality right now.
–William Jackson, CB, Houston
While his straight-line speed isn’t a question mark, Jackson’s ability to smoothly redirect his momentum in tight spaces is not a strength to his game. His size, long-strides and ballskills are the strengths to his game, which will be enough for some schemes, but strong results in agility drills will help prove he is scheme versatile.
–Xavien Howard, CB, Baylor
Looking for an underrated prospect who could crash the first round party? It might be Howard who is well-built with aggressive instincts to make receivers uncomfortable on the outside. If he turns in respectable times in the 40-yard dash and other agility drills, Howard will be a “riser,” even though his tape already shows an intriguing top-50 prospect.
–Rashard Robinson, CB, LSU
“I’m going to have the fastest 40 at the Combine.” This was Robinson’s response when asked by NFLDraftScout.com the Combine drill that he was looking forward to the most. Obviously his interviews will be the most important aspect of his Combine experience, but Robinson will also help himself if he’s able to pull off that feat at 6-2, 185 pounds.
–Ten others: Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor; Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame; Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State; Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor; Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss; Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA; Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia; Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State; Artie Burns, CB, Miami; Jeremy