Measurements: 12 prospects under the microscope at the NFL Combine
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
February 16, 2016 11:17 am ET
When high school students apply to college, they rely on their grade point average, extracurricular activities and athletics, but that's not quite enough. Admissions departments need SAT and ACT scores, or in other words, they want to know how students test. High school transcripts and grades aren't on the same level around the country with different curriculum in different parts of the country. But standardized testing (right or wrong) puts all students on a level playing field.
That's the NFL Combine.
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.
This four-part series will focus on a dozen prospects with the most to gain or lose in those four areas.
Tuesday: Verified Measurements
Wednesday: Interviews
Thursday: Medical Evaluations
Friday: Agility Drills
Verified Measurements
Jared Goff, QB, California
While he possesses desired height for the position, Goff has a leaner-than-ideal build and although it appears he has the frame to add bulk, his measurements will give scouts a better idea of his growth potential. Goff also fumbled the ball 23 times in college so his official hand size will be interesting – teams will be hoping he hits the 9 1/8-inch threshold.
Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
One of the most explosive athletes at the college level, Coleman will impress during agility drills with his speed and burst, but first, he needs to pass the measurement test. Listed at 5-11 and 190 pounds, he plays bigger than he looks, but if he measures under 5-10, it certainly won't help his draft stock.
Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame
A dynamic deep threat, Fuller has speed to separate and take the top off the defense. But his drops are frustrating and his reliability as a hands-catcher is not a strength to his game. Ideally for the wide receiver position, scouts want to see at least 9 1/2-inch hands, but Fuller's mitts will probably measure closer to 8 1/2-inches.
Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State
One of the best wide receivers in this class at exposing space in coverage, Higgins isn't an elite size/speed specimen, listed at 6-2 and 190 pounds on the Rams' roster. NFL scouts are eager to find out his verified measurements, including hand size.
Thomas Duarte, TE, UCLA
Although he's listed as a tight end on the Combine roster, Duarte was basically a slot receiver at UCLA with his tweener size and skill-set. Listed at 6-3 and 225 pounds, does he have the frame to add strength and play inline at the NFL level? His official measurements will help answer that.
Ronald Blair, DE, Appalachian State
Due to an injury, Blair did not participate at the East-West Shrine Game so scouts were unable to get his official measurements in St. Petersburg. He lacks ideal height for a pass rusher, but plays with excellent length so his official arm size will be interesting. Blair is a highly intriguing prospect and isn't talked about nearly enough.
Kamalei Correa, DE, Boise State
Listed at 6-3 and 248 pounds on the roster, Correa has explosive skills as an edge rusher, but his tweener traits might limit him to certain schemes. Scouts are eager to see his official height, weight and arm length to get a better idea of his growth potential and NFL fit.
Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor
Strong as an ox, Billings will shine during the bench press drills due to his power and experience as a weight-lifter. He will also benefit from shorter-than-ideal arm length, which is great for the bench, but not for a possible first round defensive lineman. Scouts are eager to get exact size dimensions for Billings.
Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State
A 195-pound quarterback three years ago, Lee made the transition to safety and then linebacker at Ohio State. He is still growing into his body and listed at 228 pounds on the Buckeyes' roster, but some around the league are skeptical he will hit that mark in Indianapolis.
Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia
In his Georgia uniform, Floyd looks a lot like A.J. Green on the football field, which is great if he were a wide receiver, not so much as a pass rusher. He is listed at 6-4 and 231 pounds, but looks leaner than that on film due to his thin bone structure. Floyd will help himself if he checks in closer to 240 pounds.
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
Hargreaves is a terrific competitor with the instincts and toughness needed for the next level. But he lacks elite size and speed for the position and the Combine will help give scouts a better idea of how he stacks up in both areas. If he measures below 5-10 and 1/2-inches, some NFL teams will not consider him in the first round.
Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Alexander has questions to answer at the NFL Combine like his pedal athleticism and ballskills, but similar to Hargreaves, scouts are eager to find out his exact height and length. He appears slightly shorter than Hargreaves, which could hurt his value in the draft's first round.