NFL combine shifts Big Board
Brandin Cooks and Mike Evans are among big risers after the Indy festivities
Updated: February 27, 2014, 3:40 PM ET
By Mel Kiper Jr. | ESPN Insider
This year's NFL combine did more to confirm what I already believed about players than it did to reshuffle the rankings. Again, the combine is a check, it's a measure to confirm what you see on tape. Jadeveon Clowney ran remarkably fast for a 266-pound defensive end, but the guy runs remarkably fast for a 266-pound defensive end when he plays football. For the most part, what guys do in pads correlates reasonably well to what they do in Under Armour.
But there are some changes. Mike Evans was a little faster than I thought. So was Brandin Cooks. Both moved up here. Eric Ebron was a little bigger than he had been previously, but it didn't slow him down. He also moves up. As well, we had some medical information that changed the view of some players. So while you see some clear shifts, there are also a lot of players that stayed put, because they lived up to the already-good tape.
Remember: Scouting reports remain similar week to week, though you'll see tweaks over the next couple months as pro days take place and I continue to gather information.
Asterisks denote players who were juniors at the time of their entry into the draft, and two asterisks denote redshirt sophomores. All players are now either officially in or out of the 2014 NFL draft.
1Jadeveon Clowney *AGE: 21DOB: 2/14/93HT: 6-5WT: 266POS: DE
Tkl 41Sack 3.0Int 0
After a 4.53 40 and a ridiculous 1.56 10-yard split time at the NFL combine, Clowney put to rest any questions of whether he'd perform in workouts like the athlete you see on tape. But he's not just a speed rusher looking to beat a tackle upfield and quickly turn the corner; he doesn't even bend that well. The power is there, too, and as a speed-to-power rusher who can drive a tackle back, Clowney can be great. He'll go through you. He can win with quickness or power and succeed in any scheme. Need will still factor into where he lands in the draft.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 1 | PLAYER CARD
2Greg Robinson **AGE: 21DOB: 10/21/92HT: 6-5WT: 332POS: OT
GP 14GS 14
He shined as an athlete in Indy, and is now a challenge to go No. 1 overall. The remarkable thing with Robinson is his growth curve. Brought in as a guard, Robinson started at left tackle in the SEC as a redshirt freshman and held his own. In 2013, he was dominant, with increased strength making him closer to that complete package at tackle. He moves well, can get out in the run game and block in space and pass protects well with a wide base and quick feet. He also has long arms and delivers a solid punch. A future star.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 2 | PLAYER CARD
3Khalil MackAGE: 22DOB: 2/22/91HT: 6-3WT: 251POS: OLB
Tkl 100Sack 11.0Int 3
A great showing in Indy keeps Mack here. It's about versatility as much as his pass rush. You see Mack lining up both at the line and on the perimeter. He is capable of rushing the passer with quickness and power or dropping into coverage with a great ability to shed tackles and make plays in the open field. He uses good leverage to take on blocks and drive people back and uses quickness and strong hands to shed. He plays with a great motor and tackles with form.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 3 | PLAYER CARD
4Sammy Watkins *AGE: 20DOB: 6/14/93HT: 6-1WT: 211POS: WR
Rec 101Yds 1,464Avg 14.5TD 12
Watkins had an exceptional combine, looking very strong to the explosiveness we knew he had. He plays bigger than he measures, runs bigger than his listed size and has always had explosive speed. He fights through contact to make plays on the ball, and once he has it, he's devastating after the catch. Watkins blends polish with a high level of explosiveness and can turn catches on the edges or between the hashes into big plays. He accelerates with ease and displays top-end speed. There have been occasional concentration issues, but that shouldn't hurt much.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 5 | PLAYER CARD
5Jake MatthewsAGE: 22DOB: 2/11/92HT: 6-5WT: 308POS: OT
GP 13GS 13
Matthews did nothing to hurt himself at the combine, and in the absence of Robinson and Lewan would be easily the best left tackle, which is where I still project him (depending on whether he goes to a team that actually values left over right). Matthews has a ton of experience and a feisty, competitive nature. He is a very good pass protector, with good balance, feet and hand use, and he plays prepared as an intense worker who carries great NFL bloodlines; his father, brother and two cousins have played in the league. I also like his ability to finish in the run game, where he shows off a nasty streak.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 4 | PLAYER CARD
6Mike Evans **AGE: 20DOB: 8/21/93HT: 6-5WT: 231POS: WR
Rec 69Yds 1,394Avg 20.2TD 12
Evans put together an exceptional combine with great speed and leaping ability for a player his size. No player in the draft is better on contested throws, and every quarterback wants a target like this. Evans uses his reach, jumping ability and long frame to beat shorter defenders like a good rebounder (and he was a good rebounder on the basketball court). I've been concerned about his off-the-line quickness, but he clearly has good top-end speed. Evans could also be a versatile threat -- used on the edge or in the slot to create matchup problems -- because you simply can't defend his size. Seems likely to land in the top 10 now.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 15 | PLAYER CARD
7Taylor LewanAGE: 22DOB: 7/21/91HT: 6-7WT: 309POS: OT
GP 13GS 13
Lewan showed off impressive athletic credentials in Indy, and could push Matthews to be the second tackle taken. It's possible he would have rated higher than any tackle in last year's draft. Lewan has great length and above-average athleticism. What I really like is the improved play as a run-blocker; he has strength in his lower half and a mean streak as a finisher. Lewan moves his feet well and mirrors effectively in pass protection, with an improved punch. He displays the awareness of a player who has started since his freshman season.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 8 | PLAYER CARD
8Eric Ebron *AGE: 20DOB: 4/10/93HT: 6-4WT: 250POS: TE
Rec 62Yds 973Avg 15.7TD 3
He has the pass-catching skills you want out of a tall wide receiver, but he does that carrying 250 pounds. He has the length and flexibility to haul in anything you throw his way, is often split out and can make plays after the catch. He has the size to overwhelm cornerbacks and most safeties, good burst and above-average straight-line speed. He can go up and get the ball and does a good job of catching it with his hands away from his body. An adequate blocker, he's added size to improve there without losing speed.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 7 | PLAYER CARD
9Anthony BarrAGE: 21DOB: 3/18/92HT: 6-5WT: 255POS: DE
Tkl 66Sack 10.0Int 0
Barr did little to hurt himself in Indy, even though he drops. It's more reflective of what others did to move ahead of him. I'm not sure the tape is quite as potent as the totals this year, but given that, Barr's been a disruptive pass-rushing force, and I felt he became a more complete player in 2013. He has a decent arsenal of moves, using quick feet and hands to free himself, and he's disciplined against the run. I love how well he pursues, even when the play runs away from him. A former fullback, he has a powerful lower half and a long frame and reach.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 6 | PLAYER CARD
10Teddy Bridgewater *AGE: 21DOB: 11/10/92HT: 6-2WT: 214POS: QB
Comp 303Att 427Pct 71.0Yds 3,970TD 31Int 4
Bridgewater didn't throw in Indy, but he was confident in his interviews and at the podium. He is poised and smart and is the QB in this draft class who most regularly made throws with good timing and anticipation last season. He throws to spots and openings, not just to open targets. Bridgewater blends enough arm strength to drive the ball into tight windows with touch to drop the ball into holes in coverage. He adjusts his velocity really well, depending on the depth and location of the pass. He does a good job pre-snap, gets through his progressions and often scans the whole field. Ball placement is consistently good.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 9 | PLAYER CARD
11Blake Bortles *AGE: 22DOB: 12/16/91HT: 6-5WT: 232POS: QB
Comp 259Att 382Pct 67.8Yds 3,581TD 25Int 9
He threw in Indy, but there's little to discuss there. Bortles is the guy with the tools you want to develop -- an enticing blend of the size you traditionally look for at quarterback with the athleticism that is now coveted across the NFL as more offenses put mobility to good use. He has the work ethic that will get more people to believe in his ceiling. He has sound if rigid mechanics, and shows poise and good footwork in the pocket. He has average arm strength, but gets it down the field. The big issue is inconsistent ball placement; he can ask a lot of his wide receivers.
PREVIOUS RANKING: No. 10 | PLAYER CARD
12Johnny Manziel **AGE: 21DOB: 12/6/92HT: 6-0WT: 207POS: QB
Comp 300Att 429Pct 69.9Yds 4,114TD 37Int 13
Anything that was learned about Manziel in Indy was from the interviews. His workouts were generally as expected. The modern NFL is a good fit for a player with Manziel's skill set. His ability to move, improvise and make throws off platform are all special traits, but he's also an effective pocket passer when he wants to be. He anticipates well and sees the whole field, and though he doesn't have great arm strength, he can make special throws with touch and precision both from the pocket and on the move. He would deliver strikes with more velocity if he kept his feet underneath him consistently. The concern is durability, and a desire to "escape" even a clean pocket. He must show patience with his legs.
PREVIOUS RANKING: No. 11 | PLAYER CARD
13C.J. MosleyAGE: 21DOB: 6/19/92HT: 6-2WT: 234POS: LB
Tkl 106Sack 0Int 0
Mosley has great versatility. As a run defender, he has great feet, instincts, hands, discipline and tackling explosiveness, and then you factor in he's probably got the best cover skills of any linebacker in the draft. What you get is a player who never has to come off the field. He flies to the ball, tackles and scrapes effectively, getting off blocks to make a ton of plays. He simply needs to get a bit stronger and use good leverage going downhill against the run. He should be best on the weak side.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 13 | PLAYER CARD
14Justin GilbertAGE: 22DOB: 11/7/91HT: 6-0WT: 202POS: CB
Tkl 42Sack 0Int 7
Gilbert crushed the combine, looking good in virtually every workout. He also had a great season. His athlete credentials are strong. On the field, he combines short-area quickness to adjust to routes and open-field speed to run with (or past) any receiver. He has enough size and strength to redirect routes at the line and can then flip his hips and run with anybody; he rarely allows much separation. Good ball skills and hands are evident both in coverage and the return game. Given the need at the position, it's not out of the question that he lands in the top 10.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 18 | PLAYER CARD
15Marqise Lee *AGE: 22DOB: 11/25/91HT: 6-0WT: 192POS: WR
Rec 57Yds 791Avg 13.9TD 4
Lee was essentially as-advertised in Indy, which is a good thing. He's the kind of receiver you draft with slight questions on ceiling but a high degree of certainty regarding immediate impact. He has exceptional fluidity in and out of breaks and in changing directions after the catch. His quickness in short areas allows him to create space and big plays after the catch. He has reliable hands outside of the occasional drop and is a very good route-runner -- accelerating without wasted motion. He plays bigger than his size on contested passes, with a physical style.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 14 | PLAYER CARD
16Timmy Jernigan *AGE: 21DOB: 9/24/92HT: 6-2WT: 299POS: DT
Tkl 53Sack 5.0Int 0
Jernigan was a little underwhelming in his combine workouts, but didn't raise any red flags. He could be the most versatile interior lineman in the draft, but seems best as a 3 tech. I love his great sense for how to disrupt the run game in particular. He could be quicker off the snap, but he makes up for it with leverage, violent hands and quick feet to both drive blockers backward and free himself to penetrate. He is a former defensive end who brings a lot of quickness to the inside and shows off good speed in pursuit.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 12 | PLAYER CARD
17Brandin Cooks *AGE: 20DOB: 9/25/93HT: 5-10WT: 189POS: WR
Rec 128Yds 1,730Avg 13.5TD 16
Cooks couldn't be covered during the season, and nothing could stop him in Indy. The small but explosive receiver ran a blazing 4.33, but also dominated in the agility drills and also showed a great vertical to go with pretty good strength for a player his size. In fact, he now looks like a oh-so slightly more athletic version of Tavon Austin, and Austin was a top-10 pick last year. Cooks won't go as high, but it's fair to say the combine numbers match the ridiculous productivity.
PREVIOUS RANKING: NR | PLAYER CARD
18Darqueze DennardAGE: 22DOB: 10/10/91HT: 5-11WT: 199POS: CB
Tkl 62Sack 0Int 4
Dennard was as good as he needed to be at the combine, and can rest easy on good workouts, good tape, and plenty of good reports from those he's been coached by or played with. He's the most versatile defensive back in the draft, with proven skill in any area of coverage. Dennard can play up and redirect routes or off in zone and make plays in front of him. He'll blanket even really good receivers in man-to-man, and he turns his head well to avoid penalties that could be called were he not to show ball awareness, given how tight he can play in coverage. It's all there.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 19 | PLAYER CARD
19Zack MartinAGE: 23DOB: 11/20/90HT: 6-4WT: 308POS: OT
GP 13GS 13
A good Senior Bowl and a solid combine have Martin in a good spot. He's got easy feet and engages defenders, both mirroring and moving them with good hands. Versatility is a plus for Martin, as he can handle left tackle or right tackle and could handle guard in a pinch. Martin is a great competitor who absorbs power well for a tackle with shorter arms, but he also handles speed pretty effectively due to his quick feet. The arms could make him a likelier bet to move off the left side, but experience and versatility will keep him in Round 1.
PREVIOUS RANKING: No. 17 | PLAYER CARD
20Odell Beckham Jr. *AGE: 21DOB: 11/5/92HT: 5-11WT: 198POS: WR
Rec 59Yds 1,152Avg 19.5TD 8
Beckham had a good combine, though his "unofficial" 4.31 ended up a 4.43. (How ridiculous has the "unofficial" TV 40 time process gotten, by the way? Absurd.) What first catches your eye with Beckham is the speed, with a potent initial burst off the line and then a good second gear to reach full speed quickly. But the pass-catching skills are also good because not only does Beckham create good separation underneath, but he'll also make plays in traffic, snatching the ball away from his body then transitioning immediately into a dangerous runner after the catch. I think he can land inside the top 20.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 21 | PLAYER CARD
21Aaron DonaldAGE: 22DOB: 5/23/91HT: 6-1WT: 285POS: DT
GP 13GS 13
It's hard to be hotter as a prospect than Donald is right now. He leads the country in tackles for loss, then goes to Mobile and is a star at the Senior Bowl working against very good competition, then he goes to Indy and runs 4.65 in the 40 at 285 pounds, and also throws in 35 reps in the bench press for good measure. And on the combine totals, the athleticism and power match up perfectly with how he played all year, with a blend of quickness and power to run through and around blocks, creating constant problems for offenses. Now, he's a likely mid-first round pick.
PREVIOUS RANKING: NR | PLAYER CARD
22Louis Nix III *AGE: 22DOB: 7/31/91HT: 6-2WT: 331POS: DT
Tkl 27Sack 0Int 0
Nix was down to a svelt 333 at the combine, but he could play bigger and teams won't mind. He's that rare commodity, with the size and strength to handle a 0-technique role when he maintains proper leverage, keeping multiple blockers occupied and eating up two gaps while making life easy for linebackers cleaning up against the run. But he's not limited to that because he can really move, at least a lot better than you would expect from a player his size. Nix is occasionally moved too easily and loses gap control, but many teams can use his leverage up the gut.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 22 | PLAYER CARD
23Calvin Pryor *AGE: 21DOB: 7/2/92HT: 5-11WT: 207POS: S
Tkl 75Sack 0Int 3
Pryor comes out of the combine with his hot stock intact. He's a first-round lock, not only playing a position of need but also having finished his season with a string of good performances. He displays the ability to cover significant ground in coverage with anticipation and speed as well as a willingness to come downhill and make plays at the line of scrimmage. He gets great reviews from ex-Louisville coach Charlie Strong, and he should battle Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to be the top safety taken.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 23 | PLAYER CARD
24Ha Ha Clinton-Dix *AGE: 21DOB: 12/21/92HT: 6-1WT: 208POS: S
Tkl 50Sack 0Int 2
Clinton-Dix looked good in Indy, long but explosive, and it matches the tape. He's instinctive and fluid, and can play Cover 1, getting to the ball even against teams looking to exploit him by working the perimeter. He reads the quarterback well and can accelerate or turn quickly to make plays in any direction. While he won't be defined by physical play, he's certainly not afraid to fly downhill and make a play close to the line of scrimmage. That said, his ability to anticipate, take great angles and cover could add help to almost any defense.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 24 | PLAYER CARD
25Ryan Shazier *AGE: 21DOB: 9/6/92HT: 6-1WT: 237POS: OLB
Tkl 142Sack 6.0Int 0
Shazier showed off the athleticism you'd expect based on his tape. Versatile, quick, instinctive and a strong tackler, Shazier lacks size, but he balances a physical style with the ability to make plays across the field. He anticipates quickly and attacks plays in the backfield but will also track tight ends and running backs in coverage with the burst and agility to stay with them. In the mold of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Lavonte David, Shazier is a linebacker who looks like an oversized safety but does a great job of tracking and making tackles.
PREVIOUS RANK: No. 25 | PLAYER CARD
Next up:A few players that were close, but didn't quite make the list: Marcus Martin, C, USC; Stephon Tuitt, DT/DE, Notre Dame; Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois; Jason Verrett, CB, TCU; Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State; Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech.
