Ask Farrell: Should D.K. Metcalf be a top-10 NFL Draft pick?
MORE ASK FARRELL: Does Tennessee's absence at the NFL Combine hurt?
D.K. Metcalf had an unbelievable showing at the NFL Scouting Combine. His measurables were excellent and his 1.9 percent body fat is hard to believe until you see the pre-combine picture of him working out, looking like he was chiseled from granite.
Most of his testing numbers were outrageously good. The former Ole Miss receiver went 4.33 in the 40-yard dash, tied for the second-fastest time among receivers. His 27 bench press reps tied for the most at his position with former Arizona State wide receiver N’Keal Harry. Metcalf’s vertical and broad jump were top-five performances as well.
But Metcalf’s three-cone drill time, which helps measure change-of-direction speed, and his short shuttle numbers did not top the charts.
There is no question that Metcalf will be one of the top wide receivers taken in next month’s NFL Draft after his phenomenal showing in Indianapolis and also just in the way he looks physically.
But another question that should also be considered was Metcalf’s production in college compared to the other receivers who could be taken in the first round, or No. 1 at the position.
This past season Ole Miss receiver A.J. Brown had 85 catches for 1,320 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games. Oklahoma’s Marquise Brown made 75 grabs for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns in 14 games. Harry finished with 73 catches for 1,088 yards and nine scores in 12 games. NC State’s Kelvin Harmon totaled 81 receptions for 1,186 yards and seven touchdowns.
Metcalf had 26 catches for 569 yards and five touchdowns in seven games before missing the rest of the season with a neck injury. He missed the last 10 games of his freshman year with a foot injury. In his college career, Metcalf finished with only 67 catches for 1,228 yards and 14 scores.
We ask Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell with everything considered, how much stock should be placed on his showing in Indianapolis? Should he be a top-10 pick, the No. 1 selection at receiver, or did he not do enough at Ole Miss to warrant that praise?
FARRELL'S TAKE:
“He’s certainly a combine warrior and has amazing testing numbers but I also worry about his lack of great production in college and he’s been a bit injury prone. I’m a big fan of his teammate, A.J. Brown, who I think will be a better pro. But if Metcalf can put it together and use all those physical gifts to his advantage he could be a star. Should Metcalf be the first wide receiver taken? I don’t think so despite the testing numbers. This is a deep draft at wideout and I don’t think everyone should overreact to his combine numbers. He’s a late first-rounder to me but not the first receiver off the board.”
