NFL Combine: DBs Stock Report
The NFL Scouting Combine is now complete. Defensive backs worked out on the final day of the event in Indianapolis.
Former five-star Jalen Ramsey tested off the charts and established himself as one of the best defensive backs in this class – whether at safety or cornerback. Fellow five-star Vernon Hargreaves III also had a strong day, as did others.
After interviews, workouts and more, here is a look at three players who really helped themselves and a few that took a step back after their showing at the combine. Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell also offers his opinion on each player.
STOCK UP
The skinny: The Voorhees (N.J.) Eastern four-star was rated as the eighth-best cornerback and No. 89 overall in the 2013 class. Apple picked Ohio State over Rutgers, Notre Dame and many others.
Combine overview: Apple has not propelled himself into the Ramsey/Hargreaves territory of the draft but he had a strong, impressive showing at the combine and could be among the next in line taken at the position – which means he’s first-round material. The long, physical cornerback ran a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash and also made an impressive one-handed grab during the drill portion of the workout.
Farrell’s take: Apple was a Rivals100 prospect and top 10 corner who had good size but wasn’t tested that much in high school and did more work on the offensive side of things, and those ball skills really showed in combine drills. He was up against some top corners in the 2013 class and was overshadowed a bit by guys like Jalen Ramsey, Vernon Hargreaves, Kendall Fuller, Mackensie Alexander and Tre’Davious White, who decided not to come out. He was a solid tackler up near the line of scrimmage and was solid but not spectacular in solo coverage, but he improved greatly in college, especially with his foot speed. Running 4.4 at his size was very impressive.
The skinny: Green was a two-star prospect out of Sylacauga, Ala., who finished with 25 tackles and four interceptions in his senior season. He picked Clemson right before signing day over offers from Southern Miss, Troy, UAB and Western Kentucky.
Combine overview: Green proved to be the more athletic and sudden safety coming out of Clemson this draft cycle and his numbers were off the charts. He ran a 4.34 40 and also looked great in the vertical and broad jump. No one is saying Green is the most polished or the best safety in this draft, but he definitely helped his status after a fine workout in Indianapolis.
Farrell’s take: Green was committed to UAB before Clemson moved in late and stole him and he carved out a solid college career. He was always a fast, straight-line runner but he was only a two star because he didn’t have good hips or change of direction. Now after putting up an amazing time in the 40 and also showing off explosion in the broad jump and some hops in the vertical, he has made scouts take notice. He’s still stiff and doesn’t flip his hips that well, but with his size and speed and ball skills he’s now the top-rated safety out of Clemson.
The skinny: Jackson was rated as a three-star athlete out of Houston (Texas) Wheatley in the 2012 class. He spent the 2012 season at Trinity Valley Community College before signing with the Cougars the following recruiting cycle.
Combine overview: Jackson could be a major steal in this draft and even though he doesn’t have the name recognition of some he’s proven to be a phenomenal prospect. The Houston star has size, he ran well at the combine and did everything to solidify himself as a top corner in this draft. Jackson had 28 – 28!!! – pass deflections and five interceptions this season.
Farrell’s take: Jackson was under-recruited out of high school and only had a Houston offer (and a late one at that) after a solid but unspectacular high school career. Jackson has length, fluid hips and his ability to get his head around and make a play on the ball in tight coverage is excellent. He has good ball skills, but he needs to fill out that frame and that’s the biggest knock on him. Injury question marks and durability still hinder him, but his speed has everyone intrigued.
STOCK DOWN
The skinny: The Olney (Md.) Good Counsel five-star cornerback was rated second at his position and ninth overall in the 2013 class. Virginia Tech and Clemson were the two legitimate finalists for Fuller, who committed to the Hokies in the summer before his senior season started. He was also looking at Michigan and USC. Fuller's three brothers played in Blacksburg.
Combine overview: Some cornerbacks like Apple and Jackson are shooting up draft boards but because Fuller had knee surgery a few months ago he couldn’t participate in the drills. There is no questioning Fuller’s talent and long-term potential, but only playing in a couple game this past season and not working out in Indianapolis certainly doesn’t help his cause.
Farrell’s take: Fuller only bench pressed as he’s still holding back due to that knee injury that ended his season, and he didn’t embarrass himself. So how did his stock fall? Mainly because Jackson and Apple both boosted their stock greatly and could have pushed Fuller out of round one. I was impressed with Fuller from the first time I saw him as a freshman in high school and I was obviously aware of the family tree, but he carried himself like a star from the start and his backpedal was arguably the most fluid I had seen in my career. Add good size, amazing instincts and sneaky closing speed, and you have a corner you can put on an island. The knee injury has hurt his stock as have the performances of others, however.
The skinny: The four-star prospect from Fort Myers (Fla.) South Fort Myers was rated as the No. 14 athlete and No. 242 overall in the 2013 class. After commitments to Auburn and Miami, Kearse picked Clemson a month before his senior year and stuck with the Tigers.
Combine overview: Kearse had this reputation of being a phenomenal athlete who sometimes didn’t give complete and total effort, but his numbers at the combine don’t exactly show that freaky side, either. His 40, broad jump and vertical were just OK and so as Green (also from Clemson) could shoot up the boards, Kearse might be falling a bit.
Farrell’s Take: Kearse has shown some freakish athletic ability at times on the field for a player with his length and size but he didn’t show much of that at the combine. Criticized at times for his lackadaisical play, this performance won’t help the former four star who was an athlete out of high school without a true position. He’s a special teams demon, but he needed to kill it at the combine to move up and now he’s fallen behind his own teammate.
The skinny: Thompson was a three-star prospect from Lancaster (Calif.) Paraclete in the 2011 class. He committed to Boise State in November of his senior season.
Combine overview: Thompson had a phenomenal season and was great at the Senior Bowl, but he was toward the bottom in a lot of testing categories at the combine, which could hurt him. There are rumors that he was battling an illness (so his pro day becomes even more important) but still he ran slow, jumped low and didn’t really impress all that much. According to one report, Thompson will re-do the 40 and the bench press at his pro day.
Farrell’s take: Thompson was a little recruited three-star defensive back out of high school who made a name for himself with his ball skills and ability to read the play in college. However, he was never overly athletic and didn’t have dynamic speed and that showed at the combine in testing and in drills. He was never really a first round prospect but now he could fall past day two.