NFL Draft: Five players who disappointed at combine
The NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up over the weekend and some players did not help their stock. Here is a look at five who still have some questions to answer heading out of Indianapolis.
MORE NFL COMBINE: Ten players who helped their stock in Indianapolis
TREY ADAMS, Washington OL
Recruiting: Calling Washington his dream school, Adams committed to the Huskies in August before his junior season. There was a coaching change from Steve Sarkisian to Chris Petersen and USC and Oregon got more involved, but Adams stuck with his Huskies’ pledge.
Performance: Adams is a giant at 6-foot-8 and 318 pounds, but he has a history of injuries and then did little to prove his athleticism at the combine by running a 5.6 40-yard dash, the slowest of anybody in Indianapolis. Considered a possible first-round pick a couple of seasons ago, Adams needs to show he’s athletic enough to play in today’s NFL and to deal with elite edge rushers and he didn’t do that at the combine.
Farrell’s take: A high three-star out of high school, I never got to see Adams in person because he was from Washington and couldn’t get out to camps nor was he invited to an all-star game. But on film he was tall, angular with a great frame to fill out and had a long reach he used very effectively. He was more finesse than he was power back then.
Injuries have hurt his stock quite a bit and his combine didn’t help as he looked unathletic and awkward at times. Adams is dropping far from his status of a couple years ago.
CAM DANTZLER, Mississippi State DB
Recruiting: Dantzler camped at Mississippi State in the summer before his senior season, landed an offer and committed to the Bulldogs about a week later. He had seven offers in total but his only other Power Five offer came from Texas Tech.
Performance: Dantzler has a reputation as a big-time athlete, so running 4.64 in the 40-yard dash and then only testing in the vertical jump was a missed opportunity. He had the chance to move up on draft boards at the cornerback position but his slow 40 time didn’t help him. The pro day at Mississippi State will be important to watch to see if Dantzler can improve upon that time or if his straight-line speed is just below average.
Farrell’s take: Dantzler was a tall but very skinny mid three-star out of high school who had length but lacked a lot of strength. However he was always quick and was a good athlete, so his poor performance is puzzling. He’s going to be a mid-rounder it appears, which makes his high school ranking appear accurate.
JAKE FROMM, Georgia QB
Recruiting: In the spring of his junior year, Fromm flipped his commitment from Alabama to Georgia, a huge recruiting win for Kirby Smart over Nick Saban. Former UGA coach Mark Richt did not recruit Fromm all that much, but Smart made him a top priority in the 2017 class.
Performance: Fromm has unshakeable qualities in big moments and he’s certainly played in enough major settings, but his athletic testing was sub-par at the combine and the biggest question was answered but not to Fromm’s liking: His arm strength is not the same as Justin Herbert and others who are first-round quarterbacks. The Georgia QB should not plummet in the draft, but any talk of him going in the first 32 picks seems unlikely after Indianapolis.
Farrell’s take: We liked Fromm as a five-star for his smarts, intangibles and accuracy but he didn’t wow us with his arm or physical traits and that is what is hurting him at the pro level. He didn’t show the arm strength needed to be a potential first-rounder and he will likely slide to the second round.
JAUAN JENNINGS, Tennessee WR
Recruiting: Rated as a four-star dual-threat quarterback in the 2015 class, Jennings committed to Tennessee over Auburn, Alabama, Ohio State, Northwestern and Mississippi State in the spring of his junior year. The Crimson Tide tried to come in late and he visited Auburn before the decision, but Jennings was sold on the Vols.
Performance: Jennings was a physical and tough receiver in the SEC but his testing numbers were toward the bottom in numerous categories. He didn’t run well, he didn’t jump well, he had shorter arms and smaller hands. There are definitely some issues to address heading into the draft especially in a loaded WR group.
Farrell’s take: Jennings wasn’t expected to test well, so let’s get that out of the way. He’s a big and physical receiver who will move the chains and be a red zone guy but he will slide because of his overall lack of athleticism. Remember he was a quarterback in high school who is still a bit raw as a receiver.
ZACK MOSS, Utah RB
Recruiting: An early Miami pledge, Moss backed off that commitment when Al Golden was fired and he committed to Utah along with Hallandale Beach (Fla.) Hallandale teammates Tyler Huntley and Demari Simpkins. Tennessee tried to flip him late and the pitch from then-coach Butch Jones was compelling, but Moss stuck with the Utes.
Performance: Moss is one of the hardest and meanest running backs in college football but now there are injury concerns - knee, shoulder, hamstring - and he didn’t test well in Indianapolis. When it comes to talented RBs and guys who posted huge numbers in college, Moss could be right at the top of the list. But durability is now a major concern and his testing numbers were not as good as expected.
Farrell’s take: I remember seeing Moss at one of our camps in Florida and coming away impressed, which is why he was a mid-level three-star, but I didn’t see the level of dominance ahead of him in college football. He’s been a workhorse but his lack of speed is hurting him.