Spring Break
The winners and losers at the NFL combine
Mike Mauro
Issue date: 2/27/09 Section: Sports
With the NFL combine all wrapped up and with free agency set to get underway, here are the three biggest winners and losers from this year's workouts.
Winners
1) Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland - As expected, Heyward-Bey put his elite physical tools on display in Indianapolis, running the fastest 40-yard dash of this year's event at 4.30 seconds. At just under 6-foot-1 and weighing in at 210 pounds, that's a phenomenal time. With this performance, he has cemented a spot in the first round and can go anywhere from being the second to fifth wide receiver taken. That range is wide because Heyward-Bey was very inconsistent at Maryland, displaying unstoppable ability at times, but disappearing on other occasions. Once scouts look back at the game tape and are reminded of his inconsistency, Heyward-Bey will probably come off the board in the bottom third of the first round.
2) Jared Cook, TE, South Carolina - A former wide receiver, Cook put his incredible physical tools out there for scouts to see. Cook ran his 40 in 4.50 seconds, easily the fastest among tight ends, and measured just under 6-foot-5 and a solid 246 pounds. Cook was productive for the Gamecocks, but scouts question - with good reason - his ability to block in the NFL. However, the increased emphasis on tight ends to stretch the field and be relied on less in the running game has Cook potentially taking over the top tight end spot from Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew, who had a disappointing time in Indianapolis. Cook has made himself a lot of money and may have snuck into the last few picks of the first round.
3) Donald Brown, RB, UConn - You could call this a "homer" pick, but Brown was the best running back at this year's combine. While the consensus top-two backs, Ohio State's Beanie Wells and Georgia's Knowshon Moreno, didn't blow anyone away during their workouts, Brown placed at or near the top of every workout category. Brown was fifth among backs in the 40, posting a 4.51 time; this was good for Brown, who had many doubters in terms of his speed heading into the combine. He led all running backs in the vertical jump with an incredible 41.5-inch leap, was second in the broad jump at 10-feet-5-inches and placed second and first in the 20-and 60-yard shuttles, respectively. Brown's performance may allow him to sneak into round one, but he will most likely come off the board very early in round two.
Winners
1) Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland - As expected, Heyward-Bey put his elite physical tools on display in Indianapolis, running the fastest 40-yard dash of this year's event at 4.30 seconds. At just under 6-foot-1 and weighing in at 210 pounds, that's a phenomenal time. With this performance, he has cemented a spot in the first round and can go anywhere from being the second to fifth wide receiver taken. That range is wide because Heyward-Bey was very inconsistent at Maryland, displaying unstoppable ability at times, but disappearing on other occasions. Once scouts look back at the game tape and are reminded of his inconsistency, Heyward-Bey will probably come off the board in the bottom third of the first round.
2) Jared Cook, TE, South Carolina - A former wide receiver, Cook put his incredible physical tools out there for scouts to see. Cook ran his 40 in 4.50 seconds, easily the fastest among tight ends, and measured just under 6-foot-5 and a solid 246 pounds. Cook was productive for the Gamecocks, but scouts question - with good reason - his ability to block in the NFL. However, the increased emphasis on tight ends to stretch the field and be relied on less in the running game has Cook potentially taking over the top tight end spot from Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew, who had a disappointing time in Indianapolis. Cook has made himself a lot of money and may have snuck into the last few picks of the first round.
3) Donald Brown, RB, UConn - You could call this a "homer" pick, but Brown was the best running back at this year's combine. While the consensus top-two backs, Ohio State's Beanie Wells and Georgia's Knowshon Moreno, didn't blow anyone away during their workouts, Brown placed at or near the top of every workout category. Brown was fifth among backs in the 40, posting a 4.51 time; this was good for Brown, who had many doubters in terms of his speed heading into the combine. He led all running backs in the vertical jump with an incredible 41.5-inch leap, was second in the broad jump at 10-feet-5-inches and placed second and first in the 20-and 60-yard shuttles, respectively. Brown's performance may allow him to sneak into round one, but he will most likely come off the board very early in round two.
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