Combine Risers/Sliders - RB and QB

[Garrett]

From CNNSI.com

Risers
Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas: McFadden is already the top prospect in this draft, yet he further distanced himself from the pack as his combine workout was nothing less than spectacular. McFadden weighed in at 211 pounds then ran both of his forty's in the low 4.3 second area. His fast times will get most of the headlines, yet McFadden displayed great footwork and cutting skills during the practice session and was equally effective catching the ball.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon: Stewart was another big back who amazed scouts with his speed. The junior from Oregon tipped the scales at 230 pounds, yet timed both of his forty's in the low 4.4's. He also completed 28 reps on the bench press, which topped all running backs. Stewart is likely to be rated as one of the top eight players in the draft.

Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois: Mendenhall made it three for three as he timed in the low 4.4's. He had earlier weighed in at 225 pounds on Friday. Mendenhall also displayed good hands during drills. Mendenhall completed an impressive 26 repetitions on the bench press.

Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware: Flacco continued the momentum he built at the Senior Bowl. He was the most physically impressive passer at the combine and had the best arm strength. Flacco was accurate with all his throws the entire day. He impressed scouts with his ability to adjust passes to all the receivers he threw to, both fast and slow, hitting them in stride and giving them an opportunity to catch the ball.

Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina: Boyd was considered a straightahead power back in college, yet that perception will soon change. Boyd timed his forty's at or below 4.5 seconds. He also displayed better than expected cutting skills during the practice session.

Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina: Johnson was the fastest of all the backs on Sunday. He went below 4.3 seconds in both runnings of the forty, the best being a 4.25 on his second attempt.

Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas: The Longhorn sprint champion did not disappoint the crowd in the RCA Dome. Charles timed both his forty's in the high 4.3's.

Sliders
Mike Hart, RB, Michigan: Hart looked good during the practice session, yet teams will not be able to overlook his poor forty times. Hart ran 4.65 seconds then 4.75 seconds after weighing in at 206 pounds.

Yvenson Bernard, RB, Oregon State: Bernard is known as a slippery scat back who can turn the corner. His forty times of 4.81 and 4.78 will change that line of thinking.

Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego: Johnson was out to prove he belongs with the top quarterbacks in this draft but it did not happen. His deep passes were woeful as they were inaccurate and wobbled through the air.

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The only knock on Cory Boyd is character, as he was suspended a couple years back. Any S. Carolina fans have any insight on his character? Seems like he would be a great complement to FWP.

[leftcoaststeelerfan]

Would be nice to be able to get Stewart. But alas we have needs at other positions.

[Coryea]

Would be nice to be able to get Stewart. But alas we have needs at other positions.

He'll be long gone before we pick with that size and speed.

[kev4heels]

Would love to get Cory Boyd in the 4th or 5th.
I watched him significantly with South Carolina and he is pretty darn good.
Boyd NEVER goes down on the first hit...

[Tobe]

McFadden for his size and speed seems to go down faster than a $100 hooker and he carries the ball in one hand like 90% of the time which led to coughing up the ball. Also, his legs seem underdeveloped. Stewart does not seem very elusive. Mendenhall may be the best of the bunch in my opinion but he too lacks any real moves. Pretty much a linear runner.

[FistfullofRings]

Would be nice to be able to get Stewart. But alas we have needs at other positions.


I prefer Mendenhall. In today's NFL, if you don't have a need at a given position, it won't be long until you do.

[FistfullofRings]

McFadden for his size and speed seems to go down faster than a $100 hooker and he carries the ball in one hand like 90% of the time which led to coughing up the ball. Also, his legs seem underdeveloped. Stewart does not seem very elusive. Mendenhall may be the best of the bunch in my opinion but he too lacks any real moves. Pretty much a linear runner.


Mike Mayock (who I find to be pretty astute) doesn't seem overly impressed with McFadden either.

[pourman]

Here's an article I read about Boyd. It pretty much tells his story. Great football player. I'd take a chance on him.

http://www.thestate.com/morris/story/155381.html

[titus]

From CNNSI.com

Risers
Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas: McFadden is already the top prospect in this draft, yet he further distanced himself from the pack as his combine workout was nothing less than spectacular. McFadden weighed in at 211 pounds then ran both of his forty's in the low 4.3 second area. His fast times will get most of the headlines, yet McFadden displayed great footwork and cutting skills during the practice session and was equally effective catching the ball.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon: Stewart was another big back who amazed scouts with his speed. The junior from Oregon tipped the scales at 230 pounds, yet timed both of his forty's in the low 4.4's. He also completed 28 reps on the bench press, which topped all running backs. Stewart is likely to be rated as one of the top eight players in the draft.

Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois: Mendenhall made it three for three as he timed in the low 4.4's. He had earlier weighed in at 225 pounds on Friday. Mendenhall also displayed good hands during drills. Mendenhall completed an impressive 26 repetitions on the bench press.

Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware: Flacco continued the momentum he built at the Senior Bowl. He was the most physically impressive passer at the combine and had the best arm strength. Flacco was accurate with all his throws the entire day. He impressed scouts with his ability to adjust passes to all the receivers he threw to, both fast and slow, hitting them in stride and giving them an opportunity to catch the ball.

Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina: Boyd was considered a straightahead power back in college, yet that perception will soon change. Boyd timed his forty's at or below 4.5 seconds. He also displayed better than expected cutting skills during the practice session.

Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina: Johnson was the fastest of all the backs on Sunday. He went below 4.3 seconds in both runnings of the forty, the best being a 4.25 on his second attempt.

Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas: The Longhorn sprint champion did not disappoint the crowd in the RCA Dome. Charles timed both his forty's in the high 4.3's.

Sliders
Mike Hart, RB, Michigan: Hart looked good during the practice session, yet teams will not be able to overlook his poor forty times. Hart ran 4.65 seconds then 4.75 seconds after weighing in at 206 pounds.

Yvenson Bernard, RB, Oregon State: Bernard is known as a slippery scat back who can turn the corner. His forty times of 4.81 and 4.78 will change that line of thinking.

Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego: Johnson was out to prove he belongs with the top quarterbacks in this draft but it did not happen. His deep passes were woeful as they were inaccurate and wobbled through the air.

---------------------------------------------------------

The only knock on Cory Boyd is character, as he was suspended a couple years back. Any S. Carolina fans have any insight on his character? Seems like he would be a great complement to FWP.


I am a big SC fan, and I have never been a big fan of Corey Boyd. If you think FWP dances around behind the line, you ain't seen shit. Corey is slow to hit the hole, and doesn't seem to have much power, although SC's lines over his tenure have been terrible. Where he's getting the rep as a power back is beyond me. The one thing he has always been is fairly fast once he gets it going forward. Really, he reminds me of a faster Verron Haynes, - the fumbilitis. He does seem to have a good work ethic, and is a determined runner, he doesn't go down on the first hit, but he's not the guy that drives the pile forward, either.

[LetMePlay]

I said it weeks ago and I'll say it again, McFadden will be the bust of this draft.

[leftcoaststeelerfan]

He'll be long gone before we pick with that size and speed.

So....if he fall to 23 do you take him?

[leftcoaststeelerfan]

I said it weeks ago and I'll say it again, McFadden will be the bust of this draft.

Isn't that what people were saying last year with Adrian Peterson and his "injury"?

[LetMePlay]

Isn't that what people were saying last year with Adrian Peterson and his "injury"?

Dont know about others but I said that Peterson would be awesome in the NFL but only last about 3-4 years.

[thatrain]

Anyone know how Owen Schmitt did at the combine? Did he participate?

[TMC]

Yeah, Schmitt was average and I actually read an article where it stated he needed to go to a team like Pittsburgh....one that can use a primary blocking FB but is willing to throw to him occasionally.

I think he ran in the 4.75 range.

[TMC]

Also, I would take Corey Boyd in the 4th/5th and be happy. I think he is very versatile, has good hands, runs with purpose, and falls forward. I like the guy and think he will only get better.

[FlaStGrad]

I agree... McFadden has bust written all over his twiggy legs. Dude looks like Mike Tyson's opponents back in the day... afraid to take a hit.

[Steelers.exe]

You guys have lost your goddamn minds. I've seen plenty of his games. He ain't afraid to take a hit. He is no AP but he will not be a bust. Period.

[The Iron is Steel On!]

McFadden will not be a bust. He'll run for 1,500 for whoever he plays for.

[Tobe]

Yeah, Schmitt was average and I actually read an article where it stated he needed to go to a team like Pittsburgh....one that can use a primary blocking FB but is willing to throw to him occasionally.

I think he ran in the 4.75 range.

Yea, but remember he is not a TB first, he's a FB that can line up as a TE or TB. He's like 260 lbs and that's a lot of moose carrying the ball at that speed. I think it was this year's Fiesta Bowl that he had a 50+ yarder for a TD and that's pretty uncommon for a big guy carrying the ball. I also saw him hurdle a couple of DBs which gave the WVU coaches fits but did show that for a big dude is pretty fleet footed. I also like his hard nosed attitude.

[Tobe]

McFadden will not be a bust. He'll run for 1,500 for whoever he plays for.

Time will tell but he coughed the ball up 15 times in 2007 - that's at least one per game and that's against powerhouses like Troy, Chattanooga, and Florida International. He also seemed to get too upright in his stance at times and it did seem that he went down fairly easy on leg tackles.

[Supersteeler]

McFadden will not be a bust. He'll run for 1,500 for whoever he plays for.

Didn't you want us to draft Michael Bush in the 1st Round?

[Smidrow]

Mike Hart is a kid who will be a steal for someone if he slides to the second day. I wouldn't mind the Steelers taking him on day two!!!

[LetMePlay]

So....if he fall to 23 do you take him?

No. I dont take him in the first round. I would late second.

[LetMePlay]

Mike Hart is a kid who will be a steal for someone if he slides to the second day. I wouldn't mind the Steelers taking him on day two!!!

Completely agree. Would be a nice day two pick up.

[t-bone]

Schmitt would be a perfect "Pittsburgh" story.....he's easily as good as Krieder or Davis, probably better.....and he's a great 3rd and 2 hammer, waaaay better than Najeh.....he had some damn nice plays at WVU, especially for being such a load....probably not an every down guy, but we don't need that from our FB anymore anyways.....and imagine him hitting people on ST's....

[RevBillyC]

If we're considering a "big" RB early on day 2, I'd prefer Tashard Choice out of Ga Tech over Cody Boyd.

[thatrain]

Schmitt would be a perfect "Pittsburgh" story.....he's easily as good as Krieder or Davis, probably better.....and he's a great 3rd and 2 hammer, waaaay better than Najeh.....he had some damn nice plays at WVU, especially for being such a load....probably not an every down guy, but we don't need that from our FB anymore anyways.....and imagine him hitting people on ST's....

He broke 10 opposing players' facemasks during his career at WV. Does that make anyone else tingle in an inappropriate way?

[Steelz]

Chris Johnson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhUhLtAC_Ok runs almost exactly like Willie, only faster w/ better vision.

[leftcoaststeelerfan]

Chris Johnson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhUhLtAC_Ok runs almost exactly like Willie, only faster w/ better vision.


Yeah but we already have a Willie. We neet to get that big, up the middle, bruiser type of rumming back. Someone to use in goal line situations and to grind a team down in the 4th quarter.