Combine Predictions

I love the NFL combine. It reminds me just how unathletic I am, and how amazing these feats are. I am no athletic slouch, but I can't even perform as well as the worst combine participants. It is astounding!
But even when the best of the best come together, there are those (Calvin Johnson) who do something (Byron Jones) that embarrasses (Stephen Pea) everyone (Vernon Davis) else (Dontari Poe). It may not lead to a great career (Vernon Gholston), but it is jaw dropping at the time. Here are some predictions.

Laviska Shenault tests as a top 10 40 for WRs and top 10 at the bench... for LBs.
     I like Shenault. He is tough, strong, and knows how to carry a team. He will have a great all around workout at Lucas Oil Stadium, demonstrating his speed and strength in testing.


The top O Linemen astound
     There are a lot of athletic, agile, smooth guys coming out this year with Becton, Wirfs, Jones, Thomas to name a few. Their combination of strength and movement skills will give us the most impressive overall collection of performances from 1st Round graded linemen ever.

Five participants go under 4.3, none go under 4.26
     There is a LOT of speed in Indy this week with Henry Ruggs III and Jalen Reager poised to lead the way. Former teammates have predicted a Bo Jackson type sub 4.2 for Ruggs. Many have threatened to break the electronic 40 mark, but rarely do they even come close. Ross's record holds true for another year still.

Linebackers show their range
     Not only will a handful of linebackers show quickness and long speed, but some will challenge defensive backs in top end speed. The best linebackers will be in the top 10 of defensive back times.

Freak
     Rashan Gary tested phenomenally last year. This year there are a few defenders who can similarly wow. Javon Kinlaw can test well enough to potentially slot right behind Chase Young as the #2

Lots of reps on the bench
     I figure there will be a bunch of linebackers, d linemen, and O linemen who go over 30 resp, but a fewer strong D backs and a couple high repping RBs will also come about.

Disappointment
     Ever year there seems to be someone who falls flat (Orlando Brown, anyone?). There are lots of productive or high potential wide receivers, and a bunch will fall far short of expectations. Look for some bad testing from pass catchers, as well as some scat backs who come in far too slow for their frame.

Unheralded running backs astound
     There is high praise given to to the top running backs, but there are going to be some lower tier guys who test very well. Even given the failure of some smaller backs to prove themselves as burners, there are going to be some guys like Josh Kelley who show speed to spare.

I won't be the worst
     I will take some of my testing, and I hope to not have the worst result in any category. Being a short, slender, marathoner, this is actually quite the challenge for me. I am hoping for some ambitious hogs to do all the testing so I have some low results to beat.