Fantasy Relevant Combine Notes - Vibes Edition

I’m not going to elaborate on 40 times or measurables in this post. That information is readily available to those interested and is being fully dissected all over the internet as we speak. I’m just going to talk about a few prospects that stood out in the drills based on all the reps I watched.

I’ll start chronologically since they started with TEs that’s where I’ll begin. Obviously Sadiq and Stowers testing numbers were the headline but I’ll concentrate on some other TEs here.

The first thing is that I was disappointed in the amount of TEs that tested athletically. Day 2 potential picks like Trigg, Joly, Klare and Wright didn’t test. One thing to start with that I have only seen reported in the darkest corners of the internet is that Michael Trigg broke Darnell Washington’s wingspan record with 84 3/8 inches for TEs. This is notable given Trigg is 3 inches shorter than Washington is.

I don’t have a ton of other info to report on TEs. The guy I thought looked the best in the Gauntlet was Tanner Koziol. His height brings questions about his movement but I thought he looked super smooth at that size. He will probably be my new Jelani Woods style obsession at TE.

Justin Joly looked real solid in that drill. I really wish he would have tested but he did at least show something. So many TEs on that day 2-3 fringe deciding not to test was a major head scratcher to me. With RAS being such a major piece of their positional value I’m wondering if they are hoping to get a little more favorable metrics with some home cooking.

Two guys I don’t think we will really draft in dynasty but looked like they could be late picks just off reps were Matthew Hibner from SMU and Bauer Sharp from LSU. Neither guys stats jump out but they looked the part to me as late round picks potentially. Sharp even went bloody nose tissue for a rep just like Kittle did. I saw quite a few throwback moments in this combine that it makes me wonder if this stuff was just staged.

Running backs were another group that didn’t have the amount of guys testing that I’d hoped. Mike Washington was the major highlight with his 40 time. He was already in that top 5 discussion but now he seems like he could be a top 3 back in the class.

Eli Heidenreich showed he belonged to me. He is probably more 3rd down back than slot WR but I wouldn’t be shocked if he was a 5th round pick and just used as a versatile weapon. Late stage Cordarelle Patterson would be a best case scenario. It’s a shame Arthur Smith is calling plays in college because he’d love this guy.

Not much else to say about RBs. There was one sudden cut from Demond Claiborne that made me say “whoa”. It might have been the camera angle but something about that move spoke to me. I can see him going 4th round and being an early-mid 2nd in rookie drafts.

The WR that stood out the most to me was Ja’Kobi Lane. I was worried he was falling in this process but he looked great (even better than Lemon who also looked very good) in the drills today. He’s an early 2nd target in NFL and dynasty drafts at this point.

Antonio Williams was my runner up at WR. He was definitely better than I anticipated and I think he could play inside or out as a pro which was my major question about him. I think he’s solidly in the 2nd round to me.

Ted Hurst showed some real solid promise. A team that wants a big bodied deep threat will gobble him up by the early 3rd probably. New Orleans would be an exciting spot. Denver makes sense as someone to help open the offense up a bit.

Bryce Lance was very intriguing and looks like a day 2 guy to me. He has great deep speed and might be able to provide more versatility than anticipated. I’d love to see the Niners redeem the Lance name in San Francisco.

I thought Elijah Sarratt looked out of sorts. I feel like his loose T-Shirt style garb was out of place. He looked like the kid who plays basketball in the 2000s that wears a T-Shirt under his jersey. I feel like that kid can get hot from 3 but today he was just off. I assume he’ll rebuild some rep at his pro day with Mendoza throwing to him. Hopefully he wears a tighter, less sleavy shirt too lol.

QBs I have a few notes. I think Simpson will be a late first. There is not a lot of promise in day 2 so makes sense he might have a team like AZ trade back up into the first to get him.

Carson Beck looked like a day 2 pick. The boos didn’t faze him. I’m not sure he’s ever someone you are excited to have as a starter but he feels like he’ll be an elite level backup. Total Foles vibes from me.

Cole Payton got the Tebow comp which makes perfect sense. He has a bigger arm but accuracy is definitely lacking. He looks like he’ll be a problem as a runner but not sure he’s ever a good enough passer to start. He is the type of handcuff you’ll gladly roster though because with his rushing he’ll put up points if he plays.

Diego Pavia might be inevitable. I might have to apologize to the guy that posted a Pavia loving mock here a few weeks ago. I said he might not get drafted. I take it back. He’s going to get drafted the question is when. Rough around the edges Russ? Maybe…time will tell but he definitely gained some points for me in a situation I’d thought he’d struggle.

That’s all for me. If you made it this far congratulations. What are your thoughts on some combine performances?