The Combine is in full swing now, and after an exciting day one built around interviews and offensive linemen measurements, day two was the first time the quarterbacks, receivers and running backs spoke to the media.
Johnny Manziel and a handful of receivers made headlines with their measurements, while quotes from Bill O’Brien and two general managers made day two at the combine full of storylines.
1. Johnny Manziel’s Size the Talk of the Day
Evaluators knew Johnny Manziel was under-sized. Listed at 6’1 in college but appearing even smaller on game days. He measured at 5’11 and change, and at 207 pounds, both good enough for the second-lowest numbers of any quarterback in attendance. Since 1960, only one quarterback who measured in under 6’0 has been a first round pick: Michael Vick.
2. But CBS Sports’s Dane Brugler Shows Manziel’s Size Is Good News
Manziel’s weight wasn’t ideal, especially for a quarterback with his playing style and willingness to embrace traffic and tacklers in the pocket. However, Brugler tweeted this out early in the day::
“Former Texas A&M asst coach told me Manziel was 172 pounds when he arrived in CS. Weighed in at 207 today – added 35 pounds in 3 years” Intriguing note for sure, and it’s a testament to his work ethic and ability to add weight in the Texas A&M training program.
3. Mike Evans and Kelvin Benjamin Have Freaky Arms
With the excitement in the NFL over the Bears’ receiver Alshon Jeffery, most teams are looking to find their very own physical, powerful and long pass catcher for their offense. Two receivers fit that mold based off their college film, and so far have fit the prototype with their measurements. Mike Evans of Texas A&M measured in with 35 1/8 arms and Kelvin Benjamin of Florida State had 34 7/8 arms, an inch more than any other receiver in attendance. Both are much longer than Jeffery’s 33 inch arms he had at the Combine three years ago, but the question then becomes if Evans and Benjamin can use that length in a similar fashion in the NFL.
4. LSU Receivers Under 6’0, But Measure Up Elsewhere
Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry are two of the best receivers in the 2014 class, both opting to leave school early this year and are considered best friends. It came as a bit of a surprise when both of the talented yet differing style receivers measured in under 6’0. However, a more important indicator of receiver success is their hand size, where both have 10 inch-plus hands. They may not get the same press as Evans or Benjamin thanks to the length those two possess, but they’re both higher on Optimum Scouting’s board.
5. Buzz Continuing to Build for Notre Dame’s Niklas
After winning the weigh-in on day one, scouts are starting to get more excited with Troy Niklas’s upside. Before the combine, one scout I spoke with said that he’s considered the top developmental tight end, with immediate blocking upside and a solid second-round grade. Scouts are expecting to see even more from Niklas this week, and if he can finish workouts the way some in the league expect, the first round won’t be out of the question.
6. Small School Stud at Tight End Puts up 35 Bench Reps
Sticking with the tight end position, Dixie State’s Joe Don Duncan made a name for himself at the bench press on day two, putting up 35 reps. A star at the division two level for the past three years, Duncan was forced out of the Senior Bowl due to an injury. Scouts are very intrigued by what he can offer, and if he tests well all week, he could get into the 3rd-4th round discussion, despite this being a deep class.
7. Despite Awesome Arm Length, Tackles Robinson, Richardson Win Bench Press
Staying with the bench press, two offensive tackles with first round aspirations impressed. The longer the arms a player has, the further he has to push the bar at the bench press which leads to fewer rep totals. However, despite both having 35 inch arms (among the longest compared to the rest of the offensive linemen), Auburn’s Greg Robinson put up 32 reps, while Tennessee’s Antonio Richardson finished with 36 reps.
8. Rams GM Les Snead Talks Trade Down Options from #2 Overall
Two years ago, the Rams were picking at #2 overall, and secured one of the biggest draft trade hauls in NFL history when the Redskins moved up to secure Robert Griffin. Once again picking at the number two spot and not having any glaring needs across the roster, the St. Louis Rams are in prime position to secure another big trade. But whether it’s building leverage or is pure honesty in what they may do, Rams’s GM Les Snead had this say about the pick.
"(The No. 2 pick) is a nice asset. As an organization, we need to make the best of that asset like an business would do. So that's definitely an option. Not saying that will happen, but we'll evaluate and analyze all situations."
9. Bortles-to-Houston Buzz Building
The Houston Texans have a tough decision to make atop the draft. Do they take the draft’s best player in Jadeveon Clowney and add an elite talent to an already impressive defense, or do they look at the quarterback position? No one I spoke to in the league as an inclination either way, but if they do go quarterback, Blake Bortles seems to be the odds-on favorite. Adding to that theory, here’s what new Texans head coach had to say about Bortles.
“Obviously I have a connection with George O'Leary and their coaching staff thinks very highly of him there. He's athletic. He's a competitive guy. So it's been fun to watch him play on tape and it'll be good to watch him work out here."
10. Cardinals Open Up About Palmer, Future of their Quarterbacks
Teams in the top-ten are generally to thank when it comes to hyping up the 2014 quarterback class, but they won’t be the only ones with a close eye on this quarterback class. The Cardinals, picking at 20th overall, currently have Carson Palmer at the helm, but don’t have a “quarterback of the future” for Bruce Arians to develop. If a passer like Blake Bortles or Derek Carr happens to fall outside the top 10, Arizona could be a target. But according to GM Steve Keim, they are comfortable with Carson Palmer for now.
"With the supply and demand at quarterback, Carson at least puts us in the position where you don't have to force. And when I say force, you're sitting at 20 or wherever we are in the draft, and feel like we have to have one."
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