The 2006 NFL Combine showcased a plethora
of talent. In this recent installment I will
showcase the top performers at the recent
combine.
OFFENSE
QB- Jay Cutler Vanderbilt 6-3 226
Cutler was the only member of the big three
quarterback prospects to work out at the
combine. His performance was solid,
especially throwing the ball and in the
weight room. Cutler benched 225 21 times
which is practically unheard of for a
quarterback prospect. He also surprisingly
ran a 4.77 40, which showed that he wasn't
as stiff and slow as some evaluators viewed
him prior to the combine.
RB- Joseph Addai LSU 5-10 213
Addai was much faster than most thought he
would run. He ran as low as 4.37 on some
stop watches, with the consensus being that
he ran in the 4.40 range. Not bad for a guy
who looked to be a second day pick. His
performance very well may have vaulted Addai
into the first day of the draft. The 40 time
was the marquee event for the running backs
and Addai was just behind Maurice Drew.
RB- Maurice Drew UCLA 5-9 201
Drew looked really well prepared for the
combine. He ran a 4.39 and had the best 40
time among the running backs. Drew also has
great versatility in being able to return
kicks and punts. He looks to be a first day
pick most likely in the late 2nd round after
his strong combine performance.
LT- Eric Winston Miami 6-6 311
Winston had a sharp combine performance. He
looked recovered from a previous knee injury
that has caused concern for scouts. Winston
ran a 4.94 40 and showed quick feet in his
position drills. Many of the scouts look for
Winston to improve considerably in having
another year to recover from his previous
ACL tear. Also, a very impressive 4.44
shuttle time showed that he had the ability
to change directions. Winston solidified his
status as a late first rounder and possibly
moved up a few slots in the draft.
LG- Will Montgomery Virginia Tech 6-3 308
Montgomery was consistently in the top range
in every measurable drill. He ran a 5.09 40
time, along with a 4.43 shuttle. The shuttle
time was important, because it showed NFL
personnel that Montgomery can pull and trap
in a running scheme. He was considerably
quicker than most guard prospects and
increased his value as a second day pick.
Montgomery likely climbed a round or two up
the draft.
C- Nick Mangold Ohio State 6-3 301
Mangold made scouts take notice. He ran a
5.05 40 and a 4.36 shuttle time. Most
evaluators had Mangold going in the late
second to early third rounds. Some scouts
now are saying he might go in the late first
round.
RG- Pat Ross Boston College 6-4 300
Ross is known as a center but I list him as
a guard because he can play both positions.
He ran a 4.96 and looked smooth and flexible
in the position drills. Look for Ross to not
last past the second round.
RT- Andrew Whitworth LSU 6-7 325
Whitworth is a massive road grader who
especially excels in run blocking. He ran a
5.15 which is remarkable for a offensive
tackle of his size and stature. Whitworth's
stock has certainly risen.
TE- Vernon Davis Maryland 6-3 256
Wow. What else can you say? It was the best
performance by any player in the history of
the NFL combine. Davis ran a 4.38 and
benched 225 33 times. Top 10 pick without a
doubt.
WR- Chad Jackson Florida 6-0 208
Pretty remarkable performance for Jackson.
He ran a 4.32 and looked very comfortable
catching the ball. Jackson should also
steadily improve in leaving for the NFL a
year early.
WR- Sinorice Moss Miami 5-8 180
One of the biggest positives was that Moss
measured in at 5-8. Some observers stated he
was as short a 5-6. The 4.38 40 he ran
didn't hurt either.
DEFENSE
DE- Mario Williams North Carolina State
6-7 285
Are Vernon Davis and Williams related? This
was the physical freak on the defensive
side. He ran a 4.66 and did 225 33 times. He
looks like he is ready to handle offensive
tackles at the next level.
DT- Broderick Bunkley Florida State 6-2
305
Man this guy is an animal. He did 44 reps
with 225. No wonder he was unblockable at
Senior Bowl Practices. Bunkley also moves
well and looked tenacious in the drills.
Should be the first defensive tackle off the
board.
DT- Gabe Watson Michigan 6-3 332
Watson is a mammoth sized defensive tackle
and put up great numbers. He benched 225 36
times and ran a 5.22 40. Scouts now have to
weigh whether or not they should take a
chance on Watson. His measurables add up but
the performance on the field has not.
DE- Mike Kudla Ohio State 6-3 265
Not many people saw this one coming. Kudla
benched 225 45 times and ran a 4.73 40.
Kudla solidified his first day selection.
OLB- James Anderson Virginia Tech 6-3 232
Anderson posted some big numbers. He ran a
4.58 40, had a 41 inch vertical leap, and
ran a 4.07 shuttle. This is my darkhorse to
become a solid NFL linebacker.
MLB- A.J. Hawk Ohio State 6-1 248
Hawk is the quintessential leader at
linebacker. He ran an amazing 3.96 shuttle
time and a 4.59 40. Even with his impressive
performance, he still left unsatisfied. Hawk
has the potential to be an NFL legend.
OLB- Jon Alston Stanford 6-0 221
A little on the small side, but he certainly
packs a punch. Alston, ran a 4.40 40 and
broad jumped 11 feet! He also added a 40
inch vertical. Alston made a name for
himself.
CB- Tye Hill Clemson 5-9 188
Hill flew at a 4.30 pace and solidified his
status as the top cornerback in the draft.
Look for Hill to be going in the top 10
selections of the draft.
CB- Jason Allen Tennessee 6-1 214
Allen deserves a lot of credit. After
missing almost the entire year and
recovering from a hip injury, he posted some
amazing numbers. Allen ran a 4.39 40 and had
the top shuttle time at a stellar 3.86! Look
for Allen to sneak into the first round.
FS- Pat Watkins Florida State 6-1 210
Watkins looked particularly solid. He ran a
4.42, broad jumped 11 feet i inches, and had
a 40 inch vertical. Pretty impressive day
for Watkins.
SS- Michael Huff Texas 6-0 208
Huff belongs here because he is known to
play any position in the secondary. His
versatility will help a team who runs a lot
of blitzing. His 4.34 40 should also help in
coverage.
No Shows
The following players were no shows. This
was an unwise move when the surface used was
field turf which led to faster times that in
the past.
1. Virginia Tech CB Jimmy Williams
2. Texas QB Vince Young
3. USC QB Matt Leinart
4. Oregon DT Haloti Ngata
Notes
One last note. While LT D'Brickashaw
Ferguson is grabbing a great deal of
headlines; one other name to keep in mind is
RT Brian Barthelmes. Barthelmes was not
invited to the combine but at 6-6 298 pounds
he has consistently run in the 5.1 range in
the 40 and was a four year starter at
Virginia. He very well could be a sleeper in
this 2006 NFL draft. Barthelmes, has a frame
to add weight and the versatility to play
several positions along the offensive line
which should attract the attention of NFL
scouts.
