Ohio State and West Virginia Combine Results
Weight: 225
40 Dash: 4.47
Ezekiel Elliot looked impressive at the 2016 NFL combine. His 4.47 (official) forty yard dash was the fastest among all running backs who weighted over 220lbs.
STRENGTHS
Elite combination of vision and decisiveness. Instinctive, short strider with instant reaction time. Has a bona fide jump-cut to elude penetration in the backfield and enough burst to elude chasers when he bounces runs to the outside. Able to change directions with no hesitation or wasted motion and is always headed forward. Has innate feel for developing blocks in space and is excellent at setting his blocks up and accelerating from behind them when the linebacker is trapped. When it’s gridlocked inside, finds yards on his own. Rocked up physique but still maintains loose hips for agility. Exceptional balance through contact and takes tacklers for a ride. Has a “come at me, bro!” mentality as a runner. Loves to end runs on his physical terms. Uses lead shoulder as a weapon, but plays with outstanding ball security. Looks to absolutely bludgeon defenders as a lead blocker and is often successful. Able pass catcher who adjusts to throws and can do something with it after the catch.
WEAKNESSES
Strapped it up with a heavy workload over last two seasons including over 600 touches. Defenders land big shots on him. Appears to be too willing to put himself through the meat grinder rather than avoiding certain collisions. Understanding when to attack and when to elude may take time for him. Can sharpen his pass routes a bit and has room for improvement as a pass blocker. On second level, gets on top of defenders before he has a chance to gather himself into a position to evade a tackle. Questions arose about his maturity after complaining about lack of carries in Michigan State game.
If you turn on the sound you can hear Ezekiel Elliot giving out a yell here, as he runs a 4.46. pic.twitter.com/oq175RqDy1
— Ethan Young (@NFLDrafter) February 26, 2016
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 208
40 Dash: 4.49
Wendell Smallwood has been a pleasant surprise of the combine. Smallwood showed impressive quickness, finishing #1 in the cone drill of all runnings backs with a time of 6.83 seconds. Smallwood ran a respectable forty yard dash in (official) 4.47 second.
STRENGTHS
Hits the crease with proper pad level and can spin off of initial tackle attempt on his way to additional yardage. Attacks his foes with lead shoulder at the end of the run for an aggressive finish. Runs a disciplined track as zone runner using solid vision and steady tempo. One of the sharpest players on the offense. Scans and spots blitzers on the creep and steps over to meet them as a blocker. Possesses exceptional hands as an option out of the backfield.
WEAKNESSES
Can use more beef on his frame to handle the rigors of the NFL. Monotone runner who tends to keep his runs at one speed. Not flashy or particularly creative as a runner. Gets what is blocked and is more of a physical finisher than tackle breaker. Has an extended gear down on outside zone to hit downhill cuts. Average athleticism and lacks the sudden jump cut.
Wendell Smallwood clocked at 4.41 unofficially in his second 40-yard dash attempt.https://t.co/ISTJT4ZrJ5 https://t.co/695Avwek0v
— WVU Football (@WVUfootball) February 26, 2016
Height: 6’5″ Weight: 253
40 Dash: 4.83
Cardele Jones opted to sit out the rest of the NFL combine after appearing to aggravate his hamstring in his second attempt at running the forty yard dash.
STRENGTHS
Great size to see over offensive line and bulk to withstand NFL hits. Pocket passer with as much arm as you need. Generates very good velocity without having to get feet set. Can rip it into tight quarters, challenge field-side cornerbacks and attack safeties over the top. Almost 11 percent of his pass attempts were 20-plus yard completions. Completed 59 percent of intermediate throws and 41 percent of deep throws. Touch and ball placement on long ball is pro caliber. Can drop feathery, touch throws on fade routes. Has size, athleticism and toughness to call his own number in run game and is a chain mover as a scrambler. Interceptions generally due to overthrows and poor timing over bad decision-making. Though not yet a strength, did show ability to get through progressions and find third option.
WEAKNESSES
Handed starting job and never owned it. Disappointing accuracy issues with difficulty hitting simple slants. Uncorked interceptions where unrushed pocket throws sailed way over the top of targets. Eyeballs receivers and brings heat from instinctive linebackers and defensive backs. Had issues reading and reacting to zone coverage underneath. Doesn’t hold safeties with his eyes. Failed to execute timing throws out in rhythm. Will pump and reset too often forcing out routes against the sideline. Tends to overthrow near goal line and leave touchdown passes on the field. Saw completion numbers drop almost 30 percent when forced to throw on the move. Below average pocket feel and blitz awareness. Was unable to move from checkers to chess against defensive coordinators.
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 201
40 Dash: 4.50
Braxton Miller, who is being viewed as high potential draft sleeper, ran a mild 4.50 forty yard dash. Miller was expected to be one of the faster prospects in the NFL Combine, after Miller himself said that he ran a 4.36 while on Ohio State’s campus.
STRENGTHS
Considered one of the leaders for the winningest senior class in college football history. Immediately checks boxes for height, weight and speed. Features legitimate vertical acceleration to climb over the top on deep routes. Hands are good enough, but concentration is even better. Uses well-timed leaps and dives to make the demanding catches. Capability as a zone-read quarterback create added value. Has loose hips for jitterbug elusiveness in space and it isn?t easy to get a solid hit on him.
WEAKNESSES
Just one year of work at receiver and has limited production as a pass-catcher. Reliant upon speed and athletic ability over skill at the position. Needs major route work. Upright into his routes with very little sell from his upper body to create hesitation from defenders. Not yet ready to work the intermediate routes. Used deep and short. Needs to improve his ball security and get ball tucked away in proper arm.
We 👀 you, @BraxtonMiller5!
cc: @OhioStAthletics. #NFLCombinehttps://t.co/iCgGYWoUdh
— NFL (@NFLCanada) February 27, 2016
Jalin Marshall ran an unimpressive 4.60 forty yard dash, lowing his draft stock among wide receivers.
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 200
40 Dash: 4.60
STRENGTHS
Athletic with smooth hips and plus body control. Has feet to bound around initial tackler in space and can create after the catch. Good size for the slot, but gained experience on outside this season. Former dual-threat high school quarterback who offers versatility on jet sweeps and packaged plays. Should continue to improve at the position with experience and coaching. Subtle and shifty in space. Able to run under the deep balls and is an excellent ball tracker. Excellent punt returner with 34.6 percent of his punts going for 15-plus yards.
WEAKNESSES
Benefited from scheme. Stacks and bunch sets allowed for easier release. Must prove he can win against press man coverage. Routes are raw and rounded. Needs to do better job of working to softest spots against zone coverage. Smooth, but lacking instant burst component with all in his hands. Doesn’t show the ball skills necessary to 50/50 balls or consistently finish contested throws. Hand strength is average. Struggles securing poorly thrown balls.
