Tag: Isaiah Spiller

Mock draft watch: ESPN’s alternating-pick projection loads Lions up on Georgia prospects

Mock draft watch: ESPN’s alternating-pick projection loads Lions up on Georgia Bulldogs prospects

In the latest 3-round mock draft from ESPN, analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay mix things up by using a different format. Kiper and McShay take turns making the picks based on their own takes on the draft board.

It’s a fun exercise that produces some more unpredictable results. For the Detroit Lions, it wound up creating a de facto Georgia Bulldogs reunion. Three of the five picks in the first three rounds hail from the national champs, including the Lions’ top pick.

At No. 2 overall, Kiper selects DE Travon Walker. McShay tabbed Michigan EDGE Aidan Hutchinson at No. 1, and that left Kiper grasping a bit,

I don’t have Walker ranked this high — he’s No. 10 on my Big Board — but he’s going to go in the top five picks because of his ceiling. If the Lions can’t get Hutchinson, they could get instant edge-rush help with Walker.

With the next two Detroit picks, at 32 and 34 overall, Kiper rolls with Cincinnati QB Desmond Ridder and Georgia safety Lewis Cine. Ridder at 32 has popped up a few times in recent mock drafts, so it’s clearly an idea that is out there. Cine is a very nice fit and good value for the Lions at No. 34.

The two third-round picks lean on the SEC, with Georgia LB Channing Tindall at No. 66 and Texas A&M RB Isaiah Spiller at 97. Tindall is a superb athlete and makes sense where the Lions drafted him. The same cannot be said–in either regard–on Spiller. Running back might be the lowest position of need on the entire Lions roster.

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Commanders bring in another running back for a top 30 visit

Could Isaiah Spiller be a target for the Washington Commanders in the 2022 NFL draft?

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The Washington Commanders are interested in running backs in the 2022 NFL draft. Washington brought in Iowa State’s Breece Hall, and Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III for top-30 visits ahead of the draft.

Now, you can add another top running back prospect to that list. According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller recently visited Washington.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Spiller is only 20 years old and rushed for over 1,000 yards in two of his three seasons in College Station. Spiller was limited at the combine but did participate in Texas A&M’s pro day, where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.63 seconds.

While the 40 time may have disappointed some teams, Spiller’s film is indicative of an NFL lead back. Spiller is big and elusive and shows excellent patience.

Most consider Spiller a day-two pick, meaning he will go somewhere in the second or third round. The Commanders do not currently have a third-round pick due to the Carson Wentz trade, but would it consider such a premium pick on a running back if Washington moves back in either of the first two rounds to land a third-round pick? After all, the Commanders still have Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic.

Spiller rushed for 2,993 yards in three seasons in college. He also showed some ability as a receiver, finishing his career with 74 receptions.

 

2022 NFL draft: Isaiah Spiller scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller

A productive, consistent ground weapon who posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller will hope to keep those numbers up as one of the top running back prospects in the 2022 NFL draft.

Here is everything you need to know about the Aggies’ versatile playmaker:

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M

Isaiah Spiller is expected to be a second-round selection and he will end up on a team that will want to make immediate use of his talents

The four-star recruit from Klein Collins High School was courted by most major schools, including Oklahoma and Alabama but opted to remain near home at Texas A&M. He became a starter as a freshman and led the Aggies in rushing for all three seasons while facing top competition in the SEC.

Spiller shared the backfield with Devon Archane last year and never handled more than 188 carries in any season. He’s consistently been used as a receiver, topping out with 29 catches in his freshman year. Spiller is a power back that can handle a 20+ carry workload and he’s built for inside work but never has to come off the field.

Height: 6-0
Weight: 217 pounds
40 time: 4.63 seconds

Spiller had a strained abductor muscle at the NFL Combine and didn’t run. His Pro Day disappointed with a 4.63 40-time that matters when teams evaluate him. As a bigger back, he’s more in the mold of the old-style workhorse than the faster, more versatile running backs of current day but he’s been highly productive against top talent. He could still remain a full-time option for an NFL team.

Table: Isaiah Spiller NCAA stats (2019-21)

Year School Games Runs Yards Avg. TD Catch Yards. TD
2019 Texas A&M 13 174 946 5.4 10 29 203 10
2020 Texas A&M 10 188 1036 5.5 9 20 193 9
2021 Texas A&M 12 179 1011 5.6 6 25 189 7

Pros

  • Instinctive runner
  • Tremendous vision sees the defense and any opening
  • Thick frame and powerful lower body that churns through contact
  • Physical North-South runner with no fear
  • Good hands that rarely drop a pass
  • Averaged 5.5 yards per carry in the SEC
  • Surprisingly quick in cuts and change of direction
  • Follows blocking well, patient as play develops
  • Workhorse potential even in NFL
  • Durable runner with tread still left on tires
  • Downhill runner that just needs one-cut to break free

Cons

  • Lack of speed is a bigger issue in the NFL
  • Limited route tree while in college
  • Slower to regain momentum when gears down
  • Needs to improve pass blocking skills
  • Eight fumbles over college career

Fantasy outlook

There are evaluators that have Spiller as the top back in the draft and he will end up within the first few selected. He’s been compared to as a smaller, slower Joe Mixon or Javonte Williams, and his lack of speed will be a bigger issue at the next level. But he plays far faster than he times, and bottom line – has been very productive versus top college teams while in the SEC as a three-year starter.

His fantasy value will be tied almost entirely to wherever he lands. He’s easy to see as an addition to a committee backfield likely as the rushing half, but he’s been productive as a receiver. He may start out as a part-time back but could absolutely grow into being a full-timer in the right offense.

He’s been speculated to end up with the RB-needy Falcons which would likely be a best-case scenario given the lack of competition. He’s also been considered as an addition to the Broncos committee backfield. A decade or more ago, Spiller would be considered the next best thing by many. He’ll have to earn a bigger role in today’s NFL, and that means his situation will be key.

Isaiah Spiller is expected to be a second-round selection and he will end up on a team that will want to make immediate use of his talents. That means his fantasy value is going to be rather high.

When should the Texans address running back in the 2022 NFL draft?

The Houston Texans must draft a running back. Where in the 2022 NFL draft should the Texans invest their capital to bring in a young RB?

This past Friday, the Houston Texans made one of their more significant signings of  free agency in running back Marlon Mack. Mack, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts, represents one of the few outside free agents they’ve added to the team this off-season and a much needed presence in the running back room. 

Mack ran for 1,091 yards during the 2019 campaign for the Colts and was set to share the backfield with rookie running back Jonathan Taylor prior to an unfortunate ACL tear in September of 2020. Taylor, of course, went on to become one of the best running backs in the league with the backfield to himself. As such, Mack was left as the odd man out and forced to leave to find opportunity for volume.

The 26-year-old joins a Houston team with Rex Burkhead and Royce Freeman as the primary competition for snaps. Mack lacks high-end athleticism but has patience and power to navigate between the tackles and is a seemingly great fit for what Pep Hamilton has preached he wants to do in the 2022 perspective.

From exclusively a skill perspective, Mack factors in as the team’s immediate best running back on first and second downs. Seemingly, he’s filled a large void where Houston was once concerned about how they would aid second year quarterback Davis Mills

However, his presence on the roster is not one where the Texans should feel comfortable exhaling at the position. They still have one of the weakest running back groups in the league and will likely need more than their a motivated Marlon Mack to make a splash in the AFC South this upcoming season.

They need another running back.

Based on general manager Nick Caserio’s other moves thus far this off-season, another addition through free agency seems unlikely. This places the ability of Houston to add another the back solely on the 2022 NFL Draft. If there’s no doubt to the question of “if,” the new narrative becomes: when? A question that may best be broken down into three tiers if one operates under the assumption the Texans won’t trade.

In the draft, Breece Hall has separated into a tier of his own by all accounts. If Houston wants a shot at the three-down back, he will likely need to be selected with the team’s first pick of Day 2 at 37th overall. There are mumblings of teams selecting Hall late on Day 1 and it would appear virtually impossible for the back to last until their next pick at 68th overall. Hall would provide an immediate bell cow presence to the offense and a dynamic in the back field that the Texans haven’t employed in years. The premium talent that provides a back you can construct an offense around will also require a premium pick.

Houston could turn to the next tier of backs if that price is too rich. Two others that still project as potential three-down contributors, Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker and Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller, are likely late Round 2 or early Round 3 picks. Each were dynamic talents at the college level but concerns over Walker’s ability in the passing game and Spiller’s speed that make them less complete prospects than the previously mentioned Hall. Regardless, if selected at Nos. 68 or 80, their presence on the roster would slot either as the immediate top running back on the depth chart after Day 2.

Finally, Houston could bolster their defense & passing game by simply waiting until Day 3. At 107 or pick 108, a variety of names from the Senior Bowl are available and could contribute in more of a committee fashion with Marlon Mack and Burkhead. Tyler Badie from Missouri, although undersized, led the SEC in rushing in 2021. Arizona State’s Rachaad White is a dynamic home run threat that projects well to Pep Hamilton’s scheme. Alabama’s Brian Robinson and Cincinnati’s Jerome Ford are both tough, in between the tackle runners that were a huge part of fueling their teams into the College Football Playoff. The options are endless.

Whenever Houston decides to address running back, they’ll be in a great position to upgrade the room. Mack’s presence means they no longer have to force a selection they aren’t comfortable with. Hopefully Caserio doesn’t interpret it to mean more than that. 

2022 NFL draft: The top 11 running backs

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar analyzes the top 11 running backs in the 2022 NFL draft class.

Yesterday, Mark Schofield kicked off this year’s draft position rankings for Touchdown Wire with his Top 11 quarterbacks. Now, it’s time to get into the 11 best running backs in this class. And before we even start analyzing these backs, a few words on the “Running backs don’t matter” thing you hear all the time.

First of all, only a Sith deals in absolutes. Don’t be a Sith.

Second, there are all kinds of running backs for all types of schemes, and this particular class is as deep and varied as any I can remember in recent years. Each one of the 11 backs profiled here, and several others who just missed the cut, have the opportunity to “matter” in the NFL as they did in college.

When we say “Running backs don’t matter,” what we’re generally insinuating beyond the bumper-sticker sloganeering is the idea that it’s unwise to spend too much draft capital or free-agent money on any running back, because the position is fungible with very few exceptions. While that may be true for the rank and file, tell the Tennessee Titans that Derrick Henry doesn’t matter. Tell the Indianapolis Colts that Jonathan Taylor doesn’t matter. Once their coaches are done laughing, come back and we’ll continue.

At any level of football, running backs are like insurance. They don’t necessarily matter until they do, at which point, they REALLY matter.

When Henry missed nine games for the Titans last season due to injury, per Sports Info Solutions, Tennessee’s Offensive EPA dropped from 0.08 to -0.1, their Passing EPA went from 0.15 to -0.11, and their Rushing EPA plummeted from 0.03 to -0.09. The mere threat of Henry on the field changed the structure and complexion of the Titans’ offense, and how defenses dealt with that offense. Tennessee went with a lot more 11 personnel with Henry off the field, the favored 12 personnel packages went out the window, they faced fewer stacked boxes, and the reliance was more on quarterback Ryan Tannehill than it obviously would have been for the team’s actual field-tilter on that side of the ball. Henry also covered any gaps in the quality of Tennessee’s offensive line, and that’s another attribute common among the best backs throughout pro football history.

Henry, Taylor, and that rare ilk represent the true franchise-defining backs, and there are never more than a small handful at any given time, but the point is that such players still do exist, and even the best role-players in committees make differences well ahead of the norm.

Each of the 11 backs profiled in this year’s rankings has something special to offer, so let’s get down to extrapolating their best, and most questionable, traits to the NFL.

(All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions unless otherwise indicated. All testing data comes from the 2022 scouting combine, with percentile per position, courtesy of MockDraftable.com). 

Packers meet virtually with Texas A&M RB Isaiah Spiller

The Packers met virtually with one of the top running back prospects in the 2022 draft class.

The Green Bay Packers might be set at running back entering the 2022 season, but the team is still doing its homework on running back prospects in the draft class.

According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, the Packers met virtually through Zoom with Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller.

Spiller (6-0, 217) is viewed by many to be one of the best running back prospects in the 2022 class and a likely starter at the NFL level. He rushed for over 900 yards in each of his three seasons at Texas A&M, including back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2020 and 2021. He produced 25 rushing touchdowns, 16 games with 100 or more rushing yards and also caught 74 passes. In three years, he created almost 3,600 yards of total offense.

Spiller didn’t run at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis but did hit 30″ in the vertical leap and cover 114″ in the broad jump.

According to Pro Football Focus, Spiller broke 56 tackles, averaged 3.56 yards after first contact and created 18 carries of 15 or more yards during the 2021 season. He also didn’t have a drop on 33 targets.

Do the Packers have a need at running back? Depends on the viewpoint. Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon provide one of the game’s best 1-2 punches. However, Kylin Hill, last year’s seventh-round pick, is coming off a torn ACL, and in 2023, Jones has a $7 million roster bonus and a cap number of over $20 million. So it’s possible the team sees running back as a position worth fortifying now to ensure it stays stronger deep into the future.

The Packers have 11 picks in the 2022 draft. Spiller is projected to be a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick.

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Mel Kiper discusses sweet spot for Jags to draft a RB and prospects to watch

One need that gets overlooked when it comes to the Jags is the running back position. With their top-2 RBs coming off major injuries, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Jags take one in April’s draft.

The Jacksonville Jaguars still have a lot of needs heading into the draft despite all the money they spent in free agency. But one that’s not being talked about enough may be the need at running back.

Sure, they have a first-round selection in Travis Etienne and star running back James Robinson, but both will be coming off season-ending Lisfranc and Achilles injuries, respectively. Etienne is on track to return sooner than Robinson, but it still would be wise to bolster the depth behind both after their respective situations.

The team lost one of its most experienced backup running backs, Dare Ogunbowale, in free agency who also helped out on special teams. That said, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Jags add a player with similar abilities who can help them offensively and possibly as a specialist.

One way they could go about it is to select a running back at some point in the upcoming draft. And according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper, the third round and later would be a great place to address the position as there are several running back prospects to choose from who could end up being solid contributors.

In a recent conference call, Jags Wire asked Kiper about some notable names at the running back position who the Jags could select during the second half of Day 2 or on Day 3, and he had a pretty long list of options.

“The sweet spot for running backs for me is always around the third. Talk about [prospects like] Elijah Mitchell last year, a sixth-rounder out of Louisiana-Lafayette to the 49ers, so you’re always going to find those gems at running back.”

Isaiah Spiller of Texas A&M runs hard. He was rated a little bit higher but slipped a bit. He could get into the later rounds, looks like four to seven [round range]. Kyren Williams of Notre Dame, who I’ve touched on, he falls in that category. Dameon Pierce, a hard-charging runner out of Florida. Pierre Strong Jr., from South Dakota State, based on production and the way he ran and tested. He could be in that fourth-round mix very easily.”

Spiller played in the toughest conference in football and still managed to garner 179 carries for 1,011 yards and six touchdowns, but as Kiper said, his stock may slip a bit, and it could be due to him turning in a 40-time of 4.63, which is a little slower than expected.

Round 3 would certainly be too soon for the Jags to take Spiller (or any running back projected in that range aside from maybe James Cook), but if he falls to Round 4, they would have a lot to think about.

As for Kyren Williams, Dameon Pierce, and Pierre Strong Jr., they would be worth considering in Rounds 4-5. Pierce could give them a similar presence to Robinson with his powerful style, while Strong and Williams could catch Doug Pederson’s eyes for their receiving abilities in addition to their abilities as rushers.

Kiper continued with a few other names to watch in addition to Williams Pierce, Spiller, and Strong.

“Jerome Ford from Cincinnati is another one,” Kiper added. “Very athletic kid who has great hands catching the ball down the field. Then there is Rachaad White at Arizona State. Tyler Badie at Missouri is another one who could be in that mix. Ty Chandler, formerly of Tennessee, had the one year at North Carolina [this past] year, I highlighted him as an underrated player. Tyler Goodson of Iowa is another one. It goes on and there is a lot of good running backs who fall into that Day 3 area that certainly could be a guy you can hit the jackpot with. All of these guys won’t, but you can rest assured one, two, or maybe three of the guys I mentioned will turn out to be productive players in the NFL.”

Kiper is right, the Jags could find a Day 3 pick at the position who could help them in a big way if they wanted. After all, Robinson himself went undrafted and has garnered 1,837 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns for the team.

2022 NFL Combine Results: QB, RB, WR and TE

Measurables for QB, RB, WR, and TE from the 2022 NFL Combine

The NFL combine is always interesting since those player measurables are no longer under the control of the college athletic PR department. This is not considered to be as strong as a draft class as last year, particularly for running backs.  The below positions are split between those that are a consensus early draft pick

Quarterbacks

Top QB School Height Weight Hand Arm 40-yard
Malik Willis Liberty 6’0″ 219 9 1/2″ 31 3/4″ na
Kenny Pickett Pittsburgh 6’3″ 217 8 1/2″ 30 7/8″ 4.67
Sam Howell North Carolina 6’1″ 218 9 1/8″ 30 3/4″ na
Matt Corral Mississippi 6’2″ 212 9 5/8″ 30 3/4″ na
Desmond Ridder Cincinnati 6’3″ 211 10″ 32 3/4″ 4.49
Later Round QB School Height Weight Hand Arm 40-yard
Jack Coan Notre Dame 6’3″ 218 9 1/2″ 31 1/8″ 4.90
Dustin Crum Kent State 6’1″ 210 9 3/8″ 31 3/4″ 4.75
Kaleb Eleby Western Michigan 6’1″ 208 9 1/4″ 30 5/8″ na
Cole Kelley SE Louisiana 6’7″ 249 9 7/8″ 33 3/4″ na
D’Eriq King Miami 5’9″ 196 9 1/4″ 28 7/8″ na
EJ Perry Brown 6’2″ 211 9″ 32″ 4.60
Brock Purdy Iowa State 6’1″ 212 9 1/4″ 29″ 4.76
Carson Strong Nevada 6’3″ 226 9 1/8″ 32″ na
Skylar Thompson Kansas State 6’2″ 217 9 3/8″ 31 3/4″ 4.86
Bailey Zappe Western Kentucky 6′ 1″ 215 9 3/4″ 31 3/8″ 4.78

The Top-5 quarterbacks are expected to be first rounders, though not lumped inside the Top-10 like last season.  Matt Corral did not throw the ball but should be a first-round pick. Malik Willis may be the first selected and brings incredible arm talent and the ability to run.

Kenny Pickett was a Heisman Trophy Finalist and won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award last year. He’s the top quarterback on many boards and yet much was made of his 8 1/2″ hand size that would be the smallest in the NFL in a position where players have to be able to hold onto the ball and throw it with velocity. He’s still a lock for an early pick, and Joe Burrow was also questioned with 9″ hands at the combine, and he’s worked out pretty well.

The consensus on the Top-5 already seems very strong. And since they are expected to be more spread out in the first round means that teams in the back half of the draft still have a chance for one of the more coveted quarterbacks.

Running Backs

Top RB School Height Weight Hand Arm 40-yard
Brian Robinson Alabama 6′ 2″ 225 9 3/4″ 31 7/8″ 4.53
Isaiah Spiller Texas A&M 6′ 0″ 217 8 5/8″ 31 3/4″ 4.37
Zamir White Georgia 6′ 0″ 214 8 1/2″ 31 1/2″ na
Breece Hall Iowa State 5′ 11″ 217 9 3/4″ 31 1/4″ 4.39
Dameon Pierce Florida 5′ 10″ 218 9 3/8″ 30 3/4″ 4.38
Kenny Walker III Michigan State 5′ 9″ 211 9 1/2″ 30 3/8″ na
Later Round RB School Height Weight Hand Arm 40-yard
Rachaad White Arizona State 6′ 0″ 214 9 3/4″ 31 1/4″ 4.6
Abram Smith Baylor 6′ 0″ 213 8 1/4″ 30 1/4″ na
Trestan Ebner Baylor 5′ 11″ 206 8 1/2″ 29 3/4″ 4.38
Tyler Allgeier BYU 5′ 11″ 224 9 5/8″ 31 1/2″ 4.45
Jerome Ford Cincinnati 5′ 10 1/2″ 210 9 1/8″ 30 5/8″ 4.52
D’vonte Price Florida International 6′ 1″ 210 9 3/8″ 31 1/2″ na
Jashaun Corbin Florida State 5′ 11″ 202 9 1/2″ 31 1/2″ 4.55
Ronnie Rivers Fresno State 5′ 7 1/2″ 195 8 1/2″ 28″ 4.6
James Cook Georgia 5’11 199 9 3/8″ 30 3/4″ na
Tyler Goodson Iowa 5′ 9″ 197 9″ 29 1/2″ 4.4
Ty Davis-Price LSU 6′ 0″ 211 9 1/4″ 30 3/4″ 4.6
Hassan Haskins Michigan 6′ 2″ 228 9 1/4″ 31 3/4″ na
Jerrion Ealy Mississippi 5′ 8″ 189 8 1/2″ 29 1/8″ 4.53
Snoop Conner Mississippi 5′ 10″ 222 9 1/4″ 30 1/4″ 4.43
Tyler Badie Missouri 5′ 8″ 197 9 1/8″ 29 3/8″ 4.42
Bam Knight N.C. State 5′ 11″ 209 9 1/4″ 30 1/2” na
Ty Chandler North Carolina 5′ 11″ 204 9″ 32 1/8″ 4.48
Kyren Williams Notre Dame 5′ 9″ 194 9″ 28 5/8″ 4.64
Kennedy Brooks Oklahoma 5′ 11″ 209 7 5/8″ 30 1/4″ 4.38
Jaylen Warren Oklahoma State 5′ 8″ 204 9 1/4″ 29 7/8″ 4.46
CJ Verdell Oregon 5′ 8″ 194 9 1/2″ 29 1/4″ 4.59
Isiah Pacheco Rutgers 5′ 10″ 216 9 1/4″ 30 1/2″ 4.42
Greg Bell San Diego State 5′ 10 1/2″ 201 9 3/8″ 30 7/8″ na
Kevin Harris South Carolina 5′ 10″ 221 9 1/4″ 31 1/4″ 4.65
Quan White South Carolina 6′ 0″ 206 9″ 30 3/4″ na
Pierre Strong South Dakota State 5′ 11″ 207 9 1/4″ 31 7/8″ 4.48
Keaontay Ingram USC 6′ 0″ 221 9″ 31 1/2″ 4.59
Sincere McCormick UTSA 5′ 8 1/2″ 205 9 1/8″ 29 7/8″ 4.59
Max Borghi Washington State 5′ 9″ 210 9 1/8″ 29 5/8″ 4.37
Leddie Brown West Virginia 6′ 0″ 213 9 3/4″ 31 3/8″ na

2022 is considered one of the weaker classes of running backs in recent years, and there’s a distinct possibility that there are no first-round picks, and there may only be three or four taken over the first three rounds. The majority will be no better than Day 3 selections.  The last two drafts contained fewer than 20 running backs chosen.

There is less consensus about the order and which backs will be the eventual initial choices.  Brian Robinson (Alabama) and Zamir White (Georgia) will be among the first taken if only because they attended football factories. Still, these are the best running backs coming out of college and every NFL team will have a shot at them since they’ll last longer. It may seem disappointing from a fantasy perspective, but less hype means lower values in fantasy drafts.

Wide Receivers

Top WR School HT WT Hand Arm 40-yard
Treylon Burks Arkansas 6’2″ 225 9 7/8 33 1/2 4.55
Garrett Wilson Ohio State 6’0″ 183 9 7/8 32 4.38
Drake London USC 6’4″ 219 9 3/8 33 na
Jameson Williams Alabama 6’1″ 179 9 1/4 32 1/8 na
Wan’Dale Robinson Kentucky 5’8″ 178 9 27 5/8 4.44
Jahan Dotson Penn State 5’11” 178 9 1/2 30 3/4 4.43
Chris Olave Ohio State 6’0″ 187 9 1/2 31 1/8 4.39
George Pickens Georgia 6’3″ 195 8 3/4 32 3/8 4.47
Justyn Ross Clemson 6’3″ 205 9 5/8 32 1/8 na
David Bell Purdue 6’1″ 212 9 1/4 31 7/8 4.65
Alec Pierce Cincinnati 6’3″ 211 9 33 4.33
Calvin Austin Memphis 5’8″ 170 9 1/4 30 4.32
John Metchie Alabama 6’0″ 187 9 1/4 30 5/8 na
Later Round WR School HT WT Hand Arm 40-yard
Slade Bolden Alabama 5’11” 193 9 3/4 29 3/8 4.66
Tyquan Thornton Baylor 6’2″ 181 8 1/4 33 1/8 4.28
Khalil Shakir Boise State 6’0″ 196 9 1/2 29 4.43
Ty Fryfogle Indiana 6’1″ 205 L 9 5/8 30 5/8 4.53
Charleston Rambo Miami 6’1″ 177 9 3/4 32 4.57
Jalen Nailor Michigan State 5’11” 186 9 1/8 30 1/4 4.50
Dontario Drummond Mississippi 6’0″ 215 9 1/4 31 1/2 4.65
Braylon Sanders Mississippi 6’0″ 194 10 31 1/2 4.48
Makai Polk Mississippi State 6’3″ 195 9 1/2 32 1/4 4.59
Romeo Doubs Nevada 6’2″ 201 10 32 1/4 na
Dai’Jean Dixon Nicholls State 6’2″ 205 9 5/8 32 5/8 4.62
Christian Watson North Dakota State 6’4″ 208 10 1/8 32 1/2 4.36
Isaiah Weston Northern Iowa 6’4″ 214 9 1/2 32 1/2 4.42
Kevin Austin Jr. Notre Dame 6’2″ 200 9 32 7/8 4.43
Mike Woods Oklahoma 6’1″ 204 9 5/8 33 4.55
Johnny Johnson III Oregon 6’0″ 197 9 3/4 30 1/2 4.60
Devon Williams Oregon 6’4″ 210 9 7/8 34 1/8 4.65
Bo Melton Rutgers 5’11” 189 9 31 1/4 4.34
Danny Gray SMU 6’0″ 186 9 5/8 31 7/8 4.33
Jr. Reggie Roberson SMU 5’11” 192 9 1/2 32 5/8 na
Jalen Tolbert South Alabama 6’1″ 194 10 32 1/4 4.49
Velus Jones Tennessee 5’11” 204 9 3/4 30 7/8 4.31
Erik Ezukanma Texas Tech 6’2″ 209 9 3/8 33 1/2 na
Josh Johnson Tulsa 5’10” 183 8 5/8 31 7/8 na
Kyle Philips UCLA 5’11” 189 8 5/8 29 5/8 4.58
Tré Turner Virginia Tech 6’1″ 184 8 1/2 30 3/4 4.51
Skyy Moore Western Michigan 5’10” 195 10 1/4 31 4.41

The two measurables that are most valued with wideouts are height (without losing speed) and 40-times. It briefly seemed that the Combine record of 4.22 (John Ross – 2017) was broken by Baylor’s Tyquan Taylor with an unofficial 4.21, but it was later changed to 4.28. Speed is a tremendous advantage to a wide receiver but it isn’t even the most important characteristic.  John Ross set the record but hasn’t translated that into being a difference-maker.

The 13 wideouts at the top of the listing are the consensus best and should all be taken before the end of the third round at the latest. Their order will change constantly over the various NFL mock drafts, but the first four – Treylon Burks, Garrett Wilson, Drake London, and Jameson Williams all have a legitimate shot at being the first selected in April and should all be gone by the second round.

Some mock drafts have as many as eight wideouts selected in the first round but almost all come in the latter half of picks. Matching up a talented wideout on a team that needs a new starter and already has an established quarterback is the ideal and that can happen for any receiver.

Tight Ends

Top TE School Height Weight Hand Arm 40-yard
Jalen Wydermyer Texas A&M 6’4″ 255 9 3/4″ 33 1/8″ na
Trey McBride Colorado State 6’4″ 246 10 1/8″ 32 1/2″ na
Isaiah Likely Coastal Carolina 6’5″ 245 10″ 31 7/8″ na
Charlie Kolar Iowa State 6’6″ 252 10″ 34 1/2″ na
Later Round TE School HT WT Hand Arm 40-yard
Curtis Hodges Arizona State 6’8″ 257 9 5/8″ 34 1/2″ 4.85
Peyton Hendershot Indiana 6’4″ 250 9″ 32 5/8″ 4.80
Chase Allen Iowa State 6’6″ 251 9 5/8″ 34 1/8″ na
Chigoziem Okonkwo Maryland 6’3″ 238 9 3/4″ 32 3/4″ 4.52
Connor Heyward Michigan State 5’11” 233 9 1/2″ 31 7/8″ na
Austin Allen Nebraska 6’8″ 253 9 1/2″ 33 5/8″ 4.83
Cole Turner Nevada 6′ 6″ 246 9 7/8″ 33″ 4.76
Jeremy Ruckert Ohio State 6’5″ 250 10 1/8″ 32 3/4″ na
Jeremiah Hall Oklahoma 6’2″ 239 10 1/2″ 31 5/8″ na
Teagan Quitoriano Oregon State 6’6″ 258 9 3/8″ 33 3/4″ na
Daniel Bellinger San Diego State 6’5″ 253 10 1/8″ 32 1/2″ 4.63
Grant Calcaterra SMU 6’4″ 241 10″ 33 1/4″ 4.62
Greg Dulcich UCLA 6’4″ 243 9 7/8″ 33 3/8″ 4.70
Jelani Woods Virginia 6’7″ 259 9 1/4″ 34 1/8″ 4.61
James Mitchell Virginia Tech 6’4″ 249 9 3/4″ 32 7/8″ na
Cade Otton Washington 6’5″ 247 9 1/2″ 32 3/4″ na
Jake Ferguson Wisconsin 6’5″ 250 9 1/2″ 32 5/8″ 4.81

Fantasy tight ends are invariably poor contributors, but the first four are worth tracking. And even more so for dynasty teams. There may be no tight ends taken until round two, but at least two or three should show up before the third round.

10 Sleeper prospects for the Eagles to watch at 2022 NFL Combine

10 Sleeper prospects for the #Philadelphia #Eagles to watch at 2022 #NFLCombine #NFLDraft2022

The 2022 NFL Combine is officially underway and even as the Eagles prepare to utilize three first-round picks, they’ll have 10 picks overall, and plenty of late-round success to build on.

Howie Roseman has done a solid job of hitting on mid to late-round picks and we’ve highlighted 10 players at Lucas Oil Stadium that can potentially run themselves right into the eyes of Philadelphia’s top decision-makers.

With several big-name players set to sit out the workout portion of the event, here are 10 sleeper prospects for the Eagles to watch in the onfield portion of the combine.