Tag: NFL Combine

Michael Penix Jr. rises 5 spots in NFL.com’s latest prospect rankings

If you go by Daniel Jeremiah’s rankings at NFL.com, Penix is now up to No. 33 overall in this class.

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. put on a show at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. While it helped not to have most of the top QB prospects throwing, Penix was the most impressive performer at his position this past weekend and his draft stock is on the rise.

If you go by Daniel Jeremiah’s rankings at NFL.com, Penix is now up to No. 33 overall in this class, up five spots from the last rankings. Here’s what Jeremiah had to say about No. 9’s game.

“Penix… has a unique, whippy, three-quarters delivery from the left side, and the ball explodes out of his hand. He can hang on his back foot and effortlessly drive the ball 55 yards… He does have issues getting throws up and down in the middle of the field. His ball can stay flat. He is quick to process and consistently gets to No. 3 in the route progression… He’s been through a litany of injuries during his career, but he managed to overcome them and led Washington to the national title game. Overall, durability is a legitimate concern, but I believe in his combination of vision, accuracy and arm strength.”

Unlike Penix, Seattle’s front office met with Michigan’s JJ McCarthy and LSU’s Jayden Daniels at the combine, but they already have plenty of intel on Penix via offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.

If they are intent on drafting Penix the Seahawks have to figure out the best way to go about it. At this point picking Penix at No. 16 overall would be a bad reach and Seattle has no second-round selection right now thanks to the Leonard Williams trade. If Penix is their preferred QB, trading down and targeting him late in the first or early in the second round is the way to go.

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College Sports Wire lists Duke’s DeWayne Carter as a combine faller

College Sports Wire’s Art Moreno thought Duke defensive lineman DeWayne Carter didn’t take advantage of his chance to vault higher on draft boards in Indianapolis.

Not every athlete at the NFL Combine can elevate his draft stock, and College Sports Wire’s Art Moreno thinks Duke defensive lineman DeWayne Carter didn’t take advantage of his chance.

Moreno released his ACC risers and fallers from the showcase on Thursday, and he listed Carter as one of his fallers.

“Questions persist about his transition to the NFL,” Moreno wrote. “The combine gave Carter an opportunity to display his abilities, but his performance was solid rather than exceptional.”

The combine exists beyond physical strength and speed drills, of course, but Carter put up a 4.99-second 40-yard dash, a 7.95-second 3-cone drill, and a 32-inch vertical jump. His relative athletic score finished at 8.93, one of the top 200 scores since 1987.

Carter did measure in at 6-foot-2, well below average height at his position.

Carter was named First Team All-ACC this past season, and he finished his Duke career with 126 total tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks across his career.

Panthers tabbed as ideal landing spot for combine star Xavier Worthy

The Panthers were named as one of three ideal landing spots for the 40-yard dash king Xavier Worthy.

If the Carolina Panthers want to go fast in the 2024 NFL draft, then there’s literally none faster than wide receiver Xavier Worthy.

The University of Texas standout stood out in a sea of studs at this year’s edition of the underwear olympics. After posting a ridiculous initial 40-yard dash time of 4.25 seconds, Worthy hit his second run at a blazing 4.21 seconds—a new combine record.

Saturday’s speedy display confirmed Worthy’s trump card, but also gave him a bit of a bump in stock—particularly in the eyes of receiver-needy teams. And amongst those teams, according to Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine, are the Panthers—who he names as one of three ideal landing spots for Worthy.

Ballentine writes:

It would behoove Worthy to land in an offense where he can be used as a high-end No. 2 option with manufactured touches. Finding a home in Kansas City as Rashee Rice’s sidekick with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes at the controls would be ideal.

He could also be what the Cardinals were hoping to get when they drafted Rondale Moore or an integral part of the passing attack that the Panthers hope to build around 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young.

Young probably wouldn’t mind that for his passing attack, one that ranked last in the NFL in yards per game (161.2). And as a whole, Carolina was also last in total yards yards (265.3) and points per contest (13.9).

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2024 NFL Scouting Combine was viewed by over 5M viewers on NFL Network

The NFL Scouting Combine drew a very big audience, both on television and online,

It is a big draw to watch large men get evaluated as they run around and exercise on an indoor field. The NFL Scouting Combine drew a massive audience, both on television and online, according to a release by the league. The press release claims that the four live windows of the Scouting Combine combined to produce a “total unduplicated audience of over five million viewers” for the NFL Network.

NFL Network’s four live NFL Combine windows last week (Thursday through Sunday) saw an 11% jump.

That’s an 11% improvement over last year’s event, according to Sports Business Journal, which reports that “the four live windows averaged 244,000 viewers, up from 219,000 in 2023. In 2022 and 2021, there were ABC or ESPN windows included in the numbers.”

The best-performing window was the Saturday afternoon session because it had the QBs, WRs, and RBs (390,000). Because you know what they say: “Offense sells tickets.” The 390K is a decently sized surge over last year, which drew 329,000. However, that comes with a caveat, as the 2023 edition had TEs running drills in that session instead of RBs. Running backs are the second most high profile/glamor position, behind only the quarterback.

There are two ways to look at these Nielsen numbers. By NFL viewing standards, these are very meager and miniscule. Compared to other sports, these ratings are extremely impressive. There are very meaningful prime-time games in the NBA, NHL, and major conference college basketball that don’t draw audiences this big. Unless you actually work for a television network, news stories about ratings only interest you when A.) they break all-time records, B.) they are egregiously and laughably low, or C) unique oddities like this.

While it may seem odd to consider the Combine a spectator sport, these numbers show that for some people, watching young dudes do drills and exercises to chase their dreams is big-time entertainment.

Pro Football Focus ranks former Rutgers standout Max Melton as a riser in the NFL draft

With the 2024 NFL Scouting combine completed, Rutgers football Max Melton is one of the biggest risers on PFF’s Big Board. 

With the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine completed, Rutgers football Max Melton is one of the biggest risers on PFF’s Big Board.

Last season, Melton was an All-Big Ten selection at Rutgers.

The 6-foot, 190-pound cornerback has had a fantastic draft season following multiple measurements and testing results. He showcased versatile coverage ability as an outside and slot corner at the Senior Bowl while showing his elite athleticism in Indianapolis.

Last week during the NFL combine, Melton led all cornerbacks with an 11-foot-4 broad jump. He also ranked third in the vertical with 40.5 inches.

A 4.39-second 40-yard dash, however, is what really created some buzz last week for Melton at the combine.

According to PFF’s Big Board, the former Scarlet Knight is ranked No. 99 overall and No. 14 ranked cornerback on the board after the conclusion of the NFL combine.

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In four seasons with the Scarlet Knights, Melton has recorded 114 total tackles, eight interceptions, 30 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and four fumble recoveries in 43 games.

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There is a good chance that Melton is a Day 2 selection in April’s NFL draft.

 

Panthers great Luke Kuechly gushes over 2024 draft prospect

Panthers great Luke Kuechly is a fan of one of his biggest fans, NC State LB Payton Wilson.

Someone is going to have to check on Payton Wilson today.

Carolina Panthers legend Luke Kuechly joined Wednesday’s special episode of Up & Adams, hosted by Kay Adams from Bank of America Stadium. When asked if he has any draft advice for his team this spring, the former Defensive Player of the Year and five-team first-team All-Pro singled out one prospect in particular.

“At the draft, I always look at linebackers,” Kuechly told Adams. “And there’s a guy that I loved watching for a long time up at NC State—Payton Wilson. He ran extremely well, he was in 4.4s, and he’s been super productive and he plays really hard.”

Well, that’s awfully appropriate considering who Wilson admires most. (Yep, it’s Luke.)

During his media availability at the scouting combine this past week, Wilson spoke about how Kuechly inspires his game.

“The way that he played the game, I mean obviously outside of his football IQ, knowing literally every play that was coming, playing with his hair on fire, trying to take people’s heads off — it was something that I just wanted to do,” Wilson said. “I’ve actually been in contact with him. And the person he is outside of the game never changed. Everything goes to the Lord for him. So on and off the field, I’m just trying to model my game after him.”

Like Kuechly did, Wilson heads into the pros as the reigning Butkus Award winner and ACC Defensive Player of the Year. The Hillsborough, N.C. native is also flying in with an impressive 40-yard dash time of 4.44 seconds, a tick faster than Kuechly’s 4.58 back in 2012.

So far, so good, kid.

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PHOTOS: Cedric Gray at 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

Cedric Gray, a 3-year starting linebacker for UNC, was one of many invitees at the 2024 NFL Combine. Check out some flicks of him.

This past weekend was a dream come true for several college football players, who attempted proving their skillsets to professional teams at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Most notably, players participated in drills like the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and bench press. There’s plenty more sessions, but these seem to be the areas NFL scouts look into the most.

There’s a few former UNC players who participated in the NFL Combine, such as star linebacker Cedric Gray. The in-state product reached 100 tackles in each of his three years as a starter, plus he nabbed first team All-ACC honors in the 2022 and 2023 campaigns.

Gray was often a bright spot on a historically struggling defensive unit. He showcased a rare ability to wrap up the ballcarrier, while also acting as a main cog in the passing game.

With how productive he was as a Tar Heel, Gray is almost certain to be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. NFL Mock Draft Database has Gray as a fourth-round pick, though his play could easily get him a third or second-round selection.

Will Gray’s 4.66 40-yard dash help his case to rise up the boards? Will teams take a chance on Gray?

Whoever chooses Gray is not only getting a talented linebacker, but a proven leader who’s a great team player. Let’s check out a couple of Gray’s Combine photos:

Chase Daniel: ‘Texas football dominated the NFL Combine’

Professional development at Texas has skyrocketed under head coach Steve Sarkisian.

Numerous Texas players shined at the 2024 NFL Combine last week. Continue reading “Chase Daniel: ‘Texas football dominated the NFL Combine’”

Where Texas WR Xavier Worthy lands in Charles Davis’ latest NFL mock draft

This would be an excellent landing spot for Worthy.

Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy stole the show at the 2024 NFL Combine last weekend. Continue reading “Where Texas WR Xavier Worthy lands in Charles Davis’ latest NFL mock draft”

Texas WR Xavier Worthy’s speed and its impact on late-drafting teams

It’s going to be difficult to see 4.21 speed in addition to impressive route running and pass on Worthy.

Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy is the fastest to run at the NFL combine. It’s going to be hard to ignore. One team in the first round might not be able to refrain from drafting him.

There’s a pattern of speedy players getting drafted early despite a pre-NFL combine consensus that there are better players available.

The Cincinnati Bengals once drafted 4.22 second 40-yard runner John Ross at the No. 9 pick. The now Las Vegas Raiders once drafted Alabama receiver Henry Ruggs over Dallas Cowboys standout CeeDee Lamb and Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson.

NFL franchises can look at those instances as ones that didn’t work out, but it’s human nature to see what Worthy did in Indianapolis and not be able to pass on the talented receiver.

For teams drafting in the late-first round, drafting the Longhorns receiver should be a no-brainer. You get a potential star in the back half of the first round. But even earlier drafting teams might have a discussion on their hands.

Worthy was a productive player on the gridiron despite being the focal point of game planning for opposing defenses in his senior season. His ability to get separation on routes in the red zone stood out early in his career. His toughness was evident in the way he battled through injury in his final season in Austin.

The Texas receiver is a good prospect, and he’s worthy of consideration late in the first round. But if past draft history is any indication, he could be drafted in the front half of the first round. All it takes for Worthy to get drafted early is one team willing to make the pick.

Outside consensus doesn’t matter. We’ll see which NFL team he lands with once the draft kicks off on April 25.