Arkansans in the NFL Combine – Coverage & Analysis

ESPN’s draft guru, Mel Kiper, has Tyler Wilson listed his 4th overall QB for the draft and Chris Gragg as his 5th overall tight end in the draft. His list of other SEC players by position is here: http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/61203/mel-kipers-updated-position-rankings

15 Risers from the Combine listed by RotoWorld has three Arkansas players on the list: 8. Arkansas RB Knile Davis — Davis rushed for just 377 yards on 112 carries (3.37 YPC) coming off a major ankle injury in 2012, but some of his measurables indicate he could be a gem. Weighing in at a rocked-up 5-foot-11 3/8 and 227 pounds, Davis ran the second fastest forty time (4.37) and second best ten-yard split (1.49) among running backs in Indy. He also ranked second in bench reps (31) and ninth in the broad jump (10-foot-1). More sobering were Davis’ 20-yard shuttle (4.38) and three-cone times (6.96), which ranked 15th-of-24 and 11th-of-23 participants, respectively. Obvious concerns for Davis are his agility, small hands (8 5/8″), and poor production. Realistic Landing Spots: Titans, Falcons, Cowboys in the fifth round. 9. Arkansas-Pine Bluff OT Terron Armstead — Armstead set a new Combine record for offensive linemen with a 4.71 forty, and his 1.64 ten-yard split ranked second behind only Lane Johnson. With lengthy 34-inch arms, 6-foot-4 3/4, 306-pound Armstead also repped 225 pounds 31 times on the bench. His 34 1/2-inch vertical leap again paced the O-Line field, and Armstead tied for third in the broad jump at 9-foot-4. Armstead is considered raw coming out of a small school, but NFL teams will be enamored by his untapped potential and rare athleticism at his size. Realistic Landing Spots: Redskins at No. 51, Dolphins at No. 54, Seahawks at No. 56. 14. Arkansas TE Chris Gragg — Gragg needed a way to open eyes after an injury-ruined senior year, and he accomplished that in Indy. At 6-foot-2 3/4 and 244 pounds, Gragg paced the tight end field in forty time (4.50), ten-yard split (1.53), and vertical leap (37 1/2″). Only two tight ends were more efficient in the three-cone drill (7.07), and Gragg also showed adequate strength on the bench with 18 reps of 225 with 33 5/8-inch arms. Gragg caught 41 passes as a junior, so he’s not entirely without production. The head-turning Combine is very likely to get Gragg drafted. Realistic Landing Spots: 49ers, Falcons, Redskins in the fifth round. Complete list is here: http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/42630/60/nfl-combine-risers?pg=2

We’ll bring some news regarding DB’s throughout the day. But here’s my overall opinion on each Natural State player from the combine: Ty Powell – His measurable size, speed and agility compare favorably to some of the top performing ILB’ers. PLaced with the DE’s, he doesn’t compare nearly as well. look for a team with 3-4 scheme to take Ty as early at the 6th round – the Giants have picks 179 and 212 and most expect them to stock on LB’ers in this draft. Terron Armstead – Clearly the “hot” pick after his combine performance among OT’s. Projected as a 2nd or 3rd round prospect before the combine, he’s a solid 2nd round guy now and might’ve moved into the first round had there not been so many talented OT’s in this class. With the 42nd pick overall, Mr. Armstead may be a Dolphin, they have a need opposite Jake Long.

Matt Barkley, who wasn’t in Indy, will surely be the 2nd or 3rd QB taken. Scouts and GM’s want to see his shoulder and how he throws at Pro Day. No way to tell right now if he’s healed up appropriately, so that’s a big question mark. If he’s stil injured or can’t make the throws, he could drop. So for that, I didn’t rank him. Doesn’t affect Tyler’s status.

Tyler Wilson – Like Cobi, Tyler Wilson needs to bank on GM’s and Scouts reviewing his tape. In terms of athleticism, Wilson didn’t compete well with other QB’s in this combine. Pro Bowl QB Kurt Warner really picked apart Wilson’s mechanics and commented that he’s got throwing motion issues and footwork issues that make Wilson a “Project”. Still, Tyler has good size, good leadership and he’s a tough kid. He knows the route tree like he know’s his ABC’s and his vision and knowledge of football give him a leg up. But he’s not a starter day one and for that, especially in a “weak” QB class, Tyler is a 2nd round reach. Folks at the combine really liked the other QB’s like Geno Smith, EJ Manuel, Mike Glennon and Tyler Bray (who had a great combine and made all the throws). That puts Tyler #5 on my board, Mike Mayock doesn’t have him in his top 5. Look for the Raiders with the 97th pick or maybe the San Diego Chargers at 107. My dark horse team is the San Francisco 49ers at 125. The Niners are shopping Alex Smith and they have a young QB that gives Wilson time to grow and become an NFL QB. With a running Kaepernick, Wilson should get reps as scrambling QB’s get injured more often that pocket QB’s, which Wilson is. At 125 Tyler Wilson would provide great value to a team and even trade bait in years 2 or 3 of his contract, a much higher pick would put a lot of pressure on him and the organization that drafts him.