Arkansans in the NFL Combine – Coverage & Analysis

Cobi Hamilton – Cobi is banking that GM’s and Scouts forget he was at the combine and go to the tape of the Rutgers game. If not that, Cobi has to get some speed training in and improve by his 40 by Pro Day. During the combine, Cobi consistently underperformed and compared to the other WR’s in Indy, he looked pedestrian. Cobi was a track guy in high school and his top speed is really beyond the 40, his gears kick in later so he’s a “deep threat” almost exclusively, although he did show a penchant for shaking defenders in slants routes and taking it to the house – see Arkansas versus LSU 2010. But again, we’re talking about the tape, not his combine which was a snoozer. I expect Cleveland at 132 to look at Cobi hard, but ultimately Cincinnati at 149 or Seattle at 151 are where Cobi fit best. Both teams need that second deep out and the late 4th round give a team great value in Hamilton.

Chris Gragg – I love the guy, but GM’s and scouts don’t as much. Potential is a small part of the equation unless someone posts freakish numbers, which Gragg didn’t. His 40-was very good, but his hands are small and for an NFL Tight End, he’s not big enough yet. I imagine he’ll play at around 260 and forego some of that speed for strength in the future. There are elite TE’s with 6’5″ size and over 260 pounds already in this draft and many good Tight Ends with that size. So Gragg is a project Tight End. Same as when the WR was coming out of Warren, headed to play ball at Arkansas. Ultimately, I expect Chris to make the transition and be a 8-10 year player at the position. Look for him to get picked up in the 6th and go to Miami, they have a need at the spot but may have already picked up another TE in earlier rounds. A later pick maybe the Eagles and new coach Chip Kelly whose offense is suited to the lighter weight Gragg and his speed. The Eagles would be a good team for Gragg.

Knile Davis – Coming into the combine he was the, “do you remember that guy?” player. Coming out of the combine he’s the, “Oh yeah, that guy is a monster.” guy. Knile tore up the 40 and for a guy with his size and strength he was iffically considered to be in beast mode. Still lingering injury issues, moderate agility in the cone drill and an overall lack of production this past season will follow him into the draft. Folks get caught up in the libations of the combine performances, but they go back to tape and see 8 fumbles while on campus and 2 ankle surgeries and a weak senior season – that can sober any GM up fast. Late in the 3rd, Atlanta has the 124th pick. That’s a reach but they have a need. If that dosen’t happen then the Cowboys would love him at 144 – it looks like they may not resign Felis Jones. Cowboys need a backup to DeMarco Murray and may pickup 2 back to replace one (Felix Jones) for insurance.

Dylan Breeding – Ran the fastest 40-time among punters. He’s an All-SEC punter but expect him to go in the Free Agent market. A team may reach on a punter in the 6th or 7th round but it’s not likely and doesn’t happen too often.

Alvin Bailey – He was exactly what everyone expected, so he didn’t move much. Moves well for a big guy and ran a good 40 time, which put him in the top group among OL guys. His agility was considered good coming into the combine but he didn’t do the drills. His bench was as expected. Overall he’s a non-mover, but for a guy who was projected by some to be a frist day pick before Arkansas’ horrendous season, he has to be somewhat disappointed that he didn’t perform during the season as expected. That was his tryout. Some GM’s will blame Petrino, others will question the whole team’s leadership post motorcycle wreck. Look for Alvin to go to Arizona or Tennessee. Both have early picks in the 3rd and Alvin’s a good pick for any team then.