With the NFL scouting combine coming to a close, a binder full of information has been obtained on the future stars of the league. The majority of athletes doing exceptionally well and some that preformed at a less than par standard. Here are my top booms and busts heading into the draft.
Booms
Jalen Ramsey
Arguably the most gifted athlete in the 2016 class, Ramsey shocked few when he put on an absolute showing in Indianapolis this past week. A 4.41 in the 40yd dash was the only average stat from him. From an insane vertical and broad jump to an unbelievable few grabs in drills, this Florida St prodigy is bound to grace the top 10 on April 29th. His uncanny ability to challenge jump balls is by far his best trait, but the real X factor is how he can easily be maneuvered to play in multiple spots on the field. Don’t be surprised if he comes off the board earlier than expected.
DeForest Buckner
Standing at a towering 6’7 with a close to 300lb frame, this Oregon Ducks product has boosted his draft stock to the upper echelon with his strong showing at the combine. Though his 40yd time was above 5 seconds, he possesses a raw strength and has really excelled in his pass rush game. With accolades and stats on his resume any collegiate athlete would dream of, Buckner has the potential to be one of the most dominant on the defensive line. Even as a natural 3-4 guy, most scouts say his athletic ability to flip his hips and turn to the ball could really help him in the drop and cover game as well. A definite boom in my books.
Derrick Henry
An Alabama sensation who was highly touted as one of the top RBs in the draft class largely in part due to winning the Heisman trophy in 2015, had a superb outing in front of scouts. Poised to go late 1st to early 2nd, it has turned to a toss up between Ezekiel Elliot and Derrick Henry being the first back chosen off the board. A less than spectacular WR core has many GMs pining for a superstar in other positions. With so much emphasis being put on defensive ends this spring, mixed with the fact numerous teams have released their #1 RBs, the stars are beginning to align for Henry landing a starting gig his first day of camp.
Busts
Joey Bosa
Son of former first round pick John Bosa and self proclaimed “best player in the draft”, This DE has bust written all over his egotistical approach. While being confident, believing in ones skill set and motivation to be the best, a fine line is drawn between this and pure cockiness. Sure Bosa has some unreal tape out of college his last few seasons, laying waste to any and all opposing O-lines. Yes, he had a fairly decent showing at the combine although he did have a few miscues and slower run times, which he accredited to “early morning drug tests” and lack of “hitting something”. This is all wiped away come September when the pads are on and the real tests begin, when sleep is few and far between as each athlete studies hours of film and slays in the training room preparing for those few and final spots in preseason. One thing is for sure if Bosa thought combine week was hard, he is in for more than a treat come training camp.
Jaylon Smith
This Notre Dame linebacker is anything but a bust due to his skills or dedication to the game but rather the heartbreaking injury sustained in the Fiesta Bowl. While he didn’t have the chance to shine for teams at the Scouting Combine, he did show the world he belongs in the NFL as a starter and potentially a pro bowl player. Mentioned by many scouts as the #1 guy in the entire class… when healthy, one can only envision a cloud of doubt and lack of job security for the next few years. Reminiscent of Texans Jadeveon Clowney, Jaylon Smith though brilliant in college and a natural at his position, is on pace to a long career of bench warming if he can’t full recover from a devastating injury.
