Top 10 Players Whose NFL Combine Means Absolutely Nothing

Nov 15, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Dante Fowler Jr. (6) pressures South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Dylan Thompson (17) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Florida Gators 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

10. Dante Fowler, Jr., Outside Linebacker, Florida Gators

If Dante Fowler were coming into the NFL Draft firmly as a defensive end, then his combine might matter a lot more. After all, his strength, 40-time, vertical, and shuttle will all determine whether he plays end or linebacker.

But as a guy who is viewed as a pass-rusher lining up at linebacker and potentially playing in a 3-4 defense after coming from a complex 4-3, his intangibles matter a heck of a lot more than his raw physical skills. With Fowler, all you have to do is plug in the tape and realize he is the perfect outside linebacker as a pass-rusher with a chance to develop.

Fowler is pretty good in coverage as well, and you can trust that he’ll be able to adjust after playing in Will Muschamp’s defensive system for so long and after he recorded 8.5 sacks this past year. So regardless of what he does in the NFL Combine, we know what his physical attributes are by simply watching him on film.

And it is pretty clear that Fowler will be a very good NFL player as long as he is in the right system. Still, there are concerns about how raw he is, so he’ll have to be coached up no matter what.

Next: No. 9 Ranked Player Who Does Not Need the NFL Combine