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NFL Combine: Biggest winners, losers and questions left unanswered

By Patrick Schmidt

Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State defensive lineman Joey Bosa speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State defensive lineman Joey Bosa speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ole Miss Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell catches a pass during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ole Miss Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell catches a pass during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Wide Receivers

There are a lot of good receivers in this year’s draft, but I don’t think there are any elite receivers, at least, not based on what we saw at the Combine. The perceived top receiver, Laquon Treadwell, didn’t run the 40, and that may be a smart decision to give him more time to shave some precious hundredths of a second off his time. If he can run in the 4.5 range, he will be the first receiver picked.

Corey Coleman is my No. 2 receiver but he’s only a short time removed from surgery so his pro day workout will be key to see if he can be a top-20 pick, and I think he will be.

The overriding theme for this year’s receivers is that they’re a slow group, but there is some speed to be found and it was on display when Notre Dame’s Will Fuller turned in a 4.32 to beat all players at the position. He had issues with drops at Notre Dame, but the speed and the ability is there for him to be a late first rounder.

TCU’s Josh Doctson was on track for a potential Biletnikoff Award before he was injured late in the year, but helped himself with a 4.5 and great times in the 60-yard shuttle and 3-cone drill. He may not be a first rounder, but I think he’s a consideration in the bottom of the round.

Another Big 12 receiver, Oklahoma’s Sterling Shepard had a 4.48 to put himself in consideration to be among the first five taken at the position.

The biggest wild card at the position is Braxton Miller who played one season at the position after being a Heisman candidate at Ohio State before shoulder injuries and the play of Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett forced the position switch. Miller had 26 catches for 341 yards and three touchdowns. He had some flash plays that suggested with more time he could be a star at the position.

Miller ran a 4.5 to tie for the 11th fastest at the position that had an average time of 4.56 at the Combine, the worst mark since 2011, but excelled in the 3-cone drill and 60-yard shuttle. His 6.65 time was third among receivers this year and his 10.84 shuttle was the second best time in the last 10 years among receivers.

He’s not a finished product but don’t discount a team falling in love with his potential and taking him in the top 40.

Next: Tight Ends

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