The NFL Combine is now complete, so life is all about the draft. What did we learn about this year’s class this past week?
This season, we saw one of the most athletic group of players that has been seen in a long time. They broke records. They turned heads. But most of all, they made themselves lots and lots of money.
From guys who everyone expected to do well, to a guy who didn’t do anything at all. From guys who hurt their stock to guys who soared into top ranks, we learned quite a bit this go round from the Combine. What really stood out?
5. Athleticism was unmatched this go-round
There have been handfuls of athletic guys year after year, there is no question about that. I mean there was a Myles Garrett a few years back and that man is absolutely insane. However, this season, it was an across the board deal.
DK Metcalf (Ole Miss) and Parris Campbell (Ohio State) ran away from the competition of receivers. Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State) did just enough to nail down that second quarterback spot. Erik McCoy (Texas A&M) and Jonah Williams (Alabama) did quite a bit well to solidify themselves as top offensive lineman.
Rounding out the offense, Noah Fant of Iowa stuck out for the tight ends and in a group of running backs that is pretty thin overall, we have Damien Harris sticking out and doing what he was expected to do.
Alabama’s Quinnen Williams and Montez Sweat from Mississippi State boosted their stock even more than it already was.
As for defensive backs, Byron Murphy out of Washington and DeAndre Baker out of Georgia also impressed. That isn’t all of the guys, obviously. But man, even just a handful is a long list. Overall, this was the most athletic classes we have seen in awhile and it will make everything that much harder this go-round for draft evaluators.