Handing Out NFL Combine Grades

A+. Jameis Winston went to Indianapolis and did exactly what he had to do. By all accounts he was strong in his interviews, he blew people away with his football IQ — <a href=. QB. 6-4, 231. JAMEIS WINSTON

A. Ronald Darby’s 40-time alone (4.38 official) might be enough to get him into the back half of the first round. But in addition to showing off blazing speed, Darby also showed his overall athleticism on Monday in Indianapolis. The result is that the Maryland-native departs the Combine with his draft stock rising quickly. PJ Williams entered the weekend as the best corner FSU was sending into the draft. After the Combine? Consensus on that might be changing…<p> </p><p><a title=. CB. 5-11, 193. RONDALD DARBY

MARIO EDWARDS, JR.. B+. Edwards stood out in Indianapolis. By all accounts he did a good job in the interview process and his performance on the field was excellent. Edwards ran a respectable 40-time and turned in an excellent vertical (32.5″), broad jump (120″) and shuttle time (4.55)– all signs of his athleticism. Perhaps more importantly, he showed up in shape at 279 lbs, a big win for a player with a checkered past when it comes to his conditioning. Edwards could be climbing in the second round.<p> </p><p><a title=. DE. 6-3, 279

B+. Erving did everything he needed to do at the Combine to ensure he hears his name called in the first couple of rounds — possibly even the first — come the weekend of the draft. He put up 225 lbs 30 times on the bench and was amongst the best in his position group in the broad jump and the three cone drill. Erving has shown he has the strength and athleticism in addition to his pedigree (lost three games in three years starting on a very good offense) and versatility. His trip to Indy was a success.<p> </p><p><a title=. C. 6-5, 313. CAMERON ERVING

B+. Like Erving, Greene did everything he had to do in Indianapolis to ensure he’ll be taken in the first two days of the draft. Greene wasn’t going to wow anybody enough in one workout alone to climb into the top of the receiver group– that will come when teams start to really investigate the players. But what he did do was turn in a solid performance that showcased his athleticism and how smooth he is at receiver. The rest will come, but Greene took care of business at the Combine.<p> </p><p><a title=. WR. 5-11, 182. RASHAD GREENE

B. Karlos Williams ran a very good 40-time (4.48 official) and a lot of people will get caught up in that. 40’s are exciting, they’re sexy. And Williams’ straight line speed — especially for a man of his size — is certainly impressive. Williams also impressed in other drills. But he got exposed when he ran the 20-yard shuttle — a drill that measures start-stop agility and acceleration — at a fairly mediocre 4.46. To NFL talent evaluators– that will put a damper on that 40.<p> </p><p><a title=. RB. 6-1, 230. KARLOS WILLIAMS

CB. 6-0, 194. PJ WILLIAMS. B. Williams didn’t blow anyone away with his 40-time but that’s not the end of the world for a corner that wins more on body control, agility and physicality. In the other drills, Williams was fine. Some have criticized how he looked in his drops turning and running, but some of that can be attributed to the type of scheme Williams played in at FSU. For his Pro Day, he’ll work on that and will likely get with a track coach to shave a tenth of a second or two off his 40 with improvements to his form.<p> </p><p><a title=

OG. 6-4, 330. TRE JACKSON. B-. Jackson had a decent showing in Indianapolis, unremarkable but nothing to raise any eyebrows at either. He didn’t lift and only took part in three metric drills. In the other drills he struggled at times, but nothing that can’t be coached up between now and FSU’s Pro Day in over a month. There was some good upside for Jackson in Indy too. The New England Patriots are employing the same scouting consultant, Dante Scarnecchia, who brought them Bryan Stork in the draft last last year. Scarnecchia has close ties to FSU and Rick Trickett. So it wasn’t surprising when New England was one of the first teams to schedule Jackson for an interview at the Combine.<p> </p><p><a title=

C. Matias is going to need a good Pro Day showing to prove to NFL scouts that he’s athletic enough to play in the NFL. While any of these drills on their own would be fairly insignificant, the fact Matias ran a 5.52, had the worst broad jump and vertical at the Combine and that he didn’t lift all lent themselves to the perception that Matias just isn’t very athletic. A very good college guard does not a good pro make– that might be the knock on Matias right now heading out of Indy.<p> </p><p><a title=. OG. 6-5, 309. JOSUE MATIAS

6-3, 252. NICK O'LEARY. C-. Nick O’Leary’s 40-time was a pedestrian 4.93. For some players a 40-time is an overrated metric. But at a position that sometimes lines up with a hand on the ground and runs, a drill that measures how fast you can put a hand on the ground and run does bear a little weight. O’Leary’s arms also measured just 29 3/4″. By comparison Rashad Greene is four inches shorter but his arms are nearly two whole inches longer. That equates to a small catch radius. O’Leary did help himself by demonstrating his strength (21 reps on the bench) and quickness (4.5 shuttle). He may be trending towards becoming more of an NFL H-Back.<p> </p><p><a title=. TE

N/A. Eddie Goldman went to Indianapolis and interviewed, got measured, etc… But he didn’t work out. He will wait until FSU’s March 31, Pro Day to do drills for scouts. This shouldn’t bother Goldman’s stock too much.<p> </p><p><a title=. DT. 6-4, 336. EDDIE GOLDMAN

N/A. Like Goldman, Hart went to Indy interview and meet teams but didn’t work out. Unlike Goldman, it may hurt Hart. There’s no guarantee that the 20 year-old will even get drafted. A move inside to guard should alleviate some of the bigger concerns that faced him at tackle, but Hart missed a chance to show teams his athleticism on the field and will have to hope for a sold performance on March 31.<p> </p><p><a title=. OG. 6-5, 329. BOBBY HART