[h=1]Saturday NFL combine observations: Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota dazzle[/h]By Jeff Legwold | ESPN.com
INDIANAPOLIS – In what was a somewhat rare sight at the NFL combine, the draft’s top two quarterback prospects both participated and dazzled in their on-field workouts Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Florida State’s Jameis Winston and Oregon’s Marcus Mariota, considered to be the top two quarterbacks in the draft as well as the past two Heisman Trophy winners, did full workouts in what figures to kick off weeks of comparisons between the two potential No. 1 picks.
Here’s what was observed and heard at the combine Saturday:
Top QBs make their cases: There are still plenty of evaluations and miles to go before any of the picks are made, but in a high-pressure situation with a group of unfamiliar receivers -- a recipe that has frustrated many quarterbacks in past years -- Winston displayed an easy throwing motion and accuracy on his deep ball. Winston was given an MRI on his right shoulder Thursday -- there was some concern about some weakness in the shoulder -- and some scouts had speculated after the medical exams that Winston might have some soreness in the shoulder, but he showed no ill effects during his workouts.
Scouts also got their first extended look at Mariota working under center, as the passing workout puts the quarterbacks through three-step, five-step and seven-step dropbacks, something the former Oregon star had not done in his college career. Mariota played in the shotgun in college, but he also showed an easy throwing motion Saturday, more than enough for some scouts and evaluators to say they still believe he should be the No. 1 quarterback off the board.
Decisions, decisions: When it comes to choosing between Winston and Mariota, most scouts and talent evaluators would side with Winston. The former Florida State star has received good reviews for his work in team interviews thus far, is more versed in a pro-style offense and has shown good pocket awareness. Mariota is the better athlete, has more mobility and has shown better decision-making in games. Winston also comes with more off-the-field concerns, but Mariota would be more of a project in terms of working in an offense because he hasn’t called plays -- plays were signaled in from the sideline at Oregon -- or worked under center. Earlier this week, Mariota said he’s had to practice working in a huddle because he did not do it in his career with the Ducks.
Grayson gets a leg up despite not competing: Several quarterbacks in this class must make a transition from running spread attacks to an offense that NFL coordinators prefer. That’s why despite not working out at the combine due to a hamstring injury, Colorado State quarterbackGarrett Grayson helped himself in meetings with teams this week. Grayson has made it a point to illustrate to several teams that CSU ran a pro-style attack. “That was a huge decision for me. I wanted to play in a pro-style [offense]. I feel like guys coming from college who play in that system have the most success in the NFL, so it was a huge part of my decision when I decided to go to CSU,” Grayson said. “It’s something that, I think, gives me a leg up in this draft. Seeing the guys that play in the spread, all the verbiage they’re going to have to learn to get used to, protections, everything, I’m used to it. It’s something that definitely benefits me.”
The race for No. 3 QB: Grayson, Baylor’s Bryce Petty and Oregon State’s Sean Mannion are among those vying for the prime draft slots behind Winston and Mariota. Grayson did not throw Saturday and said his combine was about “just trying to ace the interviews.” Petty showed improved footwork in Saturday’s drills and accuracy to go with the ability to throw with anticipation. Mannion also was accurate despite throwing to an unfamiliar group of receivers. At 6-foot-5], Mannion is the tallest quarterback participating in the combine this year.
Dorsett sneaks in some attention: Miami’sPhillip Dorsett is a classic case of a potential impact player in the NFL somewhat disguised in an offense that didn’t always click -- at least in the eyes of NFL scouts. But Dorsett followed up a quality Senior Bowl week with a big-time effort Saturday, running the second-fastest 40-yard dash among the wide receivers -- 4.33 seconds -- while also looking smooth in receiving drills. At 5-foot-9\ inches tall and 185 pounds, Dorsett blistered his two 40s in 4.35 and 4.33 seconds, and he showed explosiveness in his cuts as well as consistently reliable hands in the drills. Dorsett had 36 receptions this past season in an offense in which the quarterbacks completed 58 percent of their passes, but he averaged 24.2 yards per catch to go with his 10 touchdowns. He also returned kicks for the Hurricanes.
GM Reese chimes in on Odell Beckham Jr.’s hamstrings: New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese said Saturday he didn’t believe wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. finished the season with two hamstring injuries. Beckham said following the Pro Bowl that he had played part of the season with two “torn” hamstrings, offering, “I was never fully healthy.” Saturday, however, Reese disagreed, saying, “I think our doctors would have caught that.” Added Reese: “I think he was trying to be a hero.” Beckham was the Giants’ first-round pick last year and finished with 91 catches, 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns despite missing the first four games of the season with injuries and not recording more than four catches until Nov. 3. Asked Saturday what the team liked about Beckham at last year’s combine, Reese said Beckham “had arrogant hands, really caught the ball well.”
Nelson has speed to burn: Long-legged J.J. Nelson -- who measured in at the combine at 5-10¼ and 156 pounds -- headlined a fast group of receivers when he covered his first 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds. (He ran his second in 4.36 seconds.) In all, 20 of the wide receivers had at least one 40-yard dash clocked in the 4.4s or faster. West Virginia’s Kevin White, at 6-2] and 215 pounds, emerged as the best size-speed combination, given he ran 4.35 and 4.36 (unofficial) in his two 40s. Earlier this week, when asked to evaluate the overall depth in the draft, Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway immediately said the “wide receiver group is a good group.”
Gordon likely still No. 1: With an extended gap between their first 40-yard dash and second 40-yard dash, the running backs, as a group, did not run as well as some may have expected. Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah, for example, ran 4.61 and 4.61, and Miami’s Duke Johnson, who many scouts believed would run in the 4.4s, came in at 4.55 and 4.60. Despite the workout numbers from the running backs, many teams see plenty of value in players who have performed well in games. Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon (6-0], 215) ran a 4.52 and 4.53 in his 40s and continues to project as a back who could break the two-year run of no backs selected in the first round of the draft. Georgia’s Todd Gurley, who suffered a torn ACL in November, did not work out at the combine and is expected to get his full medical evaluation in the coming weeks when players coming off injury return to Indianapolis for a medical re-check.
INDIANAPOLIS – In what was a somewhat rare sight at the NFL combine, the draft’s top two quarterback prospects both participated and dazzled in their on-field workouts Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Florida State’s Jameis Winston and Oregon’s Marcus Mariota, considered to be the top two quarterbacks in the draft as well as the past two Heisman Trophy winners, did full workouts in what figures to kick off weeks of comparisons between the two potential No. 1 picks.
Here’s what was observed and heard at the combine Saturday:
Top QBs make their cases: There are still plenty of evaluations and miles to go before any of the picks are made, but in a high-pressure situation with a group of unfamiliar receivers -- a recipe that has frustrated many quarterbacks in past years -- Winston displayed an easy throwing motion and accuracy on his deep ball. Winston was given an MRI on his right shoulder Thursday -- there was some concern about some weakness in the shoulder -- and some scouts had speculated after the medical exams that Winston might have some soreness in the shoulder, but he showed no ill effects during his workouts.
Scouts also got their first extended look at Mariota working under center, as the passing workout puts the quarterbacks through three-step, five-step and seven-step dropbacks, something the former Oregon star had not done in his college career. Mariota played in the shotgun in college, but he also showed an easy throwing motion Saturday, more than enough for some scouts and evaluators to say they still believe he should be the No. 1 quarterback off the board.
Decisions, decisions: When it comes to choosing between Winston and Mariota, most scouts and talent evaluators would side with Winston. The former Florida State star has received good reviews for his work in team interviews thus far, is more versed in a pro-style offense and has shown good pocket awareness. Mariota is the better athlete, has more mobility and has shown better decision-making in games. Winston also comes with more off-the-field concerns, but Mariota would be more of a project in terms of working in an offense because he hasn’t called plays -- plays were signaled in from the sideline at Oregon -- or worked under center. Earlier this week, Mariota said he’s had to practice working in a huddle because he did not do it in his career with the Ducks.
Grayson gets a leg up despite not competing: Several quarterbacks in this class must make a transition from running spread attacks to an offense that NFL coordinators prefer. That’s why despite not working out at the combine due to a hamstring injury, Colorado State quarterbackGarrett Grayson helped himself in meetings with teams this week. Grayson has made it a point to illustrate to several teams that CSU ran a pro-style attack. “That was a huge decision for me. I wanted to play in a pro-style [offense]. I feel like guys coming from college who play in that system have the most success in the NFL, so it was a huge part of my decision when I decided to go to CSU,” Grayson said. “It’s something that, I think, gives me a leg up in this draft. Seeing the guys that play in the spread, all the verbiage they’re going to have to learn to get used to, protections, everything, I’m used to it. It’s something that definitely benefits me.”
The race for No. 3 QB: Grayson, Baylor’s Bryce Petty and Oregon State’s Sean Mannion are among those vying for the prime draft slots behind Winston and Mariota. Grayson did not throw Saturday and said his combine was about “just trying to ace the interviews.” Petty showed improved footwork in Saturday’s drills and accuracy to go with the ability to throw with anticipation. Mannion also was accurate despite throwing to an unfamiliar group of receivers. At 6-foot-5], Mannion is the tallest quarterback participating in the combine this year.
Dorsett sneaks in some attention: Miami’sPhillip Dorsett is a classic case of a potential impact player in the NFL somewhat disguised in an offense that didn’t always click -- at least in the eyes of NFL scouts. But Dorsett followed up a quality Senior Bowl week with a big-time effort Saturday, running the second-fastest 40-yard dash among the wide receivers -- 4.33 seconds -- while also looking smooth in receiving drills. At 5-foot-9\ inches tall and 185 pounds, Dorsett blistered his two 40s in 4.35 and 4.33 seconds, and he showed explosiveness in his cuts as well as consistently reliable hands in the drills. Dorsett had 36 receptions this past season in an offense in which the quarterbacks completed 58 percent of their passes, but he averaged 24.2 yards per catch to go with his 10 touchdowns. He also returned kicks for the Hurricanes.
GM Reese chimes in on Odell Beckham Jr.’s hamstrings: New York Giants general manager Jerry Reese said Saturday he didn’t believe wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. finished the season with two hamstring injuries. Beckham said following the Pro Bowl that he had played part of the season with two “torn” hamstrings, offering, “I was never fully healthy.” Saturday, however, Reese disagreed, saying, “I think our doctors would have caught that.” Added Reese: “I think he was trying to be a hero.” Beckham was the Giants’ first-round pick last year and finished with 91 catches, 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns despite missing the first four games of the season with injuries and not recording more than four catches until Nov. 3. Asked Saturday what the team liked about Beckham at last year’s combine, Reese said Beckham “had arrogant hands, really caught the ball well.”
Nelson has speed to burn: Long-legged J.J. Nelson -- who measured in at the combine at 5-10¼ and 156 pounds -- headlined a fast group of receivers when he covered his first 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds. (He ran his second in 4.36 seconds.) In all, 20 of the wide receivers had at least one 40-yard dash clocked in the 4.4s or faster. West Virginia’s Kevin White, at 6-2] and 215 pounds, emerged as the best size-speed combination, given he ran 4.35 and 4.36 (unofficial) in his two 40s. Earlier this week, when asked to evaluate the overall depth in the draft, Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway immediately said the “wide receiver group is a good group.”
Gordon likely still No. 1: With an extended gap between their first 40-yard dash and second 40-yard dash, the running backs, as a group, did not run as well as some may have expected. Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah, for example, ran 4.61 and 4.61, and Miami’s Duke Johnson, who many scouts believed would run in the 4.4s, came in at 4.55 and 4.60. Despite the workout numbers from the running backs, many teams see plenty of value in players who have performed well in games. Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon (6-0], 215) ran a 4.52 and 4.53 in his 40s and continues to project as a back who could break the two-year run of no backs selected in the first round of the draft. Georgia’s Todd Gurley, who suffered a torn ACL in November, did not work out at the combine and is expected to get his full medical evaluation in the coming weeks when players coming off injury return to Indianapolis for a medical re-check.
