Running Backs
Boise State’s Doug Martin continued to boost his draft stock on Sunday at the NFL Combine. The former Bronco stud started off his combine by bench-pressing 225 pounds 28 times, which was tied for the most by a running back this year. Martin (5-9, 223) showed some nice straight-line speed by turning in a very solid 40-yard dash time of 4.47. He is built low to the ground and has a very thick lower body. The Boise State product has had a great offseason and has moved his stock into the second round.

David Wilson from Virginia Tech also had a good workout in Indianapolis on Sunday. Wilson (5-10, 206) ran a solid 4.40 in the 40-yard dash. He later went on to the vertical jump where he recorded a 41-inch jump, which was the best jump of any of the running backs at the Combine. Wilson helped his draft stock on Sunday and all but solidified his status as a second round pick.

LaMichael James of Oregon turned in a 4.37 40-yard dash at the Combine on Sunday. James also recorded a broad jump of 10 feet, 3 inches, which was the second best among the running backs at the combine. The former Oregon Duck weighed in at 5-foot-8, 194 pounds and didn’t hurt or help his draft stock in Indianapolis. He projects to be a third or fourth round selection come April. 

A surprise performer in the running back group on Sunday was Utah State’s Robert Turbin, who ran a 4.44 in the 40-yard dash. He also tied Doug Martin with 28 reps in the bench press. Turbin is very well built and looks bigger than his 5-foot-10, 222 pound listing would indicate. At Utah State, Turbin was a powerful runner who did a great job of staying low and running in between the tackles. In addition to his physicality, Turbin is also a good receiver out of the backfield. Turbin could be a nice value selection on Day 3 of the NFL draft.

Wide Receivers
One of the most impressive performers of the receivers was Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd, who ran a 4.47 in the 40-yard dash. He displayed great burst in and out of his cuts in the position drills and looked the part of a number one NFL receiver. Floyd also recorded a 10’2 in the broad jump drill. Floyd has all the tools to be a great receiver in the NFL and that was on display in Indianapolis on Sunday. Depending on how Floyd interviews with teams, he should be selected sometime between picks 15 and 20 in the first round of the draft.

Oklahoma’s Justin Blackmon was a receiver that lots of people were excited to watch run. Blackmon decided not to participate in any of the tests including the 40-yard dash, but he did participate in the on-field drills. In the gauntlet drill, he looked very natural catching the football. He plucked the ball out of the air and away from his body. Blackmon dropped a few balls in the gauntlet, but overall was impressive in the on-field drills. His stock still remains as a top-10 pick.

The surprise performer in the wide receiver group was Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill, who turned in a phenomenal performance on Sunday. Hill ran a blistering 4.36 in the 40-yard dash, which tied Stanford’s Chris Owusu for the fastest time this year by a receiver. The Yellow Jacket receiver also recorded an 11’1 in the broad jump. That jump was the third longest since 2006. Like most Georgia Tech receivers that have entered the NFL draft in recent years, Hill is a physically gifted receiver that will need to improve his route running and footwork for the NFL. His raw size/speed combination should allow him to be a second day selection.

Iowa’s Marvin McNutt had a good workout in Indianapolis. He ran a 4.54 in the 40-yard dash, which was slightly faster than most were expecting him to run. Mcnutt also ran good routes in some of the position drills and showed some nice concentration on some of the deeper passing patterns. The Iowa senior is a sleeper that could be a good value pick early in the third round.

Robert Griffin III’s favorite target Kendall Wright was slower than expected in the 40-yard dash where he ran a 4.61. Despite his slow 40-yard dash time, Wright performed well in the position drills and showed some impressive short-area quickness. Wright will have another chance to improve his 40 time at Baylor’s pro day. The Baylor senior looks like a late first round selection after a mixed Combine performance.

Last week in our combine preview, PewterReport.com mentioned Miami wide receiver Tommy Streeter as a player that is flying under the radar. The Hurricane standout ran a 4.40, which is a fantastic time for a receiver of his stature. Streeter is a tall receiver (6-foot-5, 219) that will be project receiver to start his NFL career. He’s not a great route-runner and will need some time and coaching to reach his maximum potential. He’s oozing with raw talent and his elite size/speed combination should get him drafted in the third round.
 
One of the most talked about receivers in the Tampa Bay area is Rutgers’ Mohamed Sanu. He played under new head coach Greg Schiano at Rutgers and was a big part of their success over the past few years. The Scarlet Knight turned in a disappointing 4.67 40-yard dash on Sunday. Most knew that Sanu wasn’t the fastest receiver out there, but the majority of draftniks thought he’d be in the high 4.5 range. Other than the 40-yard dash, Sanu had a decent outing on Sunday. He made a few nice catches in the position drills and ran some crisp routes. When you turn on the tape, Sanu is a feisty blocker that plays to the whistle. He looks like an early second round selection.