2018 NFL Scouting Combine: Recap of QB, WR and TE

by Christian Page

Quarterbacks and pass catchers took the stage on the primetime Saturday combine slot. As reported on Monday, Sam Darnold of USC did not throw. Lamar Jackson decided to opt out of the agility drills and the 40-yard dash but did participate in all of the throwing repetitions.

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Keep up with all things combine with post-workout notes from each day:

Day 1, Wednesday - Day 2, Thursday - Day 3, Friday 

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  • Among the first group of quarterbacks, Wyoming’s Josh Allen proved to show off his elite arm strength. One throw starting at the 10-yard line and ending up at the opposite side of the field at the 24-yard line. Mechanically, Allen moved well in all his drops but would occasionally have a late throw to the sidelines. He ran a 4.75.
  • Lamar Jackson looked comfortable when taking his drops from all areas of the field. At times he would look to guide the ball more than hit the throw with velocity and accuracy but overall he showed consistent accuracy and touch, especially on the out-route throws.
  • Josh Rosen, in the second group, proved to be one of the more natural passers in Indianapolis. He displayed plenty of zip on the football with impressive touch and control on deep throws. He took his drops naturally but struggled when throwing out routes to the right side of the field with all three passes too high and way out in front.
  • Though not putting together an impressive or even adequate week in Mobile for the Senior Bowl, Tanner Lee had a solid outing on Saturday. Showing plenty of comfort in his drops, the Nebraska quarterback hit nearly every receiver on target underneath and shined when throwing deep passes 40-plus yards down the field. Lee’s physical tools aren’t lacking but his accuracy and ability to consistently read a defense is what draws the concerns.
  • Underclassman Chase Litton, Marshall, did not have a good showing. His choppy drops looked unnatural and his release point was not ideal when trying to complete the pass. He continued to throw the ball high and lacked great zip. Everything seemed to come together in the last few drills as he looked more comfortable.
  • Along with Rosen, Baker Mayfield proved that he is one of the top passers in the second group of quarterbacks. Mayfield showed the release quicks to immediately hit receivers out of their breaks especially on short sideline throws. He hit plenty of bucket throws 40-plus yards down the field skimming the shoulder of the receiver outside the hashes.

All 40-yard dash times from wide receiver participants:

4.34     DJ Chark, LSU

4.37     Marquez Valdes-Scantling, South Florida

4.41     Antonio Callaway, Florida

            Robert Foster, Alabama

4.42     DJ Moore, Maryland

4.43     Deon Cain, Clemson

            Keke Coutee, Texas Tech

            Calvin Ridley, Alabama

            Jester Weah, Pittsburgh

4.46     Byron Pringle, Kansas State

4.47     Christian Kirk, Texas A&M

4.48     Richie James, Middle Tennessee

            Equanimeous St. Brown, Notre Dame

4.49     Tre’Quan Smith, UCF

4.50     Quadree Henderson, Pittsburgh

            Jordan Lasley, UCLA

4.51     Michael Gallup, Colorado State

            Davon Grayson, East Carolina

            Chris Lacy, Oklahoma State

4.52     Ka’Raun White, West Virginia

4.53     Ray-Ray McCloud, Clemson

            Javon Wims, Georgia

4.54     Courtland Sutton, SMU

            James Washington, Oklahoma State

4.55     Allen Lazard, Iowa State

            Trey Quinn, SMU

            Cedrick Wilson, Boise State

4.56     Steven Mitchell, USC

            Korey Robertson, Southern Miss

            Jaleel Scott, New Mexico State

4.59     Dylan Cantrell, Texas Tech

4.60     J’Mon Moore, Missouri

4.62     Marcell Ateman, Oklahoma State

4.64     Simmie Cobbs, Indiana

4.67     Jake Wieneke, South Dakota State

4.68     Auden Tate, Florida State

4.80     Tavares Martin, Washington State

DNP    Braxton Berrios, Miami

            Deontay Burnett, USC

            Darren Carrington, Utah

            Daesean Hamilton, Penn State

            Anthony Miller, Memphis

            Dante Pettis, Washington

            Cam Phillips, Virginia Tech

  • DJ Chark continues to improve his draft stock with every given opportunity. He started the day off with a combine-high time of a 4.34 in the 40-yard dash. With an ecstatic reaction, he posted a 40-inch vertical, which was also the top score out of all receivers tested. Chark was a cool customer in the gauntlet drills as he displayed natural and soft hands to easily reel the ball in. I would be shocked if Chark lasted after the halfway point in the third round.
  • Mike Gesicki of Penn State showed off his athletic background by posting an incredible 4.54 40-yard dash time. His mark ranks better than 13 receivers and 16 running backs. Gesicki also posted a tight end high on the vertical jump at 41.5 inches (only six other tight ends participated).

Injury Update

  • Miami wide receiver Braxton Berrios strained his pectoral muscle yesterday during the bench press workout. He has nearly four weeks to rehab the injury for his pro day at the end of March.
  • Heralded Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst was diagnosed with a heart condition during medical checks. Though the report at the moment is vague, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and Dane Brugler of NFLDraftScout.com claim teams are very concerned about the news.