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Neil, the Combine is, at best, just another chance for NFL clubs to assess players and isn't the be-all and end-all some seem to think. Some clubs, and these are among the most successful, don't make any changes to their draft board based on what they see and hear at the Combine; their boards are already pretty much set in stone. They've looked at players play matches, they've watched how they react on the field, under pressure and have a pretty good idea what the player is likely to achieve. The medical evaluations and personal interviews do play a part but these clubs aren't going to move a player way up their draft board because he runs fast at the Combine. Some clubs do, unfortunately, but they are not the successful ones, the Raiders being an example in point!

Following on from Ed's comment, I would ordinarily agree with him in regard to the weight the combine carries. However, this year more than ever every aspect in regard to evaluation for the draft will be important for teams. The reason is two fold, firstly the free agency market this year is terrible, apart from a few players such as LaDalian Tomlinson. Secondly, with the high probability this will be an uncapped year a number of players (like Brandon Marshall) who would have been available via free agency will now be restricted free agents and teams can tender their contracts. Ultimately this means if another club really wants them they will have to give up draft picks.
Neil, I'd like to hear what you think about the possibility Rams and Lions trade away their top picks to help fill the huge amount of holes in their teams.

While I partially agree with the above comments; the combine isnt the be all and end all of rookies off-seasons but it is still very important. For example: Would Chris Johnson have gone in the first round if he had not run the sub 4.30 (4.24 if memory serves me correctly) at the combine?

Players can improve and reduce their stock level and this is reflected by what players perform at the combine. Tebow being the obvious one who doesnt want his stock to fall any lower after a poor senior bowl. If he performs well in the physicals and then has good individual work-outs his stock could raise dramatically.

Then on the other hand there are QB's like Pike and McCoy who will be looking to try and improve their stock level as they have numerous questions surrounding them and scouts will need convincing they are ready.

Personally, I will taking a close look at the 40 time of a man who has seen his performance level rise at every single combine...... that man is of course Rich Essien. Brilliant stuff every year.

As for DHB he did the worst thing possible (depending on your viewpoint) by running stupidly quick at the combine. DHB should have been avaliable down in the late 20's but the Raiders and Al got all goey eyed at the prospect of J "Rocket Arm" Russell combining with D "fastest man ever" Heyway-Bay.
Shame they should have realised it was more like J "couldnt hit a barn door" Russell combining with D "couldnt catch a cold" Heyward-Bay but then thats the Raiders and Al Davis for you.

I don't pretend to be an expert at the intricacies of American football (although I have watch a lot over the last 25y ears) but the blog and last comment (Re:Heyward-Bey/Russell) have confirmed what I have always considered to a fundamental flaw in the sport in that far too greater emphasis is placed on (perceived) athletic ability and relatively less on technical ability, particularly in positions like wide receiver.
If combines and speed aren't that significant, why do commentators and pundits continually go on about speed and size so much? It strikes me as somewhat odd that in a sport where you have 4 downs to get 10 yards so much emphasis is placed on players who are considered to have the ability to make a 'big' play. So a team will draft player who has got Olympic speed but can't catch for toffee in the hope that they can teach him to catch (unlikely) and he'll make the occasional big play, whereas someone who is considered slow, by American Football standards, but who runs good routes and whose hands are safe as houses is unlikely to get near the NFL as a receiver (I know there are some exceptions.) There must be scores of potentially very talented players out there who never get a chance. Hopefully more of those will start playing sports like rugby where although athletic ability is important it is the all around package that counts.

"It strikes me as somewhat odd that in a sport where you have 4 downs to get 10 yards so much emphasis is placed on players who are considered to have the ability to make a 'big' play."

Robbo, firstly not all teams think like this and most value a good route runner with good hands more than a speed guy. Its why guys like Mason, Hines Ward, Marvin Harrison (before he retired) and Wes Welker are ranked so highly. They may not be able to run the 100 metres in under 10 seconds but have the most consistent hands in the NFL.

The big draw with the physically gifted players is a team could get combination of the 2; Reggie Wayne, Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson and Andre Johnson are probably the best examples of plays who make huges plays and get the short receptions too.
I would add Randy Moss to this list but he doesnt do enough of the "dirty" work.

Agree with Ed Hunter - teams who scout thoroughly before the combine are the best at building rosters, and then taken unknown, unheralded guys in the later rounds or as undrafted free agents, and turn them into key players in their successful (10+ wins year upon year) organisations. Tom Brady would have to be the best example of this, he was taken in about the 7th or 8th round if memory serves, though there are many others around the league with similarly low draft status.

The biggest story in my opinion in the lead to this years draft is what the St. Louis Rams will do with their number 1 pick. Their needs are widespread on both sides of the ball, taking one amazing talent won't do much to stop the rot. The rumours abound that they're looking to trade it, the question is which team wants Suh badly enough to give up a few picks?

Neil, what are your thoughts on Tebow and the Jags situation. Obviously there are differing opinions on whether he is NFL ready or whether he ever will be an NFL QB. With some people suggesting he would be better used as a Wildcat hybrid/ RB and even TE.

However, considering the Jaguars current situation it looks like they may have to take Tebow to "save" the franchise in Jacksonville. I can't ever think of a situation whereby a team has been drafting to save them from moving.

Do you think the Jags will draft Tebow? If so, do you think they will look to "trade" Garrard, some people don't like him but with a good running game he is a decent QB? The Rams would seem the most obvious team who may look at Garrard.

Your thoughts/ comments would be appreciated.

Interesting question about the Jags, and would like to hear what Neil thinks.

I totally agree that the Jags have to do something to "save" the franchise, but I'd be shocked if they thought Tebow was the solution. Tebow's stock is dropping like a stone, the consensus seems to be that he's a third choice QB whose chances of becoming a NFL starter depend on a long-term reconstruction of all his QB mechanics. The Jags surely can't afford to be taking this gamble, they don't have the time.

General view it seems of the draft is that there's a good crop of line-men and some promising defensive backs, but the intrigue surrounds who will take a punt on a QB, because unusually this year there's no stand-out obvious choice.

Has Tebow's stock really dropped? The same questions still remain about; his throwing style, what offense will suit him or even which position, that were asked before his poor Senior Bowl appearance. However, some of those same questions were asked of Philip Rivers when he came out of NC State in 2004 and he didn't do too bad.
Ultimately he is a winner and unlike any QB to come out of college for a long time who has the leadership qualities most NFL evaluators look for.
I don't think he will be a first round choice, especially to the Jaguars as they desperately require help in at Defensive Tackle.
The Jaguars problem is there have no 2nd round pick (Having traded it last year to the Pats) and a number of teams may take a chance of Tebow in the 2nd round such as Seattle, Buffalo or Denver.

Nice article, but it does suggest the author is new-ish to the NFL; The Raiders didn't pick Heyward-Bey because they were 'completely fooled into thinking they were looking at the second coming of Jerry Rice'; they picked him precisely because he's fast. That's what Al Davis wants, and that's what Al Davis gets. Speed was the choice - as Al Davis' preference - because that's the way they pick them for the Raiders.

I think #7 refers to taking Tebow as "saving" the franchise because of his status as a genuine Jacksonville/Gainesville local hero and general all round good guy. He may not be the most talented player going, but his leadership can not be questioned, and he would be a massive draw bringing in crowds and TV audiences in Florida. A long-term gamble he may be, but I for one think he can make it in the big league with a year or two of adjustment.