2016 NFL Scouting Combine: Offensive Line and Running Back Preview

2016 NFL Combine Results - Weigh-Ins and 40 Times:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

2016 NFL Combine Stock Report:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

2016 NFL Combine Field Drills Recap:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

2016 NFL Combine Weigh-In Recap:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

2016 NFL Combine Bench Recap:
RB | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

2016 NFL Combine Previews:
Day 1: OL and RB | Day 2: QB, WR and TE | Day 3: DL and LB | Day 4: DB

2016 NFL Rumor Mill:
Rumor Mill by Pat Yasinskas | Rumor Mill by Tony Pauline





NFL Combine Previews written by Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net.

Check back for daily updates or follow Tony Pauline @TonyPauline.

Tony will be covering the Combine for us, so he’ll have more previews and rumor-mill updates. You can see any updates posted on the NFL Draft Scouting Combine home page.



Workouts for the 2016 NFL combine are two days away, as the offensive linemen and running backs take the field Friday. So, who will be the top performers? And who won’t be testing? Here’s the latest word.


Offensive linemen

It would be a surprise if any offensive lineman tests better than Jason Spriggs on Friday. Expect him to tip the scales between 303 to 305 pounds, run the 40 in sub 4.9s and vertical at least 33 inches. Spriggs is also expected to push up more than 30-reps on the bench.

The sleeper on the testing sheets for the offensive line group could be Alex Lewis of Nebraska. I’m told he could put up some surprising numbers including a vertical jump at or near 35 inches, a broad jump over nine feet and a three-cone time around 7.3 seconds. Teams considering Lewis are looking at moving him inside to guard early in his NFL career, then grooming him for the tackle spot. Lewis is expecting questions surrounding his arrest then subsequent departure from Colorado in 2013 after a fight in which an Air Force cadet was left unconscious.

Alex Redmond of UCLA may not have any single great performance, but expect the junior to be on the list of top performers for just about every test. Specifically, watch for his 10-yard split in the 40 and his broad jump, which should be mid-nine feet. I’m told Redmond looks like a skinny 295 pounds and should comfortably be able to additonal more weight. Scouts love his nastiness and upside, but his interviews are critical. Scouts will quiz Redmond to determine his coachability and football IQ. Most I’ve spoken with believe, based on physical skills, he’s worth a late-round pick.

Germain Ifedi is another who should put up good numbers. The junior lined up at guard and right tackle the past three seasons for Texas A&M and some believe he possesses the athleticism to protect the weak-side on Sunday. Detractors point to last season’s victory over Nevada when Ifedi struggled handling the pass rush. Testing results and his practice session will determine if Ifedi will receive first-round consideration.





Running Back

Who’s going to be the fastest running back at the combine? My money’s on Tyler Ervin of San Jose State, who should be a top performer in every testing category. I’m told expect times in the low 4.3,s and Ervin may even break into the high 4.2s. His other marks are likely to be a vertical jump in excess of 40-inches and a broad jump that approaches 11-feet. This at a weight of just under 200 pounds, which will be six to seven pounds heavier than his Senior Bowl weight.

Kenneth Dixon is entering the Combine with the mindset that his 40 times are critical. The Louisiana Tech star has been training at the Michael Johnson facility in Texas and has consistently timed in the high 4.4 s while also posting a vertical jump of 40 inches. Weighing 214 pounds, his body fat has been under 5 percent. I’m told some of his non-combine marks during training include 600-pound squat.

Utah’s Devontae Booker is still not 100 percent from the knee injury he suffered last November which required surgery. He will undergo medical exams, participate in interviews and get on the bench press, but will do nothing else. Utah’s pro day is March 24, and if Booker is still not ready to work out by that date, he will schedule a workout sometime in April.

Tra Carson of Texas A&M is recovering from a bone spur and won’t be working out either. Carson expects to be fully ready to work out at he Aggies’ pro day on April 6.

One of the sleepers at the running back position is Georgia junior Keith Marshall. Early in his career, he struggled with injury, then fell out of favor with the coaching staff. I’m told to expect times in the 4.4s from Marshall on Friday.



Back to the 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Combine Page.



2016 NFL Combine Results - Weigh-Ins and 40 Times:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

2016 NFL Combine Stock Report:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

2016 NFL Combine Field Drills Recap:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

2016 NFL Combine Weigh-In Recap:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

2016 NFL Combine Bench Recap:
RB | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

2016 NFL Combine Previews:
Day 1: OL and RB | Day 2: QB, WR and TE | Day 3: DL and LB | Day 4: DB

2016 NFL Rumor Mill:
Rumor Mill by Pat Yasinskas | Rumor Mill by Tony Pauline







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