2016 NFL Scouting Combine: Tight End, Quarterback and Wide Receiver 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.



Day 2 of combine workouts is the highlight of the week for the media as the skill positions take the field. Pecking orders at the tight end and quarterback position could be on the line. Here’s what I’m hearing in the early going.

Tight Ends

The combine could set the pecking order at the top of the tight end position, and Stanford’s Austin Hooper could leave Indianapolis as the big winner. I’m told Hooper will weigh in just around 250 pounds and is expected to run the 40 in the high 4.6s/low 4.7s. Expect a broad jump around 10 feet and close to 22 reps on the bench. People feel Hooper is a better athlete than former Cardinal tight end Zach Ertz and has the ability to carry more weight on his frame; a good sign for a tight end who catches the ball as well as anyone at the position.

Nick Vannett, the top tight end from the Senior Bowl, is expected to be slightly slower (high 4.7s) and a few reps shy of Hooper on the bench (20 reps). I still expect Vannett to leave the combine with a second-day grade.

Ben Braunecker of Harvard could be the surprise tester in the tight end group. I’m told to expect a vertical jump between 36 to 38 inches as Braunecker pre-tested at 36 inches. His short-shuttle times should be in the low 4’s and expect a 40 time in the 4.6s.

Florida’s Jake McGee is still recovering from the hamstring issues that kept him out of the Gators’ bowl game. McGee is expected to participate in position drills at the combine then workout for scouts on pro day, March 22.

UCLA junior Thomas Duarte has built a buzz around himself in recent weeks. I’m told he’ll measure a shade under 6-foot-3 and tip the scales around 234 pounds before timing the 40 somewhere in the high 4.6s/low 4.7s. Teams love his pass-catching skills and upside, as Duarte is just 20 years old.




Quarterbacks

Scouts may not only be impressed with the strong arm of Jeff Driskel, but his fleet feet was well. The Louisiana Tech product is expected to weigh in between 235 pounds to 238 pounds, then run a 40 at or underneath 4.6 seconds. I’m told he’s been impressive during combine training on the field and in the classroom, as Driskel has arrived early (6:30 a.m.) each morning to spend time in the film room.

Wide Receivers

Senior Bowl star Braxton Miller is expected to run in the 4.3s during his workout.

I’m told you can expect a big workout from Marquez North. The Tennessee junior should measure close to 6-foot-4 and near 225 pounds, and could break into the 4.3s in the 40. Many were surprised when North, who struggled with injury last season, entered the 2016 NFL Draft after just six receptions in 2015. Sources tell me North was not happy with him limited involvement in the Volunteers’ offense when he was on the field (four starts in seven games), which was part of the reasoning behind his departure.

Oregon’s Byron Marshall was recently cleared to run in something other than a straight line since undergoing ankle surgery in early October and will only participate in the bench press at the combine. He is not expected to be ready for Oregon’s pro day on March 10, but will hold a workout later that month or possibly in early April.





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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