Credit the NFL marketing machine for trying to make us believe a weeklong tryout without pads is more important than three or four years of actual results — as if air routes are interchangeable with Richard Sherman and Josh Norman.
The NFL Combine, which started Wednesday in Indianapolis, includes 74 players from the SEC, a handful of whom are projected to become first-round picks.
The Combine’s sales pitch is what transpires over the next five days will have more bearing on draft day than film from the previous five years.
That’s silly. Of course that’s silly. They said so. Even NFL.com said so … in 2012. But we still watch.
Knowing that, here are some of the more interesting SEC players to watch:
Quarterback
Only two SEC quarterbacks are in Indy this week, and clearly Mississippi State record-breaker Dak Prescott has the most to gain.
His draft stock has risen steadily this season and offseason, bolstered by an MVP performance in the Senior Bowl.
Draft guru Mel Kiper recently ranked Prescott the No. 6 quarterback available and projected him as a second-round pick, according to the Clarion (Miss.) Ledger.
Draft analyst Matt Miller recently tweeted that he likes Prescott more than Michigan State’s Connor Cook, whom Kiper ranked No. 4.
Watch Dak Prescott vs. NC State and you walk away thinking this guy could start in the NFL.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) February 22, 2016
The NFL Draft has been rough on SEC quarterbacks lately — just five have been selected since 2011, when Auburn’s Cam Newton went No. 1 overall.
No SEC quarterback was drafted in 2015.
Prescott will change that in 2016 — as well as challenging to become the SEC’s first first-rounder since Johnny Manziel.
Running back
Ten SEC running backs are at the Combine, and each has an interesting story.
Alabama’s Derrick Henry has the most to gain — or lose. The knock on Henry is his speed, so his 40 time with confirm or alter film-based scouting reports.
Draft analyst Mike Mayok projects Henry as a second-round pick, according to NJ.com.
Henry told AL.com that he wasn’t content with a second-round grade he received.
“I feel like, just because I got my grade, it doesn’t mean I’m not going to be first round,” Henry said. “I feel like what I do and how I test at the combine and work out. I feel like I will be first round. There’s no doubt in my mind that I won’t be.”
Georgia’s Keith Marshall might be the SEC’s most interesting prospect. Marshall was ranked the No. 1 all purpose back in the 2012 class. He was ranked No. 13 overall — one spot higher than Jameis Winston, 61 above future teammate Todd Gurley.
Injuries marred his college career, but if he can showcase some of the speed that made him a state champion sprinter, he’ll generate interest. Gurley’s quick recovery from an ACL tear to standout NFL rookie also offers a blueprint for Marshall to follow — and NFL teams to trust.
And then there’s Georgia’s Quayvon Hicks, a 6-1, 257-pound battering ram of a fullback who had just 23 career carries.
He’ll do more damage in the 225-pound bench press than the speed drills at the Combine.
But it’s not his running skills that might pay the bills, anyway …
https://vine.co/v/e0IPUQE7097
Wide receiver/tight end
There are 12 SEC players from this group in Indy.
A couple are there to rebuild their image, most notably Auburn’s Duke Williams.
Ole Miss standout Laquon Treadwell is the highest-rated in the group and generally viewed an a first-round draft pick, though some are wondering why he chose not to run the 40-yard dash. He said he’ll run it at Ole Miss’ pro day, instead.
Auburn’s Ricardo Louis might be the mot interesting SEC pass catcher to watch this week.
Louis has size (6-2, 215 pounds) and speed. His career has been defined by big plays, but he is considered no more than middle of the pack among draft peers.
As athletic sleepers go, Louis qualifies.
Defensive back
There are 11 from this group in Indy. None has more at stake than Florida’s Vernon Hargreaves III.
Since high school, Hargreaves has competed against 2013 classmate Jalen Ramsey for various honors.
Hargreaves was the No. 3-ranked player in the class, the top cornerback. Ramsey was No. 15 overall, the second cornerback.
Though in different conferences, their teams played against each other every year.
Think: Julio Jones vs. A.J. Green, just on the other side of the ball.
#Bucs draft prospects: UF's Vernon Hargreaves vs FSU's Jalen Ramsey: https://t.co/gUoVV5QtC1 pic.twitter.com/giutSlbH9S
— Bonnie Mott (@BonnieMott_) February 13, 2016
The competition continues this week, as they race to become the first defensive back selected. Some mocks list Hargreaves. Others prefer Ramsey.
Hargreaves’ cover skills on short and intermediate passes are elite. The knock is top-end speed, and he can quiet those skeptics with a fast 40-yard dash.
Proving that even an event as overrated as the Combine has occasional merit.
Managing Editor
A 30-time APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Executive Editor Chris Wright oversees editorial operations for Saturday Down South.
