the draft stock of Workout Warriors?

[Solomon]

With all the talk of workout warriors leading up to the draft I thought it might be interesting to start a conversation about whether or not teams and scouts are placing less emphasis on workout numbers.

While a few guys this year like Jerod Mayo, Chris Johnson, Dustin Keller, Duane Brown, and Donnie Avery seemed to have their stock rise in part to how they performed in shorts many guys this year did not. I can't remember a single year where so many workout warriors did not seem to raise their stock at all, despite in some cases incredible workouts.

Jamaal Charles - rumor had it that Charles was a lock for the first day, but fell to the middle of the third.

Jalen Parmele - A terrific combo of size and speed couldn't get him drafted earlier than the 6th.

Chad Simpson - Also a great combo of size and speed but went undrafted.

Devin Thomas - The Troy Williamson prospect of the year couldn't crack the first round.

Quentin Groves - A terrific 40 time and he still slid to the bottom of the second.

Cliff Avril - also a fantastic 40 and a very good senior season couldn't get him higher than near the bottom of the third.

Brian Johnston - wowed scouts with his workouts, and rumour had him going as early as the third or fourth rounds. Barely got drafted at all.

Dre Moore - great workout numbers and a favourite on this board and he still slid to the 4th.

Red Bryant - Four year starter in the Big 12 and 6 ft 5 inches 318 lbs with a 4.98 40. Wasn't picked till the bottom of the 4th though.

Vincent Redd - some of the best workout numbers I have ever seen wasn't enough to get him drafted.

Ezra Butler - I was a big fan of his, very productive 3-4 OLB prospect with very good numbers but went undrafted.

Gary Guyton - fastest (in terms of 40) LB in the class went undrafted.

Wesley Woodyard - IMO the fastest LB in terms of game speed (and a 4.51 40 after gaining 14 lbs in the months leading up the combine) wasn't enough to get him drafted even with a terrific college resume.

Charles Godfrey - the beginning of the third isn't a bad place to be picked but many thought that he would go at the beginning of the second due to his size/speed ratio.

Justin King - mock drafters were predicting that teams would reach on King for his impressive physical skills, no one bit until the 4th round.

Tyvon Branch - a 4.3 40 at over 200 lbs and he also didn't get taken till the 4th.

Orlando Scandrick - A 4.3 40 with his experience and he didn't get picked till the 5th round.

Josh Barrett - the fastest safety his size I have ever seen, his play on the field this past season led to him getting drafted in the 7th round.

[ChiefMojo]

Check up on both of KC's small school guys in Brian Johnston and Brandon Carr. Carr was freak CB out of Grand Valley State and Johnston had unbelievable numbers for a DE. Johnston is 6'5", 270-pound and ran a 4.6 forty and had a 35-inch vertical. Some of his cone, 10-yard, and agility drill numbers were sky high as well. Compared to Jared Allen, but even more athletic... just needs to prove he can move up to the NFL level from Gardner-Webb.

[Solomon]

Check up on both of KC's small school guys in Brian Johnston and Brandon Carr. Carr was freak CB out of Grand Valley State and Johnston had unbelievable numbers for a DE. Johnston is 6'5", 270-pound and ran a 4.6 forty and had a 35-inch vertical. Some of his cone, 10-yard, and agility drill numbers were sky high as well. Compared to Jared Allen, but even more athletic... just needs to prove he can move up to the NFL level from Gardner-Webb.

Yeah, I mentioned Johnston and I think he can succeed in the NFL. However it's weird how he went from kind of an unknown and then after his workouts ppl began saying he was a mid round prospect but in the end he almost went undrafted. Seems like draft fans and mock experts place more of an emphasis on workouts than NFL scouts.

[my future me]

Isn't Gholston the proof that GMs are still enamored with workout warriors and measurables? He wasn't all that impressive during the season similar to other high picks like Long, Dorsey, and McFadden. It's the same reason while McKlevin rose so high. Its not all that GMs look at but having impressive measurables allows teams to overlook flaws the player may have like attitude, reliability, and "heart" or even basic coverage skills.

[eazyb81]

Isn't Gholston the proof that GMs are still enamored with workout warriors and measurables? He wasn't all that impressive during the season similar to other high picks like Long, Dorsey, and McFadden. It's the same reason while McKlevin rose so high. Its not all that GMs look at but having impressive measurables allows teams to overlook flaws the player may have like attitude, reliability, and "heart" or even basic coverage skills.

On what planet is 14 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss not productive? I really don't get the productivity knock on Gholston. Sure he is a bit stiff and doesn't bring it every game, but let's not act like he was just a pure workout guy.

[SchizophrenicBatman]

On what planet is 14 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss not productive? I really don't get the productivity knock on Gholston. Sure he is a bit stiff and doesn't bring it every game, but let's not act like he was just a pure workout guy.

Mamula was called a workout warrior and he had 13 sacks his last year in college

It's all about how much they rise. Gholston, IIRC, was given a 2nd round grade by the advisory board

[energizerbunny]

Gholston, IIRC, was given a 2nd round grade by the advisory board

the advisory board is very conservitive for obvious reasons... not many guys are given 1st round grades

[Solomon]

Isn't Gholston the proof that GMs are still enamored with workout warriors and measurables? He wasn't all that impressive during the season similar to other high picks like Long, Dorsey, and McFadden. It's the same reason while McKlevin rose so high. Its not all that GMs look at but having impressive measurables allows teams to overlook flaws the player may have like attitude, reliability, and "heart" or even basic coverage skills.

Honestly, I think he dropped a little bit too. Placing an emphasis on workouts he was probably the top prospect available and some ppl thought he would go #1. Yet 4 teams which need help at DE or pass rushing OLB passed on him for other players (not including Atlanta).

[Iamcanadian]

Of course almost every round 1 and round 2 picked guys were workout warriors who had great combines and pro days and the production and talent to warrent their place in the draft. Workout Warriors still need football talent and production to get the scouts interested.