Will Scouting Combine Be Crucial to 2013 NFL Draft?

[Iamcanadian]

With so many juniors declaring and so little consensus about the top 20, this year's combine could see major movement up and down draft boards.
GM's and scouts don't do a whole lot of work on juniors till they declare and will now focus on that group. The Senior Bowl will pretty well end the scouting of seniors except for those who skip it and now the whole focus will shift to the junior class where prospects can make huge inroads up and down boards.

Which juniors do you think will surprise scouts and GM's. The ones I find extremely interesting are:

Tyler Bray QB, Tennessee - He has a pro arm but college career was up and down.
Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas - got lost in that mess at Arkansas
Robert Woods, WR, USC - Played on one foot this past year, could really explode at the Combine.
Marquess Wilson WR, Washington St. - character issues make the Combine imperative for him.
William Gholston DE, Michigan St. - This guy could really scoot up draft boards with an excellent Combine.

Believe me, there are a lot of other juniors who will get a real shot to make an impression at the combine and threaten to be 1st rounders.

[Shane P. Hallam]

It always is as much as we want to downplay it. It is the place to see all the big names do the same thing right in a row and compare. With QB, RB, WR all muddled, I think it will be huge.

[Big_Pete]

It will make a difference with all the DL, OL and LB

It will be interesting to see who emerged and who this year's bolters will be

[Babylon]

Guys i want to see:

Tyler Wilson
Kyle Long
DJ Fluker
Matt Elam
Jarvis Jones

[JRTPlaya21]

I'll probably be watching the lineman and defensive backs the most this year. Really interested in what wideouts will separate themselves from the field.

[BuckeyeDan17]

Originally Posted by Babylon

Guys i want to see:

Kyle Wilson
Kyle Long
DJ Fluker
Matt Elam
Jarvis Jones

Basically how I feel, with Dion Jordan and Zeke Ansah sprinkled on top

[Babylon]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeDan17

Basically how I feel, with Dion Jordan and Zeke Ansah sprinkled on top

Meant to say Tyler Wilson of Arkansas. Jordan and Ansah will be hot commodities if they can show some speed, i would think.

[ChiFan24]

Without bothering to read past the subject line - it always is. Literally every year. So yes.

[G Mobile]

The combine doesn't mean anything to me for quarterbacks. People will find things to love or hate from their performances, but I view the combine as an athletic test and it only make a huge difference in the athletic positions. I don't really care if my QB ran a 5 flat if he knows how to lead an offense and win. The only thing that matters for QBs is interviews and we don't get any of that information.

I do want to see if Margus Hunt can back up his reported numbers when it matters.

[FUNBUNCHER]

Still the best venue to get official heights and weights for prospects. In that regard it's still important for QBs.

Many of us said if Russell Wilson had been 6'2, he would have been a top 10 pick in the 2012 draft.

I'm really curious about how tall both Barkley and Tyler Wilson actually are.

[Monomach]

With how iffy this QB class looks, any of the top QBs who opt to throw at the combine and look good are going to make themselves a lot of money doing it.

[norcalgsr]

Originally Posted by Monomach

With how iffy this QB class looks, any of the top QBs who opt to throw at the combine and look good are going to make themselves a lot of money doing it.

I never understand statements like this. What does looking good throwing in shorts with no pressure mean to anyone? It's like shooting free throws with no one in the gym.

I think the Combine is going to separate some of the RB's. A few of them are very similar, especially the smaller backs: Ellington, Barner, Graham, Kerwynn Williams, etc.

[Brent]

I am always curious which QB is like, "yeah. I'll throw, whatever."

I love to see a QB willing to just go for it.

[SolidGold]

Originally Posted by norcalgsr

I never understand statements like this. What does looking good throwing in shorts with no pressure mean to anyone? It's like shooting free throws with no one in the gym.

I think the Combine is going to separate some of the RB's. A few of them are very similar, especially the smaller backs: Ellington, Barner, Graham, Kerwynn Williams, etc.

It duped the Jets into drafting Sanchez at number 4...lol

I think that scouts/personnel men would rather see these guys throw at the combine to show they don't have anything to hide instead of relying on a scripted pro day workout.

[Monomach]

Originally Posted by norcalgsr

I never understand statements like this. What does looking good throwing in shorts with no pressure mean to anyone? It's like shooting free throws with no one in the gym.

I think the Combine is going to separate some of the RB's. A few of them are very similar, especially the smaller backs: Ellington, Barner, Graham, Kerwynn Williams, etc.

It shows up close and in-person who has good mechanics that stand up under repetition. Guys who are able to display those mechanics to go along with the physical traits have more for pro coaches to work with.

[DcmRulz]

Interested in seeing the Wideouts and the DE/LB group. So much to separate this year, the Combine might be more important than in prior years.

[Scott Wright]

Not sure I can remember a more important medical check than Jarvis Jones'.

[descendency]

Originally Posted by Scott Wright

Not sure I can remember a more important medical check than Jarvis Jones'.

The most important ones are always the surprise ones, though.

[Forenci]

Originally Posted by Brent

I am always curious which QB is like, "yeah. I'll throw, whatever."

I love to see a QB willing to just go for it.

Same. Mayock says it every year but no one listens: Scouts don't care if your timing is a bit off with a wide receiver you've never worked with. They're not looking for completions. They just want to see how they drop, their throwing mechanics and their velocity and arm strength on certain types of throws.

I give props to QBs who don't care and just go out there and toss the ball around.

[Lil Quip]

I think due to the complete mess of the QB situation, with no assumed number one guy and the recent propensity of overdrafting QB's, will have an inordinate number of guys throw at the Combine plus their pro days. All these guys need as many opportunities to shine. Plus scouts know that throwing at the combine is an afterthought, so it is an added plus to go out there and risk it.

WR will be big. Patterson showing speed could mean huge dividends and it seems everyone is itching for these guys to show nice metrics so they can pick them high.

With a muddled DE/OLB group, an exemplary 40 versus the rest will be paramount. Plus through in the Jones medical to boot, like Scott said.