QB – 2019 NFL Scouting Combine Results

There were three potential first round picks tossing the ball around at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, but it was the quarterback who didn’t throw that has captured everyone’s imaginations.

Any discussion of the signal callers in this class has to begin with Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray, who is now the odds-on favorite to be the #1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.  All eyes were on Murray at the weigh-in and it turns out he isn’t quite as small as we thought.  Murray checked in at 5-10 1/8, which isn’t ideal but only a half inch shorter than Russell Wilson, to go along with 9 1/2 inch hands.  Perhaps more importantly Murray tipped the scales at 207 pounds, up 12 pounds from what he was listed at in college.  It will be interesting to see whether Murray can maintain that bulk and hopefully even add more for his pro day.  Murray opted to wait for his pro day to work out and throw, but his trip to Indy was still a success.

Dwayne Haskins of Ohio St. is battling Murray to be the first quarterback off the board and chose to do a full workout.  It wasn’t a perfect performance but Haskins looked like the cream of the crop, spinning the ball with power and accuracy while showing the ability to make any throw.  Haskins only ran a 5.04 forty but was struggling with cramps and hopes to get in the 4.8 range at his pro day.  Nobody is particularly concerned though since speed is well down the list of priorities for a prototypical pocket passer like Haskins.  It will be an upset if Haskins escapes the Top 10 overall on Draft Day.

As is usually the case, Drew Lock of Missouri had the most impressive arm on the field.  This was the perfect setting for Lock as it allowed him to put that cannon on display, effortlessly flinging the ball all over the field.  Lock also showcased the athleticism that made him such a highly-regarded high school basketball player by running a 4.69 forty.  It’s extremely easy to fall in love with a passer like Lock, who is so incredibly toolsy and often looks like a #1 overall pick.  However, teams will have to balance that immense potential with the red flags that show up on tape.  Word out of Indy is that Lock will be selected in the Top 10-15 overall on Draft Day.

Overall it was an underwhelming performance for Daniel Jones of Duke, who just doesn’t have the arm strength to impress in this type of workout.  Especially in comparison to guys like Haskins and Lock.  There were numerous occasions where Jones clearly struggled to get something on his deep balls.  Nobody expected Jones to set the world on fire on the field with sheer physical tools in Indy though as polish, intelligence and intangibles are his drawing card.

The standout of the non-likely first rounders was Jarrett Stidham of Auburn, who is emerging as QB5 in this class and a possible Day 2 pick.  Stidham displayed a plus arm and a clean, smooth throwing motion that reminds you why he was such a highly-touted prospect at one point.  This performance combined with a solid Senior Bowl week should put Stidham at or near the top of the list for teams in the market for a signal call beyond round one.

Other Notes:

Tyree Jackson of Buffalo is as impressive of a physical specimen as you’ll ever see at the quarterback position.  Checking in at 6-7 and 249 pounds, Jackson ran a 4.59 forty and then wowed with his strong arm in the throwing portion of the workout.  Jackson is quite rough around the edges and very much a developmental project, but he gave decision makers plenty to get excited about and dream on.  And if things don’t work out at quarterback he clearly has the size and athleticism to give tight end a shot. … Sometimes prospects go from being overrated to underrated and that is the case with Ryan Finley of North Carolina St. At one point some were hyping Finley as a first round pick, but close inspection of the film clearly revealed that wasn’t the case.  Now few are talking about Finley, who is quietly having a solid pre-draft process.  There isn’t any sizzle with Finley but he was consistent and steady in Indy, just like at the Senior Bowl.  Finley still profiles as more of a career backup at the next level but in the right situation anything can happen.  Look for Finley to come off the board in the middle rounds. … One of the prospects that teams requested to work out at another position was Trace McSorley of Penn St.  Evaluators wanted to see the quarterback also perform some defensive back drills, but McSorley declined.  This isn’t a new development as many college programs recruited McSorley as a safety coming out of high school as well.

 

 

 

Tallest:  Tyree Jackson, Buffalo (6-7)

Shortest:  Kyler Murray, Oklahoma (5-10 1/8)

 

Heaviest:  Tyree Jackson, Buffalo (249)

Lightest:  Trace McSorley, Penn St. (202)

 

Longest Arms:  Tyree Jackson, Buffalo (34 1/4)

Shortest Arms:  Kyler Murray, Oklahoma (28 1/2)

 

Biggest Hands:  Tyree Jackson, Buffalo (10 1/4)

Smallest Hands:  Kyle Shurmur, Vanderbilt (8 7/8)

 

Longest Wingspan:  Tyree Jackson, Buffalo (83 3/4)

Shortest Wingspan:  Kyler Murray, Oklahoma (69 1/2)

 

Fastest 40:  Trace McSorley, Penn St. (4.57)

Slowest 40:  Dwayne Haskins, Ohio St. (5.04)

 

Best Vertical:  Tyree Jackson, Buffalo (34.5)

Worst Vertical:  Jordan Ta’amu, Ole Miss (27.5)

 

Best Broad-Jump:  Daniel Jones, Duke & Tyree Jackson, Buffalo (120)

Worst Broad-Jump:  Kyle Shurmur, Vanderbilt (106)

 

Best Short-Shuttle:  Easton Stick, North Dakota St. (4.05)

Worst Short-Shuttle:  Kyle Shurmur, Vanderbilt (4.53)

 

Best 3-Cone:  Easton Stick, North Dakota St. (6.65)

Worst 3-Cone:  Kyle Shurmur (7.51)