Okay, I did not make it to Indy - and am still combing through so much of what happened - really look foward to rewatching the 3 cone drills (the time is massive but that bend seen is also a piece).
Yes, many guys are catching the "news" with stuff but I want to briefly highlight some things:
CBs...
Few measurabel observations:
Hezekiah Masses out of Cal that I like is much lighter than I imagined. Was hoping he'd be over 185, he came in at 179. Dude is 6'1' so that slight of a corner is tough sell to me early...but I love a lot about him. His broad and vertical were bad...and didn't agility test. Could just be a gamer, but athletically he confirmed he has limits
Toriano Pride Jr out of Missouri is a guy that I'd watched and saw a short athletic sticky guy that I wasn't sure if it was his physical skills and traits that kept him in plays or if it was his football IQ. His testing was awesome. Yes he's 5'10' but there might be something there for a day 3 flyer. Of note this dude was a high rated Clemson recruit and went there for 2022 and 2023 before heading to Missouri (which arguably was better from a getting to play factor but harder in who he would face). Pride proved explosive jumping 37.5 inches and broad jumping over 10. His 3 cone wasn't good, but I saw it as a stiff bend issue and want to rewatch. Dude can fly (ran a 4.32) and arm length for his size at 31 is not a red flag.
Igbinosun from Ohio State I've long said has NO BUSINESS being as late available as many engines have him. Tested okay to solid, but looked like his normal fluid and excellent footwork self... high level experienced, 6'2' corners with nearly 33 inch arms and athletic enough don't grow on trees. If he isn't gone by Day 3 I'd expect some teams trying to move to get him.
Malik Muhammad out of Texas at times I thought looked the part more than anyone there...would love to see him play a little heavier (weighed in at just 182) but his ten yard split and overall forty was right where I figured (1.53 / 4.42) and his explosion you saw on film was there absolutely in all testing. Did not do 3 cone and hope to see him do that for Pro Day....didn't really confirm or question anything - held serve. Of note - dude has massive hands at 9 7/8
Chris Johnson of San Diego State I've said for a long time IMO is the best Corner that might fall to us in the second (but FTR I don't think he should) He checked everybox I thought he would and missed the one you could see on film (arm length). 6 foot, 193 pounds, 38 vert, 1006 broad, 4.40 forty yard dash....his arms are sub 31 which is seen on film and his short range burst is NOT special as his 10 yard split was solely 1.56 which is solid but not as good as you'd want a top flight CB to do.
Julian Neal of Arkansas...everyone knows I'm a big Neal fan...plays zone great, not a fast change of direction guy at times it seems but his football IQ minimizes that issue. Dude is is a throwback to that big, phyisical corner that is just as comfortable tackling as he is trying to win a jump ball. 6'2' 203lbs and still ran a 4.49 (his 10 yard for reference was same as Chris Johnson at 1.56). Vertical 40...broad 11....just elite numbers. 3 cone wasn't special but his shuttle was solid...he confirmed everything I saw him as and it will all depend on how Gannon envisions our defense playing and if a big phyisical zone strong run supporting outside corner is what he wants.
Tacario Davis out of Washington....this young man was at one time thought to be the becoming of the next top 10 CB in the draft...but then his 2023 season never happened again...and going back instead of coming out last year did help but the film is odd. Elite athlete, excellent body composition...all the tools you could ever hope for but he gets grabby despite his athleticism...shines when told to man up but zone coverage can get the best of him....but did he show out at the combine and confirm why his ceiling is one I'm just personally willing to bet on hitting. 6'4' and 194lbs dude ran a 4.41 with a 1.55 ten yard split...33.38 inch arms...37 vert and over 10 broad. He's like 1 of 1 in body type almost...
Ephesians Prysock out of Washington....many already know I've pointed to him for some time and I'm vastly higher on him than anyone I've seen or heard elsewhere. Before the combine I had him at 127 overall and noted to watch more because honestly my notes say top 100 but outside influences hold me back. I'll predict today that Prysock is likely ending up in my top 100 and to all other boards, scouts and intel be damned LOL. 6'3' 196 pounds...a 4.45 forty (solid) but his 10 yard split is right where I figured 1.53 which is special for his size. 39 inch vert, over 10 broad and 33+ inch arms and his hands are 9.6 inches. If you asked me to create a corner it would be Prysock, except I'd want them to have a little more long speed, a little better agility (didn't do testing there) but at the Senior Bowl he showcased strong skills in the nickle too which for a guy his size just isn't normal. Four year starter, never a detriment to his team...
Latrell McCuthin Sr out of Houston...He's been a solid 5th/6th rounder type guy for me. He played the last two years at Houston, but was at Oklahoma and USC prior (full starter at USC)....and didn't play in 2023 due to being deemed ineligible due to his transfer being too many in two year period without getting a degree. One of the biggest questions was his weight, he has just always appeared to have a slender sleek body type and many worried about his physical ability to maintain play at next level...his senior year at Houston he noticeably appeared to put on a few pounds of muscle and he weighed in at the combine at 191 which is solid. He has always appeared to have the speed and confirmed at 4.43 and his 10 yard split was NICE at 1.53. 38.5 vert / nearly an 11 broad both confirmed what we saw on tape. BUT he was one of the few that did the 3 cone agility and the shuttle and has solid not elite numbers. Arms are 31+ but his hands are small at sub 9. He reminds me of a better moving Kaiir Elam who appears to have higher football IQ skills. Not a ball hawk and more of a PD guy
Another guy with just immense experience (like Prysock or Igbinosun) is Daylen Everette from Georgia and to be honest for many reasons was a guy I even scratched in as a potential guy at our first pick even just due to pedigree, our tendency to like Georgia Bulldogs, experience, size measurables....speaking of he came out and measured at 6'1' and 196lbs...ran a 4.38 forty and a 1.56 ten yard split. 37.5 vert with a 10+ foot broad. 31.88 arms and 9.6 hands. Daylen Everette is the boring SOLID pick that fans won't learn to love until they realize he's just consistent in coverage and smart. Excellent run supporter, no fear against high level competition and sems to have that quick forget trait CBs need.
Treydan Stukes and Lorenzo Styles - yes dudes are incredible athletes, yes they are awesome. BUT neither are outside corners and Styles is for sure a safety while Stukes could be maybe made into one...both should cause the eyebrow of a fan to raise should we pick one of them honestly...but be excited because at minimum we just added a freak athlete.
D'Angelo Ponds out of IU....he did do precisely what I envisioned and that was measure shorter than 5'9' at 5'8'...but dude is 182 which is solid. I'm leery of him personally avoiding running at combine but I do suspect he will at IU pro day run in that 4.45 to 4.5 range if I were to guess, but his ten yard split might be special. His 43.5 inch vertical is insane and needed if he is going to go up against NFL receivers.
