2013 NFL Combine: Dozen Participants Represent Local Schools
By Wally Fish
The 2013 NFL Scouting Combine is officially underway. Thursday’s schedule featured media interviews with a variety of general managers, head coaches and a number of draft prospects (TE, OL and special teams players). One of the coaches was our own Andy Reidwho sat down with the guys at NFL Network and had a brief interaction with recently ousted Chiefs GM Scott Pioli. It was bizarre to the point you couldn’t help but wonder if we had all collectively slipped into an alternate universe. I’ll never understand why the network’s enjoy hiring failed GMs and coaches as their “experts” but that is a topic for down the road.
With a solid combine Arthur Brown can cement his status as the top LB prospect in this year’s draft class. (Photo Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports)
Things will really start heating up this weekend. Players will run drills and perform feats of strength and skill. They will get poked, prodded, interviewed and analyzed as each team tries to get a handle on how they should arrange their draft boards. Obviously we need to keep up with things from the Chiefs perspective but 12 players listed as participants are representing the various college programs in our area.
Kansas Jayhawks (2):
- OT – Tanner Hawkinson (54.6)
- FS – Bradley McDougald (54.8)
- ILB – Arthur Brown (90.3)
- K – Anthony Cantele (No Grade)
- WR – Chris Harper (68.0)
- QB – Collin Klein (55.0)
- FB – Braden Wilson (59.0)
Missouri Tigers (3):
- OLB – Zaviar Gooden (70.0)
- WR – T.J. Moe (60.0)
- DT – Sheldon Richardson (90.7)
Missouri Southern St. (1):
- DT – Brandon Williams (73.2)
Missouri Western (1):
- DE – David Bass (66.0)
Two of the above players, Mizzou’s Richardson and K-State’s Brown received grades above 90 making them among the cream of the draft prospect crop heading into the weekend. Only 12 players received a grade of 90 or above based on NFL.com’s list, and yes, if you’re wondering West Virginia’s Geno Smith (91.0) is one of them. The two players at the top in terms of grade are Alabama OG Chance Warmack (95.9) and Texas A&M OT Luke Joeckel (95.3)
Richardson ranks fourth at his position behind LSU’s Barkevious Mingo (92.8), Utah’s Star Lotulelei (92.0) and Florida State’s Bjoern Werner (90.9). Florida DT Sharrif Floyd (90.3) also graded above 90 making it clear that D-Line has nearly half the upper echelon talent going into the combine. As for Arthur Brown, he is the only LB to grade above 90 and as a result is obviously at the top of the chart for his position.
The Big 12 has a total of 29 players on the participants list while the SEC has a total of 79 – and the top four prospects in terms of grade.
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As far as those grades are concerned, this is what they represent (pulled from NFL.com):
| 96-100 | Future Hall of Famer | Top Pick | A once-in-a-generation type prospect who could change how his position is played |
| 85-95 | Immediate Starter | 1st | An impact player with the ability/intangibles to become a Pro Bowl player. Expect to start immediately except in a unique situation (i.e. behind a veteran starter). |
| 70-84 | Eventual Starter | 2nd-3rd | A quality player who will contribute to the team early on and is expected to develop into a starter. A reliable player who brings value to the position. |
| 50-69 | Draftable Player | 4th-7th | A prospect with the ability to make team as a backup/role player. Needs to be a special teams contributor at applicable positions. Players in the high range of this category might have long-term potential. |
| 20-49 | Free Agent | UDFA | A player with solid measurables, intangibles, college achievements, or a developing skill that warrants an opportunity in an NFL camp. In the right situation, he could earn a place on a 53-man roster, but most likely will be a practice squad player or a camp body. |