Week 11 NFL Moneyline Underdogs
Mike Randle
The NFL Combine is now complete for the skill position players, and it’s time to digest what we saw. It was an impressive weekend filled with many star performances, including a record-setting 40-yard dash from Xavier Worthy, but it also contained some disappointing performances as well. Let’a take a look at a few risers and fallers.
NFL Combine Risers
Jaylen Wright, Running Back, Tennessee
Jaylen Wright had himself a weekend, it started with a strong weigh in, coming in at an ideal 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds. He followed that up with a strong showing in the drills, running the second-fastest 40-yard dash at 4.38 among running backs. Then he was best in the broad jump at 11’2” and tied for fifth in the vertical at 38”. We knew coming in that Wright was a name to watch, and he delivered, improving his draft stock tremendously.
Trey Benson, Running Back, Florida State
We knew Trey Benson could scoot, but boy can he scoot. He posted the third-fastest 40-yard dash among running backs with a 4.39. He also posted a solid broad jump of 10’2”, showing off some of that explosion we see on tape. Weighing in at an ideal 6-foot, 216 pounds was very favorable, giving him a rare size and speed combination. His 33.5 vertical was less than ideal, but this was the only question mark from the weekend for Benson.
Adonai Mitchell, Wide Receiver, Texas
Adonai Mitchell had himself a weekend. He was one of the best wide receivers on the field. He posted the best broad jump among wide receivers at 11’ 4”. Then, he went out and posted the third-fastest 40-yard dash among wide receivers at 4.34 – the fourth-fastest among all offensive players. His 39.5 in the vertical jump was average, but not concerning. Mitchell checked plenty of boxes this weekend and likely cemented himself into round-one discussions.
Brian Thomas Jr., Wide Receiver, LSU
On tape, we saw the long speed from Brian Thomas Jr. and received confirmation with an impressive 4.33 40-yard dash, which was second only to Xavier Worthy among offensive players. This only gets more impressive when we consider he measured in at 6-foot-3, 209 pounds, which is significantly bigger than Worthy. His numbers in the vertical and broad jumps were pedestrian, but not a surprise.
Ladd McConkey, Wide Receiver, Georgia
Ladd McConkey built on his steam from the Senior Bowl this weekend at the NFL Combine. He tied for the sixth-fastest 40-yard dash at 4.39, which was something many questioned. In addition, he looked solid in the gauntlet drill and displayed strong hands and body control in the pass-catching drills. McConkey has pushed his way up into the Day 2 conversation and likely a fantasy-relevant role.
NFL Combine Fallers
Keon Coleman, Wide Receiver, Florida State
The tape doesn’t lie, and Keon Coleman can play, but this was not his best weekend. He posted an atrocious 4.61 40-yard dash, which only brings up more questions. In addition, his 38” vertical and 10’7” broad jump were pedestrian. Coleman did bounce back with an impressive gauntlet drill, besting his group and showing his “play” speed may be faster. Even with that, it is hard to not give him a stock-down grade.
Bucky Irving, Running Back, Oregon
Bucky Irving is impressive on the field but was the opposite this weekend. He posted unimpressive numbers in every drill, his 4.55 40-yard dash was eighth-worst and his 29.5” vertical was the worst among running backs. To make matters worse, Irving measured in at a mere 5-foot-9, 192 pounds, which is below ideal size. It’s starting to feel like Irving is no more than Devin Singletary at his ceiling.
Javon Baker, Wide Receiver, UCF
Javon Baker was gaining some buzz heading into the event, but that took a step back after the weekend. He measured in at a solid 6-foot-1, 209 pounds, but disappointed in the 40-yard dash with a 4.54. His 37” vertical and 10’1” broad jump were both among the worst at the combine among wide receivers. Baker knows how to get open, which is clear on tape, but the physical tools may not be there for him to become a top-tier fantasy asset.
Emani Bailey, Running Back, TCU
Despite seeing a stock-up grade from the Senior Bowl, Bailey failed to keep the trend going at the NFL Combine. He posted a disappointing 4.61 40-yard dash while only measuring 5-foot-7, 202 pounds. His 9’8” broad jump was the third-worst among running back participants. All signs are pointing down for Bailey at this point for fantasy viability.
Cody Schrader, Running Back, Missouri
Cody Schrader may have led the SEC in rushing last season but that may not counterattack the poor combine showing. His 4.61 40-yard dash was tied for the fourth-worst among running backs despite having a solid 1.55 10-yard split. This was less than ideal for a guy weighing only 202 pounds and measuring 5-foot-8. His 33-inch vertical was also the fourth-worst among running backs. There will be a home for Schrader in the NFL, but it seems like an uphill battle to become fantasy relevant.
