NFL Combine Winners and Losers

The NFL combine can be a crucial part of a players draft stock. The combine measures pure athleticism of an athlete. The combine is a way that coaches and GM's can measure a players speed, strength, and agility. The combine is built for players who haven't had their name in the headlines, to show their skills, and make an impression on NFL coaches. As a player, the combine can help you or hurt you. Players that do well in the combine can move their way up the draft board. The 2014 combine was all about the speed. Many players in the 2014 Draft Class running sub 4.5 and 4.6 forty times. Common times for wide receivers, running backs, and defensive backs, these speeds are not so common for defensive linemen. However, this year Jadeveon Clowney and Louis Nix III added their names to that list. Both players making history as some of the biggest players to ever run that fast.
                                                                                                                                                 
Jadeveon Clowney was always a "freak" of an athlete.
The 6-foot-5 266 pound defensive end with an
83-inch arm span, and hands that measure 10 inches, is a human specimen that can't be ignored. Clowney proved his freak-like abilities at the combine, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds, which is unheard-of for a man of his size. The only downfall of Clowney that critics are saying is his motor. Several games this year he seemed lax and is said to take a few plays off. Which to an NFL coach isn't something they like to see. Clowney needs to go to a team who has a coach that will motivate him and push him to the limit. The Texans sitting at the top of the draft at number one overall, have their first year coach Bill O'Brien, is a proven motivator.

Among the standout defensive linemen, Louis Nix III, the defensive tackle from Notre Dame ran a 4.52 second forty. Like Clowney, this is unheard-of for a man of his size the 6 foot 2 inch 331 pound defensive tackle blew away coaches. Even though, defensive linemen rarely have to run forty yards at a time, their first step is the most important. Nix is an expected first rounder.

    By far, the most watched event in the NFL combine is the 40 yard dash. This displays pure speed, some players rise and fall at the expense of their 40 times. This year, Dri Archer, running back from Kent State took home the title of the fastest man in the 2014 combine, who clocked in at 4.26 seconds. Only 2 tenths of a second behind record holder, Chris Johnson. Archer a player only built for speed at 5 foot 7 inches 173 pounds, will sure be ready to return kicks this year.

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