Joe Burrow, LSU
6’3” 221 lbs
Hand size: 9″
LSU’s Joe Burrow, the consensus number one overall selection, made headlines when his hands were measured at just nine inches. The lack of hand size has long been considered a downgrade among scouts but recent history has proven otherwise as both Jared Goff and Pat Mahomes reached the Super Bowl with the same size hands. Still, Burrow made light of the situation with a humorous tweet. Taken alone the size of his hands would be concerning but give the recent history and his immense skill, fantasy owners shouldn’t worry.
Fantasy Stock
This week did nothing to move Burrow off of that number one spot. He’s all but certain to be selected by the Bengals and he put the rumors to be about him forcing a trade by saying he’s a competitor and will play for anyone. He will be a high-end QB2 in his rookie season, as he is expected to play right away.
Tua Tagovailoa
6’0” 217 lbs
Hand size: 10”
Tua Tagovailoa’s combine showed us just how grueling the process can be for these young men. It was reported that Tua was examined by nearly every team’s medical staff and spent the better part of two days at the facilities, leaving late in the night. He then had to wake early and interview for his new job. Even without throwing a football, it is an impressive feat for a young player who may have earned himself a top draft selection.
Fantasy Stock
Medical reports are the one thing that we hear little about during NFL combine week. While we know each team took a hard look at Tua, we have only heard a few leaks but they are incredibly positive. Ian Rapoport reported that one source said Tua, “looked great.” The fracture is healed and blood flow looks good. Owners should have no hesitation drafting Tua, who’s upside could be huge.
Justin Herbert, Oregon
6’6” 236 lbs
3 Cone Drill: 7.06 seconds
Justin Herbert was the most impressive quarterback at combine week, tearing up the passing drills and posting great times on the workouts. Combine that with a massive 6’6” 236-pound frame and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him vault up the draft board. Herbert ran a 4.68 40, had a 123” broad jump but most impressive was his lateral agility as he ran a 7.06 three-cone. Overall his scores we good enough to give him an athletic SPARQ score in the 92nd percentile.
Fantasy Stock
Just watching Herbert throw the ball, it’s clear that he has all of the arm talents to succeed in the NFL. His deep ball was beautiful and his footwork and mechanics sound. Herbert’s biggest hurdle will be playing under center, he didn’t take a single snap under center in his college career. It can be overcome though, Jared Goff was in the exact same situation when he arrived from Cal and he’s become solid with under center play-action. Herbert should be the third quarterback taken in your fantasy drafts, and I wouldn’t blame you if you took him higher than that. If he’s paired with an impressive offensive coordinator then watch out.
Jake Fromm, Georgia
6’2” 219 lbs
40-yard dash: 5.01 seconds
If NFL evaluators drafted purely on drills and measurables at the combine, Jake Fromm would surely slip. With a very slow 40-yard and some of the lower broad and vertical jumps, Fromm’s athletic profile lands in the lower ten percent of the league. If you’re looking for a player to compare think Jameis Winston, a quarterback that makes his living in the pocket and offers zero athletic traits. While Fromm was solid in the short and intermediate throwing drills, he struggled mightily in the deep ball and velocity tests. His deep passes tended to wobble, a sign that he just doesn’t have much spin. It was a disappointing week from Fromm but not all that unexpected.
Fantasy Stock
This combine workout won’t hurt his draft stock much, if at all. He surely blew coaches away in the interviews and is excellent pre-snap which cannot be tested at the combine. It’s likely that Fromm goes to a quarterback-needy team and starts right away. While some view him as “NFL-ready” he will need a team with weapons around him and a solid supporting cast. For right now it’s wait to see who drafts him.
Jordan Love, Utah State
6’4” 224 lbs
Vertical Jump: 35.5 inches
Jordan Love had an impressive combine and the buzz around him continues to grow. Love showed himself to be a plus athlete with great scores in the vertical and broad jumps that measure explosion. Love followed that up with impressive on-field drills. Love threw darts all over the field, showing impressive touch on deep balls with plenty of spin. Many teams, including the Chargers, Bucs, Patriots, Raiders, and Colts are all rumored to have interviewed Love. With the impressive week, he’s almost certain to be drafted late in the first round, if not higher.
Fantasy Stock
Love is and should be a player that sits in year one. He’s just not ready to play and there are teams that understand that. His ideal landing spot is somewhere that he doesn’t have to step in as the day one starter. If he is a factor in 2020 owners should be prepared for a roller coaster of a season.
-Marc Salazar (@dingwog)
What about Evans from App. St. He posted the 2nd fastest 40 and 5th in the bench press and also 10th in the vertical. He was 3rd in the nation in scoring touchdowns and rushed for over 1400yds.
He’s the top one in the 11-20 section of RBs, we covered him. Definitely an interesting prospect.