What We Saw: 2020 NFL Combine

K.J. Hamler, Penn State
5’9” 178 lbs
Bench Press: 15 reps

 

K.J. Hamler was hailed as one of the fastest receivers in the class, but we are left wondering a little longer: Hamler skipped the 40-yard dash and the agility drills. He put up a solid 15 reps in the bench press, but the only realistic grade here is incomplete until we see Hamler run.

Fantasy Stock

Hamler remains an interesting prospect due to his speed, and this will be more concrete once he runs at his Pro Day. Until then, Hamler projects as a likely 2nd-3rd round pick and a great fit for anyone in need of a field stretcher (think Indianapolis and Philadelphia as a couple good fits)

 

Devin Duvernay, Texas
5’10” 200 lbs
40-yd dash: 4.39

 

Devin Duvernay has always been known as a speedster, and his 4.39 in the 40 backs it up. He has great hands, elite straight-line speed, and he runs hard. Duvernay is a raw prospect, however, and will likely need to improve in route running and winning at the catch point.

Fantasy Stock

Duvernay projects as a developmental prospect and should land somewhere in the 3rd-5th rounds. He will go higher if someone believes in his raw abilities but he could be waiting for a while if teams prefer more ‘ready-to-go’ options.

 

Van Jefferson, Florida
6’1” 200 lbs
Sat out combine

 

Van Jefferson sat out the NFL combine with a Jones fracture in his foot that is expected to sideline him for 6-8 weeks. He is a more polished receiver with a strong pedigree. However, he was expected to grade out with limited athleticism and is an older prospect at almost 24.

Fantasy Stock

Jefferson’s stock won’t be helped by his injury, but he had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl and is expected to go off the board somewhere in the 3-4 rounds. Keep an eye on the injury and recovery here to see how Jefferson’s stock should change moving forward.

 

Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
6’0” 205 lbs
40-yd dash: 4.5 sec
Vertical Jump: 40 in.

 

Brandon Aiyuk already had the interest of scouts before the combine, and his numbers only strengthened his case. Aiyuk put up a solid 4.5-second 40-yd dash and an excellent 40-inch vertical leap. These numbers, along with his explosive play potential from last season, should continue to see him rising on draft boards.

Fantasy Stock

I would expect Aiyuk to be taken in the early second or late first round, but nothing would surprise me as his stock continues to rise. He projects similarly to Robert Woods, and he would be a great fit for a number of wide receiver needy teams.

 

Michael Pittman Jr., USC
6’4” 223 lbs
40-yd dash: 4.52
Vertical Jump: 36.5 in

 

Michael Pittman Jr. is certainly the tallest receiver in this bunch at 6’4”, and he profiles as a possession receiver ready to take the field on day one. His 40-yd dash was solid at 4.52, and this combined with his size and ball skills should make him an early starter for just about any team.

Fantasy Stock

Pittman projects in the 2nd round of the draft and should go to a team looking for an immediate starter. I am interested to see how he fairs against bigger and stronger corners: he struggled at the Senior Bowl against Troy Pride Jr. Still, I’m not too worried.

 

Tyler Johnson, Minnesota
6’1” 206 lbs
Sat out combine

 

Tyler Johnson sat out the NFL combine–which is unsurprising considering how he was expected to grade out. Despite a highly productive college career, scouts have noted Johnson’s lack of top-end speed, limited leaping ability, and subpar arm length. He will likely never be the top guy in the league, but he could be a useful player right away.

Fantasy Stock

Johnson would have done wonders by coming out and performing well, but that wasn’t in the cards. I’m guessing he knows what he is and wants to limit the damage that measurables would do at this point. Johnson still projects somewhere in the 2-3 round range. He would function best on a team with a strong wr1 above him.

 

Denzel Mims, Baylor
6’3” 207 lbs
40-yd Dash: 4.38 sec
20yd Shuttle: 4.43 sec

 

Denzel Mims was a BIG winner at the combine, putting down an excellent 4.38 in the 40 along with strong marks in the agility drills to pile on top of his large 6’3” frame. Mims has a great catch radius to go along with these marks, and he should have a high ceiling as a prospect. Just beware the floor: Mims still struggles against press coverage and could improve his route running.

Fantasy Stock

I am interested in Mims because I think we should know pretty quickly what he is. If he succeeds, the sky’s the limit based on his measurables. Starting in the slot would help to avoid press coverage and create a more immediate impact.

 

Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan
6’2” 212 lbs
40-yard dash: 4.48 sec
Vertical Jump: 44.5 in

After being a top high school prospect, Donovan Peoples-Jones has come back to Earth. He struggled to break out at Michigan, and this is due both to the offense (lousy quarterback play) as well as his own limitations. Peoples-Jones put up a solid 4.48 40-yd dash and an excellent leap of 44.5 inches. Still, he frequently had trouble with tight coverage in college and never posted a 100-yd game.

Fantasy Stock

Despite his struggles, Peoples-Jones still has suitors and could project as a big slot receiver. I expect him to be waiting a while to hear his name get called: perhaps in the 4-6 round range depending on how much a team falls in love with his high school rankings.

 

Chase Claypool, Notre Dame
6’4” 238 lbs
40-yd Dash: 4.42 sec
Vertical Jump: 40.5 in

 

Chase Claypool is a jack of all trades. He should be able to help right away on special teams coverage and as a strong run blocker. He also has the size to dominate smaller corners if given the chance. He put up strong marks in the 40 and the vertical, and he could be developed into a strong player. Still, I want to see him improve as a pass-catcher.

Fantasy Stock

Claypool should see playing time right away thanks to his wide range of skills, but this could delay a true breakout as a pure receiver. Either way, expect Claypool to go somewhere in the range of the 4th and to be used right away on special teams.

 

K.J. Hill, Ohio State
6’0” 196 lbs
40-yd Dash: 4.6 sec
Vertical Jump: 32.5 in

 

K.J. Hill had a rough time at the combine, posting a 4.6 in the 40-yd dash and only 32.5 inches in the vertical. Hill comes from a strong lineage of Ohio State receivers, but this was a far cry from Terry McLaurin and Parris Campbell’s standout performances last year. Hill has strong hands and is a good route runner, but the ceiling appears pretty low here.

Fantasy Stock

K.J. Hill looked like he might be a late 2nd to early 3rd round selection, but I see this dropping after we got a look at his measurables. Hill seems more like a 4-6 rounder now, but he could find a role as a slot receiver for the right team.

 

• Mike Miklius (@SIRL0INofBEEF)