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NFL Combine Stock Watch: Did Auburn Players Help or Hurt Draft Status?

By Nicholas Ian Allen

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Jan 21, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad defensive corner Nick Marshall of Auburn (14) during South squad Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Marshall, QB/DB

NFL Combine Results

  • Height: 6-foot-1
  • Weight: 207 pounds
  • Length: 32 1/8-inch arms, 9 1/4-inch hands
  • 40-Yard Dash: 4.54 seconds
  • Bench Press: 12 reps
  • Vertical Leap: 37.5 inches
  • Broad Jump: 124 inches
  • Three-Cone Drill: 6.96 seconds
  • Short Shuttle: 4.15 seconds

One of the most intriguing players in this year’s draft class is Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall. Despite becoming one of the best signal callers in Auburn football history, he’s unlikely to play the position in the NFL.

Marshall tested well at the Combine and ranked in the top five among quarterbacks in the bench press (1st), vertical (1st), broad jump (2nd), 40-yard dash (2nd), three-cone drill (5th) and short shuttle (5th), but Marshall is likely to play defensive back as a pro – especially because he did not throw the ball well at all at the Combine.

Several analysts criticized Marshall’s accuracy and technique as a passer, including former NFL head coach and current NFL Network analyst Brian Bullock, who tweeted that Marshall is “terribly inconsistent” and “not a QB.”

Fortunately, Marshall has another option. While his combine performance didn’t shine among defensive backs, they are comparable to many at the cornerback position. The NFL Network even used Antonio Cromartie (the 19th pick overall in the 2006 NFL Draft and a four-time Pro Bowler) as a comparison for Marshall’s Combine performance.

“He’s long, he’s athletic,” NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. “He’s got a long way to go as a corner, but he’s the kind of guy you want to take and develop in the later rounds if possible. I think that’s going to happen.”

Still, Marshall had hoped to run in the 4.4-second range in the 40 and hit 40 inches in the vertical leap. Doing so would have helped his chances of being a Day 2 selection. A solid passing performance would have added even more intrigue since he could possibly contribute as a third-team QB, but Nick Marshall now seems destined to be selected in the fifth round or later.

NFL Draft Stock Report: Falling

Next: Sammie Coates

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