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

Nicholas Ian Allen

Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Sammie Coates jumps up the stretch his legs before running the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Combine has concluded and all the results are in. Did the seven former Auburn football players that participated help or hurt their draft status?

The annual meat market known as the NFL Combine was held February 17-23 in Indianapolis. More than 300 professional football prospects were weighed in, measured, poked and prodded before competing against one another and the clock in a series of drills – most of which were shown live on NFL Network.

Away from the cameras, the players met with various NFL teams interested in learning more about their intelligence, football IQ, character, and successes and failures as a collegiate player.

Seven Auburn football players were invited to the NFL Combine, each aiming to improve their status for the upcoming NFL Draft.

Wide receiver Sammie Coates aimed to erase the doubts about his inconsistent hands and impress NFL decision makers with his pure athleticism. Two-year starting quarterback Nick Marshall was offered a chance to throw with the quarterbacks, but also needed to prove he is athletic enough to make the transition from QB to defensive back.

All-American center Reese Dismukes and defensive tackle Gabe Wright were looking to cement their status as likely Day 2 picks, while running back Cameron Artis-Payne had an opportunity to move up in the large group of quality running backs. Safety Jermaine Whitehead and defensive tackle Angelo Blackson were each presented with a no-lose situation to make an impression and prove worthy of being selected at all in the 2015 NFL Draft.

How did each player perform at the 2015 NFL Combine, and how has his draft status been affected? We take a look.

Next: Jermaine Whitehead

Feb 23, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive back Jermaine Whitehead runs with the ball after catching a pass in a workout drill during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Jermaine Whitehead, DB

NFL Combine Results

Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 197 pounds
Length: 31-inch arms, 9 3/8-inch hands
40-Yard Dash: 4.59
Bench Press: 15 reps
Vertical Leap: 37 inches
Broad Jump: 128 inches
Three Cone Drill: 6.95 seconds
Short Shuttle: 4.11 seconds

One of the former Auburn football players with much to gain and little to lose during the combine was Jermaine Whitehead. The safety came in to Indianapolis pegged as a late round pick at best and likely an undrafted free agent.

Undersized but athletic, Whitehead finished second among safeties with a broad jump of ten feet, eight inches and ranked in the top five in his position group in the vertical, three cone drill and the 20-yard short shuttle. His 40-yard dash wasn’t extraordinary, ranking 12th among safeties, but overall the workout results were solid.

Whitehead started every game for the Tigers in 2013 and tied for the team lead with six interceptions in 2014, but he was suspended four games in the middle of the season. NFL teams surely grilled Whitehead on the suspension, and his interviews with the teams may mean as much or more than the numbers he posted.

With only one safety likely to be selected in the first round of the draft (Alabama’s Landon Collins), Whitehead had an opportunity to prove he’s worth a late round selection and an opportunity to compete for a roster spot.

NFL Draft Stock Report: Rising

Next: Angelo Blackson

Oct 4, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Angelo Blackson (98) celebrates a tackle as LSU Tigers quarterback Brandon Harris (6) stands by during the second half at Jordan Hare Stadium. Auburn won 41-7. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Angelo Blackson, DT

NFL Combine Results

Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 318 pounds
Length: 33 3/4-inch arms, 9 3/4-inch hands
40-Yard Dash: 5.03 seconds
Bench Press: 20 reps
Vertical Leap: 31 inches
Broad Jump: 101 inches
Three Cone Drill: 7.5 seconds
Short Shuttle: 4.57 seconds

Similar to Whitehead, defensive tackle Angelo Blackson had a chance to capitalize on a somewhat surprising invitation to the NFL Combine. Coming in as a likely late round draft pick or an undrafted free agent, Blackson had an opportunity to put his name on the radar of NFL scouts, general managers and talent evaluators.

By all indications, he did.

Weighing in at 318 pounds – 12 pounds heavier than his playing weight at Auburn – Blackson is likely to play over the center as a pro and eat up space at the line of scrimmage. Interestingly, Blackson proved to be faster and more athletic than most thought. His 5.03-second performance in the 40-yard dash ranked sixth among 23 defensive tackle prospects and his 7.5-second time in the three-cone drill was sixth. Unfortunately, that speed comes at the expense of strength and Blackson finished last in his position group with 20 reps in the bench press.

Still, because of the surprising athleticism Blackson showed, he’s sure to force scouts to take a longer look at him in both the film room and at Auburn’s pro day.

NFL Draft Stock Report: Rising

Next: Gabe Wright

Nov 22, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Gabe Wright (90) greets fans after the game against the Samford Bulldogs at Jordan Hare Stadium. Auburn won 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Gabe Wright, DT

NFL Combine Results

Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 300 pounds
Length: 32 5/8-inch arms, 9 3/4-inch hands
40-Yard Dash: 5.08
Bench Press: 34 reps
Vertical Leap: 26.5 inches
Broad Jump: 101 inches
Three Cone Drill: 7.73 seconds
Short Shuttle: 4.56 seconds

Gabe Wright proved he was the ultimate team player and leader in 2014 when he lost about 15 pounds in order to contribute at defensive end as well as defensive tackle. Wright’s services were needed to add depth at end because of an injury to All-SEC caliber sophomore Carl Lawson, who tore his ACL during spring practice.

Shifting back and forth between end and tackle led to an underwhelming senior season for Wright, but he’s still considered a top ten prospect among defensive tackles in the upcoming NFL Draft likely to be selected somewhere between the late second to early fourth round.

At the combine, Wright showed he had gained back the weight he lost at Auburn and though he didn’t test extremely well among his fellow defensive tackles in the speed and agility categories (10th or 23 in the 40-yard dash, 21st in the vertical and 19th in the broad jump), Wright showed excellent strength and ranked second with 34 reps on the bench press.

Wright impressed some talent evaluators, but didn’t move the needle much as far as his draft stock is concerned.

NFL Draft Stock Report: Same

Next: Reese Dismukes

Jan 4, 2014; Newport Beach, CA, USA; Auburn Tigers center Reese Dismukes (50) answers questions during Media Day at Newport Beach Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Reese Dismukes, C

NFL Combine Results

Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 296 pounds
Length: 32 1/4-inch arms, 8 7/8-inch hands
40-Yard Dash: 5.31 seconds
Bench Press: 23 reps
Vertical Leap: 27.5 inches
Broad Jump: 107 inches
Three Cone Drill: 8.14 seconds
Short Shuttle: 4.7 seconds

Reese Dismukes entered the NFL Combine as one of the top three players at the center based on his track record of success at Auburn over the past four seasons. A 50-game starter for the Tigers, Dismukes was a consensus All-American and won the Remington Award as a senior. However, his measurables and less than spectacular performance in the Senior Bowl gave pause to some NFL evaluators.

At the Combine, Dismukes was only one of six centers and four that participated fully in drills. At 296 pounds, Dismukes was the lightest of all the offensive linemen at the event. His lack of size certainly isn’t a deal breaker for NFL teams, but it does explain why Dismukes sometimes struggles to block bigger and stronger defensive linemen.

Dismukes’ combine performance won’t jump off the page, but his NFL future is more closely tied to his on-field technique and understanding of the game anyway. He’s still one of the very best at his position, and is likely to be selected somewhere between the second and fourth rounds.

NFL Draft Stock Report: Same

Next: Cameron Artis-Payne

Jan 21, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad running back Cameron Artis-Payne of Auburn (44) carries the ball during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Cameron Artis-Payne, RB

NFL Combine Results

Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 212 pounds
Length: 29 5/8-inch arms, 8 7/8-inch hands
40-Yard Dash: 4.53 seconds
Bench Press: DNP
Vertical Leap: 36.5 inches
Broad Jump: 118 inches
Three-Cone Drill: 7.13 seconds

Despite leading the SEC in rushing with 1,608 yards in 2014, Cameron Artis-Payne hasn’t created a lot of draft buzz. Last week when we previewed Artis-Payne’s objective for the NFL Combine, we discussed the fact that there are a lot of running backs that fall into the second tier category behind elite performers such as Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley.

For Artis-Payne to make a push towards the top of that group, he would need to exceed expectations, and he did. Not known as a speed back, with a 40-yard dash time of 4.53 seconds Artis-Payne ranked a very respectable sixth at the Combine among running backs. He also performed well in receiving drills.

While a good time in the 40-yard dash won’t send him skyrocketing up teams’ draft boards, its adds to his solid showing last season to help quiet concerns that CAP is just a one-year wonder running back. Now, he appears to be a good bet to be selected in the third or fourth round.

NFL Draft Stock Report: Rising

Next: Nick Marshall

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

Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Sammie Coates runs the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Sammie Coates, WR

NFL Combine Results

Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 212 pounds
Length: 33 3/8-inch arms, 9 3/8-inch hands
40-Yard Dash: 4.43 seconds
Vertical Leap: 41 inches
Broad Jump: 131 inches
Three Cone Drill: 6.89 seconds
Short Shuttle: 4.03 seconds
60-Yard Shuddle: 11.8 seconds

The NFL Combine was built for players like Sammie Coates. Athletic freaks have an opportunity to wow scouts, GMs and talent evaluators with their size, speed, strength and explosiveness in order to overcome whatever deficiencies they showed on film over the course of their player careers.

The only downside to that is if a player’s combine performance is built up so much that even great numbers aren’t enough. It’s worse when the concerns surrounding a player’s abilities are magnified, as was the case with Coates last week.

Coates put up some very good numbers at the NFL Combine. His 23 reps in the bench press were the most among all wide receivers (and more than many linemen, including college teammate Angelo Blackson). He also ranked second in the short shuttle, third in the broad jump and fourth in the vertical jump.

However, with expectations of a 4.3-second (or even faster time) in the 40-yard dash coming in, Coates’s 11th ranked 4.43 was a bit of a disappointment. More disappointing was Coates’ performance in receiving drills. He was very inconsistent during Saturday’s session – and inconsistency catching the football was the biggest knock on Coates at Auburn as well.

Once believed to be a first round candidate, Coates has fallen into the second round for most analysts, and could slip even farther if he doesn’t redeem himself at Auburn’s pro day March 3.

NFL Draft Stock Report: Falling

Next: ESPN Snubs Auburn-Alabama in Top Ten Rivalries List

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Nicholas Ian Allen