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Steve Muench, Scouts Inc. 9y

Top 10 athletes in 2015 draft class

Insider College Football, NFL Draft

Combine workouts don't provide great insight into a quarterback's ability to diagnose Cover 2 or an inside linebacker's ability to sniff out misdirection. They are never going to trump tape in terms of importance to a player's evaluation. History has also shown that teams get burned for overvaluing strong combine performances (the 49ers drafting WR A.J. Jenkins with the 30th overall pick in 2012 is an example that comes to mind).

The workouts do have considerable value, though, as they verify or discredit if a player is as quick, agile or fast as he looks on tape. They also uncover players with rare upside and on whom teams could take a flyer on Day 3 of the draft.

Here are my top 10 athletes in the 2015 draft class, in large part based on their performances at the scouting combine. These players have the tools to compete at a high level in the NFL, yet their draft slots vary greatly because of differences in tape, experience, injury history and intangibles.

I've included GIFs of plays for each player that highlight their elite athleticism.


1. Byron Jones, CB, UConn

Jones tops this list, even though he didn't run the 40 because he's recovering from a shoulder injury. He is believed to have shattered the combine record for the broad jump when he posted a ridiculous 12 feet, 3 inches, and his 44.5-inch vertical is more than 9 inches higher than the five-year combine average for corners. He also posted quick short shuttle and three-cone times.

He isn't just a track star. Jones is fluid, has good balance and flashes above-average recovery speed, which is why he has moved into the early-second-, late-first-round conversation. His stock could continue to rise if he runs as well as expected at his pro day in March.


2. Chris Conley, WR, Georgia

The five-year combine 40 time average for receivers is 4.54; Conley ran a 4.35 at almost 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds. The jumps are also important tests when it comes to predicting NFL success for receivers. His 45-inch vertical and 11-7 broad jump are significantly above average. Throw in his 33¾-inch arms and Conley is an explosive prospect with a wide catching radius.

Though he put up good numbers against Georgia Tech that year, Conley lost some steam after missing two games with an ankle injury in 2013. He didn't have a breakout senior season, so he has flown under the radar. He flashes big-play ability and good ball skills, most notably on the Arkansas tape, but he appears faster than quick and is a little mechanical as a route runner. He has gone from a potential free agent and moved into the Day 3 mix.


3. Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson

Like many others, I had concerns about Beasley's frame heading into the combine. He eased them by weighing in at 246 pounds, but how well would he carry the added weight on his 6-3 frame? He ran the fastest 40 in addition to posting the third-highest broad (10-10) and vertical (41 inches) jumps for the outside linebacker group. Plus, his short shuttle time (4.15) is slightly quicker than the five-year combine average for corners and his three-cone time (6.89) is quicker than the five-year combine average for safeties.

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