The NFL Combine is an opportunity for players to move up or down teams’ draft boards. A great Combine workout can net a player a lot more money and a bad day can cost a guy. Arrivals begin in Indianapolis today, with players looking to stand out and get noticed throughout the week-long event, which includes interviews, tests, on-field workouts, measurements and more.
Several Ohio State players are taking part in this year’s Combine. Some may be able to help themselves more than others. Even a weak Combine outing probably won’t hurt a guy like Joey Bosa too much. He’ll be selected fairly high on draft day anyway. Similarly, Ezekiel Elliott will be one of the top running backs off the board even if he doesn’t turn in a great 40 time or do as many reps on the bench press as another guy.
However, there are a few Buckeyes who can build their draft stock with a strong showing in Indy. With a great workout, a third-round pick can work his way up into the top of the second round, earning a lot more bonus money and a higher base salary. A second-round projection can move up into the big money first round. And so on.
Herein, we’ll take a look at some of the Ohio State players who can capitalize most with a great week at the Combine.
Tyvis Powell, S
Let’s start with a guy who caught Urban Meyer a bit off guard when he announced he would turn pro. Safety Tyvis Powell could see his stock soar with a standout week in Indianapolis. Currently looking like a mid- or possibly late-round pick, if Powell’s measurables stack up well against other safeties and he can turn some heads with a great week of drills, he could gain some interest and move up on some teams’ lists. He’ll already get some notice for having a nose for the ball, leading Ohio State in interceptions in 2015 (3). He was also third in tackles (71) and can contribute on special teams, blocking a kick in 2015.
NFL teams are always looking for more help at safety. It’s a brutal position at the professional level and injuries are common. So, teams that can find quality depth at the position can separate themselves from those teams who don’t find adequate replacements for when their starters go down. If he aces his tests in Indianapolis, Powell could vault to a potential third-round selection. Teams are more likely to keep players they take in the first three rounds of the draft, so it would be an important move.
Eli Apple, CB
As Ohio State’s veteran corner in 2015, Apple had a good season and has helped himself already. But he can do more this week to gain even more attention. He broke up eight passes in 2015, finishing just one behind safety Vonn Bell for the team lead. He showed great cover skills in 2015, learning to trust his positioning and technique more.
Apple may be riding the bubble between the first and second rounds. Bonus and salary money takes a big bump if you can get into the top round, so Eli will want to have a solid week. Speed is an asset that the NFL covets in cornerbacks and Apple can help his draft stock if he can burn up the stopwatches with some outstanding times. It could be the difference between first- and second-round money. And a bad week could drop him out of the second round, so this is a crucial week for Apple.
Jalin Marshall, WR
After two seasons on the field for Ohio State, Marshall decided to forego his final two seasons of eligibility and head for the Sunday league. The Middletown product showed flashes of electric athletic ability in his two years on the gridiron for the Buckeyes. At 5-foot-11, Marshall isn’t the biggest guy, so he’ll need to impress and one way he can do that is on special teams. Fearless punt returners are valuable at the NFL level, so a player who can line up in the slot and catch passes on third down or return punts on fourth down is valued for his versatility.
Marshall finished second on the Buckeyes in receptions (36), yards (477) and touchdowns (5). He averaged 13.8 yards per punt return last year, and of course scored from that spot against Indiana in 2014. He's considered a mid-to-late round pick right now. It’s more likely that Marshall’s early impact in the NFL will come on special teams than from lining up at wide receiver. He’ll be asked about the suspension at the start of the 2015 season, so Jalin’s interviews and Wonderlic test score might weigh more than his measurables this week.
Braxton Miller, WR
After impressing at the Senior Bowl, Miller’s stock is as high as it’s ever been. However, it can get even higher. The quarterback-turned-receiver caught 26 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns in his first year at the position. He also showed off his dynamic running skills with 260 rushing yards on 42 attempts (6.2 YPA). At the Senior Bowl, he showed he can beat defensive backs and run good routes, although there is still some room to improve in both areas.
Miller’s athleticism alone will get him drafted. A lot of people see him as a second rounder. His Combine could move him up into the first round and a big payday. Denard Robinson’s success as an athlete with Jacksonville Jaguars will help Miller, who is bigger and faster than Robinson. A great week in Indianapolis can catapult Miller’s stock into the stratosphere.
Those are the four guys I see having the most to gain from a good week at the NFL Combine. There is also some room for Cardale Jones and perhaps Nick Vannett to rise as well. The Buckeyes will be well represented at the NFL Draft regardless, but this is an important week for the NFL hopefuls.
