NFL Combine Analysis: Who is Rising and Falling

Several players had great combines that could raise their draft status. However, some players had poor combines that could make them fall dozens of spots.

Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State STOCK RISING

I think this guy is actually Terrell Suggs in disguise. At 6'4 and 264 pounds, Gholston has great speed off the edge as a hybrid linebacker-defensive end. He ran the 3^rd best 40-yard dash for a defensive end and will certainly be chasing down running backs in the near future. Many people have questioned his strength but he punched out 37 reps on the bench press, tying Jake Long for the most at the combine. He also had the best vertical and broad jump out of all the defensive linemen. He has had a great workout and should fit in well with any team playing in a 3-4 defense. He works well with the Jets who could use a good speed rusher.

Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas STOCK RISING

It is funny that all the concerns about his character just went "poof" after Darren McFadden ran a 4.33 forty at the combine. Let's take a look back at some guys with character issues coming into the draft. Randy Moss had more talent than the rest of the wide receivers in that draft class combined. However, his character issues let him slip past twenty different teams right into the hands of the Minnesota Vikings. While his career in Minnesota went array somewhere down the line, the numbers do not lie. Another player with character issues was Warren Sapp, who was passed up by the Jets at 14 for Kyle Brady. How's that working out? McFadden's raw talent has been divulged at the combine. Teams are in absolute consternation over his workout that they aren't paying attention to off the field concerns. This superstar can work will with any team that lets him run outside but may wind up in Big D if a trade is made.

Fred Davis, TE, USC STOCK DROPPING

Each player gets to decide what drills he wants to do at the combine. Davis made himself look like a slug sitting around for most of the day. He did not run the 40-yard dash and his stock has dropped and may not be the best tight end in the draft anymore. He may fall down to the end of the first round and be picked up by the San Diego Chargers. The 'Bolts could use a 2^nd tight end with wide receiver like skills that can stretch the field and replace Antonio Gates if he moves on sometime in the future.

Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma STOCK DROPPING

Kelly did not work out in the combine and his stock may be slipping. He is projected as a mid-first round pick and was expected to fall to the Bills or Vikings. But, other wide receivers like Limas Sweed have emerged and could overtake Kelly as the first receiver taken. Desean Jackson has also established himself as a first round pick because he ran the fastest forty time out of all the receivers. Kelly's size is his biggest asset and may be catching balls from Vince Young in Tennessee next season. Young could use a big play receiver like Kelly to really stretch the field and open up more options for the Titan offense.

More information: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/index