Spartans at the NFL Combine

Every year a group of 200-plus players descend on Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine. How much teams learn from these players here is debatable. What is not is how much of an impact that week can have on a prospect's future. A bad week can cost players millions, while a great performance can make them millions.

Before I begin, I'm not a scout by any imagination. But I've seen enough of these events, combined with having seen the Spartans on film, so I think I can paint a pretty solid picture on how they'll do come Feb. 22-28.

At any rate, here are the six Michigan State Spartans headed to Indianapolis for the Scouting Combine. (Of the Big Ten teams, only Iowa and Penn State are sending more.)

Edwin Baker, Running Back (Jr.), 5-9, 208. RB01. Baker is coming off a tough year and was a surprise early entry. However, I think the Combine will help him get drafted. The tests he should shine in are the 40 yard dash, I expect he'll come in at around 4.4-4.5, the high jump, which will show explosion, and the 3 cone drill, acceleration and change of direction. He also showed good hands when the opportunity arose, so he may do alright in catching drills. At any rate, depending on how he does explaining his poor season, and especially the fumbles, the Combine should help him sneak into the later rounds. Of course, should he time higher than 4.5, he won't get drafted at all.

Kirk Cousins, QB, 6-3, 202, QB03. Where Cousins should shine is on the Wonderlic and individual interviews. He's shown to be very intelligent and articulate. He will also do fine in the passing drills against no defenders, and since he's got an adequate arm capable of making most of the throws. He won't be expected to do very well at most of athleticism drills, as he's not a runner by any stretch.

B.J. Cunningham, WR, 6-3, 223, WO12. B.J. is another player who should be fine on the Wonderlic though there will be questions during the interviews about his role in the Rather Hall incident, just as has happened, and will happen, with every Spartan involved in that. He will do great at the high jump, as the Spartans used him for jump balls, and 3 cone drills. He should also excel at the pass catching drills since he catches most passes with his hands, then pulls them into his body. The real question is how he times in the 40. I expect he'll come in around 4.6-4.7 because he's not that fast. But he does accelerate well and that's how he gets open. Should he time better than 4.6, getting into the 4.5 range, he'll move into the 2nd round. Barring something shocking, such as a 4.4, he won't move higher.

Keshawn Martin, WR, 5-10, 185. WO28. There is nothing he can do about the size. He isn't getting taller, nor does his frame have room for much growth. the keys for him are the various pass catching drills, which he should excel, high jump, to show he can overcome his size, and the 3 cone. Should he hit a 4.4 or better on the 40, I don't expect him to since he doesn't usually get that much separation, he could climb into the middle rounds.

Trenton Robinson, FS, 5-10, 195, DB50. The pass coverage drills, 3 cone and 40 yard dash drills should be good for him, as will the individual interviews. He needs to show something on the high jump, again to overcome his lack of height, and one of the drills that requires him to turn and run in coverage. He seems to be a little tight in the hips, so doesn't do this as well, and at least a few games showed he lacks recovery speed. Pass catching drills should be where he excels as he was a ballhawk in East Lansing. The big key though is his 40 time. If he times around 4.6 or worse, there's a chance he might fall into the later rounds.

Jerel Worthy, DT (Jr.), 6-3, 305. DL59. In my first Mock Draft, I intimated that I believe after the Combine he will shoot up. Why? The questions that dogged him at MSU won't follow much here. He's inconsistent and takes plays off. He plays down to the level of his competition. However, at the combine, that won't show up. He will light this place up. He will excel in the weight room, he will look great in the broad and high jumps, 3 cone drill, and especially the pass rush drills. Then the coaches will look at film and see him rag doll highly regarded centers Peter Konz, Ben Jones, and Michael Brewster, as well as guards from all over the Big Ten and Georgia. And after that, he will climb into the 1st round. About the only way he won't do well is if he decides not to participate for some reason. As I've stated, I believe he dominate. He is one of a handful of players who the Combine could help greatly.

Source:
http://www.nflcombine.net/players/official-invite-list