INDIANAPOLIS -- The NFL combine is just a small sliver of the evaluation process. Evaluators often use it to confirm their scouting report from the tape.
With that said, Saturday was one of the more impressive days I can remember in 17 years of doing this. We've been hyping up this tight end class since August, and the group exceeded expectations during drills. The five-year combine average for tight ends in the 40-yard dash is 4.80 seconds, and 11 of the 14 tight ends ran below 4.7 seconds. The quarterbacks threw the ball much better than I expected, especially considering this isn't viewed as a highly regarded class. Oh, and we saw the fastest 40-yard dash in modern history with Washington wide receiver John Ross running a 4.22.
Let's start there, as we look at the big-name prospects who performed on Saturday. Players analyzed below include: Ross, QB Deshaun Watson, TE O.J. Howard, QB Mitchell Trubisky, QB DeShone Kizer, TE David Njoku, WR Zay Jones and TE Evan Engram.