We’ve seen relative unknowns become bona fide early-round picks from NFL Combine performances alone. Unfortunately, the inverse is just as possible — highly regarded NFL Draft prospects falling down the board over a few numbers. At the 2022 NFL Combine, who might be at risk of slipping? Who has the most to lose?
5 Players with the most to lose at the 2022 NFL Combine
Generally, the NFL Combine is a beneficial event for prospects. And some prospects have so much security with their stock that a couple of disappointing numbers won’t make a difference. That said, there are other factors to take into account, like official measurements, interviews, and medical evaluations.
Through that lens, here are five players who could be in trepidatious territory nearing the 2022 NFL Combine.
5) Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky
He was listed at 5’11”, 185 pounds in college. But there are rumors that Wan’Dale Robinson‘s listed height may be as much as four inches over his actual measurement. Pictures of Robinson standing next to Alabama coach Nick Saban — who is 5’6″ — first sparked the movement. With Saban as a reference, Robinson appeared closer to 5’7″ or 5’8″.
The NFL Combine will help to confirm the fears surrounding Robinson’s height. If he’s truly 5’7″, it could knock him off some teams’ boards. Even so, it won’t change my opinion of Robinson too much.
His size has never been a large part of his game. Robinson wins by separating and with his twitchy, slippery run-after-catch ability. He doesn’t need to be 5’11” to be a RAC threat.
If Robinson is 5’7″, then his weight is what truly bears watching. If he still weighs in around 185 pounds, that’s good density for a 5’7″ frame, and it should only help him carry on his success as a RAC threat at the next level.
4) Derion Kendrick, CB, Georgia
It’s no secret that the 2022 NFL Draft cornerback class is legit stacked. And there are plenty of top-tier athletes in the mix. Of course, if we expect players like Trent McDuffie, Kyler Gordon, and Kalon Barnes to boost their stock at the Combine, then we also need to expect someone to fall in the process. When someone moves up, someone always gets bumped down.
At the 2022 NFL Combine, Derion Kendrick might be the candidate to fall. He should test with good explosiveness and agility, but his long speed has been a topic of discussion in recent seasons. His iffy Senior Bowl showing didn’t do much to quell concerns. And then, there’s the issue of his dismissal from Clemson, which will only cloud his stock further in some teams’ eyes.
Testing and interviews will both be big events for Kendrick. As of now, he’s still in the Day 2 mix. But he could slide even further if he doesn’t put up a strong performance. He has a lot of competition in this CB class.
3) Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson
Kendrick isn’t the only prospect dealing with stiff competition at his position. It’s also brutal out on these wide receiver streets.
You could make a case for almost two dozen receivers being in your top 100. There’s so much talent, and one player who’s steadily been filtered out of the mix is Clemson’s Justyn Ross.
[the_ad_group id=”61551″]
There’s still some love for Ross out there, and deservedly so, but he wasn’t quite the same player in 2021 that he was in 2018 and 2019. Granted, his offense didn’t do him any favors, but there will be questions about how comfortable Ross is on the field after missing 2020 with a neck injury (one that threatened his career).
The most important thing for Ross is his medical check. All it takes is a red flag to pop up on the evaluation. If so, he could slide all the way to late Day 3. But if his check comes back clean, a solid day of testing could reinvigorate Ross’ stock. He was never the most explosive receiver, but at his peak, his smooth athleticism and agility for his size made him a coveted prospect. There’s a lot on the line for Ross. He could either reclaim his buzz or lose what he has left.
2) Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Let me start by saying this: I don’t expect Aidan Hutchinson to tank his stock at the 2022 NFL Combine by any means. All reports have suggested that Hutchinson is going to test well. On the 2021 edition of Feldman’s Freaks, Hutchinson was documented as having a 4.64 40-yard dash, a 36-inch vertical jump, and a 6.54 three-cone time — which is just absurd.
Hutchinson is a great athlete. No one is disputing that. However, while he’s great, he may not be elite. His teammate David Ojabo is noticeably quicker off the line and more agile on film, as well as more flexible. Hutchinson sometimes struggles with efficiency of motion as well. Seeing that three-cone time in person will be big in determining just how much natural agility Hutchinson has and whether he can mine more of it from his technique.
Going further, there’s a conversation to be had around Hutchinson’s arm length. He’s rumored to have sub-33-inch arms — a below-average mark for edge rushers going to the NFL. Some teams have strict thresholds, and Hutchinson’s arm length may rule him out. He shouldn’t fall out of the first-round conversation, but there’s a chance Hutchinson’s Combine performance raises more questions. There’s also the chance it doesn’t.
1) Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
There’s a common thread among most of the 2022 NFL Draft quarterbacks. Desmond Ridder offers great mobility. Malik Willis offers great mobility. Matt Corral offers great mobility. Sam Howell is also a stalwart running threat, and even Kenny Pickett has the mobility to go off-script and create a bit with his legs.
All of the top quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft are plus athletes at the position — except Carson Strong. The Nevada QB never needed his mobility in college, instead opting to dice up defenses with his arm. That arm will pop in throwing drills. But when Strong has to run and jump and go through agility drills, he simply won’t match up with the other top QBs. And that side-by-side comparison could be detrimental.
If we’re being honest, it shouldn’t be. It’s never been a secret that Strong lacks the creative aspect other QBs have. If you’re just learning about that at the 2022 NFL Combine, you’re a little late to the party. But his testing will reaffirm that truth and perhaps make the scrutiny surrounding his other qualities — like mechanics, progression work, and interviews — more strict.
Medical checks surrounding a high school knee injury will also be crucial, and it could further dock Strong if red flags show up. There are several variables impacting Strong’s stock at the 2022 NFL Combine. And few are working in his favor.
