Aaron Donald, DT Pittsburgh
285 lbs. 6’ 3/4”
Official 40 time – 4.68 (Only defensive tackle to finish among the top 15 of defensive linemen in the 40)
Bench press performance – 35 reps (Second among all defensive linemen in bench press)
Stat line – Aaron Donald finished an impressive college career at Pitt with eleven sacks as an interior defensive lineman.
Best fit(s): Dallas, Chicago, Green Bay
Donald initially worried scouts because he’s shorter than the prototypical 6’4”-6’5” size for DT’s. His performance in the Senior Bowl brought him to the forefront of the football world. His work ethic and explosiveness more than make up for any lack of height. His dominant showing in the combine has him being taken in the first round by pundits. Dallas fans now hope he will still be available when their team drafts in the first.
Bishop Sankey, RB Washington
203 lbs. 5’ 10”
Official 40 time – 4.49
Bench press performance – 26 reps (Second among all RB’s in combine only to ManBeast Jerick Mckinnon.
Stat line – Pac-12’s leading rusher with 1,870 yards in the 2013 season.
Best fit(s): Arizona, Tennessee, Jacksonville
Sankey’s a slightly undersized but quick back. His performance in the bench press suggests he’ll be a hard tackle to make. Sankey’s shown he can handle a full workload, and has the strength and size to compete at a professional level.
Khalil Mack, OLB Buffalo
251 lbs. 6’ 3”
Official 40 time – 4.65
Bench press performance – 23 reps (tied for 11th among linebackers)
Stat line – 10.5 sacks on the season. Including 2.5 and an INT against Ohio State in season opener.
Best fit(s): Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Chicago
A top ten selection. Mike Mayock proclaimed Mack would be his first selection in the draft were he a GM today. Fascinating athlete from a small school. Would be a thorough disappointment if he didn’t shout: “Mack attack!” before sacking opposing QBs in the NFL.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE Washington
262 lbs. 6’ 5”
Did not participate in 40
Bench press performance – 20 reps
Stat line – Although he had a quiet junior season, Jenkins had 69 catches for 852 yards and seven scores as a sophomore.
Best fit(s): New England, Seattle, Kansas City, Buffalo
Jenkins’ combination of size, strength, and pass catching ability will make him a fearsome target at the next level. Eric Ebron and Jace Amaro are lauded for their athletic ability and speed. They are both excellent tight ends and likely have a bright future in the NFL. While Jenkins may not have the same devastating straight-line speed as Ebron or Amaro, his physicality and competitive spirit mean he could be the second coming of Rob Gronkowski if he goes to a team willing to pass him the ball.
Pat O’Donnell, P Miami
220 lbs. 6’ 4”
Official 40 time: 4.64
Bench press performance – 23 reps
Stat line – Booted it 50+ yards in eight consecutive games to close out his college career.
Best fit(s): Minnesota, Washington, Chicago
O’Donnell is a punter but has the physicality of a first-round wide receiver/tight end. Occasionally punters have to make the touchdown saving tackle. O’Donnell’s conditioning and powering leg will likely make him a valuable late round selection.
Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB Nebraska
218 lbs. 6’ 3”
Official 40 time: 4.61
Bench press performance: 13 reps
Stat line: Twenty-one PBUs (pass breakups) and six INT’s in only seventeen starts at Nebraska.
Best fit(s): Minnesota, San Diego, St. Louis
Jean-Baptiste is a converted receiver who has spent less than two years at the corner position. His size and weight should serve him well as teams look to emulate Seattle’s tremendous success with larger, more physical corners. Jean-Baptiste’s 40 time, while acceptable considering his size will make teams hesitant to spend an early pick on him. Jean-Baptiste can be a force in the secondary if he can polish his coverage skills and turn on a swivel.
Will Sutton, DT Arizona State
303 lbs. 6’ 0”
Official 40 time: 5.36
Bench press performance: 24 reps
Stat line: Two-time first-team AP All-American, Two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player Of The Year, and two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection.
Best fit(s): New England, Oakland, Tampa Bay
Sutton is like a version of Aaron Donald from an alternate universe where he gains fifteen pounds of fat his Senior year and his draft performance suffers for it. To be fair to Sutton, he likely grew tired of reading and hearing about how he was “undersized” and “too small” to play DT at the next level. Either way his performance does seem to have dropped off from where he was a year ago at a svelte 288 lbs. If Sutton can regain his 2012-form, he can be a Warren Sapp-type defensive threat at the next level.
Gridiron Seasonal 