In what is usually the highlight of the NFL Scouting Combine, the quarterbacks, receivers and running backs took to the turf of Lucas Oil Stadium for their workouts. The top spots at the receiver and quarterback positions were on the line and the main players did not disappoint. Here are the risers and sliders from the second day of on-field position drills ...
Risers
WR Amari Cooper, Alabama: Cooper's 40-yard dash time was solid in the low 4.4s, but it was the pass catching drills where the former Crimson Tide receiver stood out. He ran crisp routes and looked natural in all aspects of catching the ball. Cooper showed great balance, concentration and strong hands. He made his case to be the first receiver selected in April.
WR Kevin White, West Virginia: White also laid down the gauntlet for the top spot of the receiver board with an impressive workout. The 215-pound wideout impressed with a 40-yard dash time of 4.35-seconds, much faster than anyone ever imagined. His 23 reps on the bench was also a terrific mark. White translated his 40 speed into position drills and he easily made all the deep catches without breaking stride or losing balance.
QB Jameis Winston, Florida State: Besides receiver there's a battle brewing for the top spot at the quarterback position. After Saturday's Combine workout, Winston has the advantage. He was accurate all afternoon, placing throws into receivers' hands and rarely making targets wait on the ball. All his passes had terrific speed and Winston easily drove his deep throws downfield.
QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon: If Winston won the day, it was by a slight margin as Mariota also performed well. His testing marks were much better than Winston's as Mariota was faster in the 40-yard dash (4.52) and touched higher in the vertical jump. The Heisman Trophy winner was also accurate and showed great velocity on all his throws during position drills. That being the case, Mariota had more passes get away from him compared to Winston. Several of his outs in both the short and long field went astray and missed the mark.
RB Duke Johnson, Miami: Johnson turned in one of the best Combine performances from the running back class. His 40-yard dash time was a solid 4.53 seconds, then he took it to another level in drills. Johnson was quick-footed in cone drills, never losing momentum when he needed to change direction and showed a terrific burst when the ball was in his hands. His pass catching skills also stood out.
WR Phillip Dorsett, Miami: Dorsett timed the 40-yard dash in the mid-4.3s which was expected then the speedy wide out looked terrific during pass catching drills. He ran sharp, crisp routes, losing little momentum when he changed direction and Dorsett caught everything thrown in his direction. Dorsett's ability to snatch the ball from the air on a consistent basis was impressive.
RB Jeremy Langford, Michigan State: Possibly the most underrated back in this year's draft, Langford continues to impress NFL decision makers. His 40-yard dash time, which clocked under 4.45 seconds, was superb as were Langford's pass catching skills. What also stood out was the way Langford practiced to his 40 time, never slowing down in ball-carrying or pass-catching drills.
WR Antwan Goodley, Baylor: The Combine is as much about expectations as anything else and Goodley exceeded them all. Considered a one-speed, possession wideout, his 40-yard dash time of 4.45 was faster than anyone thought possible. Goodley looked terrific in drills catching the deep pass, a skill he rarely displayed at Baylor.
WR Chris Conley, Georgia: Conley was the star of testing thus far at the Combine. He scorched the 40 in a time of 4.35 seconds, two-tenths faster than teams expected. He was equally impressive in the jumps touching 45-inches in the vertical and 11-7 in the broad. That said, Conley dropped a number of throws during position drills, but someone is bound to take a shot on this physical beast late in the draft.
Sliders
RB Josh Robinson, Mississippi State: Eyebrows were raised when Robinson announced he was entering the draft and Saturday did not help his cause. Robinson started the day running a pedestrian 40 time of 4.72-seconds at 217 pounds. During drills, he looked equally lethargic, gathering himself and slowing down when he changed direction or attempted to quickly cut back against the grain.
WR Ty Montgomery, Stanford: Montgomery is an enigma of sorts, a receiver prospect who looks the part yet does not always play the part. He moved his 221-pound frame across the 40 yards of Lucas Oil turf in a solid time of 4.53 seconds. His vertical jump of 40.5 inches and broad jump of 10-1 are also notable. During drills, however, Montgomery looked average at best, displaying limited quickness and dropping a number of catchable throws.
