The NFL scouting combine has come and gone, here are some of the players who helped themselves, followed by a handful of others who didn't have the best outing in Indy, and will look to improve their stock at their school's Pro Day.
Five players who helped themselves:
Jameis Winston, WR, Florida State
As the clear favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick entering the NFL Combine, Winston had nowhere to go but down, but he handled himself well during the interview process and was outstanding on the field during passing drills, cementing his status as the likely top pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Although he doesn't quite play this fast on tape, White put any speed questions to rest with a 4.35 40-yard dash and 1.55 10-yard split. As the best "attacking" wideout in this class, he also displayed his highpointing skills during receiving drills and showed why he's the top receiver prospect for several teams.
Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
After playing the 2014 season in the 225 pound range, Beasley arrived in Indianapolis at 246 pounds and produced an impressive 35 reps on the bench press. And despite the added weight and bulk, he didn't lose his quickness with impressive times in the 40-yard dash (4.53), vertical leap (41-inches) and 3-cone drill (6.91).
Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Waynes entered the week as the top cornerback prospect on several draft boards due to his height (6-1), length (31-inch arms) and natural cover skills. But few thought he would register the fastest time among cornerbacks in the 40-yard dash (4.31), showing the speed that will bolster his case as a top-15 pick.
Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut
Although he hasn't seen the field since an October shoulder injury, Jones set a new NFL Combine record with a 12-feet-3 standing broad jump, an astounding number that also bested the former world record (12-feet-2). A high character player, Jones created buzz at Lucas Oil Stadium and has teams going back to the tape.
Five players who hurt themselves:
Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
A former tight end, Funchess moved outside to receiver in 2014, but a 4.70 40-yard dash has some questioning whether he has the speed to stay there. He failed to establish himself as receiver or tight end over his career and might be stuck in WR-TE limbo as a tweener target who lacks a natural position.
Jamison Crowder, WR, Duke
A natural slot target, Crowder is quicker-than-fast so his 4.56 40-yard dash wasn't too alarming, but his 1.74 10-yard split and 7.17 3-cone drill, which measure short-area burst and change of direction, were among the worst at the position. The times don't match the tape, making it tough to figure out.
Rob Havenstein, OT, Wisconsin
A physical run blocker at right tackle, Havenstein was responsible for a good chunk of Melvin Gordon's yards at Wisconsin, but even for a slow-footed mauler, his times were lower than expected with a 5.46 40-yard dash, 1.86 10-yard split, 8.28 3-cone drill, 8-feet-0 broad jump, 28.5-inch vertical and only 16 reps on the bench press.
Paul Dawson, LB, TCU
Dawson is highly thought of in scouting circles because of his instincts and diagnose skills as both a run defender and cover man. His athleticism was considered average, but he wasn't able to hide his lack of speed during the 40-yard dash in Indy, running a disappointing 4.93.
Chris Hackett, FS, TCU
On tape Hackett showed questionable speed and transitional skills, struggling to recover after initially beat, even by tight ends. And his slow 40-yard dash time (4.81) at the Combine matches the game film, running the worst time among all the defensive backs.
