Views from Jason Garrett's press conference and opening day workouts at the 2018 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, IN.
A general view of Lucas Oil Stadium is seen prior to the NFL football scouting combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
A general view of 40-yard dash prior to the NFL football scouting combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
A detail view of 40-yard dash signage prior to the NFL football scouting combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
A general view of 40-yard dash prior to the NFL football scouting combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
A general view of the 40 yard dash station is seen prior to the NFL football scouting combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
A general view of bench press room prior to the NFL football scouting combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
The sign is seen for the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
The empty bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett speaks during a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett speaks during a press conference on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Jason Garrett, of the Dallas Cowboys, speaks to the media at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Jason Garrett, of the Dallas Cowboys, speaks to the media at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Jason Garrett, of the Dallas Cowboys, speaks to the media at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Jason Garrett, of the Dallas Cowboys, speaks to the media at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
A general view of bench press room prior to the NFL football scouting combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey looks on during the bench press at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Penn State running back Saquon Barkley walks off stage after competing in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
LSU offensive lineman Toby Weathersby prepares for the bench press during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Humboldt State offensive lineman Alex Cappa competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Florida State offensive lineman Rick Leonard works out at the bench press during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Oklahoma offensive lineman Orlando Brown competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson works out at the bench press during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Mississippi State offensive lineman Martinas Rankin competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
LSU offensive lineman Toby Weathersby competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Auburn offensive lineman Braden Smith works out at the bench press during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Texas offensive lineman Connor Williams competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Auburn offensive lineman Braden Smith works out at the bench press during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Auburn offensive lineman Braden Smith walks off stage after competing in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. Smith made a donation to Autism for every rep. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Auburn offensive lineman Braden Smith works out at the bench press during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Florida State offensive lineman Rick Leonard works out at the bench press during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Michigan offensive lineman Mason Cole competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
LSU offensive lineman Toby Weathersby prepares to work out during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
UTEP offensive lineman Will Hernandez competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
UTEP offensive lineman Will Hernandez is seen after competing in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Arkansas offensive lineman Frank Ragnow works out at the bench press during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Louisville offensive lineman Geron Christian competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson reacts during the bench press at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Texas running back Chris Warren III competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Auburn offensive lineman Braden Smith looks on during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Auburn running back Kamryn Pettway competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
North Texas running back Jeff Wilson works out at the bench press during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Penn State running back Saquon Barkley competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Jason Garrett, of the Dallas Cowboys, speaks to the media at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Maine offensive lineman Jamil Demby competes in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
North Carolina State offensive lineman Will Richardson looks on during the bench press during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson reacts after working out at the bench press during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Humboldt State offensive lineman Alex Cappa is seen after competing in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough is seen after competing in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Auburn offensive lineman Braden Smith walks off stage after competing in the bench press at the 2018 NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. Smith made a donation to Autism for every rep. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
UCLA offensive lineman Scott Quessenberry looks on during the bench press during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Appalachian State offensive lineman Colby Gossett, left, speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Penn State running back Saquon Barkley speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oklahoma offensive lineman Orlando Brown speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
LSU running back Derrius Guice speaks to the media prior to the NFL football scouting combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
UTEP offensive lineman Will Hernandez speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Penn State University Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
West Georgia offensive lineman Des Harrison speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
USC running back Ronald Jones speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame running back Josh Adams speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
West Virginia running back Justin Crawford speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Penn State running back Saquon Barkley speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
UCLA offensive lineman Kolton Miller speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oregon running back Royce Freeman speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Western Michigan offensive lineman Chuks Okorafor speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Georgia offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Ohio State offensive lineman Jamarco Jones speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Texas offensive lineman Connor Williams speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Mike Mcglinchey speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Oregon offensive lineman Tyrell Crosby speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Auburn offensive lineman Braden Smith speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Quenton Nelson speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
INDIANAPOLIS –Finally, at long last, we're going to get to watch some workouts here at the NFL Combine.
This year's offensive linemen and running backs are going to go through their drills here at Lucas Oil Stadium, as the whole NFL world watches.
As those workouts get underway, I wanted to preview a few guys I'm keeping an eye on. How they perform will help shape this year's draft, as well as the Cowboys' course of action.
- Penn State running back Saquon Barkley and Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson take to the field as the coaches and scouts settle in this morning at Lucas Oil Stadium. Barkley and Nelson are the two top players on my board and it's really not close. I expect both to put on a show today with the Browns, Giants, Jets, Buccaneers and Bears paying close attention.
- Keep an eye on Oregon offensive tackle Tyrell Crosby during these workouts. Crosby measured in at 6-4, 309 with 10 ¾ hands and 35 ¼ arms. Crosby is one of those prospects that played tackle in college but could project inside to guard. He's a light-footed player that shows some body control and balance for the position. There is also some nice pop in his hands.
- In those down the line running backs, I have Miami's Mark Walton over Tennessee's John Kelly, but those tags are touching on my board. Both players are in that 5-9 range height-wise, but Kelly is 14 pounds heavier -- 202 to 216. Kelly is a better pass receiver out of the backfield while Walton is a better pass blocker. I will be interested to see in the workout how well Walton catches the ball. You almost have to put it right on him for him to have a chance to make the catch.
[embeddedad0]
- I have to admit that I was surprised that Auburn guard Braden Smith was able to hammer out 35 reps on the bench press. I currently view Smith as a fourth-round prospect with his lack of playing strength as his biggest drawback. On his college tape he doesn't play nearly that strong. On the flip side of that, Oklahoma's Orlando Brown managed only 14 reps with his 35-inch arm length. Is that a red flag? Not really, because when you study Brown, you see the power. The issue for Brown is not his strength, it's his feet -- they're slow. My prediction for these drills is that Brown is not going to look athletic but don't let that discourage you because the ability is there.
- Good for UTEP guard Will Hernandez. He weighed 340 pounds at the Senior Bowl, but he is now down to 327. Hernandez also threw up 37 reps on the bench, which wasn't a surprised given how much power he shows on tape. I still have my doubts that the Cowboys would take him at 19, but if they drop back a few spots that would be more of a realistic possibility. With his weight loss, I would expect that we will see some improved movement.
