Combine Report 3/5: Dede Westbrook Going Undrafted?
On
Friday evening I wrote about red flags potentially being raised on Oklahoma receiver Dede Westbrook. Then
yesterday I wrote those flags have been raised. But for many teams it’s well past the red flag stage.
On Saturday evening I learned a number of teams have stamped Westbrook as undraftable for a variety of reasons. Beside the reasons previously mentioned such as declining an invitation to the Senior Bowl then not participating in combine workouts, I’ve been told Westbrook’s interviews here in Indianapolis have been horrible. Those at the interviews say Westbrook has been guarded and seemed untruthful. There are also off the field issues, many well documented and some more of a personality nature. Oklahoma’s pro-day is next Wednesday, March 8th, and will be Westbrook’s final chance to perform in front of scouts. It’s expected to be well attended as running back Joe Mixon, who was not invited to the combine, will be working out. I feel Westbrook will eventually be selected in the draft but rather than a second day pick as his talents warrant, expect him to land in the very late rounds.
Despite the fact that he barely ran under 4.8 seconds in the 40, there are a number of teams and area scouts who feel tight end Adam Shaheen of Ashland will be selected in the third round. Based on Shaheen’s game film, they believe he’s sneaky-fast and has the ability to stretch the seam. They also love his pass-catching skills and feel he’s very natural snatching the ball from the air.
I’m hearing a lot of comparisons between Billy Brown of Shepherd and Thomas Duarte, the former UCLA receiver-turned-tight end who was selected in the seventh round of the 2016 draft by the Miami Dolphins. Both are solid college pass catchers who’ll need time to acclimate to a new position.
Despite the fact that he ran poorly Saturday, a lot of teams are not downgrading Cooper Kupp of Eastern Washington. Never known as a deep threat with vertical speed, one scouting consultant told me he’s still a terrific pass catcher who can create after the reception.
Some teams are concerned with the smaller frame of Solomon Thomas. He measured just under 6-foot-3 and 273 pounds, and there’s concern he may not have great growth potential. No one is arguing his playing ability.
While a number of mock drafts have the New York Jets taking
Marshon Lattimore with the sixth pick of Round 1, a source close with the organization told me he fears the Ohio State junior could be injury-prone and spend as much time in the trainers room as he does on the football field. Lattimore struggled with hamstring injuries during his first two seasons with the Buckeyes. The comparison was made to another cornerback taken in the early part of Round 1 by the Jets and someone who has spent more time nursing injuries than playing football, Dee Milliner.
Back on January 15 during our
Shrine Week preview, I made mention that Toledo defensive tackle
Treyvon Hester would miss both the Shrine Game and the combine after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum. I was given an update Saturday and told that Hester, who had his surgery on December 8, is ahead of schedule and will work out for scouts sometime in early April. He’s expected to be 100 percent by training camp and will be ready to fully participate.
They still expecting these guys to keep growing 4 years outta high school?#Pause
. What if we throw in Gregory to sweeten the pot. He a can't miss DE
