5. Joe Mixon (running back, Oklahoma)
330 college players were invited to the 2017 NFL Combine, but Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon was not one of them — and for good reason. Mixon, of course, was caught on video in 2014 brutally assaulting fellow Oklahoma student Amelia Molitor.
But Mixon’s non-invite is sort of a double-edged sword for the NFL. There’s sound reason why he was banned, but in the same breath, the expectation is that he’ll still be drafted and playing in the league a year from now. So ultimately, the only thing the NFL is doing is preventing scouts from discussing Mixon’s transgression in a face-to-face setting.
With a black eye still impacting the NFL due to Ray Rice’s violent assault of his fiancee and Adrian Peterson’s excessive discipline of his son, it’s no real surprise they’d want to distance themselves from further controversy. But Mixon is a talented player at a position that remains a premium despite its devalued draft stock.
How much will Mixon missing the combine hurt his NFL Draft value? That remains to be seen because the talented 6-foot-1, 227-pound running back will still take the field at Oklahoma’s Pro Day. Some are saying he could end up undrafted.
4. Jake Butt (tight end, Michigan)
Technically, Jake Butt is attending the NFL Combine, but two months removed from surgery to repair a torn ACL — his second ACL tear in the same knee over a three-year span — he will not be participating in any on-field drills or evaluations.
Despite the fact that he’ll be on crutches, Butt, who was one of 14 Michigan players invited to the combine, still sees potential value in showing up, being measured and conducting interviews with team scouts. And that’s a smart move for a proven talent, although he truly would have benefited further by being able to participate.
Initially projected as a second-round talent, Butt has seen his stock drop drastically in the face of his latest injury. In fact, some now have the 6-foot-6, 249-pound Butt projected to go as late as the fifth round — a dramatic fall for an otherwise extremely talented player.
But therein lies the genius in Butt’s decision to attend. It will give scouts a firsthand look at his injury, and an opportunity to talk openly with him and get a feel for his desire to succeed at the next level. And while he won’t be able to improve his draft stock on the field, he’s at least giving himself an opportunity to move up a few spots.
3. Malik Hooker (safety, Ohio State)
Malik Hooker is an athletic freak of nature, which has warranted his nickname “Malik the Freak.” Unfortunately for Hooker, he will not have the opportunity to showcase said athleticism at the NFL Combine due to offseason core muscle and hip labrum surgeries.
A gifted athlete, Hooker may suffer from his inability to participate at the combine. Despite his obvious skills, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound safety is still relatively raw in some aspects of his game and could have used some good metrics to help his cause.
With a projected recovery timetable of 4-6 months, whatever team drafts Hooker won’t be able to see what they truly have on a live field until at least June, and possibly not until August.
Either way, Hooker should still be a top-10 or top-15 pick — something that would have easily been guaranteed had he been able to participate in the combine.
2. Ryan Ramczyk (offensive tackle, Wisconsin)
The NFL Combine could have helped propel Wisconsin offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk up several draft boards, but instead, he’ll be sidelined following surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip. As a result, other players like Alabama’s Cam Robinson and USC’s Zach Banner could potentially leap-frog Ramczyk heading into the Pro Day schedule.
Despite his injury, the 6-foot-6, 313-pound Ramczyk is still projected to be a first-round pick come the 2017 NFL Draft, and rightfully so.
Ramczyk has caught the eye of scouts with his tremendous 2016 game film, which has consistently shown impressive technique for a college player, good hands, good angles and solid footwork. Ultimately, he not only projects as a first-round pick, but an immediate starter at tackle in the NFL.
“When you turn on the film of Ramczyk he’s very technically sound. He has the traits there as far as physical traits, and then when you marry that with how technically sound he is in almost every aspect it just jumps off the screen,” Duke Manyweather said during an appearance on Breaking the Plane podcast in mid-February.
At the end of the day, Ramczyk’s value will hinge on his recovery and medical records.
1. Corey Davis (wide receiver, Western Michigan)
Corey Davis is not only the best wide receiver prospect entering the NFL Draft, but he is also arguably one of the best players who will be available come April. Unfortunately, he won’t have the opportunity to prove that in Indianapolis as he’s expected to miss many drills due to an ankle injury suffered during training. However, Davis is at the combine and was measured on Thursday.
At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Davis already has the size necessary to compete with some of the NFL’s more physical cornerbacks, and should provide a nice downfield target for whatever team ultimately calls his name. He’s also widely considered one of the most polished receivers available, having put up big numbers in college and rounded out his route-running early. Davis’ projected 4.4 40-yard speed certainly doesn’t hurt his case, either.
But missing combine drills will. Davis not being on the field for action opens the door for players like Clemson’s Mike Williams and Washington’s John Ross, who will look to capitalize during his absence.
