I freely admit to being fascinated by the NFL Scouting Combine, especially now that you can see the workouts on the NFL Network. But it is strange how the status of players can change so dramatically based on workouts in shorts.
The classic example this year has been Miami cornerbacks Brandon Harris and DeMarcus Van Dyke.
Harris was the better college player by a long margin. He ran a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash, which is very good, but not off the charts. He measured under 5-10 in height. In contrast, Van Dyke ran the fastest 40 time at the combine - 4.28. He is much taller than Harris (6-1), but not nearly as stout.
But don't be surprised if Van Dyke's stock sky rockets, and I do wonder if that of Harris will fall.
Football is not played with just straight-line speed, especially at cornerback, where is based so much on the ability to turn quickly and adjust to breaks by receivers, and the flight of the ball.
In the drills where this was demonstrated, it was Harris was the better corner. He is fast enough and big enough. I think he is the third best cornerback in this draft behind only LSU's Patrick Peterson (he was great at the combine), and Nebraska's Prince Amukamara, who worked out exceptionally well. Harris could be worthy of the Lions' selecting him 13th overall in the first round.
I also like Harris more as a potential NFL player than Colorado's Jimmy Smith for the same reasons. Smith is bigger and faster, but does not have nearly the same agility.