Detroit Lions 2012 NFL Combine Preview – Part 2

Here is part two of our NFL scouting combine primer with NFL Mocks co-editor Jesse Bartolis. Check out part one if you missed it earlier.

Zac Snyder: Guys that figure to be near the top of the draft get a lot of headlines but who are some that will probably go in the mid to late rounds that could be good fits for the Lions?

Jesse Bartolis:

Jake Bequette, DE, Arkansas

A really solid defensive end with pass rushing ability. The Lions seem to be having a little trouble here with Cliff Avril and Bequette could come in and provide snaps at DE this year. He has battled injuries, especially this past season so his stock is down a bit.

Aaron Henry, S, Wisconsin

Henry is an inconsistent but talented safety prospect I think can eventually develop into a starting safety in the NFL. He has good range

Terrell Manning, LB, NCState

A rangy weakside linebacker type who plays bigger on the field than he is.

Darius Fleming, LB, Norte Dame

Another guy I think impresses at the combine and a guy who has some natural pass rushing ability with pretty good size. Could be a nice fit as a Sam for the Lions.

Zac Snyder: If you had to guess, which prospect ends up being the star of the combine?

Jesse Bartolis: I think Alshon Jefferey will be in shape and run a lot faster than people think he will brace that with his terrific size and really bad QB play on his team and he gets back into the top 16 conversation again. On the flip side if the rumors about him being really out of shape are true he could be the star for a bad reason. IF he runs. A lot of top prospects don’t.

Russell Wilson the quarterback out of Wisconsin is short and that hurts his stock. But he’s a terrific athlete and if he throws at the combine he could impress and have people wondering if he’s the next Drew Brees.

Chris Rainey the Florida Running back is aiming to break Chris Johnson’s 40 yard dash time. If he did that he’d probably steal the headlines.

Zac Snyder: Anything else Lions fans should know going in to the combine?

Jesse Bartolis: Remember a lot of what is important at the combine we won’t be privy to. That is the interview process, the medical checks and the like. You can’t ignore what happens at the combine, but the important information you need to know about a player plays is out there already. What he did on the field won’t change on the combine.

Fast players will run fast, good players like Hightower and Kuechly who aren’t special athletes won’t test well, but that’s ok. What you really look out for is a player who does something much different than you’re expecting. When that happens you go back and rewatch the player to see if it was there all the time and you just missed it.

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