10 Players Who Raised Their Stock At the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine

By Shawn Spencer

10 Players Who Raised Their Stock At the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine

Dante Fowler Florida — How a prospect performs at the Combine isn't supposed to surprise NFL teams. All it's supposed to do is confirm what is seen on tape. However, with more than 300 players at the event, a few are going to stand out. Here are the 10 prospects who raised their stock at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine.

10. Maxx Williams (TE-Minnesota)

Maxx Williams Minnesota

10. Maxx Williams (TE-Minnesota)

Maxx Williams Minnesota — Maxx Williams was already the No. 1 TE prospect headed into the Combine. On the first day of workouts, he extended the gap between himself and every other TE. Miami's Clive Walford is the No. 2 TE on my board, and he's ranked about 50 picks behind Williams. The Minnesota TE was by far the best in position drills, and he was among the top performers in most of the workout drills. A team like the Denver Broncos may target him at the end of Round 1.

9. Dante Fowler Jr. (DE/OLB-Florida)

Dante Fowler Florida

9. Dante Fowler Jr. (DE/OLB-Florida)

Dante Fowler Florida — Dante Fowler Jr. has been on a roll in 2015. First, he played the game of his life against East Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl. He sacked Shane Carden three times in the Gators' victory. He's carried that momentum into February, as he had a great Combine. While other prospects such as Vic Beasley, Randy Gregory and possibly Shane Ray will be forced into an OLB role in the NFL, Fowler has the size and speed to play all over the front seven.

8. Jerry Lovelocke (QB-Prairie View A&M)

Jerry Lovelocke Prairie View

8. Jerry Lovelocke (QB-Prairie View A&M)

Jerry Lovelocke Prairie View — While I didn't have Jerry Lovelocke among my top-20 QB prospects before the Combine, I do now. While several more highly-regarded quarterbacks struggled, Lovelocke threw the ball very well in the passing drills. At 6-foot-4, 248 pounds, he has the size that teams covet. He also showed some mobility this year, as he ran for 10 touchdowns. Like most FCS quarterbacks, he needs to work on accuracy, but he's a developmental prospect to watch.

7. Jaelen Strong (WR-Arizona State)

Jaelen Strong Arizona State

7. Jaelen Strong (WR-Arizona State)

Jaelen Strong Arizona State — Jaelen Strong has been near the top of my WR rankings all year. While many see Strong as a second-round pick, I currently have him as the No. 3 WR behind DeVante Parker and Kevin White. He's not the fastest receiver available, but he uses his body to get open as well as any other receiver in the draft. He also makes the most of his height as he high-points the ball extremely well. His performance this weekend proved he belongs in the first round.

6. Brett Hundley (QB-UCLA)

Brett Hundley UCLA

6. Brett Hundley (QB-UCLA)

Brett Hundley UCLA — Brett Hundley could have stayed in Los Angeles this week and improved his stock. No other QB came close to challenging Hundley for the No. 3 QB ranking. Bryce Petty struggled on intermediate routes, Shane Carden was extremely erratic, and Garrett Grayson didn't throw. Hundley was already one of the more athletic quarterbacks, but he impressed in the passing drills as well. He has a Round 2 grade, but could be a trade target at the end of Round 1.

5. Jake Fisher (OT-Oregon)

Jake Fisher Oregon

5. Jake Fisher (OT-Oregon)

Jake Fisher Oregon — While he was forced to move to the left side this season at Oregon, Jake Fisher is a natural right tackle. He added some weight this offseason and he carried it well. Fisher ran the second best 40-yard dash among offensive linemen. As expected, he excelled in the agility drills, but the most impressive aspect of his Combine was the 23 reps he put up on the bench press. His performance at the Combine secured his spot in Round 2.

4. David Johnson (RB-Northern Iowa)

David Johnson Northern Iowa

4. David Johnson (RB-Northern Iowa)

David Johnson Northern Iowa — In what turned out to be a very disappointing day for running backs, David Johnson proved to be a legitimate NFL prospect. With Todd Gurley, Tevin Coleman and David Cobb sitting out, Johnson shined. He finished in the top-5 in five of his six workout drills, and executed position drills to near perfection. It wouldn't be a stretch to say he was the top RB on the field other than Melvin Gordon. He has a fifth-round grade, but is trending upwards.

3. Eric Kendricks (ILB-UCLA)

Eric Kendricks UCLA

3. Eric Kendricks (ILB-UCLA)

Eric Kendricks UCLA — With the top inside linebackers Eric Kendricks, Benardrick McKinney and Denzel Perryman so closely ranked, the Combine was an opportunity for someone to stand out. That someone was Eric Kendricks. He was much more explosive than the other two, as indicated by his 40-yard dash and broad jump. He also looked much more comfortable in the position drills. If an ILB is going to be drafted in the first round, all indications are it will be Kendricks.

2. Ali Marpet (OL-Hobart)

Ali Marpet Hobart

2. Ali Marpet (OL-Hobart)

Ali Marpet Hobart — As impressive as Ali Marpet was at the Senior Bowl, he was even more impressive at the Combine. He ranked first or second among linemen in every speed and agility drill, and surprised with 30 bench press reps. No one knows for sure which position he will play in the NFL, but he appears to have the versatility of a Zack Martin. My evaluation of Marpet isn't complete, but as of now, I have him rated as an early Day 3 selection.

1. Byron Jones (CB-Connecticut)

Byron Jones Connecticut

1. Byron Jones (CB-Connecticut)

Byron Jones Connecticut — Recovering from a torn labrum, Byron Jones was unable to run the 40-yard dash. Still, his performance will go down as one of the best in Combine history. He finished first among defensive backs in the 60-yard shuttle, vertical and broad jump. His broad jump of 12-feet-3 inches is longer than the Olympic record. He also finished third in the short shuttle and fifth in the three cone drill. Running a 4.4 at his pro day will place him in Round 2.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Related:
2015 NFL Combine: Biggest Takeaways From Feb. 23
2015 NFL Combine: Biggest Takeaways From Feb. 22

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