The door has shut on this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. And despite an impressive group of Penn State players, a pair of whom are expected to become first-round draft picks, the Nittany Lions didn’t generate much buzz in on-field workouts in Indianapolis. There remains, however, a number of intriguing storylines and takeaways revolving around the program from last week.
What did we learn about the Nittany Lions from the scouting combine?
Abdul Carter in Mix for No. 1 Overall Pick
The Tennessee Titans are on the clock with over a month until April’s draft, and it’s unclear exactly what direction they’ll go in when the time comes. Tennessee could draft a quarterback with the top selection or trade down and do the same. Or, the Titans could use the first pick to draft who many project as the best overall player in this year’s draft, Penn State’s Abdul Carter.
Carter, a consensus All-American at defensive end, didn’t participate in on-field workouts as he recovers from a shoulder injury sustained against Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl and a stress reaction in his foot. But, after it was decided Carter wouldn’t undergo surgery on his foot, he announced his intentions to showcase his skills at the Nittany Lions’ Pro Day on March 28.
Carter has the opportunity to become Penn State’s first No. 1 overall pick since Courtney Brown. And Carter believes the top spot is his to lose. When asked why he feels he deserves the first pick, he said, “I feel like I’m the best player in the country and the best player should be selected No. 1.”
Is Tyler Warren Draft’s Top Tight End?
There was no tight end who garnered a crowd as packed as Tyler Warren when it came to addressing the media last week. Whether Warren, the reigning Mackey Award winner, will be a first-round selection is hardly a question. It’s now a matter of just how early he could come off the board. Some project him as a top-10 pick, and few see him dropping out of the top 20.
Warren didn’t compete in on-field drills, either. But that shouldn’t impact his draft stock, especially considering his main competition to become the first tight end selected didn’t either. Michigan’s Coloston Loveland, despite a dislocated shoulder, remains a highly sought after prospect and could challenge the versatile Warren’s placing.
“What I try to be as a player is unselfish. Whether it’s catching 15 passes in a game or having 100 run block reps, I’m going to do either of those things to the best of my ability,” Warren said. “If we win, I’m going to be happy either way.”
Jaylen Reed Wows in 40-Yard Dash
The lone Nittany Lion who ran the 40-yard dash in Indianapolis, safety Jaylen Reed was officially clocked at 4.49 seconds, a promising speed that should help boost his draft stock. Reed told reporters at the combine he views himself as a Round 2-4 selection, and admitted that he takes seventh-round projections “under” his “belt.”
Reed, Penn State’s leading tackler this past season, also clocked a 1.51 second 10-yard split, jumped a 33.5-inch vertical and completed 19 reps on the bench press. His athleticism score, per the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, ranked No. 8 out of all safeties at the combine.
Penn State’s Pro Day Should Bring More Entertainment
There were five Nittany Lions invited to the combine, and only Reed ran the 40-yard dash. Kobe King, the program’s starting middle linebacker over the past two seasons, participated in only position drills while safety Kevin Winston Jr. joined Carter and Warren in sitting out all on-field events.
Winston is still recovering from a torn ACL, but said based on how his body feels, he wants to run the 40-yard dash at Penn State’s Pro Day on March 28. With Carter also expected to participate, the on-campus showcase could be a more entertaining event for those interested in drafting Nittany Lions.
The Pro Day will also give those Penn State players who were not invited to the combine, such as offensive lineman Sal Wormley, defensive end Amin Vanover, cornerback Jalen Kimber and more, an opportunity to showcase their skills.
