Ryan Mallett hasn't been the most impressive quarterback in this pre-draft season—that changed Sunday afternoon.
The Arkansas Razorback QB spun the football with ease and completed passes to the combine wideouts as if they had been working together for years. His strong arm was complemented by a deft touch that many doubted he possessed.
When push comes to shove, Mallett will do more for himself in private interviews than on the field, but a good effort in Indianapolis was certainly useful.
Other news and rumors from the NFL Scouting Combine:
Jake Locker (QB Washington) also had a great workout on the Lucas Oil Field. Moreover, his athleticism was on display with a 4.59 40-yard-dash. Other good workouts included: Colin Kaepernick (QB Nevada) and Christian Ponder (QB Florida State).
On the flip side, Cam Newton (QB Auburn) had a shaky workout, missing high on a number of occasions. His coach George Whitfield, a renowned QB guru, isn't worried about the performance—pointing out its nice to miss high rather than low.
In the running back class, Mark Ingram (RB Alabama) did what was needed to remain the top guy on a lot of team's boards, but the big number of the day was Da'Rel Scott (RB Maryland) with a 4.34.
Jacquizz Rodgers (RB Oregon State) ran a 4.64. Not bad, unless you remember Rodgers is extremely small at 5'5". He needed to run extremely fast to stay on many draft boards at all. Once considered a second round pick, Rodgers could be looking north of the border come April.
For the wide receivers, Julio Jones (WR Alabama) posted the most eye-popping time at 4.39. He didn't surpass AJ Green (WR Georgia) as the top wideout, but he priced himself out of the market of a lot of mid-round teams. Jones could be one of the top trade up targets in this draft.
In the combine buzz department: AJ Hawk (LB Green Bay) appears more and more likely to be headed to free agency, so do Clinton Portis (RB Washington) and Sidney Rice (WR Minnesota). The Carolina Panthers have a lot of needs, but many feel they've targeted Cam Newton and it would take quite a bit to change their mind. Nick Fairley (DL Auburn) could be in for a free fall if he doesn't convince a team that he has passable character. Detroit has been talking to numerous linebacking prospects, just no one likely to go in the first round.
Michael Schottey is an on-call editor for the Bleacher Report College Writing Internship, an NFL Featured Columnist and an NFL Draft Expert. A member of the Pro Football Writers of America, he has professionally covered the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions, as well as NFL events like the Scouting Combine and the Senior Bowl. Follow him on Twitter.
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