The 2016 combine is in the books. It was an eventful weekend in Indy. Some players shined, some flopped. Here are my five winners and losers from the 2016 Scouting Combine.

(courtesy of Sports Illustrated)
Carson Wentz

Winners
Carson Wentz, Quarterback, NDSU: Wentz was impressive in the interview process and on the field. He can make every throw in the playbook and he looks athletic on the move. By all accounts, he was even better in the classroom. He impressed coaches and scouts with his knowledge and confidence. If Wentz has a strong workout at his pro day, he’ll be the first quarterback taken.

Keith Marshall, Running Back, Georgia: A 4.31 40 time and bench pressing 225, 25 times will get people’s attention. It got Adidas’ attention. They gave Marshall a $50,000 dollar check for running the fastest forty time at the combine. At 5-11ish and 220, Marshall has the size and the speed to be a starting running back in the NFL. He needs to prove he can stay healthy. He had two major knee injuries in college.

Nick Vannett, Tight End, Ohio State: Vannett didn’t run the forty yard dash but he impressed coaches and scouts with his on-field workout. This tight end class is weak. With a strong showing at his pro-day, Vannett could potentially go in either round two or three.

Jason Spriggs, Offensive tackle, Indiana: Spriggs had a tremendous weekend. He tested well and the mesurables matched up. He’s got the look of a future left tackle. Coming into this weekend, Spriggs was projecting as a second round pick but thanks to his performance at the combine, he could go in the bottom of the first round. 6-6, 300 pound left tackles with great feet are hard to find. Spriggs made himself some money this weekend.

Marquez North, Wide Receiver, Tennessee: North ran a 4.48 forty and had a vertical jump of 35 inches. He measured in at 6-2 1/2 and 223 pounds. Couple all of that with an impressive on field workout and North moved up teams draft boards. The receivers had a bad weekend. North was the exception. He made himself some money this weekend. He has the look of a starting wide receiver at the next level.

Noah Spence

Losers
Jaylon Smith, Linebacker, Notre Dame: When scouts and personnel directors feel bad for you, that’s not good. Smith suffered a horrific knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl and there is a good chance he doesn’t play in 2016. Some teams have taken him off their boards completely. I would be shocked if Smith went before the fifth round. Its really sad because prior to the injury, he was a top ten pick.

Noah Spence, Defensive End, Eastern Kentucky: The former Ohio State product was drawing comparisons to Von Miller and Khalil Mack all weekend long but when it was go time, Spence disappointed. He ran a 4.8 forty and didn’t look as explosive as he does on film. Factor in the off the field issues and Spence’s stock took a hit this weekend. Spence did have a solid Senior Bowl and he jumps out on film. He still might be worth taking a chance on in the second round but I don’t think he’s a first rounder right now.

Cardale Jones, Quarterback, Ohio State: Coming up lame in the forty because of hamstring pull is not good. Factor in that Jones didn’t finish the combine and he has weight and consistency issues and you could see why he might go undrafted.

Robert Nkemdiche, Defensive Tackle, Ole Miss: Nkemdiche had a great workout but he bombed in the interview process. Teams looking for help on defense are really going to have to take a close look at his character and do a through back ground check on him before drafting him. Nkemdiche came off as out of touch and dumb in my opinion. There is big time boom or bust potential with him.

Big Name Running Backs: Some of the bigger names at the position did well but other big names struggled. Arkansas’ Alex Collins, Florida’s Kelvin Taylor and UCLA’s Paul Perkins all ran slow and looked blah in the drills portion. None of them stuck out. It was disappointing to see because all three backs had productive college careers.