The 2017 NFL Combine is here and 14 Michigan Wolverines are present. We're focusing on the offensive players and breaking down of how they've fared at the Combine. The interviews and medical checks are critical for players, but we're focusing on the measurements and drills, since how the players fared in the interviews and medicals aren't out here.
For some reason, NFL.com hasn't posted the 3-cone drill times on their site for running backs or wide receivers yet. We'll update this once they do. There are 9 defensive players at the Combine, but they have yet to complete their drills. Once they do, we'll do a similar article for the defensive guys. With that out of the way, here's how the Michigan offensive players fared at the Combine.
OT Ben Braden
Height: 6' 6"
Weight: 329 lbs
Arm Length: 34 in
Hand Size: 9 7/8 in
40-Yard Dash: 5.04 secs
Bench Press: 25 reps
Vertical: 28 in
Broad Jump: 8' 10"
3-cone drill: 7.9 secs
Braden won't be a high draft pick in this year's class, but I do think he'll be drafted. He posted quality numbers, highlighted by the sixth best 40-yard dash time. He was also Top 11 in both broad and vertical jump. His arms checked in at 34 inches, which is long enough to be a tackle. However, Braden likely ends up at a guard in the NFL. The tape says he's not that flexible and the slower 3-cone drill time backs that up. He's a backup offensive lineman in the NFL.
WR Amara Darboh
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 214 lbs
Arm Length: 32 5/8 in
Hand Size: 9 7/8 in
40-Yard Dash: 4.45
Bench Press: 17 reps
Vertical: 36 in
Broad Jump: 10' 4"
3-cone drill: N/A
Of the two Michigan wide outs, Darboh looked the best today. He posed an impressive 4.45 40-yard dash, better than he was expected to run and faster than Jehu Chesson. With impressive size, plus a good vertical, bench press and large hands, Darboh really helped his stock. The concern was if Darboh could run well enough to earn the size-speed designation. He did. There's a chance he goes on Day 2 now, as opposed to early Day 3. He profiles as a WR2 in the NFL.
WR Jehu Chesson
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 204 lbs
Hand Size: 9 1/8 in
40-Yard Dash: 4.47
Bench Press: 10 reps
Vertical: 35.5 in
Broad Jump: 11"
3-cone drill: N/A
Chesson likely will go after Darboh, but he had a quality day as well. He's not quite as big as Darboh, but ran a solid 40 yard-dash anyway. However, he posted a pretty poor bench press and has smaller hands than you'd like. But Jim Harbaugh called him the fastest player on Michigan's roster, and Darboh has now posted a faster 40 time (and Jabrill Peppers has yet to run). Chesson didn't hurt his stock really, and a 4.47 40 is still good, but he didn't help it in the way Darboh did. He's a Day 3 pick in a quality WR class.
RB De'Veon Smith
Height: 5' 11 1/8"
Weight: 223 lbs
Hand Size: 9 in
40-Yard Dash: DNP
Bench Press: 22 reps
Vertical: 29 in
Broad Jump: 9' 0"
3-cone drill: N/A
Smith didn’t run the 40, which was not what I wanted to see. He's done well in the pre-draft circuit, but the speed remains a question. He's got the size and strength, but the question remains about his explosiveness (a bad vertical and broad jump didn't help). His tiny hands will cause concerns about fumbles. He did at least look good throughout the drills, but the questions are still. Smith won't be a high draft pick at all, but his 40 time could be the difference between being a mid-to-late Day 3 pick or an undrafted player.
TE Jake Butt
Height: 6' 5 3/4"
Weight: 246 lbs
Arm Length: 32 in
Hand Size: 10 in
40-Yard Dash: DNP
Bench Press: DNP
Vertical: DNP
Broad Jump: DNP
3-cone drill: DNP
Butt isn't doing any drills at the combine thanks to that torn ACL, but he is there for interviews and measurements. He has good height and weight and his hand size is slightly above average. But his arm length is surprisingly short for his size. That's going to affect his ability to win jump balls and block. He measured out somewhat similarly to Brent Celek and Travis Kelce, so perhaps that's his NFL player comparison. The injury will hurt Butt in what is a loaded tight end class. Still, I think he'll end up going on Day 2 and worst case, at the start of Day 3.
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