If you like speed, then you liked Day 4 at the Combine. A receiver set a record and the TEs as a group proved to be speed demons. Here are four observations from Day 4 of the Combine…
John Ross is fast
Former University of Washington receiver John Ross said on Friday he expected to run a sub-4.3 in the 40-yard dash. On Saturday, he did it. Ross was officially timed at 4.22, breaking the all-time Combine record of 4.24 previously held by Chris Johnson. Ross was already regarded as a first-round pick, and his 40-yard dash time only solidifies his stock as such.
Reuben Foster is gone
One of the draft's best players has left the Combine early, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Details about Foster's early departure were not disclosed by NFL Media, but Foster was not going to participate in drills anyway because of a recent surgery he underwent. The bad news is one of the class' best players saw his Combine experience end early. The good news is that, according to NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock, it shouldn't adversely impact his stock.
"Unless it becomes more than what we've heard, I don't think it's really going to impact him," Mayock said.
Bucky Hodges is explosive
The vertical leap defines how high one can jump. The broad jump defines how far one can jump. Combine them, and many believe you can define how explosive one is in the lower body. To that end, former Virginia Tech TE Temuchin "Bucky" Hodges was as explosive a player as there was on the field Saturday. Hodges was a top performer in each category, registering a 39.0-inch vertical leap and an 11"2' broad jump, both tops in the TE group. For good measure, Hodges was also a top performer among TEs in the 40-yard dash, finishing fifth in the position group with a 4.58 time.
Jets draft picks are available
The New York Jets have been a team in the headlines quite a bit recently, and they were again on Saturday because their GM, Mike Maccagnan, said all of their picks are available.
"We're open for business in every round. If someone wants to move up in any particular round, call us up," Maccagnan said.
The Jets have the No. 6 pick in the first round, a spot that is likely much too high for the Vikings to reach considering their first selection is in the second round (No. 48 overall). But the Jets do have a second-round pick (No. 39) and two in the third-round (No. 70 and No. 107).
