The SEC’s Combine Winners And Losers

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There must be a blue million of these “combine winners and losers” pieces floating around the internet today.  I figured I’d share with you one that you might have missed.

Russ Lande of The Sporting News posted his victors and vanquished on offense and defense last night and the SEC players who made his lists are as follows:

Geno Atkins, DT, Georgia — WINNER
Personnel men were impressed with him at the Senior Bowl.  And after he looked bigger than expected and bench-pressed 225 pounds a surprising 34 times and showed great athleticism in drills Monday, he is a second-round lock who could sneak into the bottom of the first round.

Eric Berry, S, Tennessee — WINNER
He already was a top prospect on most every team’s draft board, but his display of elite athleticism, body control and coordination likely pushed him into the top five of the draft.

Jeff Owens, NT, Georgia — WINNER
After the season, Owens was viewed as a solid third- or fourth-round prospect, but he then dominated at the Senior Bowl and moved into second-round consideration.  At the Combine, he no doubt looked better than the other top nose tackles — Tennessee’s Dan Williams and Alabama’s Terrence Cody — and could slip into the bottom of the first round.

Joe Haden, CB, Florida — LOSER
He was the nearly unanimous #1 cornerback heading into the Combine, but some surely will question that after his 4.57-second 40-yard dash Tuesday.  He showed poor technique Tuesday but looks faster and more athletic on film, and our opinion of him won’t change.  That said, general managers drafting top 10 might be scared off by Tuesday’s poor performance.  The pressure is surely on to show marked improvement at his on-campus workout March 17th.

Brandon LaFell, WR, LSU — LOSER
He had a disappointing senior season and then failed to show quickness and speed Sunday.  He showed only adequate explosiveness and speed at the Combine and thus certainly will fall out of the first round.

Kendrick Lewis, S, Ole Miss — LOSER
Scouts around the league have been glowing about Lewis since the start of the ‘09 season, and many NFL evaluators have given him second-round grades.  He struggled Tuesday at the Combine, and his stock could really suffer.  Safeties who run the 40 in more than 4.7 seconds historically become late-round picks regardless of their on-field play.