NFL: Players whose stock is on rise from Combine
By Rick Gosselin
The Dallas Morning News
Five on the rise coming out of the combine:
1. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
CB, Tennessee State
The NFL doesn't get excited too often about small-college products. But Rodgers-Cromartie is a cousin of Antonio Cromartie, who was a recent first-round draft pick and led the NFL in interceptions in 2007. Dominique looks rail thin, but he weighed a surprising 184 pounds at the combine and lit up the workout, running a 4.33 40-yard dash and topping all cornerbacks with a 38›-inch vertical jump.
2. Offensive tackles.
This class of blockers starts with Jake Long but doesn't end there. Ryan Clady (Montana), Jeff Otah (Pitt), Gosder Cherilus (Boston College) and Brandon Albert (Virginia) all jumped out at Indianapolis. Teams will be drafting wide- bodied tackles with the potential to become starters through seven rounds. "This is the best group of offensive tackles I've seen," said Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert, who has spent 24 years in the NFL.
3. Speed.
The NFL thought the 2007 class of cornerbacks was fast with eight running in the 4.3s at the combine. This year there were 13, led by the 4.31s of Penn State's Justin King and Connecticut's Tyvon Branch. In all, 22 players at the combine ran 40s under 4.4, led by the 4.24 of East Carolina running back Chris Johnson. Georgia defensive end Marcus Howard ran a 4.47, as did Georgia Tech linebacker Gary Guyton.
4. DeSean Jackson
WR, California
Jackson was among the speedsters turning in a 40 time in the 4.3s. He's on the draft board as a wideout, but his speed will also make him attractive to teams in need of a kick returner. Jackson set a Pac-10 record with six career punt returns for touchdowns and also returned a kickoff for a score. Jackson caught 162 career passes.
5. Joe Flacco
QB, Delaware
Flacco has the strongest arm in this draft. He started his career at Pitt before transferring to Delaware, so he has major-college skill. He has touch and accuracy to go with his arm strength. Flacco completed 63 percent of his passes in 2007 with only five interceptions.
