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Many of the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine invites have been earned All America honors at their positions for their performances during the season. Even so, they have trained long and hard to prepare for the all-important Scouting Combine where they show off their skills and athleticism in for scouts and coaches from around the NFL.
Those who excel can gain the attention of teams and raise their draft stock. After all, to be in the NFL, you have to be the best of the best and part of that is being an elite athlete.
With that in mind, here is the 2013 Al Davis Memorial All-Combine Freak 1st team offense:
EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State
At 6-5, 237 pounds, he is one of the most imposing quarterbacks at the combine. He also had the largest hands of any of the quarterbacks. In throwing drills, he showed great arm strength and a quick release. In the athletic drills, he was in the top five in every single category he performed including 2nd fastest 40-yard dash (4.65), the best vertical leap (34.0), 2nd in the broad jump (9'10"), and 2nd in the 20-yard shuttle (4.21). Geno Smith beat him in many of the athletic drills but Manuel gets the nod for his size and arm strength - two things Al Davis coveted in his quarterbacks.
Onterio McCalebb, RB, Auburn
His 40-yard dash (4.34) was good for the second best in this year's combine. It's so fast, it is third among running backs at the combine in the past 8 years - just .01 slower than Raiders top pick, Darren McFadden. McCalebb didn't do a whole lot more worth noting, but oh that sexy 40-yard dash.
Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M
His 40-yard dash time wasn't in the top five but only .05 of a second separated him and the top backs. He more than made up for it in other areas, though. Most impressive was having the best vertical leap (43.0) among running backs over the past 8 years and the best at any position in this year's combine. He also had the best 20-yard shuttle (4.02), and best 3-cone (6.69), as well as the 2nd best broad jump (10'5") and 4th most reps on the bench press (27). His athleticism is apparent and it showed in his position drills as well.
Marquis Goodwin, WR, Texas
This Olympian had the fastest 40-yard dash (4.27) among wide receivers in the past eight years and it was second only to running back Chris Johnson (4.24) at any position. He showed he wasn't just speed when he posted the 2nd best broad jump (11'0"). He also showed good hands and at 5-9, he reminds people a lot of one Jacoby Ford. After all, it was Ford's combine best 4.28 that Goodwin surpassed to take the title.
Da'Rick Rogers, WR, Tennessee Tech
Showed the best combination of size (6-2, 217) and athleticism. He didn't run the 40-yard dash, opting instead to run it at his pro day, but he did show incredible athleticism in just about every other workout he performed. He was in the top five in every speed drill as well as having the best vertical leap (39.5) and the 2nd best broad jump (11'0") among wide receivers.
Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
Eifert was already considered the top tight end in this draft. He confirmed that standing with his combine performance. He was in the top five among tight ends in every single combine drill including the best 3-cone drill (6.92), 2nd in the vertical leap (35.5), broad jump (9'11"), and 60-yard shuttle (11'52). He came in 4th among tight ends in the 40-yard dash (4.68). He had nothing to prove as far as his hands were concerned as he was already a first round tight end product.
Terron Armstead, OT, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Set a new combine record among offensive linemen in the 40-yard dash (4.71). He is a former tight end so it makes sense. But moving a 6-5, 306 pound frame that fast is uncommon to say the least. He also had the best vertical leap (34.5) and was 4th in the broad jump (9'4").
Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
If it weren't for Armstead's 4.71 40-yard dash, everyone would be talking about Johnson's 4.72 40-yard dash. For some perspective, Combine Freak and former Raiders draft pick Bruce Campbell ran a then best 4.85 40-yard dash which was considered fantastic at the time. Johnson also had the best broad jump (9'10"), was 2nd in the vertical leap (34.0), 2nd in the 3-cone (7.31), and 5th in the 20-yard shuttle (4.52). Oh, and he is 6-6, 303 pounds with an arm span of 35 ¼ inches. That is a freakish athlete.
Kyle Long, OG, Oregon
He had the 3rd fastest 40-yard dash (4.94) among offensive linemen. And being the son of one Howie Long certainly helps him in the Al Davis book. He was the starter in his only season for the Fiesta Bowl Champion Oregon Ducks. He is showed a lot of potential and his upside has him projected to go as high as round 2.
Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
Cooper has the approval of Mike Mayock who thinks he is one of the top prospects in this draft. He showed his strength when he had the 2nd most reps on the bench press (35). Having great speed is not a concern with this 313 pound lineman because he is a pure power blocker. That being said, his 5.07 40-yard dash was still very good for a man of his size and frame.
Brian Schwenke, C, California
The most athletic center in the draft. The 6-3, 313 pound offensive lineman had the 6th fastest 40-yard dash (4.99) and the 2nd best time in the 3-cone drill (7.31). Along with that speed, he showed great footwork. He switched to center as a senior at Cal and it has raised his value. He has the movement skills of a guard with the smarts and skills of a center. Being a former Cal Bear would have helped his stock with Al Davis as he likes his local products.
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