NFL

Stock up, stock down from NFL combine

Johnson, Peterson show off freakish athleticism; QBs need to step up

Michael Conroy / AP

Receiver Calvin Johnson of Georgia Tech wowed scouts by clocking a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash.

Stock falling
JaMarcus Russell, quarterback, LSU: Russell will be interesting to watch. Many scouts think he is a top-eight talent with questions marks. But Oakland, with the top pick, appears to be leaning toward taking him.

Russell worried some teams because he gained weight from the end of the college season. At 6-6, Russell weighs 265. That’s great for a defensive end but a tad much for a quarterback. In addition to Russell’s weight, there are concerns of his consistency on the field and work ethic. If Oakland doesn’t take him, he could tumble. But Russell can save himself at his workout next month. He says he can throw a football 84 yards. Perhaps his rocket arm will save his standing as the No. 1 pick.

Brady Quinn, quarterback, Notre Dame: Like Russell, Quinn didn’t throw. That is a turn off to teams. It is a particular turnoff for teams who are questioning Quinn anyway. They want to see this kid step up and show he wants to be an NFL star.

At the combine, there were questions of Quinn’s ability to lead. He is a smart kid with a good makeup and playing in Charlie Weis’ system won’t hurt. But Quinn needs to show urgency. He is still a high first-round pick, but Quinn came off a tad soft to some teams at the combine.

Troy Smith, quarterback, Ohio State: Give Smith credit. The Heisman Trophy winner worked out at the combine. Ironically, perhaps he shouldn’t have. Smith was uneven during his throwing drills and looked shaky. He was originally thought of as a high second-round pick. Now Smith is likely in the third or even in the fourth-round rage. There was a worry that Smith may simply be a great college player whose game won’t translate to the pro game. After the weekend, that worry is still there in many war rooms.

Levi Brown, tackle, Penn State: Although Wisconsin’s Joe Thomas solidified himself as a top-3 pick, Brown may have stumbled a bit. He ran a reported 5.4 40-yard dash. That’s not good. He was originally thought to be a top-10 pick. That may change. Look, this kid had a great college career and has a great work ethic — so, he’ll be OK. But he must improve his speed before the draft or he could lose some money.

Bill Williamson writes regularly for MSNBC.com and covers the Broncos and the NFL for the Denver Post.

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