INDIANAPOLIS -- Daniel Jeremiah is in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, checking out prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft. Here is the latest scuttlebutt from Lucas Oil Stadium ...
» Chance Warmack was a little bit smaller than expected. He measured in at 6-foot-2 and weighed 317 pounds. In the past five NFL drafts, nine interior offensive linemen were selected in the first round. Danny Watkins, the Philadelphia Eagles' 2011 selection, was the shortest of the nine, measuring in at 6-3 3/8. However, any concerns about Warmack's lack of height were quickly alleviated when his arm length was measured at 34 3/4 inches.
» Another Alabama offensive lineman created a stir at Thursday's weigh-ins.D.J. Fluker weighed in at 339 pounds, 16 pounds lighter than he was at the Senior Bowl last month. There is a debate among evaluators regarding Fluker's ideal pro position, with some believing he lacks the athleticism to play offensive tackle. This weight loss is a good sign that he's recognized the need to improve his foot quickness in order to remain at the tackle position on NFL draft boards.
» Every year, the combine proves to be a coming-out party for a few small-school prospects. One such prospect was the talk of the town following the morning weigh-ins. Azusa Pacific offensive tackle Luke Marquardt was labeled by just about everyone in attendance as the most impressive physical specimen. He checked in at 6-foot-8 1/2 and 315 pounds and had 34 1/2-inch arms. When I asked for a body-type comparison, I was given two names: Ivan Drago from Rocky IV and former professional wrestler Sid Vicious. Those weren't the names I was expecting!
» Jarvis Jones' decision to pass on working out didn't surprise many folks in Indianapolis. Over the past few weeks, I've been told by numerous sources that Jones won't test very well in the 40-yard dash or vertical jump. If that is the case, it isn't surprising that he will wait until his pro day to run and jump for NFL scouts. The extra training time might help Jones improve his testing numbers, but the stakes will be high in Athens, Ga. If he underwhelms in that workout, Jones won't have a fallback option to redeem himself.
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» This is shaping up to be an excellent draft for teams in need of a tight end. Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert (6-5 1/2, 250 pounds), Stanford's Zach Ertz (6-5, 249) and San Diego State's Gavin Escobar (6-5 7/8, 254) passed the eyeball test at the weigh-ins. They are very talented on tape and proved to have ideal size/bulk for the position. Cincinnati's Travis Kelce (6-4 7/8, 255) is a name to monitor during the week. He is by far the best blocking tight end in this draft. A good workout could net a second-round draft slot in April.
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