INDIANAPOLIS -- Sunday certainly didn't lack excitement at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine, with the offensive skill players hitting the field at Lucas Oil Stadium. I concentrated on two positions: quarterback and wide receiver. Here are three notables at each spot ...
Rising stocks
EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State: Manuel continued to ride the momentum he generated at the Senior Bowl, where he took home Most Outstanding Player honors. He ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash among the quarterbacks (4.65) and put together a consistent passing session during the field workout. Manuel struggled to repeat the same delivery and footwork on college tape, but he was much more consistent in both areas during the workout. During the fall, I didn't talk to any NFL evaluators who had him higher than the third round, but now there's talk that he will come off the board by the middle of Round 2.
Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia: This explosive playmaker was the star of the day. He didn't quite run as fast as Texas wide receiver Marquise Goodman (4.27), but his time of 4.34 created quite a buzz in the building. Additionally, I loved his combination of explosiveness and preciseness as a route runner during the field workout. Despite his lack of ideal size (5-foot-8 1/2, 174 pounds), he has shown enough to warrant a first-round selection. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a multitude of needs to fill on the defensive side of the ball, but I would think Austin has to be in the discussion for their selection at No. 17. He would be an outstanding candidate to replace Mike Wallace (should he depart via free agency).
Status quo
Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia: Smith arrived at the combine as the top quarterback in this year's draft, and nothing has changed following his performance on the field. Smith started off the day with the fastest QB 40 time (4.59) and finished it with a solid field workout. I watched a few more of his games in the last two days, and I was disappointed in his footwork. I didn't see any of those same issues during Sunday's session. It's obvious he has worked hard to correct his flaws in this area.
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee: Patterson did nothing to disappoint during his time on the Lucas Oil Stadium turf. He ran a 4.42 40, despite having a slight stumble at the 10-yard mark. (He found another gear over the final 20 yards of the test.) During the field workout, Patterson didn't "wow," but he showed impressive burst, the ability to quickly get in/out of his break and reliable hands. This draft doesn't contain a surefire stud at wide receiver in the mold of A.J. Green or Julio Jones, but Patterson has the potential to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber pass catcher.
Sleeper alert!
Matt Scott, QB, Arizona: A very interesting quarterback right here. He was only a one-year, full-time starter at the University of Arizona, but he has a highly intriguing skill set. Scott showed off his arm talent during East-West Shrine Game practices and was among the most impressive passers during Sunday's workout. He has a smooth drop, quick release and plenty of velocity to make all of the throws. He's also plenty athletic enough to run the zone-read at the next level, as evidenced by his game film and workout numbers (4.69 40 time).
Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M: Swope put up impressive numbers during his college career, but he was still riding below the radar because of the number of talented players on his college squad. He did his best to step out of the shadows with an impressive performance on Sunday afternoon. Swope ran a blazing 4.34 40 and also posted a 37-inch vertical jump. He dropped a few balls during the field workout, but was an efficient route runner.
Follow Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter @MoveTheSticks.
