For one week every year, prospective NFL athletes are examined, timed, measured, interviewed, weighed, analyzed and examined again.
That process is the NFL Combine, and for three of the eight former LSU players invited to participate, the four-day job interview is over. Wide receiver Rueben Randle, quarterback Jordan Jefferson and tight end Deangelo Peterson performed their final drills and workouts this past weekend, leaving their professional fate up to the coaches and executives of the NFL.
While some player’s stocks soar after solid performances, some see their names fall in mock drafts if their workouts don’t meet expectations. So is the case for Randle, who had a 31-inch vertical jump and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.55 seconds.
While those measurables fall well below what many — including Randle — expected, local draft analyst Mike Detillier said Randle’s still the third- or fourth-best wide receiver in the draft.
“Fall in love with the football player,” Detillier said. “Don’t fall in love with the workout guy. That workout guy is going to get your ass fired. That football player is going to help you win a lot of games. Rueben Randle is a football player.”
One former Tiger who impressed in his workouts was Jefferson, who ranked No. 1 among quarterbacks in the 20-yard shuttle with a time of 4.06 seconds. But Detillier said an impressive combine won’t be enough to convince people Jefferson will succeed in the NFL.
“He has problems in his accuracy skills and with decision-making,” Detillier said. “I don’t see that changing at the NFL level. … From what I’ve seen, Jordan does not throw the football well enough, or accurately enough to play at the next level.”
Though Peterson impressed many with a 4.76 second 40-yard dash and 36-inch vertical, the former LSU tight end dropped several passes during his receiving drills.
But Detillier said a lack of quality tight ends in this draft class could propel Peterson into the third round.
“Normally what happens when you don’t have great depth is teams will overdraft,” Detillier said. “That will happen with Peterson. He’s right on the border as an early fourth-round pick, but because of supply and demand, he may go in round three.”
 
 
—-
Contact Hunter Paniagua at [email protected]