Combine Watch: Running Backs Numbers

Day one of the combine got underway this morning. Running backs have been a heavy favorite for the Panthers at pick eight. Here's a quick combine overview of potential running backs for the Panthers with the eighth overall pick.

LEONARD FOURNETTE, LSU

HEIGHT-6'1", WEIGHT- 240 LBS

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People were quick to criticize and become skeptical when Fournette put up a measly 28.5" vertical to start the days drills after showing up weighing 240lbs. Critics were later impressed after he put up a 4.51 forty yard dash number at 240 pounds. His forty time was only .02 slower than both Cook (210lbs) and McCaffrey (202lbs) and is also the fastest for a running back weighing 240 or more since 2003. Fournette said Thursday that five pounds of that was "water weight." Fournette will catch some slack for the vertical and not participating in the broad jump. He will reportedly do his bench press at the LSU Pro Day. 

40 YARD DASH- 4.51 seconds (T-10th)

VERTICAL JUMP- 28.5" (T-18th)

BROAD- DNP

BENCH PRESS- Opted to do at his Pro Day. 

DALVIN COOK, FLA ST.

HEIGHT- 5' 10", WEIGHT- 210 LBS

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Dalvin Cook had a solid outing while participating in all the events. He showed off his strength in the bench press. Much like Fournette, his vertical wasn't real impressive. Last years running backs averaged a 34.5" vertical.

40 YARD DASH- 4.49 seconds (T-8th)

VERTICAL JUMP- 30.5" (T-14th)

BROAD JUMP- 116" (T-11th)

BENCH PRESS- 22 Reps (T-3rd)

CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY, STANFORD

HEIGHT- 5'11", WEIGHT- 202LBS

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McCaffrey jumped through the roof with a second best vertical jump on the day at 37.5", but showed his lack of strength with a low 10 rep bench press. McCaffrey made his money showing his footwork through the running drills later, showcasing his quick feet.

40 YARD DASH- 4.48 (T-7th)

VERTICAL JUMP- 37.5" (T-2nd)

BROAD JUMP- 121" (T-6th)

BENCH PRESS- 10 (2nd Worst)

Panthers fans hoping for a running back at pick eight should be pleased with the majority of all this. Each player has a number you would like to see better, but they all have the most important thing, good film.

McCaffrey is still a stretch for the Panthers at eight. I personally don't think Cook will be selected by the Panthers at eight due to his off field history. You would like to see Fournette participate in the broad jump, particularly after the low vertical. But again they all have good tape. Stay tuned for other position group results.

Follow @TrippMorgan6 and Cat_Chronicles for the latest news and updates on the Carolina Panthers.

Article photo by Jesse Fraetis.

Carolina Panthers 'Who and When' To Watch In The Combine

The draft is coming up quick and we have been getting a fair share of mocks over the last several weeks. One of the biggest telling points for projected player talent is the scouting combine each year. This is a where a projected top ten draft pick can fall to the mid-twenties over tenths of a second on the forty yard dash. 

There are a few key positions the Carolina Panthers will likely be eyeing, so here are the most important days of the combine for Panthers fans to keep an eye on.

RUNNING BACKS/OFFENSIVE LINE

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DATE- MARCH 3RD (DAY ONE)

TIME- STARTS 9AM

PLAYERS TO WATCH-

RB LEONARD FOURNETTE, LSU- Everyone will have their eyes on running back Leonard Fournette as he has been the favorite of many mock drafts to go to the Panthers. As with most prospects, scouts will be eyeing his forty time. Many believe he could surprise people with it.

OT CAM ROBINSON, ALA.- A fan favorite to keep franchise quarterback Cam Newton upright and help get the running game back on track, Robinson has been rated the top tackle in a weak offensive line class. Scouts didn't originally have him falling to eight, but some recent mocks have him lower now.

 RB DALVIN COOK, FLA ST.- There's a pretty good split among people who want Cook and Fournette. Many think the Panthers should get a back who can help in the pass game with some versatility, which is why they like Cook. A skeptical past could keep the Panthers away from Cook regardless though.

OTHERS- Christian McCaffrey (Stanford), D'Onta Foreman (Texas), Jamaal Williams (BYU), Ryan Ramcyzk (WIS), Adam Bisnowaty (PITT), and Will Holden (VAN).

DEFENSIVE LINE/ LINEBACKERS

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DATE- MARCH 5TH (DAY THREE)

TIME- 9AM START

PLAYERS TO WATCH- 

DE DEREK BARNETT, UT- Myles Garrett may be ranked with the higher upside, but Barnett has some himself. Barnett is quick off the edge. He's athletic, quick, and has good hand use. It will be interesting to see how well he performs here. 

DE SOLOMAN THOMAS, STANFORD- Some have the Panthers taking Thomas at eight, which is interesting considering scouts seem to think he would fit better in a 3-4 scheme. Nevertheless, he's one to keep an eye on.

DE TACO CHARLTON, MI- Taco has been pinned as a good 4-3 base end but has been said to have the versatility and athleticism to work in 3-4 as a stand up linebacker. He's gained a lot of momentum heading into combine weekend.

OTHERS- DeMarcus Walker (FLA ST), and Keionta Davis (UT-Chatt)

DEFENSIVE BACKS

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DATE- MARCH 6TH (DAY FOUR)

TIME- 9AM START

PLAYERS TO WATCH-

SS JAMAL ADAMS, LSU- A personal favorite of mine and of some others I've seen. Adams likely won't make it to the eighth pick, but the ability to add him to the strong safety spot and move Coleman back to free would almost immediately sure up the secondary. He's been compared to Eric Berry and I believe even packs more punch as a hard hitter.

SS JORDAN STERNS, OKL ST.- You may have noticed the trend of strong safeties here. Sterns could be a big value pick for a team in the middle rounds. A sure tackler, Sterns recorded over 100 tackles (60 or more solo) in three seasons, all of which led the team. One thing about Sterns against others on this list is he actually didn't get a combine invite, but I think he is someone to keep an eye on in the draft. Some coaches and scouts didn't expect him to test well anyway, which could allow him to slip, but you can't deny his tape and production.

OTHERS- CB Rasul Douglas (WV), S Lorenzo Jerome (St. Francis)

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT END

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DATE- MARCH 4TH (DAY TWO)

TIME- 9AM START

PLAYERS TO WATCH-

WR CHRIS GODWIN, PENN ST.- Projected to go in the middle rounds, Carolina could opt to go with a receiver to force some competition coming off a down season for their wide outs. The Panthers also need to strengthen their slot position at receiver.

WR RYAN SWITZER, UNC- Mainly here because of the local love he's received from fans, but also because of his special teams versatility. A solid combine could notch him up boards late in the draft and could potentially be a late pick for quick slot receiver help the Panthers offense "evolve."

TE JORDAN LEGGETT, CLEMSON- A strong combine could cause Leggett To climb, but we know Gettleman wanted to address Greg Olsen's future replacement last season. Leggett could be that as a dangerous receiving weapon. He's currently projected to go in rounds 2-3.

OTHERS- TE BUCKY HODGES (VT), TE COLE HIKUTINI (LOUISVILLE), WR DEDE WESTBROOK (OU), WR ARTAVIS SCOTT (CLEMSON)

Follow @TrippMorgan6 and @Cat_Chronicles on Twitter for the latest news and updates on the Carolina Panthers.

Article photo by Fraetis Photography. www.fraetisphotography.com