Assessing the quarterbacks
I didn’t think this was a ‘wow’ session. There were no physical phenom’s on the field, as we’ve seen with the likes of Joe Milton, Anthony Richardson and Will Levis over the last couple of years. Not that it really means anything, given how their draft stock and/or NFL careers have transpired.
I’m going to share notes on all of the players below but the CliffsNotes version is for three quarters of his workout I was preparing to say Tyler Shough was the easy winner. I thought things got a little sloppy from him later in the session but overall, a good day for Shough. Riley Leonard had a very good day too, with Jaxson Dart and Quinn Ewers also having their moments. Jalen Milroe struggled and it was more miss than hit for Dillon Gabriel.
Andrew Jonocko, Seattle’s new quarterback coach, was on the field for the workouts watching closely.
Here are my full notes:
Jaxson Dart — threw with good timing and anticipation. Looked very relaxed. His ball placement was consistent and a lot of his throws were natural and effortless. Dart’s third deep ball was a bit flat but everything was in control mechanically. He missed one comeback route. I liked the air on his post-corner routes. His final deep throw was flat and hard and needed more loft, while his fade throws were too low and it was almost like he didn’t understand his role in the drill. Arm isn’t elite but is certainly good. I don’t think Dart announced himself as a first round pick with this performance but overall he looks like he deserves a day two grade and could be in the QB2 mix.
Quinn Ewers — on the early short throws to the sideline the ball popped out of his hand. His anticipation, accuracy and ball placement was impressive. Nothing about his throwing session was forced. He didn’t try to throw the ball too hard and he looked in control and relaxed. He produced the right amount of air on the trickier mid-range throws to the sideline. It appears Ewers has really cleaned up his mechanics. His back-foot was planted, he showed a much improved throwing base and yet he looked comfortable with the changes. He showed the best combination of touch and velocity on intermediate throws. Arm strength throwing downfield was lacking. He doesn’t have a weak arm but it’s far from a cannon and he’s not physically that impressive (although size concerns were allayed today with his measurements). His final deep ball had much better loft than the first two. He missed on all three of his comeback routes. Ewers’ third throw on the post-corner routes was perfect. He actually understood the fade drill unlike Dart. A good day and while he won’t be for everyone, you can imagine he will appeal to certain schemes (including McVay/Shanahan systems) and will be a day two pick.
Dillon Gabriel — his throws were off the mark to the sideline. He seemed to settle into the intermediate range throws but then the accuracy left him again. When he armed it out he generated velocity none of the others showed in the first throwing session. He had the most distance on his effort throws. He had one great throw on a post-corner route which was dropped by Tez Johnson. His fades tended to die mid-route. The accuracy throwing against air was a concern and mechanically he seemed to struggle as a left-hander. The arm strength was a pleasant surprise but this wasn’t a showing that will elevate his stock unless you simply wanted to see the deep-ball velocity, which still required a lot of effort in the delivery.
Seth Henigan — didn’t let it rip enough. Felt like his passes floated a bit. Deep throws were the right combination of velocity, touch, distance and accuracy though. His post-corner routes sailed. He had a good fade well caught by Tex Johnson. Not a needle-moving performance but not bad.
Will Howard — put a lot more into his early throws than the others. Tried to arm things out over the middle too much and was inaccurate. His third throw over the middle was better. His footwork drifted off center a bit and impacted his ability to set. Too many passes hit the floor. His second deep ball was better than his first but both were a little under-thrown. His comeback routes were very good — the best of the first group. However, he missed on the post-corner routes — the first was a bit flat and hard, the second lofted but a bit off target. He looks like he’s in the early process of some technical changes and I’d expect a better showing at pro-day.
Max Brosmer — the environment didn’t suit him because he’s more of a timing and rhythm passer working within structure, not someone who will wow you physically. I thought he did OK despite this.
Brady Cook — he’s a really good athlete which was surprising. He ran and jumped superbly. He had quite a consistent performance but it would’ve been nice to see him let it rip a bit more. It was a reminder why I liked his 2023 tape so much but 2024 was a disappointment.
Tyler Shough — loved the energy and celebration after running his forty. He is a good athlete with great size. He threw with anticipation and showed off a live arm. Early on his accuracy was pinpoint and impressive. He arrowed the ball over the middle nicely. He got a bit carried away after an excellent start and tried a side-arm release on the move and threw way off target. I’ve never seen anyone do that and it felt like he was feeling himself a bit too much in the moment. He showed the best combo of a smooth release, velocity and accuracy. When a receiver slipped he adjusted his throw to complete the pass rather than just deliver what the expected route was for an incompletion. A coach on the field praised him for that. Through 3/4 of the session he looked like the clear top performer on the day. His curl routes were sharp. His first deep throw was lofted and went the distance but his second was under-thrown. His final two go-ball efforts were so-so. His comeback throws were good. On the deep corner throws — his first was poor, second good and third not great. As the session developed he showed rushed mechanics at times and was too eager to get the ball out leading to mistakes. He also started to drift slightly in the pocket. His fades were poor. Overall a lot to like but some fluctuating moments at the end. The injury history is a concern but based on this showing he’s in the QB2/3 mix.
Kyle McCord — his timing and accuracy were very good on a short to intermediate range and he span it to the sideline well. He looked very relaxed and in control. His technique looked good and he was very comfortable with his drop and set. He didn’t show a big arm on the go-ball. He under-threw the fade and didn’t find the corner properly. About what you’d expect from McCord. Does he have the tools to start at the next level? I’m not convinced.
Jalen Milroe — He looked jacked. His accuracy was wayward and at times all over the place throwing to the sideline. He settled down briefly throwing over the middle but was hesitant and didn’t throw with anticipation. His first deep ball was under-thrown, his second was far better showing good touch, depth and accuracy. The third was decent too. He didn’t have a noticeably bigger arm than anyone else. Showed awful comeback and deep corner throws. He didn’t find the corner of the end zone on his fades. Increasingly he just doesn’t look like a passer. He’s a great athlete, a potentially exciting runner but this is now a poor 2024 season, a poor Senior Bowl and a not great combine for Milroe.
Riley Leonard — he looks in fantastic shape with a prototype frame. His ball placement to the sideline was good and his footwork was decent overall. Leonard threw with good base but he doesn’t have a rocket arm. His accuracy was very good and he threw nicely over the middle. His curl throws were useful and completed. Leonard’s first deep ball was under-thrown but his second was wonderfully executed. The third was good too as was his fourth to finish things off. He delivered good comeback throws. The added weight (up to 216lbs) suits him well and he looked muscular. His deep corner routes were decent. As the session went on, he was the one who was most consistent. His first fade had too much mustard, the second was better but the third inaccurate and fourth just OK. I think this was a good day for Leonard. He’s never going to be a special passer of the football and he doesn’t possess a cannon — but he has some intriguing tools and he’s a playmaker as a runner. There are things to work with here — and he had one of the most impressive interview sessions this week too.
I think there’s a reasonable chance the Seahawks will draft from this group on day two. There’s a decent middle-class of quarterbacks for the first time in a while. There are players here, particularly the ones I’ll mention below, who could be on Seattle’s radar. They shouldn’t (and won’t) force picks at the position — but if the board falls their way, I would anticipate Schneider taking a signal caller this year.
It’s possible Shough will go as early as some in draft media have been proposing — and it could be that he and Jaxson Dart ultimately end up as more appealing prospects than Shedeur Sanders (who didn’t throw and looked incredibly light on the field). The internet will hate this but I do think several teams will be interested in Ewers, including potentially John Schneider. I think the Rams will have serious interest in him too. On this evidence I think Leonard’s stock will improve and settle firmly into day two. He has some talent that can be harnassed. Howard’s stock might have stalled after a really excellent playoff campaign for Ohio State but he’ll have a chance to improve for pro-day.
Several receivers shine
The NFL Network doesn’t do a good enough job identifying the receivers being thrown to during quarterback drills, so it’s hard to know who impressed.
There were 10 wide receivers who ran a sub-4.4 forty, the most by any receiver group since at least 2003. Texas’ Matthew Golden ran the fastest forty (4.29) and could easily leap into WR1 range as a consequence.
Jaylin Noel, who could be a potential target for the Seahawks at #50, had the best broad (11-2) and vertical (41.5) and then ran a 4.39. I’m a huge fan of his game. Noel and Jaylin Lane both jumped at least 11’0” in the broad jump and at least 40” in the vertical jump, while also running a sub-4.4 forty. They are two of only eight wide receivers to meet all three criteria since 2003.
Noel’s Iowa State team mate Jayden Higgins jumped a 39-inch vertical jump and a 10-8 broad. He’s the sixth receiver to be at least 6-4 and 210lbs to jump over 39 inches and 10-foot-5 since 2003.
Isaiah Neyor recorded a broad jump of 11-1, making him only the second wide receiver to be at least 6-foot-4, weigh at least 215lbs and jump over 11-0 since 2003. I need to study his tape, as I do for Isaac TeSlaa. The Arkansas receiver had an amazing day with great testing and he caught the ball very well during drills.
Tory Horton’s 4.41 was really impressive. I really liked his tape but he got hurt during the season. I wasn’t sure he’d test so this was a bonus. He’s a really good option for teams — with on-field savvy, playmaking quality and speed.
Jack Bech looking unsurprisingly good catching the ball. I really like his body control, subtle suddenness to change direction, the way he extends his hands to the football to catch away from his body and he just looks like he can be a really good player at the next level. I do wish he’d tested though. He’s gifted and a natural football player.
Tai Felton, who reminded me of Tyler Lockett based on his skill on tape at Maryland, had an outstanding testing workout — running a 4.39 (faster than expected) and nearly jumping a 40-inch vertical. Kyle Williams also had a good forty and looks thick in his frame. Jordan Wilkins produced a good forty and a good gauntlet. Jimmy Horn also impressed.
Tre Harris’ 4.54 is a concern — bigger receivers who run at that speed tend to struggle to separate at the next level. Josh Kelly running a 4.70 is a big disappointment. Tez Johnson’s 4.51 is a problem at his size. I also have to drop Nick Nash and Ricky White III for their runs.
This is a loaded running back class
This is an incredible class of running backs. In previous years we’ve been able to identify running back targets for the Seahawks based on ideal height and explosive traits. In 2022, the year they drafted Ken Walker, there were 13 identifiable players. That was by far the most since I started the blog. In other years, such as 2016 when they took CJ Prosise, we’ve only been able to identify two players.
This year, there are 17 players who tick the size/explosive traits boxes. The numbers below are height, weight, vertical and broad jumps:
Quinshon Judkins — 5-11, 221, 38.5, 11-0
Omarion Hampton — 5-11, 221, 38, 10-10
DJ Giddens — 6-0, 212, 39.5, 10-10
Bhayshul Tuten — 5-9, 206, 40.5, 10-10
TreVeyon Henderson — 5-10, 202, 38.5, 10-8
RJ Harvey — 5-8, 205, 38, 10-7
Damien Martinez — 5-11, 217, 35, 10-4
Dylan Sampson — 5-8, 200, 35, 10-4
Montrell Johnson — 5-11, 212, 35.5, 10-3
Ollie Gordon II — 6-1, 226, 34.5, 10-0
Jarquez Hunter — 5-9, 204, 33.5, 10-0
LeQuint Allen — 6-0, 204, 35, 10-0
Tahj Brooks — 5-9, 214, 35, 10-0
Woody Marks — 5-10, 206, 35, 9-11
Ja’Quinden Jackson — 6-1, 229, 32, 9-11
Kyle Monangai — 5-8, 211, 34.5, 9-9
Raheim Sanders — 6-0, 217, 36.5, DNJ
Several others didn’t jump, including Ashton Jeanty, Kaleb Johnson and Kalel Mullings. They are expected to produce explosive testing results too — so there could be 20 serious potential starters and contributors here. This also doesn’t include players like Brashard Smith who definitely have a role waiting for them in the NFL.
A total of eight runners recorded a vertical of +38-inches, tied with 2020 for the most in a single combine since at least 2003. Bhayshul Tuten is only the sixth running back to jump +40-inches and 10-10 in the broad at over 205lbs since 2003.
Quinshon Judkins, more on him in a moment, recorded an 11-0 broad jump at 221lbs, becoming only the second runner to do that since 2003 (after Carl Stewart in 2008).
This is a tremendous class. The Seahawks have good depth at the position but with potential contributors available lasting into day three, they could add to their depth.
So who stood out?
Omarion Hampton has been getting top-15 buzz recently, with several well-sourced mocks pairing him with the Cowboys at #12 and Todd McShay listing him among the top-18 players in the draft. Jerry Jones attended the combine today, probably to take a peek.
His frame is exceptional and the idea body-type for a lead runner. His movements were subtle yet quick and explosive. He moved freely during routes, particularly running a wheel. Based on his testing and drills today, he has every chance to be a high pick.
Quinshon Judkins equally just looks the part. He has a thick lower body and excellent muscle definition throughout his frame. His change of direction was silky smooth and his lateral movements were easily the best during drills. He got out to the flat nicely when catching and showed explosive changes of direction. He has a complete profile and probably secured a place in round two after today.
DJ Giddens, a blog favourite for two years, was more explosive and ran faster than people expected. That will boost his stock. Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders also ran better than expected and showed a proportioned frame with plenty of power. Tahj Brooks, a good blocker, flashed agility in the short shuttle and had explosive jumps.
Bhayshul Tuten had the day everyone expected. He’s smaller but a ball of muscle and explosion. He ran a 4.32. He’s a very intriguing player. RJ Harvey accelerated well for his thick frame and he looks like he can pack a punch in short range situations.
If you missed today’s live stream earlier, check it out here:
