The Combine doesn't start until tomorrow and already there is plenty to talk about regarding the players who will be there.
West Virginia RB Noel Devine was one of the speedy scatbacks the St. Louis Rams talked to last month during the prospect all-star games. The knock on Devine then was his size; he weighed in at a scant 160 lbs at the Senior Bowl. Naturally, that prompted all kinds of questions about whether or not he could compete at the NFL level. In the days since, Devine has been training for the Combine and has goosed his weight up to 176 lbs. How that weight will impact a 40 time that could be in the 4.3 range, remains to be seen. Even if it takes a notch off his 40 time, he should still be fast enough to be a speed threat on the outside and as a receiver. Even at 176 lbs, teams are going to have doubts though.
Safeties have been a hot topic around here since the Rams released Oshiomogho Atogwe. And this morning we speculated on which defensive back has GM Billy Devaney "drooling" over the possibility of picking him in the second round. One possibility is UCLA's Rahim Moore, whose name is on Chad Reuter's "buyer beware" list.
Moore's athleticism is unquestionable, and his foot quickness and straight-line speed should earn accolades in Indy. Scouts believe his lack of instincts and inconsistent tackling technique does not inspire a top 40 grade.
Wes Bunting at the National Football Post notes a few players whose stock could drop at the Combine, fairly or unfairly hurting their draft status. One player on his list that I wouldn't mind seeing fall a bit and being available to the Rams in the third round is Washington OLB Mason Foster. He looks, to me, like he could be just what the Rams are looking for on the weakside.
A couple of small school receivers who could impress with their workouts this week, i.e. their 40 times are Edmund Gates from Abilene Christian and Ricardo Lockette from Fort Valley State. JBScouting likes Gates, but Reuter puts Lockette on his "buyer beware" list because of inconsistent hands and inexperience.