2016 NFL Draft Combine: Risers

The 2016 NFL Draft Combine is underway, and while DBs still have to do there on the field activities, there has been more than enough to analyze already.

There are some obvious names who will be picked apart to the nearest fraction of a second, but that is only about 10% of the participants at the Combine. The Combine is here to bring attention to guys that you may not have known, or guys who show just how bad these drills can be run.

Last year, the Combine inroduced us to world class broad jumper Byron Jones who then shot up the draft boards as everyone want back and checked the tape. He ended up going from a mid-round guy at best to a 1st round pick, and a good one at that.

So here are my risers so far this week at the blue chip, mid-round and sleeper levels.

Blue Chip: Emmanuel Ogbah DE, Oklahoma State

Ogbah was someone with a lot to prove at the draft. While he had elite production in college, a lot of it came from sheer effort and bad competition. With questions on how he would translate to the next level, blowing out the Combine was just what he needed.

Ogbah ran a 4.63 40-yard dash, which was second fastest by any defensive lineman, and the man ahead of him was also two pounds less for what it is worth. He also placed third in the vertical jump and third in the broad jump, which both are used by scouts to measure explosion.

While he was slipping down draft boards before, I now expect Ogbah to be bumped into that top-20 range once again.

Mid-round: Keith Marshall RB, Georgia

While the issues with Marshall were never what he could do on the field but rather how long could he stay on the field, this Combine really helped him stand out.

Marshall had a blistering fast 40-yard dash ending up at the 4.31 mark and he also showed that he had the upper body strength to deliver a pop with his hands after 25 bench press reps ended up ranking him fourth among running backs.

While both are impressive, the 40-yard dash will really stand out to scouts. Not only was he running on the knee that kept him out for so long, but he also ran the third fastest 40 time since 2006. The only people ahead of him were Chris Johnson and Dri Archer (who he outweighs by 40 lbs.)

If the Titans are looking for a bell cow back, Marshall may be hard to trust but he could definitely be someone that the Titans could use as a third down/change of pace running back.

Late round: Marquez North WR, Tennessee

When North was healthy, he was a clear number one receiver in Tennessee who at that time had no quarterback or passing game. Injuries sidelined him for his last two seasons, but that didn't stand in his way at the Combine.

North placed in the top-15 in ever event he participated in, and did it all despite being one of the bigger receivers there at 6'2" 223 lb. There is no doubt that the Titans should have him in for an interview both at the Combine and after the Combine and if his medical checks out he would be a great 4th-5th round pick that can come in and develop into a very good receiver.