Twice a week between now and the NFL Draft Pro Player Insiders will take a look at 5 combine snubs to keep an eye on during draft weekend.
1. WR BUD SASSER, MISSOURI
Sasser is a big body at 6’3, 219 pounds who ran mid 4.5s at his pro day and showed good strength and change of direction. After catching 77 passes for 1,003 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014 he showed that he can dominate a high level of competition his pro day confirmed much of that ability on tape. NFL team visits scheduled are something to keep an eye on. Since he had no all-star game invite or NFL Combine invite he will need visits and if he has several then he should be gone by pick 200.
2. ILB ZACH VIGIL, UTAH STATE
There is usually just one NFL Combine snub drafted each year at this position but he may be one of two worthy of it. NFL teams are always looking for high motor linebackers who can run and play special teams and Vigil fits that mold. At 6’2, 236 pounds he ran a 4.6 40 and put up 26 reps of 225 pounds. Vigil also had a 32 inch vertical, 9’5 broad jump, and 4.4 short shuttle. The 2014 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year finished with 156 tackles and a good performance in the East-West Shrine Game. Expect him to be a late rounder or priority free agent who makes a roster.
3. CB RANDALL EVANS, KANSAS STATE
NFL teams are constantly looking for big corners who can run and Evans is that. At 6’0, 195 pounds he ran a 4.4 40 and showed the ball skills to be a solid mid to late round pick who can make a NFL roster. Evans finished with 64 tackles, four picks, and 10 pass breakups as a senior to earn 1st-team All-Big 12 honors. Next week he will be rated in our top 200.
4. DE/DT CAUSHAUD LYONS, TUSCULUM
During this time of year people are buzzing on so many of the wrong players and to date very little talk has been focused on Lyons but he may shock a lot of people on draft day. Early in his film eval I saw him as just a free agent due to size and flashes but he is a big, versatile body who can play either in a 3-4 or 4-3 and runs well. While he plays high he has a lot of athletic upside. During his pro day workout he ran a 4.8 40 at 6’4 ½, 284 pounds with a 30 ½ inch vertical, 10’0 broad jump, 1.71 10-yard, and did 24 bench reps. Lyons had a solid performance at the Medal of Honor Bowl as well. According to our sources, he did well at his workout and has a lot of visits lined up. The 2014 1st-team All-SAC selection who had 89 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks may be a top 200 pick.
5. DE/OLB BROCK HEKKING, NEVADA
Tweeners are easy to find because it seems there are so many at all levels but there aren’t a lot with the production, motor, and ability to truly play in space and rush the passer that Hekking displays. After a second-team All-Mountain West season in 2014 he went to the Medal of Honor Bowl and was very impressive. His performance there earned him a spot in a bigger game and he showed well at the NFLPA Bowl. At their school pro day he ran in the mid 4.7s, had a 30 inch vertical, 9’9 broad jump, 4.31 short shuttle, and did 28 bench reps at 6’3, 255 pounds.
