Regardless of how trends change, speed has always been a key factor to a player’s success in the pro game. Of the eight fastest players at their position groups in the 2016 NFL Draft, seven were drafted, and four of them in the first two rounds.
NFL teams are always looking for speed. All of them. Be it the ability to go deep or a pass-rusher that can turn the corners, it’s an important trait when it comes to the game of football.
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In contrast to the myth that the Oakland Raiders draft players on 40-yard dash times alone (born during the fabled days of Al Davis), general manager Reggie McKenzie selected none of the following prospects.
Let’s take a brief look at where the quick landed, and what their NFL prospects.
Jeff Driskel – Quarterback (4.56)
No. 207 Overall Selection – San Francisco 49ers (6’4”, 234)
Jeff Driskel had a rough college career until transferring to Louisiana Tech in 2015.
At Tech, Driskel threw for more than 4,000 yards, 27 touchdowns against a mere eight interceptions. He also tacked on 323 yards rushing.
He showed pro scouts that he was by far the best quarterback athlete in the draft.
With San Francisco retooling under new head coach Chip Kelly, Driskel has an opportunity to catch on. Quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert are embroiled in open competition for the starting gig. However, Kaepernick was recently on the trading block and the Jets still haven’t re-signed Ryan Fitzpatrick and Denver could use a veteran presence. If Driskel can wedge his quick feet in between these two former NFL starters, he has all the tools to make the team and succeed in the NFL.
Keith Marshall – Running Back (4.31)
No. 242 overall – Washington Redskins (5’11”, 219)
Keith Marshall posted the fastest time of any player at the NFL Combine. The issue with Marshall hasn’t been his ability, it has been durability. He lost a great deal of his college momentum to a torn ACL as a sophomore. Perhaps Mark Bullock at the Washington Post put his situation best, “Seventh-round running back Keith Marshall is a boom-or-bust type of prospect.”
If he can stay healthy, Marshall would give Washington a tremendous breakaway threat.
Will Fuller – Wide Receiver (4.32)
No. 21 Overall – Houston Texans (6’0”, 186)
Will Fuller put up excellent college numbers at Notre Dame. He caught for 1,258 yards and 14 touchdowns last season with an enticing 20.3 yards per reception. The Texans have overhauled their offense. The organization signed free agent skill positions that include quarterback Brock Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller.
Taking Fuller in the first round of the draft indicates he’ll be employed as a deep threat to help stretch the field. He may get the starting nod opposite DeAndre Hopkins in what appears to be a high-powered offense, at least on paper.
Jerell Adams – Tight End (4.64)
No. 184 overall – New York Giants (6’5”, 247)
Jerell Adams as tremendous athletic ability in the passing game and established himself as an excellent run-blocker in college as well. He joins a tight end group in New York that includes Larry Donnell and Will Tye, who combined for 71 receptions and 687 yards last season.
In the open field, Jerell moves like a running back and once acclimated to the pro game, could give quarterback Eli Manning an option down the middle of the field. He’ll likely get opportunities while opposing secondaries focus Odell Beckham Jr and Victor Cruz.
T.J. Green – Safety (4.34)
No. 57 overall – Indianapolis Colts (6’2”, 209)
T.J. Green, who converted from wide receiver at Clemson, racked up 95 tackles and has the speed to run guys down from behind. He’s adept in blitz packages, making 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack and two forced fumbles last season. The Clemson product may be a bit of a development project, having posted only one interception in college. However, the physical abilities give him a high ceiling.
Charles Tapper – Defensive end (4.59)
No. 101 overall – Dallas Cowboys (6’3”, 271)
Charles Tapper may be a raw talent, but he had enough of that to garner a Sports Illustrated All-American honorable mention in 2015, with 50 tackles, 10 for loss and seven sacks at Oklahoma. The book on him is that he’s a bruising tackler and brings excellent size, strength and, obviously, speed to position. The Cowboys have some starters on suspension, so Tapper could get an opportunity early on to prove himself.
Darron Lee – Linebacker (4.47)
No. 20 overall – New York Jets (6’1”, 232)
Darron Lee should have plenty of NFL opportunity, playing twice per year against the 4-time Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots and banging heads twice against Rex and Rob Ryan’s Bills — exciting stuff.
The Jets nearly made the playoffs last season, and if they straighten out the issues with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and franchise-tagged Muhammad Wilkerson, the addition of an impact player such as Lee may just get them over the hump.
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Jonathan Jones – Cornerback (4.33)
Undrafted free agent – New England Patriots (5’9”, 186)
Jonathan Jones possesses elite speed, but a lackluster college career at Auburn and missed playing time due to injury caused him to fall from favor with NFL scouts. Given his lack of height and slight frame, he’s an underdog to make the Patriots roster.
Jason Spriggs – Offensive Line (4.94)
No. 48 overall – Green Bay Packers (6’6”, 301)
Jason Spriggs joins a Packers team where he’ll be given time to develop into a starter on one of the more stable NFL franchises. Spriggs could improve on some of his pass-blocking techniques, but the Indiana Hoosier was not just a height-weight-speed guy in college.
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He was named first team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America. Spriggs’ quickness should be an asset in the Packers zone-blocking schemes. He’s definitely on a team where his skills sets match the offensive philosophy.