Breaking Down The NFL Combine

The NFL Combine has come and gone, and now players have to work out and try to improve themselves before their school-held Pro Day. Several players came out and made big impressions on teams, possibly improving their evaluations for the upcoming draft.

There were several players from both schools that had big performances, but there were two from each school that stood out, some for good reasons and some for bad.

Stock Up:

CB Jamell Fleming, Oklahoma:

The Oklahoma cornerback came out and wowed scouts with his athleticism at the combine and, more than likely, improved his draft stock significantly. Fleming did 23 reps of 225 lbs during the bench press and broad jumped 125 inches, both top four at his position, as well as a vertical jump of 34 feet and running a 4.53 40-yard dash. At 5-foot 11-inch and 206 pounds, his combination of size and athleticism puts him solidly early in the third round, if not late in the second. A team in need of a young starting corner could, and probably should, take a chance on drafting Fleming in the second round. Another solid outing at Oklahoma's Pro Day could definitely solidify his first-day status in the draft.

QB Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State:

The elder Cowboy did what he has done since his first start in Stillwater: Come in and do his job. After rumors surfaced that he wouldn't be throwing, he came out and made all the throws to erase nearly every question people had going in. The only red flags teams have now is his age and there's nothing he can do about that. However, because of his combination of age and skillset, he has come out of the combine looking like one of the most ready-to-play quarterbacks not named Luck or Griffin. According to a report from the Denver Post, the Broncos have developed an affinity for Weeden after their 15-minute meeting with the signal caller, and could look to him in the second round as a capable backup, and possible challenger, to starter Tim Tebow.

Stock Down:

DE Frank Alexander, Oklahoma:

For some reason, teams already weren't very high on Frank Alexander and he was looking to be a late-round pick in the draft. During the routine physical examinations at the combine, doctors discovered a heart condition that would keep Alexander out of the athletic portions of the drills. According to his Twitter feed, Alexander believes the condition is not career-threatening, but any cardiac condition could be a major red flag for teams. If he had been able to complete, he could have been able to improve his status, but if a team already had Alexander low on the board could remove him completely if the heart condition proves to be serious. If not, and he's able to get back on the field soon, look for Alexander to turn heads at the Sooners' Pro Day.

FS Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State:

This might be mislabeled as a "stock down" and perhaps better served as a "stock unchanged" coming out of the combine. Markelle Martin was another player unable to compete due to a pinched nerve and fluid on his knee. Martin is projected as a mid-to-late selection, but as the second safety, and could have come out and improved his status with a good workout and showing off his ball skills in the on-field drills. Martin should still come off the board in the first four rounds of the draft, but he could have moved it up to a solid three with a good outing at the combine, but missed out on that opportunity.