The most high profile day of the NFL Combine continues today with the running backs getting in their 40-yard dashes in Indianapolis. You can watch it live at NFL.com.
Given our discussion of potential wide receivers, I thought I'd pull out a few performances in the 40-yard dash from Sunday. Although the 40 only has so much value, and can often be overrated, it still gives us an idea of straight-line speed for players. No pads and not running routes removes a lot of the value, but for a Sunday in February, we'll take what we can get.
Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill, Stanford's Chris Owusu and Miami's Travis Benjamin all clocked in with the fastest 40-time at 4.36. Hill's fast 40 is not exactly shocking, given the speed and ability after the catch he showed at Tech. Hill played in a run-first offense, but still managed to make his mark. He finished the season with only 28 receptions (five touchdowns), but he averaged a ridiculous 29.3 yards per catch in grabbing 820 yards. One big question is whether he is more than a straight line deep threat, and if he will be able to get off the line consistently if cornerbacks jam him regularly.
Some of the talk today has also been about Baylor WR Kendall Wright. Robert Griffin III was talking about how the 49ers met with him and he had the sense they were as much interested in info he could provide on Wright as anything else. Wright ran a 4.61 40, but he is a guy that would appear to "play faster." A strong 40 would have helped his stock, but now it will be interesting to see if a not so great showing slips him down closer to the 49ers.
A guy that I really like outside the first round is Cal receiver Marvin Jones. He is not the specific deep threat the 49ers might need, but he has great hands, which is always a good addition. I don't think he is necessarily a guy the 49ers would be adding to become a number one receiver, but I think he could do some really good things at the next level. His draft stock could get a bit of a boost from his 4.46 40.