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With the offensive line being a focal point for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to improve at, there has been a lot of attention spent to the prospects in Indianapolis during the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.
With their days speaking to the media and completing the drills, let’s take a look back at some of the most notable guys and encapsulate what they were able to do physically and what impressions they made in their media interactions.
MARQUISE BROWN (OKLAHOMA)
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KEY COMBINE STAT: NONE
Considering his nickname - well one of his nicknames - is ‘Hollywood’ and he’s related to the great Antonio Brown, it should come as no surprise Marquise Brown seemed comfortable and confident in his time with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine.
He made it clear his decision not to workout in Indianapolis was purely to ensure he didn’t aggrivate the minor groin injury sustained in the days leading up to the combine. He fully plans on working out at his Pro Day, and should confirm what most already know, he’s fast and talented.
To make things a bit more interesting, he and the Buccaneers met - although at the time of this writing it was not confirmed if the meet was formal or informal - and he fits the pattern the franchise has shown up to this point.
His stock is likely a bit too rich for the Bucs right now, but a lot can happen between now and April, so don’t let his name leave your mind just yet.
PARRIS CAMPBELL (OHIO STATE)
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KEY COMBINE STAT: *4.32 40-YARD DASH
When Michael Thomas came out of Ohio State he struggled to get into the day one conversation and was ultimately selected in the second-round by the New Orleans Saints.
As Bucs fans know, he’s proven he was a day one talent since. Fact is, the Buckeyes offense under former head coach Urban Meyer just doesn’t allow wide receivers to showcase their full repertoire.
I’m not saying Campbell is Michael Thomas 2.0, but he’s fast and has enough size to work against physical defenders when needed.
He’ll need some coaching and work on technique, but his speed and ability in special teams makes him an absolute steal on day two with huge upside which could make an NFL general manager look very smart, very soon.
MECOLE HARDMAN (GEORGIA)
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KEY COMBINE STAT: *4.34 40-YARD DASH
He’s quick off the line, and has wheels to burn NFL defensive backs at the next level. He’s undersized and lacks refinement in his route running and the more technical aspects of playing receiver, which will drop his stock a bit.
Still, if you’re a team looking for speed at a discount, Hardman might be your guy.
HUNTER RENFROW (CLEMSON)
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KEY COMBINE STAT: 4.19 SEC 20-YARD SHUTTLE
Fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will love him because he looks like Adam Humphries in pads. He also plays very similarly. Heard among the media crowd were statements of amazement that a player with his hand size seems to catch everything, and the desire to have him added to the team they cover among some NFC South rival reporters.
Renfrow is far from a day one draft prospect, but he’s got a very nice niche following. The team who drafts him will have a Humphries like strategy to using him in their system, and it just so happens he’s very good at that.
DEEBO SAMUEL (SOUTH CAROLINA)
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KEY COMBINE STAT: 39.0’’ VERTICAL
Ask Deebo Samuel where his game needs the most work and he’ll tell you he needs to improve his break at the top of his route to get better separation.
Ask Trevor Sikkema of The Draft Network if this is accurate and he’ll tell you it’s his catching ability in traffic which is perhaps the area he needs to improve the most.
Trust me. I asked both of them.
No matter who you believe, the bottom line is Samuel is talented and any work he needs to put in is only to make solid traits even better.
On a day where wide receivers made some headlines, he wasn’t one of them. And I’m sure he isn’t happy about it, but he’ll likley use it as fuel to be even better at his Pro Day. He probably didn’t climb any boards, but he also didn’t fall down many.
*Unofficial