Did Adams boost NFL Draft stock with stellar Combine performance?
Well respected draft analyst Mike Mayock of the NFL Network rates former South Carolina tight end Jerell Adams as the third best prospect in his position group for the 2016 NFL Draft.
Considering how Adams is climbing up the rankings, he could be even higher by the time the actual draft rolls around in late April.
The 6-foot-5, 247-pound Adams was one of the top performing tight ends at the recently concluded NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis, showcasing his athleticism, speed and versatile skills that made him a solid contributor to the USC offense.
Adams ran the fastest 40 time (4.64 seconds) and ranked among the top performers in the 20-yard shuttle (4.31) and 60-yard shuttle (11.52).
Since the tight end position is playing an increasingly more important role in many of today’s NFL offenses as teams seek to create mismatches in the vertical passing game, Adams could benefit in several ways.
ESPN.com said Adams was one of a handful of SEC players that helped themselves the most at the NFL Combine: “The Senior Bowler posted the fastest 40 time among tight ends (4.64) and had the longest arms among the players at his position (34-3/8). At 6-foot-5 and 247 pounds, he has an NFL-style frame to go along with the speed and receiving skills he showed off with the Gamecocks.”
His NFL.com draft profile backed up his Combine performance: “Tall and lanky for a tight end, Adams actually has better play strength than the eyetest might indicate. Adams doesn't have the surest hands in this draft, but he is unique in that he can challenge defenses down the field and shows the potential to be helpful as a run blocker. Adams should come in as a quality backup with an "eventual starter" tag tied to him.”
At this point, Adams is vying to get drafted on the second day (Round 2 and 3). If not, he should hear his name announced early on the third day. He will likely be the second Gamecock taken behind wide receiver Pharaoh Cooper, who did not run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine due to an injury.
“Adams did catch 28 passes, scored three times and broke 10 tackles after the catch, but he also dropped five balls over the season and was only average as a receiving threat,” ProFootballFocus.com wrote. “He is a mid-round prospect in this draft, but in a weak TE class he may have raised his stock a little based on solid workout numbers. . . This is not a tight end class blessed with super-athletes, but arguably the best performance of the group in Indy came from Adams.”
