NFL Scouting Combine: Darkhorses to Watch

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By Dave Doyle

Jones is an explosive pass rusher and a solid fundamental tackler. What he lacks in refinement he makes up for with work ethic and desire. But a strong all-around performance at the NFL Scouting Combine could cause Jones’ stock to surge and make a higher pick a strongly calculated gamble.

Hillman’s rolling the dice by coming out at age 20. Perhaps he feels he has proven all there is to prove against the competition in the Western Athletic Conference and needs to move on while his stock is highest. If Hillman can convince scouts that his strengths outweigh his lack of size and experience, he could turn into a Curtis Martin-like draft steal.

But then there are his undeniable strengths: His size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds). His maturity. His cannon of an arm, which propelled the Cowboys all the way to a victory in the Fiesta Bowl over much-hyped Stanford. If Weeden can project a decent sense of mobility at the NFL Scouting Combine, his stock can only rise.