SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Another Monday, another brand new set of Ebs’ Hot Takes.
This weekend marked the start of the drills portion of the NFL Combine, which concludes Monday with defensive backs.
And the combine taking place over the weekend only means one thing… We’re less than two months away from the NFL Draft.
For the last month or so each and every NFL fan has turned their attention to the draft, and the combine is a big step towards the three-day affair.
The draft provides fans, analysts and beat writers the opportunity to see if the measurables match the tape.
With that being said, here are some of the conclusions I’ve drawn from the first three days:
Ole Miss defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche is worth the risk. The former No. 1 high school recruit has been tagged as a boom or bust draft prospect. And with the way the NFL landscape is shaping – Randy Gregory and Johnny Manziel – a boom or bust prospect is a player most NFL teams want to stay away from.
However, Nkemdiche is more Tyrann Mathieu than Randy Gregory or Johnny Football.
While there are questions surrounding the former Ole Miss star, and rightfully so, the talent is there.
The numbers Nkemdiche put up Sunday as a 294-pound defensive tackle are astonishing. Running a 4.87-second 40 while posting a 35-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-8 broad jump proves just how explosive he is.
With the right coach and the right system, Nkemdiche can turn into a star.
Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. is the next mid-round star. Vernon Adams doesn’t ring a bell? 
Well, it will pretty soon.
In his one year at the FBS level, Adams was a star.
After being under-recruited in high school, Adams went to Eastern Washington for four years, where he was a stud.
With his last year of eligibility Adams transferred to Oregon to prove to himself, and others, that he could play at the next level.
Guess what… He was up to the challenge.
Adams’ only problem now? He’s under-sized for the position at 5-foot-10. For that reason alone he’s seen as a Day 3, possibly Day 2, quarterback. But that doesn’t mean he won’t succeed.
Look at the Russel Wilson, Kirk Cousins, and Tyrod Taylor; they’re all mid-to late-round guys that have found success at the next level. Adams is worth that risk.
He’s not the purest passer in this draft, but he’s a magician when he has the ball in his hands. Coming from someone who’s watched just about every one of the Ducks’ games this year, if there’s one guy you want to draft to develop, Adams is your guy.
Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott is the NFL’s next top running back. Zeke Elliot is a flat out freak.
Elliot is the consensus top running back in this year’s draft class, and his work Friday proved it.
Considering the former Buckeye weighs in around 225 pounds, his top-five finish in the 40-yard dash was pretty impressive.
If you go back and watch the tape of his two runs or any of the on-field, you can tell he has quick feet. That asset will come in handy at the next level when he’s asked to do more than run straight downhill.
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said that he was impressed with Elliot’s work on Friday and called it a “solid, all-around” day.
Elliot has already solidified himself a spot in the first round, and quite possibly could be one of the New York Jets’ top options at No. 20. With all of their running backs set to hit free agency in March, it could be a match made in heaven.
