Draft Insiders' Digest Premier NFL Draft and Free Agency PublicationWideout Julio Jones Lights up NFL Combine Workout
Photo - WR Julio Jones - Alabama
The NFL Combine 2011 has been completed with several outstanding workouts that will have a huge effect on the final player rankings. None of the performances were more impressive than wideout Julio Jones of Alabama. Jones showed incredible athleticism with a 4.39 forty time @ 220 lbs. He leaped out of the building with a 11’3” board jump and a 38.8” vertical leap. His numbers were outstanding and what is more amazing is that he did this with a broken bone in his foot. He will have an 8 week recovery time for the injury, but his workout made a statement of both his blue chip athleticism and his super toughness and work ethic. He played through a broken hand during the 2010 season where he missed no time.
Jones has actually risen to the #1 wide receiver prospect on a few NFL team boards, though A.J. Green remains the #1 prospect on most pro teams rankings currently. Jones most likely guaranteed a top 10 selection in April that with Green would provide the NFL Draft 2011 with two receivers at the top of the draft.
Green had a good workout at just under 6’4” and 211 lbs. and ran a 4.50 flat time. He leaped well and displayed outstanding hands in the receiving drills. He carries a top 5-10 grade and his workout especially the receiving aspect of the event assured a high selection.
The last wide receiver chosen in the top 10 of the NFL Draft was Michael Crabtree who was selected #10 overall by the 49ers in the 2009 class. Neither Jones or Green are expected to participate in their school’s Pro Days in March.
Here are NFL Combine Comparison Numbers of Julio Jones & A.J. Green
Julio Jones / AJ Green
Ht/ Wt
Size: 6026- 220 lbs. / 6035 – 211 lbs.
40-yard dash: 4.39 / 4.50
Broad jump: 11'3" / 10’6”
Vertical jump: 38.5" / 34.5”
3-cone drill: 6.66 / 6.91
20-yard shuttle: 4.25 / 4.21
60-yard shuttle: 11.07 / 11.46
Bench press: 17 reps / 18 reps @ 225 lbs.