NFL Draft: Former Razorbacks are Hopeful for 2012 NFL Draft

Former Arkansas Razorback wide receiver Greg Childs showed healthy improvement on his injured knee from the end of the Hogs 2011 regular season through the NFL draft combine to Arkansas’ Pro Day.

Childs improved his forty-yard scout combine run of 4.55 to 4.41 in front of NFL scouts in Fayetteville. His forty-time would have tied him for seventh best at the combine, the same time as former Baylor quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III; the second pick of the 2012 NFL Draft on Thursday.

Childs, listed at 6’3”, 219 pound, recorded a long jump of 10’7” at the pro day, besting his 10’5” at the combine, which would have tied him for sixth best among all players. His 40.5” vertical jump would have been the second best during the Feb. 22-28 event.

Childs benched 225 pounds 19 times placing him sixth best among all receivers at the combine. He graded out at 53.5 put in one week’s time has shown improvement in all areas. Some NFL team will take notice.

2011 All-American punt returner Joe Adams tried to improve upon his 4.55 forty-yard dash at the combine but ran the same time at 4.55. He graded out at an 82.5 in front of scouts in Indianapolis.

The 2011 Arkansas Razorback media guide listed Adams at 5’11” 190 pounds. At the combine he weighed 179 pounds.

Adams projects to be a slot receiver at the next level so being undersized is not as big of an issue but the slow forty-yard time hurts his draft status.

The question centered onAdamsdraft value in the first three rounds includes his ability to carry an increased weight gain while keeping his speed and the NFL’s future with special teams. The NFL has openly talked about eliminating kickoff returns. Much of Adams’ draw is his ability to return kickoffs and punts on the pro level.

Jarius Wright turned in a top 10 performance in the shuttle 20-yard shuttle run during the combine at a timed 4.03. His 4.42 forty-yard dash run was tied for 14th best among all athletes and 9th best among wide receivers. His impressive display of speed and agility during the combine allowed him to sit out of speed drills Tuesday.

Wright graded out at 68.7 during the combine. His speed and quickness are a noted plus as a slot receiver at the next level, his strength off press coverage and ability to sustain blocks worry NFL scouts.

Wright’s vertical jump of 38” was ninth best for his position at the combine.

Jake Bequette was a top performer in the three-cone and 20-yard shuttle runs at the combine posting a 6.90 and 4.07 respectively. His 20-yard run was second best among defensive ends (1st round pick Bruce Irvin,West Virginia, 4.03) while his vertical jump was tied for 11th best (34.0”).

Bequette’s 4.82 40-yard dash was well below his previously listed 4.5 timing. He did not participate in speed drills during the pro day.

Jerry Franklin, an All-SEC linebacker for the Hogs, was not invited to the combine but could hear his name called before the end of the draft.

Franklinwas the leading tackler for Arkansas every year during his four year career. Due to the style of offense ran by former Razorback defensive coordinator Willy Robinson, Franklin was rarely asked to blitz. Scouts understand Franklin’s ability to stop the run, but are unsure of his ability to blitz and question his pass coverage skills.

Predicting the Draft

Draft “gurus” are rarely correct much less accurate, with that in mind here is a 2012 NFL Draft prediction for five former Arkansas Razorback players:

WR, Greg Childs- third round

WR, Joe Adams- fourth round

DE/LB, Jake Bequette- forth round

WR, Jarius Wright- fifth round

LB, Jerry Franklin- seventh round

Safety, Tramain Thomas- undrafted free agent

OG, Grant Cook- undrafted free agent