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Mike Mayock isn’t typically bullish on wide receivers.
Then again, receivers such as former Clemson standout Sammy Watkins aren’t available on an annual basis.
“I usually don’t get excited about drafting a wide receiver in the top 10,” said Mayock, a former NFL player who’s now a draft analyst for the NFL Network. “But Sammy Watkins is a special player. He’s different.”
Watkins plans to show how different beginning today at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, where 335 NFL hopefuls will gather at Lucas Oil Stadium in an attempt to impress NFL executives, coaches and personnel directors.
Watkins will be subjected to orientation and interviews today, be measured and examined by physicians on Friday, be tested on bench press and undergo psychological testing on Saturday, then complete the four-day frolic on Sunday with a variety of on-field workouts and drills.
Fortunately, Watkins has learned all about the process from former teammate DeAndre Hopkins, who recently completed his rookie season with the Houston Texans.
Watkins says he has taken Hopkins’ advice to heart and enters the Combine widely regarded as the top receiver prospect. He’s expected to be among the fastest at his position in Indianapolis and could chart the best 40-yard dash time by a Clemson athlete since Jacoby Ford blazed to a 4.28-second clocking at the 2010 Combine.
But Watkins is well aware that speed and agility won’t be his only measuring sticks.
As Hopkins told him: You’ve got to block to boost your stock.
“That’s the first thing DeAndre came back and said, that that’s the first thing they look at when evaluating you,” Watkins said. “They’re not looking at the plays you make; they know you can make plays and catch the ball, so they’re looking at the plays when you’re not getting the ball. That’s what I tried to focus on last season, and coaches did a good job of being hard on me and not allowing me to take plays off. That definitely helped my game.”
Mayock noticed.
“Watkins is physically explosive,” Mayock said. “But what I really, really like about this kid is he’s got toughness. He’ll physically beat press coverage. He blocks people.
“He’s got a little attitude about him. You can see him getting (angry) during games and going after corners and safeties and linebackers. So he’s got an attitude like he wants to be the best player there is, and when you combine that with his physical ability, I think it’s awesome.”
Watkins will be joined at the Combine by fellow receiver Martavis Bryant, who like Watkins is taking the professional plunge as a junior; quarterback Tajh Boyd, offensive lineman Brandon Thomas and defensive back Bashaud Breeland.
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/art...-analyst-Mayock-calls-Watkins-special-player-
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