Star of the NFL Combine and Likely Top 10 Draft Pick Talks About God After Incredible Performance
As is often the case, there are always a handful of NFL prospects whose career trajectories seem to completely change based on their NFL Scouting Combine performance.
As CBS Sports notes, there may not be a more infamous example than former Philadelphia Eagles player Mike Mamula. The Eagles traded their first-round pick and a pair of second-round picks to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to move up five spots to the seventh overall selection in 1995. Mamula, originally pegged as a third-round pick, skyrocketed up draft boards after his combine performance. His career was okay, if not disappointing due to the draft capital the Eagles had to give up for Mamula.
While Ole Miss receiver D.K. Metcalf was always likely to be a first-round pick, he may have cemented his status as a top-10 pick with his combine performance.
Even at first glance, Metcalf stood out among his peers. He looks like a linebacker despite being a receiver.
D.K. Metcalf is a 6’4″, 240-lb WR who looks ready to destroy the #NFLCombine ? pic.twitter.com/NIQSYemDn1
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 27, 2019
Metcalf’s physique was enough to grab the attention of Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden.
“He looked like Jim Brown,” Gruden said at the combine. “He’s the biggest wideout I’ve ever seen. You have to ask yourself, ‘Who is tackling this guy?’ So, if you’re a 175-pound corner and you’re tackling a 235-pound back or a 230-pound wideout or a tight end, you have to ask yourself, ‘Is this what I want to do?’”
When Metcalf arrived on the field for combine drills, he impressed further.
4.33? At that size?
We see you, @dkmetcalf14 ??? pic.twitter.com/Esfc38n1tM
— New York Jets (@nyjets) March 2, 2019
Metcalf ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds, bench-pressed 225 pounds 27 times, posted a vertical jump of 40 1/2 inches and a broad jump of 11 feet, 2 inches. Those marks were all top-five scores in their respective drills for receivers.
Metcalf’s combine performance all but guarantees a top-10 selection, with many believing that if he somehow slipped past the fourth overall pick to the Raiders, he would get scooped up at No. 9 by the receiver-needy Buffalo Bills.
Knowing how coveted he is and hearing his rave reviews, nobody would blame Metcalf for feeling a bit full of himself. Had he posted a self-congratulatory post to his Instagram, not a single NFL pundit would’ve batted an eyelash.
Instead, Metcalf posted something that honestly move him up even further on the draft boards.
Metcalf showed the quality of his character, which truly is an underrated NFL attribute, with a simple four-word message on his Instagram.
“God Makes NO Mistakes,” Metcalf said in a caption below a photo of himself at the combine. It’s mighty impressive for such a young man to laud God over his own efforts for such a successful combine.
Look, there’s always a chance that Metcalf may turn out to be a draft bust. But based on his faith and character, it seems readily apparent he will always be a success off the field.
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