NFL Combine: Winners and Losers

The 2016 NFL Combine has wrapped up and now it's time teams gather all the numbers and watch hours of more film in preparation for the NFL Draft in April. The Combine is a time for those players who are at the top of most teams boards to prove why they're at the top with blistering 40's, fluid hips, and precision throwing. Then there are the players who come to the Combine in need of a strong performance to show teams why they should pick them or take a risk on them. Some guys needed that strong performance, here are some winners and losers from the 2016 NFL Combine.

WINNERS:

Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State: Wentz passed all the tests from the 40-yard dash to the on-field. Measuring in at 6 foot 5 and 237-pounds and clocking a 4.77 forty Wentz could very well be the first quarterback chosen come April. On the field, Wentz's throws looked easy. His throws were on the money and the deep balls were in great positions. There weren't too many negatives with Wentz over the weekend other than can he adapt to the NFL coming from FCS North Dakota State. He isn't Andrew Luck and I wouldn't put stock in him turning a franchise around like Luck did in Indy, but Wentz can become a consistent starting quarterback in the NFL.

Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame: Fuller was another prospect that passed the eye test. He isn't the biggest receiver coming out, 6 feet and 186-pounds, but he's fast. In fact, Fuller had the fastest time at Combine with a blazing 4.32. He also looked good in the gauntlet and was smooth going through all the catching drills. LaQuon Treadwell will likely be the first receiver chosen in the draft, and maybe the first round, but Fuller is making a case for that second spot.

Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss: This isn't a real surprise to anyone that Tunsil showed everyone why he's the likely number one pick. The heigh and weight checked out; 6 foot 5 and 310-pounds, and he can move. During the on-field drills Tunsil's change of direction and his quickness was that of a tight end. There isn't much more to say about the Ole Miss product other than if the Titans want to protect Marcus Mariota, Tunsil is the guy.

Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State: Apple was a prospect who came into the Combine as a potential first-round pick on many people's mock drafts, I wasn't so high on the former Buckeye. I think he'll still be an early second rounder but he helped his case as a first-round pick. Apple clocked a 4.40 and looked very good during the drills. The knack on him is his tackling and not always bringing his body through the tackles which you couldn't breakdown at the combine but with his size at 6 foot 1 and almost 200-pounds that has to be something he brings to the next level.

LOSERS:

Noah Spence, OLB, Eastern Kentucky: I still believe Spence will be a first-round pick but could slip to day two. If you're looking for comparisons for the former Ohio State Buckeye, Von Miller comes to mind. I'm not suggesting that Spence will be a Super Bowl MVP but he does have some of the same skill set as a Miller. Miller had much better combine numbers and those numbers that Spence put up could hurt him. His forty time came up a 4.80, slow for a player in his position.

Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State: Hackenberg was on my 'Players to Watch' list and he didn't do a whole lot to help his stock. The ideal situation for Penn State product would be in Houston under the tutelage of Bill O'Brien. O'Brien, as many know, was Hackenberg's coach his freshman year at Penn State. Which was his best year. While he ran fast, 4.78, the on-field drills weren't his best performance. He missed some throws high and his deep ball wasn't as great as many predicted. He didn't have the worst combine as it was overall pretty solid, but he needed an A+ performance to get people on his side. The question now will be, if Bill O'Brien doesn't take a chance on Hackenberg, who will?