Griffin III shows off speed at NFL combine
Luck’s statistics similar to Newton’s last year
INDIANAPOLIS – Robert Griffin III proved he’s the fastest quarterback at this year’s NFL scouting combine.
It might not be enough to supplant Andrew Luck as the No. 1 pick.
The two finally got a chance to demonstrate their athleticism Sunday when workouts began.
Griffin showed his speed in the 40-yard dash, finishing officially in 4.41 seconds – the best of any quarterback. Unofficially, Luck ran a 4.59, the same time Cam Newton posted in 2011, but the time was later adjusted to an official 4.69, fourth among QBs.
Even so, not much has changed in the rankings.
“I think what was surprising to some people was how athletic Andrew Luck is. I think a lot of people might be surprised to compare his measurables to Cam Newton from a year ago,” NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said.
His broad jump (10 feet, 4 inches) was two inches short of Newton’s best in 2011, and Luck’s vertical jump (36 inches) was actually better than Newton’s (35 inches).
Justin Blackmon, the No. 1 ranked receiver in this draft class, ran the gantlet – a drill in which players must catch balls thrown quickly in succession. Blackmon sat out the 40, as expected, after he said he hurt his hamstring last week.
Three receivers were tied atop the official results: Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill, Stanford’s Chris Owusu and Miami’s Travis Benjamin all finished with official times of 4.36. Receivers A.J. Jenkins of Illinois and Devon Wylie of Fresno State rounded out the top five at 4.39.
Miami’s Lamar Miller (4.40) was the fastest running back.