Five players from the Miami Hurricanes received invitations to the 2024 NFL Combine. Despite transfer center Matt Lee boosting his draft prospects, the remaining four players experienced a decline in their perceived value according to NFL Draft analysts.
Matt Lee, center
Let’s start with Matt Lee. Upon his arrival at the combine, Lee was noticeably heavier by about 20 pounds compared to his weight during the Senior Bowl, showcasing excellent physical condition. Serving as the captain of the ‘Canes offensive line in 2023 after transferring from UCF, Lee’s performance garnered attention.
In terms of metrics, Lee recorded the second-fastest 40-yard dash time among centers, clocking in at 5.03 seconds. However, his 10-yard split was only the fifth fastest at 1.76 seconds. While his vertical leap of 31 inches ranked seventh among centers, he excelled with a third-place finish in the broad jump, covering a distance of 9 feet and 3 inches.
Lee’s performance at the combine potentially elevated his draft stock from being an undrafted free agent (UDFA) to possibly being selected in the seventh round of the upcoming NFL Draft. While this might not seem like a significant difference, drafted players tend to receive more opportunities and longer stints with teams, including potential placements on practice squads.
According to NFL.com, Lee is ranked as the ninth center in the upcoming draft class. With his evident preparation and football intelligence, there’s confidence that Lee could carve out a career as a backup center in the NFL for several seasons. Furthermore, his potential transition into coaching post-retirement is seen as promising.
Updated Prediction: 7th round
Javion Cohen, guard
Javion Cohen, a guard who transferred from Alabama to Miami, underperformed at the combine, which came as a surprise considering his solid performance in the 2023 season.
Interestingly, Cohen decided to opt out of the 40-yard dash, a test less relevant for offensive linemen compared to the 10-yard split. Instead, focus should be on how well linemen engage with defensive linemen, their broad jump, vertical jump, and agility in curved sprints, such as during screen plays or pulling maneuvers.
Cohen’s vertical jump of 26 1⁄2 inches ranked him 19th among guards, and his broad jump of 8 feet 8 inches placed him 16th when compared solely to other guards. NFL.com ranked Cohen as the 12th best guard, and in the 2023 draft, only 15 guards were selected. This projection positioned him in the potential seventh round of the draft.
However, Cohen’s extensive experience with over 30 career starts in both the SEC and ACC, along with being coached by renowned figures like Nick Saban and Alex Mirabal, could work in his favor. It’s likely that his actual on-field performance exceeds what his combine testing numbers suggest. It’s puzzling why Cohen didn’t come better prepared for the combine, especially considering that he’s not guaranteed to be drafted within the first four rounds.
Updated Prediction: 6th round
Leonard Taylor III, defensive tackle
Leonard Taylor’s performance at the combine left much to be desired, especially considering his background as a former five-star blue-chip prospect from Miami-Palmetto Senior High School. Taylor’s 40-yard dash time of 5.12 seconds placed him 13th out of 19 defensive tackles who tested, while his 10-yard split of 1.76 seconds ranked 11th among DTs. His vertical jump of 30 inches was 10th, and his broad jump of 9 feet placed him 7th among DTs.
According to NFL.com, Taylor is rated as the 11th best defensive tackle in the upcoming draft. In the 2023 draft, 21 DTs were selected, which would position Taylor in the potential fourth round. While Taylor’s film showcases his explosiveness, evident in his ability to record about a tackle for loss per game, his other statistics such as sacks, forced fumbles, and pass breakups may not be as impressive.
Updated Prediction: 4th round
James Williams, safety
James Williams, a safety, showcased lackluster numbers at the combine, particularly considering his background as a former five-star blue-chip prospect. His 40-yard dash time of 4.65 seconds tied with Kamren Kinchens for the slowest among safeties, and his 10-yard split of 1.59 seconds also tied for the slowest by position, alongside Kinchens and others.
With a vertical jump of 30 inches, Williams recorded the lowest among safeties at the combine. His broad jump measured at 9 feet 9 inches. These performances led to Williams being ranked as the 16th best safety by NFL.com, a placement that would have put him in the potential seventh round of the 2023 draft.
Although Williams’s size might intrigue some teams, standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 230 pounds, his on-field behavior raises concerns. His film often shows instances of undisciplined penalties, which could nullify the advantages of his physical stature. Additionally, his style of play, characterized by a tendency to stand high and stiff for a box safety, would require him to demonstrate significant value in special teams play to potentially improve his draft stock beyond the fifth round.
Updated Prediction: 7th round (formerly 5th round)
Kamren Kinchens, safety
Kamren Kinchens, an All-American and All-ACC player, had a disappointing performance at the combine, reminiscent of Jaquon Johnson’s showing. Like James Williams, Kinchens also recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.65 seconds and a 10-yard split of 1.59 seconds, tying for the slowest among safeties.
Adding to his lackluster display, Kinchens managed a subpar broad jump of 9 feet 2 inches, despite achieving a vertical jump of 35 inches. Despite these results, Kinchens is still rated as the 6th best safety among a pool of 20 by NFL.com. This placement would typically position him around the fourth round in the 2023 draft.
Considering Kinchens’s strong performance on film and his demonstrated ability to make plays, particularly with his soft hands, he still holds potential to be selected in the fourth round. However, prior to his poor combine showing, some had projected him to be taken as early as the second round.
Updated Prediction: 4th round
The Wrap
It’s evident that the disappointing performance of Miami’s players at the combine can’t be solely attributed to a lack of talent, especially considering the highly touted backgrounds of Leonard Taylor, James Williams, Kamren Kinchens, and Javion Cohen. Taylor and Williams were five-star recruits out of high school, while Cohen was a four-star recruit both in high school and in the transfer portal. Kinchens, though initially a three-star recruit, showcased his abilities with 11 interceptions during his time at Miami. Additionally, Matt Lee, despite being a former three-star recruit, demonstrated potential with his performance at the combine.
The lackluster showing raises concerns about the effectiveness of Miami’s development program under Mario Cristobal and Aaron Feld. Recruits are increasingly seeking programs that offer both immediate financial benefits and long-term development opportunities. While Miami may provide the former, there appears to be a deficiency in the latter under the current coaching staff.
Whoever was responsible for preparing Kinchens, Williams, Cohen, and Taylor for the combine could potentially face criticism for their performance, unless there were mitigating factors such as skipping training sessions or disregarding instructions regarding rest, recovery, and nutrition. Ultimately, the disappointing outcomes underscore the need for improvement in Miami’s player development strategies to ensure that blue-chip recruits reach their full potential on the field and at events like the NFL combine.
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