The NFL Combine’s first set of workouts took place Friday, and former UCLA tight end Joseph Fauria participated with 17 bench press reps — tied for 10th at his position.
Saturday is when the real fun begins, as offensive linemen and tight ends do their field work. Running backs, quarterbacks and receivers will also compete in the bench press. Here are the rest of the Bruins in Indianapolis this weekend, with ratings and analysis from their profiles on NFL.com.
DL Datone Jones — 85.6 — “Going forward, Jones needs to do a better job of anchoring, or disengaging once his intial surge is halted. However, his immense physical talent and extremely productive senior season should make him an early selection.”
Pro comparison: Cory Redding
RB Johnathan Franklin — 72.3 — “His speed, shifty hips, and one-cut ability will make him at least a nice NFL change-of-pace back.”
Pro comparison: Bernard Scott
TE Joseph Fauria — 60.8 — “Fauria is an impressive red-zone threat due to his height and ability to box defenders out, but he is fairly unimpressive after the catch in the middle of the field. He also has more than his fair share of struggles as a run blocker.”
Pro comparison: Chase Coffman
OL Jeff Baca — 59.75 — “He’s purely a guard in the pros, and his presenting the sort of nastiness and intelligence will earn him a mid- to late-round draft selection, by a team that’s willing to let him build up his functional strength.”
Pro comparison: Daniel Kilgore
DB Aaron Hester — 55.0 — “He needs to do a better job of finding and making plays on the football, but he should still be selected in the middle rounds.”
Pro comparison: Chris Culliver
P Jeff Locke — Locke will participate, but wasn’t among the five punters who received grades on NFL.com.
Ratings key:
96-100, future Hall of Famer, top pick
85-95, immediate starter, first round
70-84, eventual starter, second-third
50-69, draftable player, fourth-seventh