Evaluating Cody Hoffman’s Results at the 2014 NFL Combine

Aug 31, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Cody Hoffman (2) against the Virginia Cavaliers during the first half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

Cody Hoffman knew he needed a big day at the NFL Combine to move up the board among wide receivers in the 2014 class.

Unfortunately for Hoffman, his results from today’s workout at the Combine were mixed reviews.

Here’s Hoffman’s numbers from today and how he fared amongst the other wide out participants in this year’s Combine.

• 40-Yard Dash: 4.65 (Official; 4.53 Unofficial) – 42nd out of 45
• Broad Jump: 108.0 inches – Last among WO’s
• Vertical Jump: 27.5 inches – Last among WO’s
• Bench Press: 13 reps – Tied for ninth best

Heading into the Combine many scouts and experts felt Hoffman had a 6th or 7th round grade.  Now after this Combine we might be facing a situation where Hoffman is an un-drafted free agent.  Tough to imagine a player as productive as Hoffman was in college to not get drafted by a franchise, but these numbers at the Combine go a long way towards draft stock sadly.

For every phenom at the combine, like a Darrius Heyward-Bey; there has been many guys that have had subpar days at the combine.  Those same players who had the average days in Indianapolis have then went on to be some great wide receivers in the NFL.  Jerry Rice, arguably the greatest wideout ever ran a 4.71 40 at the combine.  Also, Pro Bowl wide receiver, Larry Fitzgerald ran a 4.63 coming out of Pitt.  Only one player who has ran a sub-4.4 official 40 has actually posted 1,000 receiving yards in a season (Mike Wallace).  So the 40-time isn’t the end all for Hoffman.  But now Hoffman’s limited suitors shrink a little bit more, and there’s more question marks for a franchise looking to use a draft pick on him.  Also, there was so much athleticism on display from the wide out position today.  12 wide receivers ran sub 4.45 40’s.  That’s impressive.  You get anything below 4.5 in the 40 and that’s outstanding.  Finishing last in two categories doesn’t help Hoffman’s draft cause either.

My instant reaction to all these numbers is what could have happened for Hoffman had he left after his junior season.  Let’s face it, Hoffman’s senior year hurt him severely.  Yes he became the all-time leading receiver at BYU but the injuries, suspensions, and BYU’s new run-based attack hurt him.  He could have been a third or fourth rounder last year.  Now he’s facing being overlooked after seven rounds of picks.

The good thing for Hoffman is he still has the BYU Pro Day (March 14th) to regroup and get his numbers up and get back on the draft board.