7. Obi Melifonwu, safety, Connecticut
Nobody won more hype for himself at the combine than Melifonwu, who absolutely blew scouts away with his blend of size (6-foot-4, 224 pounds), speed (4.40-second 40) and explosion (44-inch vertical, 141-inch broad jump).
Built like a linebacker with the speed of a track star, Melifonwu was not the first combine workout warrior from Connecticut. His broad jump was second in the history of the combine. Former Huskies defensive back Byron Jones (now with the Cowboys) holds the best mark, which was also a world record.
However, while Melifonwu possesses ideal physical traits he isn’t as sure a thing as his combine numbers would suggest. Despite a productive career at Connecticut where he started four years, the big issue is that he just isn’t an instinctive player. And he’s not a true ball hawk, despite his four interceptions last year.
Some team is going to fall in love with his potential. We already know what kind of reaction he garnered during his week-long stay in Indianapolis this February. But the hype is a bit too much with this kid, who could end up becoming a marginal starter at the NFL level.