Four Down Territory

Welcome to the offseason version of Four Down Territory.

It’s going to be a little different than it was in-season. I'll post one weekly during the season, which for me is from SEC Media Days through Missouri's final game.

During the offseason, I’ll post every other week.

I don't want to post a Missouri football-based column and not write about the team. Now, if something happens on a week it's not scheduled to come out, I'll change course and post a column.

GET THE INSIDE SCOOP EVERY DAY WITH YOUR PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION!

1. Going over NFL Combine performances.

A Missouri school record, eight players were invited to Indianapolis for the NFL Combine last week.

Those players were Cody Schrader, Javon Foster, Darius Robinson, Ty'Ron Hopper, Kris Abrams-Draine, Ennis Rakestraw, Jaylon Carlies and Harrison Mevis.

So, let's go over some of the good, the bad and the things in between.

​Robinson, who has had the most buzz of the group since the East-West Shrine Bowl, had a pretty good outing on Thursday.

The interesting thing about his testing is he went to the combine as an EDGE. That checks out.

He had his best season as an EDGE, plus it shows his position flexibility.

However, he ran a 4.95 40-yard dash, which ranked 23rd among defensive ends who ran. If Robinson ran as a defensive tackle, his time would've placed him sixth among players.

Honestly, Robinson tested so well that it's not the end all be all, but it was just something I noticed.

​After the Shrine Bowl, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. said Robinson could be a top 10 pick. That's not going to happen. From the mock draft simulations I've done, he's usually in between picks 34 and 45, which is a high second-round pick.

​Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network has mocked him to be in the back of the first round, which is also plausible.

Truthfully, being a late first-round pick or an early second-round pick is some of the best value in the draft.

If you're a late first, you're (usually) going to a good team. You get a fifth-year option.

If you're a top pick in the second round, your value is still off the charts and there's a possibility that a playoff team trades out of the first and gets you in the second. So, you could still get drafted by a good team.

Carlies had a solid performance on Friday, which was highlighted by a 4.5 40-yard dash.

Gabe and I said weeks ago when we learned Carlies bulked up, that he would be a great candidate to move to outside linebacker.

He and Hopper are around the same size, except Carlies can play deep safety or be in the box.

The folks at the NFL Network agree.

Rakestraw didn't test well on Friday due to a groin injury. He missed four games due to a groin injury last season.

The 5-foot-11 and 182-pounder is projected to be a second-round pick.

Schrader's day was cut short on Saturday due to a hamstring injury. But he posted a 4.61 40-yard dash, a 1.55 10-yard split and a 33-inch vertical jump.

He and Rakestraw should be fine for Mizzou's Pro Day on March 22. But they'll have to turn it up a bit.

Hopper and Mevis only had their measurements listed. Although, a clip of Mevis nailing a 60-harder circulated social media.

March 22 will be a big day for the All-SEC selection and former All-American.

Abrams-Draine flashed his speed, running a 4.44 40-yard dash, and is projected to be a third-round pick.

His athleticism and ball skills make him a decent prospect, but his size may be a little off-putting for some teams.

Lastly, Foster tested okay. The only thing he didn’t do was the bench press. So, that’ll be interesting to see come Pro Day.

He’s projected to be a fifth-round pick.

2. Things I’ve heard or seen about the current roster.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF FOUR DOWN TERRITORY

Stay up to date on all the Mizzou news with your premium subscription

Talk about this story and more in The Tigers' Lair

Make sure you're caught up on all the Tiger news and headlines

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for video and live streaming coverage

Follow our entire staff on Twitter