Highlights from today's NFL Network coverage of on-field workouts for offensive linemen, running backs and specialists at the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis:
LOOMING LARGE: LSU running back Leonard Fournette officially weighed in at 240 pounds.
NFL Network reporter Kim Jones said Fournette told her he'd played at 225-230 in college.
"He said, 'It's water weight, I can lose it,'" Jones reported. "'Either way, I'm fast."
NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock saw more of Fournette than initially anticipated.
"It's a little bit of a red flag to me that he showed up at 240," Mayock said.
Fournette's first 40-yard dash was unofficially clocked at 4.51 and the second at 4.52.
"That's plenty good to me," Mayock assessed.
Added NFL Network analyst Marshall Faulk: "When I heard he was 240, I was like 'wow.' Maybe they're onto something we don't know. If you're going to run 4.5, you better be 240. If he was 225, we'd be looking at the 4.5 and questioning it.
"I think it's something new. Guys used to lose weight to run faster, it baffles me. But, and I always go to this, on the field he plays faster than that 4.5 time."
PERSPECTIVE: For those watching on TV, today was the first day of the Combine.
Not so for the participants.
"You know what people don't understand about the Combine is this is Day Four for the players that are going to compete today, meaning they've been here for three days," Mayock said. "Up at 5 a.m., poked and prodded, I'm talking medically, I'm talking psychologically, their interviews go to 11 p.m. every night, so they're exhausted. They're going to come out here and compete."
RUNNING BACK BONANZA: Mayock assessed the running back class as "the deepest, and I'm talking quality at the top and I'm talking depth throughout.
"It's the best running back class in recent history," Mayock added.
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LINE LACKING:** "From talking to talent evaluators, general managers and coaches in this league this week, expectations are pretty low for the offensive line," Jones reported.
BRADY REVISITED: Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, a sixth-round pick in 2000, shared on social media what evaluators had to say about him entering the 2000 NFL Scouting Combine. Brady's post was broadcast along with highlights of his Combine workout: "Poor build, skinny, lacks great physical stature and strength. Lacks mobility and ability to avoid the rush. Lacks a really strong arm, can't drive the ball downfield, does not throw a really tight spiral. System-type player who can get exposed if forced to ad-lib. Gets knocked down easily."
NFL Network analyst Steve Smith Sr. had this to say while a clip of Brady's 40-yard dash in 2000 was being replayed: "Fastest mall-walker I've seen in a while."
THE BIG TEN EDGE: Mayock sang the praises of the Big Ten Conference while assessing Ohio State guard-center Pat Elflein: "Coming out of the Big Ten programs that typically run the ball and they're a little more balanced than a lot of the spread teams, I think some of the Big Ten offensive linemen have an advantage going into the NFL. They're used to their hand in the dirt. They're used to running the football. They're used to pass-protection calls between the center and the quarterback and changing. This kid is NFL ready, Pat Elflein."
FAST TACKLE: TCU offensive tackle Aviante Collins was officially clocked at 4.81 in the 40.
"That's the third-fastest 40 for an offensive lineman since 2003, trailing only Terron Armstead of Arkansas-Pine Bluff (4.71) and Lane Johnson of Oklahoma (4.72)," NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks reported.
Armstead was a third-round pick of the Saints in 2013.
Johnson was a fourth-round selection of the Eagles in 2013.
EVALUATOR'S FAVORITE: Pitt running back James Conner overcame stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma on his way to the Combine.
"Every single talent evaluator I talked to about James Conner said these words to me, 'we're rooting for that guy,' and 'what a great story,'" Jones reported.
Conner's unofficial 40 times were 4.66 and 4.68.
WITH THE 30TH PICK: Brooks' mock draft projected Temple linebacker Haason Reddick to the Steelers on the first round.
