Doss gets high appraisal at NFL Combine

INDIANAPOLIS — Tandon Doss was already a step behind some of his peers when he was unable to show off his skills at the Senior Bowl. Doss left IU after his junior year and was ineligible to participate in the event.

He put himself further behind this weekend when he declined to participate in drills at the NFL Scouting Combine. Doss had surgery to repair two torn groin muscles after the college football season and is still two to three weeks from fully recovering.

That hasn’t stopped the former Hoosier from garnering attention from NFL Draft experts.

“I like the way that he developed,” NFL Network analyst Charles Davis said. “He’s got a little length to him. Not many people know about him because he was at Indiana. As far as upper-tier wide receivers, he’ll have to prove it, but I think he’s a guy that’s definitely draftable.”

ESPN analyst Todd McShay went a step further.

“I think he’s the most underrated wide receiver in this class,” he said. “He has great hands. Not good hands, he has great hands. He can improve a little bit as a route runner, and he’s not overly elusive at all. But he gets up the field in a hurry. He’s quick. He has great body control.”

Alabama’s Julio Jones and Georgia’s A.J. Green appear to be the top-two receiving prospects in the class with everybody else jockeying for a position behind them. Doss said Saturday he was trying to use the combine as an opportunity to show off some interviewing skills and tell teams why they should draft him.

“I’m trying to sell my versatility, my work ethic and that I’m a playmaker wherever you put me,” the former Ben Davis High School standout said. “I’m trying to make the most of my opportunity with the coaches and show them the type of person I am.”

So where will he be drafted? A lot of that will depend on how he performs in his pro day at IU on April 6. At this point, though, McShay said he likes Doss’ chances.  

“There are two elite receivers in this class, but after that, I think you could make an argument that Doss is third,” he said. “I have him as my fourth receiver, but I think he’s in the late-first, but closer to early-second-round range.”

Brewer, Turner begin workouts

Former IU offensive lineman James Brewer and wide receiver Terrance Turner did participate in drills during the weekend.

Turner, who will be fighting for a draft spot, said the combine experience was different than what he expected it would be.

“When you see it from afar, you see the running and the jumping — you see the performances,” Turner said. “When you’re here, it’s a little bit more depth. It’s been good. It’s been a lot of waiting, a lot of tests and everything, but it’s been good.”

Brewer’s athleticism was questioned during the weekend, but he performed well in many of the events. McShay said he believes there is a spot for Brewer in the NFL.

“He fits for certain people,” he said. “Very good size, could play with better leverage. Not a great athlete. At right tackle or inside at guard, he’s got a chance to be a starter in the NFL. Probably third round or, worst case, fourth round.”