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Posted on Wed, Feb 29, 2012 : 5:59 a.m.

A look at how 3 Michigan football players upgraded their draft stock at the NFL Combine

By Kyle Meinke

INDIANAPOLIS — Three former Michigan football players went to Indianapolis with specific goals for wooing NFL scouts at the combine.

And they more or less did it.

Here's a look of what Mike Martin, David Molk and Junior Hemingway did for their draft stock at the combine, with Michigan's pro day looming next week. Each is expected to make an appearance, although participation levels will vary.

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Junior Hemingway

Junior Hemingway

40-yard dash: 4.53 seconds (19th out of 40 receivers)

3-cone drill: 6.59 seconds (1st)

20-yard shuttle: 3.98 seconds (T-1st)

Bench press: 21 reps (T-3rd)

Vertical jump: 35.5 inches (T-22nd)

Broad jump: 124.0 inches (8th)

Best-case scenario: 7th round

Worst-case scenario: Undrafted free agent

Known interviews: Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans

Takeaway: Hemingway was one of the heaviest receivers at the combine, weighing in at 225 pounds, and he needed to show enough speed to quiet doubts about whether he can create separation at the next level. He did that, with an adequate 40 time and a tremendous showing in explosiveness/change-of-direction drills. He also showed good hands in the receiver drills, helping to boost his draft chances. Was ranked in the Nos. 30-50 range among receivers entering the combine, with just 28 taken last year. His forecast should be brighter as the dust settles from the weekend.

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Mike Martin

Mike Martin

40-yard dash: 4.88 seconds (3rd among defensive tackles)

3-cone drill: 7.19 seconds (3rd)

20-yard shuttle: 4.25 seconds (2nd)

Bench press: 36 (T-2nd)

Vertical jump: 33.5 inches (4th)

Broad jump: 113.0 inches (1st)

Best-case scenario: Late first round

Worst-case scenario: Third round

Known interviews: Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Takeaway: Martin will be hindered by his 6-foot-1 frame, but there's no question he proved to be one of the most athletic defensive tackles in this class. He ranked among the top five in every category at his position, despite being outside the top 10 in most projections. Expect to see his stock rise in the coming weeks, as teams and analysts review his tape. He likely will be a second-round selection in a draft that is deep at his position.

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David Molk

David Molk

40-yard dash: N/A

3-cone drill: N/A

20-yard shuttle: N/A

Bench press: 41 (1st among offensive linemen)

Vertical jump: N/A

Broad jump: N/A

Best-case scenario: 2nd round

Worst-case scenario: 5th round

Known interviews: Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Takeaway: Molk had one event, as foot surgery prevented him from competing in the field drills, and made it count with 41 reps in the bench press. That blew away projected No. 1 center Peter Konz (18 reps), as well as consensus No. 2 Mike Brewster (29). But at 6-foot-1, 298 pounds, he's smaller than both those guys and likely is pigeonholed into playing for a zone-blocking team. He hopes to run at Michigan's pro day next week, which could help his case. There still is a lot of variance in his draft stock, but he certainly helped himself at the combine. Demand also seems to be higher than usual for centers.

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Comments

Terry Star21

Sat, Mar 3, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.

I agree Kyle, very good breakdown.....hope they go high, but no matter what they will be picked early. Good call Steve, I liked you in 'Bullet'...too cool....Got a better feeling about JR going earlier since his tryout, I agree that the demand for centers could pull Molk earlier than normal and Martin - geez, who wouldn't want him !

Steve McQueen

Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 3:28 a.m.

Good analysis here. I have this feeling that the Vikings are going to take Junior in later rounds... Molk in the 3rd or 4th to the Lions (even though he is the best center in the draft and should go higher)...which will be a big value pick for the Lions as they replace an aging Raiola. Martin is the type of player that could end up at a lot of teams... it all depends on what they have up front at Nose and how they can utilize Martins athleticism to complement it.