I can admit when I’m wrong. It’s not something I enjoy, but when the situation calls for it, I’ll admit that I was off the mark on a prediction.

This happens to be one of those situations.

I predicted that certain B1G players would improve their draft stocks at the combine. Some of those predictions were accurate (Curtis Samuel, Jabrill Peppers), but others were not. In fact, two of the players in that story ended up in this one.

These five B1G prospects hurt their draft stocks in Indianapolis:

1. Jaleel Johnson, Iowa DT

As previously stated, Johnson was someone I thought would surprise people at the combine. He has power and flexibility that most defensive tackles don’t have. But those skills didn’t come out in Indianapolis.

Johnson recorded a 5.38-second 40-yard dash, which was the second worst of all defensive linemen. His historically slow 10-yard splits of 2.03 and 1.92 had some scouts “cringing,” according to Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman. The former Iowa star also had the second worst broad jump among defensive linemen.

Simply put, Johnson didn’t look explosive at all. The Kawann Short comparisons took a back seat over the weekend.

Having said that, Johnson can still make an immediate impact in the NFL. He just might not get paid as much to do so.

Clement

2. Corey Clement, Wisconsin RB

Speaking of guys I thought would rise up draft boards in Indy, Clement didn’t exactly deliver. His 4.68-second 40-yard dash didn’t sit well.

Consider some of the non-running backs who who beat that time:

  • 4 quarterbacks
  • 8 tight ends
  • 9 defensive linemen
  • 11 linebackers (including teammate Vince Biegel)

At 220 pounds, Clement didn’t need to run a 4.40 to impress scouts, but it’s not the best look when guys 20, 30 and 40 pounds heavier are recording better times. The former Wisconsin back reportedly didn’t look fluid in position drills, either.

Clement was projected as a middle-round pick by many, with the thought that a solid combine performance could potentially move him into the Day-2 conversation. At a position in which it doesn’t take much to free fall, Clement didn’t make a case to be anything more than a Day-3 pick.

But as Jordan Howard reminded everyone, even Day-3 running backs can star as rookies.

3. De’Veon Smith, Michigan RB

Minor injuries at the combine are a lose-lose situation. Play through it and struggle, and the concerns will surface. Sit and wait until the pro day, durability concerns surface and it puts a lot more pressure on one day.

That was the spot Smith was in because of an ankle injury. He made a last-minute decision to sit the 40. He still competed in the other events, but other than his 22 bench press reps, Smith was at the bottom of the running back pack.

He finished dead last among the running backs with a 108-inch broad jump and a 4.56-second 20-yard shuttle. He also clocked the second-worst time in the three-cone drill and was a full 10 inches behind the best running back vertical.

Smith wasn’t expected to look like Leonard Fournette, but he didn’t leave the impression that a team will have to reach to get him. As we know, running backs are a dime a dozen. Backs that test like Smith did without big-time college production are destined for Day 3.

Stribling

4. Channing Stribling, Michigan CB

With 14 guys in Indianapolis, Michigan was bound to have a couple of sub-par performances. Unfortunately for Stribling, he was one of them.

His five bench press reps were tied for the fewest of all combine participants, which shouldn’t be a huge deal. It did, however, solidify concerns about his upper-body strength. At 6-1, 188 pounds, Stribling is built differently than a lot of cornerbacks.

Unfortunately, he didn’t help himself in the 40, either. A 4.60 was below average for a cornerback, especially for one with Stribling’s lack of strength.

His 114-inch broad jump was dead last among defensive backs and only one DB had a slower 20-yard shuttle time than Stribling. Two offensive linemen actually out-performed the former Michigan cornerback in that event.

Stribling’s ball skills didn’t get a chance to shine in Indianapolis. That could still make him an early Day-3 pick and a successful NFL player. But Stribling didn’t do anything in Indianapolis that warranted Day-2 consideration.

5. Noah Brown, Ohio State WR

Brown got the old “incomplete” grade. That never helps one’s draft stock.

The former Buckeye wideout became one of the more intriguing receiver prospects in the draft after making a surprise decision to declare early. But those questions remained after Brown completed only three of the combine tests.

Putting up 19 bench press reps was solid, but Brown tested in the bottom half in the only two quickness events he participated in. He didn’t run the 40, either. He’ll save that for Ohio State’s pro day.

Again, if we were talking about an accomplished, first-team All-B1G receiver, Brown’s limited combine showing wouldn’t be a big deal. But a guy with his injury history and his lack of college production — he had a career-high 402 receiving yards in his first and only full season — didn’t help himself by not participating in the majority of the events.

Limited film made Brown an enigma before. That didn’t change over the weekend. Hopefully for Brown’s sake, catches like this will do the talking in draft rooms.