NFL Teams notified: No Failed Drug Tests at NFL scouting combine
The drug testing can be as telling as anything else in the combine, it can be one of the utmost variables in draft stock. There’s usually been one or two failed drug tests in the combine. It’s proven to damage the draft stock of the players. This year it won’t be a problem.
The NFL notified all 32 NFL teams that no player tested positive for drugs at February’s scouting combine. The league usually sends out drug test results a week before the draft. The results usually include names of players who tested positive. Several players in the recent drafts have seen their stock drop after failing the drug test.
None of the players who tested positive since 2010 have been selected in the first round. Last year, former Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory, a projected top-10 pick ended up being selected 60th overall by the Dallas Cowboys after telling reporters he tested positive for marijuana. He is suspended for the first four games of this season after violating the substance abuse policy during his rookie year.
In 2014, then LSU QB Zach Mettenberger provided a diluted urine sample, other players being named as failing the drug test was Florida State defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan, LSU defensive tackle Anthony Johnson, and Florida State linebackers Telvin Smith and Christian Jones, former Miami Hurricanes right tackle Seantrel Henderson also tested positive for marijuana.
Mettenberger slid to the sixth round of the draft, selected at 178th overall by the Tennessee Titans. Jernigan fell to the second round going 48th overall to the Ravens, Smith was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round with the 144th overall pick and Henderson went in the seventh round to the Buffalo Bills with the 237th overall pick. Johnson and Jones went undrafted. All caused by failed drug tests.
In 2013, former California wide receiver Keenan Allen’s tests were red-flagged due to suspiciously high levels of water in his system and he was ordered to take another test, Schefter reported. Allen’s agent denied his client had failed any drug test, but the wide receiver fell to the San Diego Chargers in the third round number 76 overall.
In 2012, former Ohio State tackle Mike Adams, Arizona linebacker Vontaze Burfict and Virginia Tech cornerback Jayron Hosley were among players who reportedly failed combine drug tests. Adams was selected in the second round going 56th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Hosley went to the New York Giants in the third round going 94th overall. Burfict went undrafted but later signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.
