Top Performers
40-yard Dash
4.29s: Zedrick Woods, S (Mississippi)
4.30s: Jamal Dean, DB (Auburn)
4.31s: Parris Campbell, WR (Ohio State)
Bench Press
39: Iosua Opeta, OL (Weber St.)
36: Dexter Lawrence, DL (Clemson)
35: Albert Huggins, DL (Clemson)
Vertical Jump
44.0”: Juan Thornhill, S (Virginia)
43.5”: Miles Boykin, WR (Notre Dame)
43.5”: Emanuel Hall, WR (Missouri)
Broad Jump
11’9”: Emanuel Hall, WR (Missouri)
11’9”: Juan Thornhill, S (Virginia)
11’8”: Miles Boykin, WR (Notre Dame)
3-Cone Drill
6.45s: David Long, DB (Michigan)
6.63s: Marvell Tell, S (USC)
6.65s: Easton Stick, QB (North Dakota St.)
Short Shuttle
3.97s: David Long, DB (Michigan)
3.99s: Taylor Rapp, S (Washington)
4.01s: Marvell Tell, S (USC)
Long Shuttle
11.33s: Taylor Rapp, S (Washington)
11.35s: Maxx Crosby, DL (Eastern Michigan)
11.39s: Hunter Renfrow, WR (Clemson)
WINNERS
Montez Sweat, DL (Mississippi St.)
At 6’6” and 260 lbs, Montez Sweat ran a 4.41 40-yard dash. That’s the fastest 40-time ever by a defensive lineman, and he ran faster than all but one running back, four safeties, and four cornerbacks. In a draft that is crowded with pass rushers in the first round, Sweat’s 40-time and 4th ranked short shuttle-time will have him shooting up draft boards.
D.K. Metcalf, WR (Mississippi)
If you paid any attention to football this past week, you are guaranteed to have heard about Metcalf’s Combine weekend. He measured in at almost 6’4” and 228 lbs with allegedly 1.9% body fat, benched 225 lbs twenty-seven times, and ran a 4.33 40-yard dash. There are now talks of him going within the top 10 to the Bills, Raiders, or even the Jets at #3. Scouts should beware, however, as he posted historically bad times at agility tests.
Garrett Bradbury, C (North Carolina St.)
Bradbury had such an awesome Combine workout that he may have vaulted himself into the first round (looking at you, Minnesota Vikings). These were his rankings in the major drills:
40-yard dash: 2nd
Bench Press: 2nd
3-Cone Drill: 1st
Bradbury’s rare combination of strength and athleticism was clearly on display and will make him a valuable asset in the interior of an offensive line.
N’Keal Harry, WR (Arizona St.)
His on-field workouts were somewhat underwhelming, but the biggest knock on Harry was his lack of deep speed. Well, after posting a 4.53, that concern should be quelled. With an improved Pro Day workout Harry should be a lock to go in the 1st round as well.
Tyree Jackson, QB (Buffalo)
Watching Jackson on film from last season is painful. His delivery is a mess and his accuracy is suspect. However, for someone who had minimal coaching his entire life, he showed outstanding improvement at the Senior Bowl and then again at the Combine, with a much cleaner delivery and better accuracy. Oh, and he ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at 6’7” and 249 lbs. I expect him to be a late 3rd-4th round developmental prospect.
Michigan Defensive Prospects
Devin Bush, Rashan Gary, Chase Winovich, and David Long absolutely dominated the Combine drills. Bush ranked 1st in vertical jump, 2nd in the 40-yard dash, and 3rd in broad jump. Gary ranked 1st, 1st, and 2nd in those respective categories, while Winovich and Long both displayed great speed and agility. It’s possible that Bush, Gary, and Winovich could all go in the first round if the board falls the right way.
LOSERS
Kyler Murray, QB (Oklahoma)
Hear me out. Kyler measured in at 5’10” and 207 pounds, which is a huge win for him. However, there are a couple causes for concern. First, he did not run or throw at this weight. I have a strong suspicion that when he works out at his Pro Day he will weigh significantly less. It’s hard to know if 207 pounds is sustainable for his playing style. Second, NFL Network’s Charley Casserly that he heard “the worst comments [he] ever got on a top-rated quarterback”. Murray reportedly displayed unimpressive leadership skills, work ethic, and knowledge of the game. This is hugely damaging for someone who is considered by most to be the #1 QB in this draft.
Jachai Polite, EDGE (Florida)
For starters, Polite was the 3rd slowest EDGE in this year’s combine with a 4.84 40-time. Beyond that, what’s more concerning is that his interviews with teams did not go well at all, and that was reported straight from Polite’s twitter. He said the Rams were the only team that “didn’t bash [him]” and that he didn’t expect questions about his character or accountability. If I were a GM, I would take him off my draft board immediately, and I suspect that many teams will.
Greg Little, OL (Mississippi)
For someone who was touted as a more athletic offensive lineman, this Combine performance stings. He posted the 2nd lowest 40-time, 4th lowest 3-cone, and 4th lowest bench press. His stock will plummet unless he has a better showing at his pro day.
Will Grier, QB (West Virginia)
Grier’s workout was simply not good. For someone who thrives on throwing an accurate ball, he did not show off that trait of his in the on-field drills. He lacks an explosive arm and high-end speed and quickness, so accuracy is a must. Grier needs to have a better Pro Day.
Elijah Holyfield, RB (Georgia)
Holyfield’s strong suits never included his speed and quickness, but Evander’s son ran such a slow 40-time that he may not ever be considered a halfback for the NFL ever again. The Georgia RB also had the 2nd lowest vertical jump. Teams are now calling for Holyfield to be a fullback at the next level, a move he should consider.