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Before you read this, you should know that there were other impressive standouts at the combine and this certainly isnβt everybody that stood out in Indy, but these were the players who I felt really turned heads. Iβm really starting to get excited now that free agency is beginning to kick off and the combine has passed. Weβre really going to hit the stride of the offseason within the next month. This is an exciting time, especially if youβre team is looking to improve.
This yearβs draft will be dominated by defenders, especially along the defensive line. There were several other defensive linemen I could have included on this list but didnβt because I wanted some variety in my picks. So, even though the focus and talk will be all about the quarterbacks until the draft, this will be the year of the defensive line. Itβll be a nice change of pace.
What Bush lacks in size he makes up for in speed and agility. The 5-11, 234 lbs. linebacker was the second fastest linebacker at the combine, finishing the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds. Only one running back ran faster than Bush at the combine. Bush led all linebackers in the vertical jump (40.5 inches) and finished tied for third in the broad jump (124 inches). He also put up 21 reps on the bench press. Bush blew scouts away with his athletic numbers, which will translate into solid play on Sundays.
The future first-round selection was the fastest linebacker at the combine. He ran the 40 in just 4.42 seconds. On the bench press his success was more limited because of his build and play style, but he still finished with 22 reps. White finished tied for the second best vertical among linebacker with 39.5 inches. He also beat out a bunch of other top linebackers in the 20-yard shuttle, including Devin Bush.
Well this was pretty obvious. Metcalf is an absolute physical freak. The receiver measures in at 6-3 and 228 lbs. He ran the 40-yard dash in just 4.33 seconds, put up 27 reps on the bench press, has a 40.5 inch vertical, a 134 inch broad jump, and he carries under two percent body fat. He put up the third fastest 40 time by a receiver, tied for first in the bench press, tied for third in the vertical, and finished fifth in the broad jump. For a player of his size and build, those numbers are just ridiculous.
There are some questions surrounding Lockβs accuracy and consistency, but to me he looks like the best pure passer in the whole draft. Dwayne Haskins might have more potential and Kyler Murray might be more explosive, but Lock looks ready to take the field. He had great passing drills during the combine that eased the minds of scouts and will continue to elevate his draft stock.
In a year where the running back class isnβt as stacked, a player like Hill doesnβt really have a set place heβll be drafted. Thatβs why having a good combine was important for him and boy did he deliver. The 5-10, 198 lbs. back turned in the fastest time of all players at his position in the 40-yard dash with a 4.40. Hill put up 21 reps on the bench press, which was also a win for him. His 40 inch vertical and 130 inch broad jump were also the best among the backs. Great speed and athleticism will distinguish players when very few standout as head and shoulders above the rest.
He set a record for the fastest recorded 40-time of a player at his position, since times started being officially recorded. Sweat ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 second, almost a full tenth of a second better than the next fastest EDGE rusher. At 6-6, 260 lbs. that speed is absolutely crazy. How good was his time though? Well, only eight defensive backs total were able to match his speed or beat it. That means he outran 46 defensive backs! Sweat also finished tied for sixth in the vertical jump (36 inches) fourth in the broad jump (125 inches), tied for third in the three-cone drill (7.00 seconds), and fourth in the 20-yard shuttle (4.29).
Fant has a chance to be a first-round pick, but he could fall into the second round. However, his combine numbers will help his case for being an earlier selection. The 6-4, 249 lbs. tight end finished with a 40 time of 4.50, put up 20 reps on the bench press, has a 39.5 inch vertical, and jumped 127 inches in the broad. He led all tight ends in the 40-yard dash, vertical, and broad jumps. For a player of his size, the kind of speed and explosiveness is excellent.
Why are all of Ohio Stateβs players so fast? The whole group of former Buckeyes destroyed the 40-yard dash, and of them, no one was faster than Campbell. Campbell finished tied with the third best time in the 40 with a 4.31. He tied with Andy Isabella for the fastest run by a wide receiver, and Isabella is 17 lbs. lighter than Campbell! Campbell also finished fifth in the vertical (40 inches), tied for third in the broad jump (135 inches), and tied for the fastest 20-yard shuttle time (4.03 seconds) among receivers.
Williams is 6-3 and weighs 303 lbs., but he ran the 40 in 4.83 seconds. That was the sixth fastest time by a defensive lineman, but it was exceptional because of how big Williams is. Of the linemen who finished in front of him, the heaviest was only 286 lbs. That kind of speed with Williams size and strength is part of the reason why heβs one of the most talented players in this yearβs draft.
Quarterbacks beware, Michiganβs 6-4, 277 lbs. lineman runs a 4.58 forty. Only one quarterback, Trace McSorley, has a faster time, meaning Gary can chase down any of the QBs who ran at the combine. Best of luck dealing with that. That 40 time was the fastest among the defensive linemen and Gary also finished with the best vertical (38 inches) and the second best broad jump (120 inches) among the group.
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