2019 NFL Scouting Combine: Defense Recap (Days 3-4)

With the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine in Lucas Oil Stadium all wrapped up, here are some notable players on defense that stood out or disappointed in Days 3 and 4.

Defensive Line Standouts

Defensive End

Versatile defensive lineman Rashan Gary (Michigan) was expected to blow up the combine and he did just that. Even though his production does not exactly match the hype, Gary has a lot of upside as an explosive chess piece a defense could use on the defensive line so his projection is somewhere in the 1st round (most likely in the top 20). At 277 lbs., one could see him used as an edge player (3-4) along with defensive end (4-3) as a very scheme friendly defender but might be his best as a 3-4 defensive tackle or end. He ran the fastest 40 yard-dash among defensive lineman (4.58), bench pressed 26 reps, had the best vertical jump (38), the 2nd best broad jump (10’0″), a 7.26 3 cone, and a 4.29 20-yard shuttle.

Nick Bosa was a popular option at number one with the Arizona Cardinals for a while and whether or not they do pick him, he should be selected in the top 3 of this year’s draft. Even though he is most likely a prototypical 4-3 defensive end at 6’4″ 266 lbs., he will be an instant impact starter as a polished pass rusher with very little concerns (other than the injury he sustained last year). Bosa had a great combine without flashing too much; running a 4.79 40-yard dash, bench pressed 29 reps, had a 33.5 vertical jump, a 9’6″ broad jump, a 7.1 3 cone, and the 2nd best 20-yard shuttle (4.14).

Defensive Tackle

Quinnen Williams (Alabama) had the 4th fastest 40-yard dash at 4.83 among all players 300+ lbs. and at defensive tackle (303 lbs.), that is an impressive feat as he should be a top 5 pick in April. Williams had a 30.5-inch vertical jump and a 9’4″ broad jump as well, dealing with a finger injury keeping him from not doing the bench press.

Jerry Tillery (Notre Dame) was already an early 2nd round to late 1st round pick but some nice results from the combine could raise his stock as a potential top 32 pick. He could be a good fit in a 3-4 as a defensive end or 4-3 as a pass rushing defensive tackle. Overall, his combine results were great; running a 4.93 40-yard dash, bench pressing 23 reps, had a 32-inch vertical jump, broad jumped 9″5′, a 7.45 3 cone, and a 4.33 20-yard shuttle.

Other Notables: Ed Oliver (Houston), Dexter Lawrence (Clemson), Trysten Hill (UCF), Anthony Nelson (Iowa), Max Crosby (Eastern Michigan), Kevin Givens (Penn State), and Renell Wren (Arizona State).

One player who struggled from the defensive line group was Dre’Mont Jones (Ohio State) who was not as explosive in the testing that he was made out to be compared to the rest of the defensive tackle class as a potential late 1st to early 2nd round pick.

EDGE Standouts

The big story out of this group is Montez Sweat (Mississippi State) running the fastest 40 times out of all edge players (4.41). Sweat also benched 21 reps, had a 36 vertical jump, a 10’5″ broad jump, 7 seconds 3 cone, and a 4.29 20-yard shuttle (top performer in almost all categories). He could be a top 15 draft pick in April.

Brian Burns (Florida State) also elevated his draft stock as a potential top 15 pick, showing he can add weight and still move as fast as he did in college. He ran the 3rd fastest 40-yard dash among edge players (4.53), the 2nd best broad jump (10’9″), and a 7.01 3 cone. Burns looked like the most fluid edge player in the coverage drills, even though he did not have that much experience in college.

Josh Allen (Kentucky) should have been in the defensive end drills as he should be a top 5 lock in the NFL Draft. Even though he ran a 4.63 in the 40-yard dash, he is a bigger edge player and had the 2nd best 20-yard shuttle at 4.23. Allen also had a 7.15 3 cone and a 9’10” broad jump.

Other Notables: Ben Banogu (TCU), Chase Winovich (Michigan), Justin Hollins (Oregon), Sutton Smith (Northern Illinois)

One player that had the worst combine performance from the EDGE class is edge rusher Jachai Polite (Florida) as he ran a poor 40-yard dash time (4.84), looked like he gained weight but did not look the same running, reportedly got hurt after he ran the 40 and could not participate in the rest of the combine, and was really bad in interviews.

Linebacker Standouts

The crux of the linebacker group is essentially the two Devins at the top and a big drop off. They should both be selected in the 1st round of the 2019 NFL Draft and potentially in the top 25. Devin White (LSU) should be taken in the top 10 while Devin Bush (Michigan) could be taken in the mid to late 1st round.

White ran the fastest 40 times for the linebackers at 4.42, with Bush barely behind at 4.43. Bush (21 reps) was one behind White (22 reps) in the bench press. In the Broad, Bush (40.5) beat White (39.5) by one inch while Bush had a much better broad jump at 10’4″ (White- 9’8″). He also had a better 3 cone than White (Bush- 6.93, White- 7.07) but White (4.17) had a better 20-yard shuttle (Bush- 4.23).

Other Notables: Gary Johnson (Texas), Drue Tranquill (Notre Dame), Ben Burr- Kirven (Washington), Blake Cashman (Minnesota), Cody Barton (Utah), and Germaine Pratt (N.C. State).

One player that did not have a good outing at Indianapolis from the off-ball linebacker position was Terrill Hanks (New Mexico State) as he ran the slowest 40 times for a linebacker (4.98) and did not stand out in the other drills.

Cornerback Standouts

Even though Greedy Williams (LSU) was cramping after a few drills, he did help his stock running a 4.37 40-yard dash (tied for 2nd for cornerbacks) at his height (6’2″). He was not the best during the drills but his height and speed should make up for some lapses in coverage. Williams should be taken in the 1st round within picks 5 to 25 as he is not a willing tackler, which is important to most teams.

Byron Murphy (Washington) was smooth during the drills and even though he did not run a sub 4.5 40-yard dash (4.55), his ball skills and zone coverage ability should make him a top 25 pick in the 1st round. He came in bigger than expected weight wise (190 lbs.) and teams could use his aggressiveness in run support. Murphy also had 14 reps on the bench press, a 36.5 vertical jump, and a 10″ broad jump.

Amani Oruwariye (Penn State) had a good combine performance and could be an early Day 2 selection. At 6’2″ 205 lbs., he has the size and the speed as an effective press cornerback in a zone scheme. Oruwariye ran a 4.47 40-yard dash, bench pressed 17 times, had a 36.5 vertical jump, a 10″ broad jump, a 6.82 3 cone drill, and a 4.16 20-yard shuttle.

Other Notables: Justin Layne (Michigan State), Rock Ya- Sin (Temple), Jamel Dean (Auburn), Mark Fields (Clemson), David Long (Michigan), Isaiah Johnson (Houston), Ken Webster (Ole Miss)

One player that did not have a great combine from the cornerback position was Joejuan Williams (Vanderbilt) as he ran a disappointing 40-yard dash (4.64) and even though he has size, he did not separate himself from the rest of the cornerback class.

Safety Standouts

Juan Thornhill (Virginia) was a workout warrior as a corner to safety convert, as he tied for the longest broad jump at 11’9″ and was a top 5 performer in almost all the categories (40-yard dash: 4.42- 5th best, bench press- 2nd best with 21, vertical jump- tied for longest at 44, broad jump- tied for longest at 11’9″). As a potential early Day 2 pick, Thornhill raised his draft stock quite nicely during the combine with his athletic testing.

Darnell Savage Jr. (Maryland) surprised some with his speed and agility, even though he is known for his aggressiveness despite his size. he ran the 2nd fastest 40-yard dash among the safety group (4.36), 3rd highest vertical jump (39.5) for safeties, a 10’6″ broad jump (5th among safeties), 7.03 3 cones, and a 4.14 20-yard shuttle. Savage could be a mid day 2 pick with this impressive overall combine performance.

Other Notables: Taylor Rapp (Washington), Marvin Tell III (USC), Chauncey Gardner- Johnson (Florida), Zeldrick Woods (Ole Miss), Sheldrick Redwine (Miami Fl.), Johnathan Abram (Mississippi State), Ugo Amadi (Oregon), Marquise Blair (Utah), and Amani Hooker (Iowa).

One player that disappointed, from the safety position, at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine was Mike Bell (Fresno State) as he ran the slowest 40-yard dash for a safety (4.83) and had below average testing.

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