2019 NFL Scouting Combine: Offense Recap (Days 1-2)

With the 1st and 2nd day of workouts at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine in Lucas Oil Stadium wrapped up, here are some notable players on offense that stood out or disappointed. 

Day One- OL, RB

The main highlights for day 1 (OL, RB) includes offensive tackle Joshua Miles (Morgan State) beating the combine record for the vertical jump as an offensive lineman (36). Center Erik McCoy (Texas A&M) ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.89) for offensive lineman while offensive tackle Iosua Opeta (Weber State) had the most bench presses for an offensive lineman (39). Kaleb McGary (Washington) was also impressive in testing overall and ran a good 40-yard dash (5.05) for his size, 33.5 vertical jump, 9’3″ broad jump, 7.66 3 cone, and 4.58 20-yard shuttle.

For running backs, Justice Hill (Oklahoma State) ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.40), had highest vertical jump (40), and the longest broad jump (10’10) for running backs but did not participate in the other drills due to an injury. Alex Barnes (Kansas State) was the leader in the bench press (34) and had the fastest 20-yard shuttle (4.10). Alexander Mattison (Boise State) had the fastest 60-yard shuttle (11.69).

Day Two- TE, QB, WR

Some highlights for day 2 (TE, QB, WR) include Noah Fant (TE) out of Iowa leading the tight end group in the 40-yard dash (4.50), vertical jump (39.5), broad jump (10’7″), 3 cone (6.81), and 60 yard shuttle (11.49). Trevon Wesco (West Virginia) led the tight ends in the bench press (24) and Foster Moreau (LSU) had the fastest 20-yard shuttle (4.11).

Even though quarterback testing is a very minor factor in their overall evaluations, Easton Stick (North Dakota State) and Tyree Jackson (Buffalo) were standouts in the athletic testing. Stick was the top performer in the 3 cone (6.65) and in the 20-yard shuttle (4.05) while Jackson was a top performer in the vertical jump (34.5) and broad jump (10’0″).

At wide receiver, Emmanuel Hall (Missouri) broke the record for the longest broad jump for a wide receiver (11’9″), ran a 4.39 40 yard dash, and jumped 43.5 in the vertical jump. Miles Boykin (Notre Dame) was a top performer overall at wide receiver; running a 4.42 40 yard dash, jumping 43.5 in the vertical jump (1st for WRs), broad jumping 11’8″, and leading all receivers in the 3 cone (6.77). Both N’Keal Harry (Arizona State) and D.K. Metcalf (Ole Miss) tied the record for most bench presses for a receiver (27).

Offensive Line Standouts

For the most part, the projected 1st round offensive lineman all showed cased why they deserved to get pick within the 1st 32 picks. Offensive tackles Jawaan Taylor (Florida), Jonah Williams (Alabama), and Andre Dillard (Washington State) were all fluid in the drills and testing (other than Taylor who did not participate due to injury). Dillard had the longest broad jump (9’10”) and 20-yard shuttle (4.40) out of the offensive lineman as expected.

But the interior offensive lineman (OG/ C) that were projected in the late 1st to early 2nd round category really helped themselves. Guys like center Garrett Bradbury (N.C. State) and offensive guard Chris Lindstrom (Boston College) showed out and could end up as 1st round picks on draft day. Bradbury had the fastest 3 cone out of all the offensive lineman (7.41).

One offensive lineman who struggled on day 2 is Ole Miss offensive tackle Greg Little, as he struggled in the drills and had below average testing.

Running Back Standouts

Among the running backs, the only ones that ran under a 4.5 (not including Justice Hill as he was listed earlier); were Ryquell Armstead (Temple), Jordan Scarlett (Florida), Mike Weber (Ohio State), Travis Homer (Miami Fl.), Karan Higdon (Michigan), Darrell Henderson (Memphis), and Miles Sanders (Penn State). Other then Hill, Sanders was the big winner here as he looked the best out of the running backs in most of the drills and had the fastest 3 cone for running backs (6.89). Damien Harris (Alabama) and Dexter Williams (Notre Dame) had good combine outings for their size and looked good in the drills while James Williams (Washington State) looked like a natural pass catcher in the running back pass-catching drills.

One running back that struggled mightily in the drills and the testing process is Elijah Holyfield (Georgia), as he ran a 4.78 in the 40-yard dash and did not stand out in most of the drills (dropped a few passes in the pass-catching drills).

Tight End Standouts

Both the Iowa tight ends (Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson) showed in the drills why they could be the first two tight ends off the board. Hockenson was around average in testing but in the drills, he was pretty smooth as a pass catcher and made his mark in the blocking drills. While some teams want a more balanced tight end, Fant’s testing could make some teams consider him instead with his size/ speed combination and mismatch ability. Irv Smith (Alabama), with his workout, could sneak into round 1 as Calib Wilson (UCLA) and Josh Oliver (San Jose State) should be in the day 2 conversation.

One tight end that struggled was Kaden Smith (Stanford) as he ran a slower 40-yard dash (4.92) and was not that good in the drills as a bigger but slower tight end that is not a good blocker.

Quarterback Standouts

The big winner at the quarterback position has to be Kyler Murray (Oklahoma) measuring in at 5’10” 207 lbs. As we await his pro day next week for his throwing drills, the rest of the quarterbacks had a chance to impress the scouts. Out of the quarterbacks throwing; Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State), Daniel Jones (Duke), Ryan Finley (N.C. State) and Jarrett Stidham (Auburn) were the most consistent. Haskins had the opportunity to do more with Murray not throwing but he did not hurt his stock too much at the combine. He will look to improve his 40-yard dash (5.04) at the pro day (which was the worst among quarterbacks); at the end of the day, that is not his calling card as he is a pure pocket passer.

One quarterback that struggled a big was Drew Lock (Missouri) as he showed off his arm but was inconsistent and had a few more overthrows compared to the other quarterbacks.

Wide Receiver Standouts

One of the questions coming into the combine was how would D.K. Metcalf test and the result was a sight to see. Metcalf, at 6’3″ 228 lbs., ran a 4.33 40-yard dash and was tied for 3rd as the fastest 40 time with Mecole Hardman (Georgia). He did get the record for fastest 40 time for any player over 225 pounds. Metcalf (other than the bench) was tied for 3rd with Darius Slayton (Auburn) in the vertical jump (40.5) and had the 5th best broad (11’2″). However, he did have one of the worst 3 cone (7.38) and a bad 20 yard-shuttle (4.50) but I do not think it is an issue with his play style.

Both Parris Campbell (Ohio State) and Andy Isabella (UMass) both tied for the fastest 40-yard dash (4.31). Campbell also tied with Cody Thompson (Toledo) in the 20-yard shuttle (4.03). N’Keal Harry (4.53), Terry McLaurin (Ohio State), Deebo Samuel (4.48) and Hakeem Butler (4.48) had a good 40 times for their size as they met the below 4.6 threshold.

Even though Kelvin Harmon (N.C. State) ran a 4.60 40 yard dash, he looked the best running in the drills, whether it was route running or displaying his strong hands in the gauntlet. He did disappoint as an athlete and could have his explosiveness questioned with his testing. Riley Ridley also was not as fast as some people thought in the 40-yard dash (4.58).

One wide receiver that struggled was Lil’ Jordan Humphrey (Texas) as he ran the slowest 40 time for a wide receiver (4.75) by a decent amount and underwhelmed in the other tests with his size.

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