Isaiah Simmons, Top Offensive Tackles Highlight NFL Combine

Andrew Kim March 2, 2020
Isaiah Simmons

Jan 7, 2019; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Clemson Tigers safety Isaiah Simmons (11) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2019 College Football Playoff Championship game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up this past weekend; as it was mainly highlighted by Isaiah Simmons and the top offensive tackles.

Days one through four of the NFL Scouting Combine ended yesterday, as the event was seen in primetime for the very first time this weekend. It is trending towards more entertainment, as the most important things at the combine is the medical checks and the interviews. Agents also get together there, along with the team scouts, to talk about players (especially if they are entering free agents).

The first day started off with the quarterbacks, tight ends, and wide receivers. Day two were the running backs, special teams, and offensive line. The offense (days one and two) followed up with the defense, with day three covering the defensive line and linebackers. Defensive backs finished up day four as this year’s combine had a viewership bump from last year.

With free agency coming up in a few weeks and the NFL Draft still a month away, the testing at the combine (especially if it was below their standards) should be taken only to a certain value. Some players, who tested well, made the right choice in not doing the drills; as some players injured themselves during the testing portion.

Players who at least compete in the drills/testing can either gain or lose stock but sometimes not doing any testing will hurt the prospect and waiting on just the pro day is a risk in itself. Movement at the top of the draft should be very little based on the testing, but the scouting combine can help fringe day two players enter round one conversation. But here are the prospects who shined at each position.

Offense

Quarterback, Running back, Tight End, Special Teams

After Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa (who Rick ODonnell paired with a certain team), Justin Herbert and Jordan Love both did enough to look like the top 15 picks of the draft. Jalen Hurts could be a day two lock, as he had a good combine performance.

Jonathan Taylor was the big winner at running back (official time was faster than Saquon Barkley) but D’Andre Swift was no slouch, as both could be considered in the first round. Cam Akers and AJ Dillon looked great at the combine, as Akers was smooth in the drills and Dillon looks like the next big name power back with his athleticism.

Albert Okwuegbunam had a surprising 40-yard dash but in terms of winners for the tight ends, there isn’t much. The tight end class overall disappointed and the top tight ends did enough for their stock to not drop. Cole Kmet and Dalton Keene did stand out in the combine results overall.

Michael Turk benched more than most combine invites and broke the bench press record for punters. Rodrigo Blankenship kicked 50-yard plus field goals with ease at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis (Indiana).

Wide Receiver

Even though Henry Ruggs III did not break the 40-yard dash record (record-holder- John Ross), he should be in the discussion as the first receiver taken with the fastest time overall this year (had great results on the jumps as well). Justin Jefferson could be the next receiver taken after CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, and Ruggs once he showed out in his testing (answering questions about his speed).

Denzel Mims, Antonio Gibson, and Chase Claypool can be day two players with their combine performances. Gibson, likely will convert to running back at the next level, was among the fastest ball carriers and Claypool shut down those tight end discussions with his combine (despite his size). Mims has been steadily rising since the senior bowl and the hype train has not stopped since then (had the best 3-cone out of the pass catchers).

Michael Pittman had underrated combine, as the big-bodied receiver ran well and should be in the mix of the top ten receivers. Donovan Peoples-Jones, Jalen Reagor, and Brandon Aiyuk jumped well but did not run as fast as many thought (still in contention for the second round). Overall, the bigger receivers stepped up while the smaller receivers did not live up to expectations.

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Offensive Line

The tackle class only helped their case as one of the most talented in the last few years. Andrew Thomas, Jedrick Wills Jr. Mekhi Becton, and Tristan Wirfs were all winners. Both Wirfs (got the record for vertical jump and tied the record for broad jump, record holder- Kolton Miller) and Becton (fastest 40-yard dash at 350 plus pounds) were the standouts. Thomas and Wills were solid in their testing as well. Thomas measured with very long arms and Wills was sound with his footwork during the drills. All four could go in the top 20 picks, at least two of them could be locks in the top ten.

Offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland could find his name called in the second round as he was one of the leaders during the combine drills (led offensive lineman in the broad jump, 3-cone, and 20-yard shuttle). Offensive guard Netane Muti was one rep shy of tying the bench press record but did tie the record for offensive lineman (record-holder for offensive lineman- Mitch Petrus). Centers Cesar Ruiz and Nick Harris should be the top interior offensive linemen taken with great testing overall.

Defense

Front Seven (Defensive Lineman and Linebackers)

Justin Madubuike, Neville Gallimore, Ross Blacklock could late first-round picks after their combine testing, as they showed their freaky speed for their size. Both Davis brothers (Khalil and Carlos) helped themselves as now known defensive tackles from Nebraska due to their testing. Both Gallimore and Khalil broke the record for 40 times at plus 300 pounds on defense. James Smith-Williams and Malcolm Roach were workout warriors overall as lower name prospects. Curtis Weaver did not run but the rest of his combine was top tier.

Isaiah Simmons was the biggest winner, even though people knew he was fast. Simmons could be in the discussion for the top five and was just shy of the 40-yard dash record for linebackers (record holder- Shaquem Griffen). Willie Gay Jr made himself known, as he almost broke records himself. Zack Baun, off-ball linebacker and edge rusher, made himself some money with his workout. Overall, the linebacker class was more athletic than previous years and both Patrick Queen/ Kenneth Murray pulled up in their 40-yard dashes (could have run a faster time).

DB

At cornerback, Jeffrey Okudah had a good enough 40 time and was clean with his footwork during the drills (despite hurting himself going after the ball in a drill after hitting the turf). Javelin K. Guidry had the fastest 40 times for a defensive player (and had great testing in general) but the main corners that won include A.J. Terrell, C.J. Henderson, Kristian Fulton, and Troy Pride. Terell, Henderson, and Fulton definitely could be middle to late first-round picks (raised draft stock with speed questions answered). Jeff Gladney, who had a good combine overall, was battling through an injury that needs surgery.

With Xavier McKinney cramping during his 40-yard dash, a few safeties showed out during the drills. L’Jarius Sneed and Tanner Muse were surprising as the fastest safeties but Antoine Winfield Jr. Kyle Dugger and Jeremy Chinn showed why they are rising day two prospects. All three of them had amazing results from testing overall with their size (Dugger and Chinn potential linebacker hybrid). Winfield Jr is undersized but is athletic enough to be taken in the second round.

All the combine participants are listed here, as the results should be updated for each player and workout. The top performers for the combine made a name for themselves and should be drafted in April during the NFL Draft (in Las Vegas, Nevada). Pro days, sprinkled in March through early April, will help the prospects who either did poorly at the combine or did not participate in testing.

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