‘Word on the Street’

Frank Coyle
www.draftinsiders.com

NFL Combine Report – Defensive Players

With the skilled positions getting the primary focus at the NFL Combine, especially the weekend exposure, the talented defense class quietly stepped up with strong impressions for scouts. The defensive back class presented several blue chip cornerbacks, one of the premier positions in the game and a group which will provide at least 15 prospects in the top 100 selections in April.

Edge defenders Dallas Turner, 6-4, 245 – Alabama, Laiatu Latu, 6-5, 260 – UCLA and Chop Robinson, 6-3, 255 – Penn State had impressive weeks. Turner displayed quick strong hands and the lateral movement to attack the line. He is very developed and improved his stock and probably top 6-10 selection. Latu is blazing quick off the edge and displayed that skill set in the positional drills. He moves easily and has the explosive first step to gain an advantage and bend the edge. Robinson had a strong performance. He showed a powerful punch and quick feet at over 250 lbs. He moved well in the coverage drills which impressed scouts.

DT T’Vondre Sweat, 6-4, 366, Texas, Byron Murphy, 6-1, 310, Texas and Braden Fiske, 6-4, 295, Florida State lived up to expectations. Sweat is a massive athlete who moves well and looked sharp in drills despite the 366 lbs. He has developed athletic ability to beat the double team, push the pocket and hold the point. Playing in the 340 lb. area may allow him to realize his incredible potential. Murphy is an explosive interior lineman with fine technique and power to penetrate. He moves well along the line which he displayed in the agility drills. Fiske is a fast riser. He has quick strong hands to win early on the down. He ran a blazing 4.78 sprint with a 1.68 ten split. He added 26 reps in the lifting while running drills very well. His efforts may push him into the first round.                            

LB Payton Wilson, 6-4, 235, North Carolina State was lightning fast with explosive quickness and keen instincts in drills. He dropped easily in coverage and is a well-rounded defender with the development to be a three down early starter. He can play a few positions and is scheme diverse. Edgerrin Cooper, 6-3, 235, Texas A&M is a ripped athlete who runs well and ran a 4.51 sprint. He added 34.5” VL and 9’10” BJ He was an easy mover in drills and is a prospect on the come. Cedric Gray, 6-2, 234, North Carolina is a rangy athlete who ran a 4.64 time. He did 17 reps and added a 35.5 VL. His positional drills were excellent, moves quickly laterally and can drop into the deep zones in coverage. Shows the skill set of a three-down starter, though may be limited to a 4-3 on either outside.

Cornerbacks, Terrion Arnold, 6-0, 198, Alabama, Quinyon Mitchell, 6-0, 195, Toledo and Nate Wiggins, 6-1, 173, Clemson separated themselves from in a high-quality class. Wiggins ran a blistering 4.28 time, the best of the entire defensive class.  His 173 lbs. is a concern, though he has developed coverage skills, including smooth hips, quick feet and the speed to ride a receiver down the field. Arnold came in just under 6’ and had a good performance in drills, though ran only a solid 4.51time. His length, agility and instincts are developed and NFL ready. He added a 37” VL and is an explosive mover. Mitchell shined in the workouts. He has the prototypical corner skill set and displayed this over the drills. He runs well (4.33) with quick feet, flexible hips, fast reads and the long speed to mirror top receivers. He leaped 38” and added a 10’2” BJ and 20 reps in the lifting. He was very quick in agility drills with loose hips and explosive acceleration.

‘Word on the Street’

Frank Coyle
www.draftinsiders.com

2024 NFL Combine

The NFL Combine 2024 concluded an excellent week-long event on Monday with the offensive linemen and special teams lifting. Most of the 321 pro prospects exited Indianapolis by the weekend after extensive testing, including the important on the field workouts.

The usual number of high prospects opted out of the workouts, including QB Caleb Williams and wideout Marvin Harrison who will compete at their school Pro days in March.

This NFL Draft 2024 class features strong groups at QB, WR, OL and CBs, the premier positions in the game. The workout results reflected those assumptions with excellent performances by numerous prospects. The talented QB class saw a few prospects sit out the drills especially the passing event, including Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels. The second tier of QBs, JJ McCarthy, Bo Nix and Michael Penix did participate in the passing drills and all left strong impressions. The passing drills included all the throws with movement in the pocket and was a well-rounded workout which impressed scouts. The pro day season starts and is the final opportunity for the Big Three and other QBs to leave a lasting impression.

The wide receiver group will rival the best classes at the position especially the great 1996 class. Wideout Rome Odunze put on a terrific all-around workout which most likely keeps him in the high 5-8 selections. Wideout Xavier Worthy ran two incredible 40-yard sprints including a new record 4.21 time that established the NFL Combine mark. Worthy is blazing fast at 165 lbs. with experience both outside and inside plus return skills. He can take the top off the defense and his excellent performance probably earns him a first round late grade.

Wideouts, Roman Wilson, AD Mitchell, Ladd McConkey and Ricky Pearsall all had impressive performance including fast sprints and excellent positional workouts. They will be a run-on receivers following the top three prospects with many in the first or early second rounds. The wideout position could provide 15+ prospects in the top 100 selections. McConkey is just one prospect who continues to impress scouts. After interviewing him in Indy, he handled the environment like a pro and was focused on business and preparation. He was precise in positional drills, showing excellent routes, body control and hands with the ability to separate consistently. He should hit the ground running as a rookie in the NFL and can provide impact in three wideout and multiple sets.

A huge contingent of offensive linemen was invited to the event with arguably the best group of prospects in recent history. The line will provide at least 8 prospects for the first round. There could be as least as another 10 chosen in the top 3 rounds. This class will provide an incredibly deep tackle class with several kicking inside to guard to earn early starting time.

RT Roger Rosengarten of Washington ran the fastest among the linemen with a 4.92 time and a fine 1.73 yard split. This follows a strong week at the Senior Bowl where he displayed core strength and consistent technique. Frank Crum of Wyoming ran an excellent 4.94 sprint with a quick 1.70 yard split. He elevated his stock showing both power and agility for a massive prospect. Christian Jones of Texas continued a strong postseason and ran a 5.05 time with a 1.78 ten. His level of play has progressed fast over the past year which will allow him to compete for early NFL starting time.

John Alt ran a 5.05 time with a 1.74 ten, Kingsley Saumataia did a 5.06 time with a 1.74 ten, Tailese Fuaga at 6-6, 330 ran a 5.14 sprint and Tyler Guyton at 6-7, 330  did 5.19 sprint. All impressive tackle sprints with early draft grades. Alt and Fuaga look like top ten selections and NFL ready starters.

Troy Fantanu, 6-4, 315   of Washington ran a 5.01 with a fast 1.71 ten. He is an amazing mover with an easy slide to adjust and strong hands and top balance to mirror defenders. He lacks great length, though could plug and play at guard as a rookie and become a fixture there for a decade. He is a highly developed blocker with toughness, savvy and intangibles to excel in the NFL.

OL Tanor Bartolini had an impressive workout with a 4.94 time and a 1.74 ten. He moved efficiently and flashed strong hands and the base to get movement on contact. He helped his cause further here after a solid Senior Bowl effort. OL Cooper Beebe ran well with a 5.03 time at 322 lbs. He utilizes great power relying on his strong base, long arms and developed technique to move defenders. He is highly developed with extensive experience to start day one in the NFL.