The NFL Combine wrapped up Sunday from Lucas Oil Stadium, and it was one of the most impressive group of prospects I’ve seen in my life. The term weight room warrior is designated for players who light up the physical tests at the combine — bench press, 40-yard dash, three-cone, etc. — and there were plenty. Winners and losers from Indianpolis:
WINNERS
Chris Olave — WR — Ohio State
Many considered Olave to be the best receiver in Thursday’s second group, and he only confirmed evryone’s pre-combine evalutions. His 4.39 40 was incredibly impressive, even if his 32-inch vertical and 10-4 broad jump didn’t wow at the combine. Olave caught everything thrown his way in on-field drills too.
Malik Willis — QB — Liberty
Willis made some huge throws Thursday, displaying impressive arm strength and touch on his deep balls. He seemed comfortable in the moment, but he did overthrow some shorter and intermediate routes. Willis did a lot for his draft stock in Indianapolis.
Skyy Moore — WR — Western Michigan
Moore’s 4.41-second 40-yard dash did wonders for his stock and could eventually land him in the top 100 picks. Moore was crisp in his route running and explosive during on-field drills, but his sub-200 pound frame could be the thing that holds him back in the eyes of scouts.
Chrisitan Watson — WR — North Dakota State
Little known FCS wideout Chrisitan Watson dazzled Thursday night by running a 4.36 4-yard dash at 208 pounds. A true weightroom warrior — 11-4 broad jump and 38.5-inch vertical. He was smooth and in control during on-field drills; Watson could push to be one of the first receivers selected in April’s draft.
Ickey Ekwonu — OT — NC State
Running a sub-5.0 40 was eye-popping for Ekwonu. His on-field drills were just as impressive where he displayed balance and quickness coming out of his stance. Ekwonu looked great in pass protection and pulling drills, showing elite lateral agility in each. His stature shouldn’t concern anyone either.
Kenneth Walker III — RB — Michigan State
Walker might be the top back in this class. His 4.38 40 at 210 pounds was impressive, along with his 34-inch vertical and 10-2 broad jump.
Damone Clark — LB — LSU
Clark really helped his draft stock over the week in Indianapolis with some solid tests — 4.57 40-yard dash, 36 1/2-inch vertical, and 10-foot-7 broad jump. He was consistent and balanced in his drills, especially when dropping into coverage. He can be a three-down linebacker for a defense in this league.
Jordan Davis — DT — UGA
Davis was the talk of the town in Indianpolis. The 341-pound monster ran a 4.78-second 40-yard dash, recorded a 32-inch vertical, and 10-foot-3 broad jump. Davis is a freak of nature. His on-field drills were just as impressive too. The only question is how teams feel about his upside and potential as a pass rusher, not just a two-down player.
Travon Walker — EDGE — UGA
Walker is one of several former Dawgs that will see their draft stock raise after impressive performances from the combine — posting a 4.51-second 40-yard dash, a 35 1/2-inch vertical, a 10-foot-3 broad jump and an elite 6.89-second three-cone drill. Walker could be in play for the Falcons first-round pick.
Sauce Gardner — CB — Cincinnati
His 4.41-second 40 turned eyes at the combine. Showing off his long speed was only one box he checked. During on-field drills, Gardner showed elite agility and hip fluidity. His length — 6-foot-3, 79 3/8-inch wingspan — and speed is going to interest a lot of teams; Gardner is certainly in the fold for the Falcons at 8.
LOSERS
David Bell — WR — Purdue
He was solid in on-field drills, but his measurmeants left much to be desired — 33-inch vertical, sub-10-foot broad jump and 4.65-second 40-yard-dash time.Â
Treylon Burks — WR — Arkansas
Burks is considered by many to be the WR1 of this class, and his 4.55-second 40 is fine for a 225-pound wideout; however his other measurements — 32-inch vertical and 10-foot-2 broad jump — weren’t great by any means. Unlike Bell, Burks wasn’t consistent in on-field drills.
Kenyon Green — OG — Texas A&M
Green is still going to be taken in one of the first two rounds of April’s draft, but his performance at the combine didn’t raise his stock. Green’s agility and lateral movement didn’t match that of Cross or Ekwonu, so he’s surely going to be a guard at the next level. He’ll still be a top-50 pick, though, and a capable starter from Day 1.
DeMarvin Leal — DT — Texas A&M
Leal continues to slide down draft boards after inconsistntet play in 2021 and his underwhelming combine performances. He looked tight and lacked explosion compared to other interior defenders. His potential as a 5-technique is certainly there, and his 5.0-second 40-yard dash shouldn’t scare away too many, but he undoubtedly didn’t change his downward trend during workouts.
Coby Bryant — CB — Cincinnati
The 2021 Jim Thorpe Award winner didn’t help his stock during the combine. He ran a 4.54-second 40 at 193 pounds, which isn’t a terrible time, but with so many of his counterparts running in the 4.3s and 4.4s, Bryant didn’t look great. He was pretty average during on-field drills as well.
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