To my knowledge, just about every Draftnik throws out a list of the most obvious exclusions from the annual Combine, and certainly, it’s pretty easy to identify a handful of prospects, who are personal favorites, that don’t get invited to Indy. It is also true, just about every year, that a few of the invitees that we question, turn in some praise worthy performances.

So, below are guys who posted some measurements and workout numbers that got my attention, and/or they looked very solid in on-field drills in Lucas Oil Stadium.

MILES BOYKIN WR NOTRE DAME 6’036/220 4.42/40 9 7/8″H/331/2″A 43 1/2″V
Boykin has seldom in his career in South Bend, posted receiving numbers that would measure up to most of the numbers above. Some NFL team will clearly see the numbers and decide he’s worth the gamble on greatness on Day 3.

SEAN BUNTING CB CENTRAL MICHIGAN 6’003/195 9 5/8″H/313/4″A 41.5″V
The Chippewas had a pretty dismal 2018 season, and much of it was due to a woeful Offense. BUNTING did some major talking upon arrival in Indy, and to some degree, he lived up to his own hype. He posted a 4.42/40-time that was the 5th best amongst the CB’s. He also displayed fluidity and body control in drills.

JAMAL DAVIS ER/OB AKRON 6’031/243 4.60/40 91/4″H/34 1/4″A 39″V
This PITT transfer performed like a workout warrior. He also showed good fluidity in field drills, and better/softer hands than some of the DB group. His game tape may not be as impressive as these numbers, but they could force some teams to go back to game tape.

JAMEL DEAN CB AUBURN 6’1/206 4.30/40 9 1/8″H/31 3/4″A 41″V
His numbers clearly indicate a very good athlete, with ideal size for the Corner. He looked fluid in the drill work, and looks like he has soft hands. Only issue could be his medical report. Originally a Buckeye, he has had 3 knee injuries over his college career.

EMANUEL HALL WR MISSOURI 6’017/201 4.39/40 9 3/4″H/33 1/4″A 43 1/2″V
HALL pulled out of the Senior Bowl with an unspecified physical issue, which even his QB DREW LOCK was unaware of in Mobile. Turns out, that his medical in Indy revealed a sports hernia. Despite the health issue, which will require a surgical procedure, his workout numbers are pretty darn good. In fact, they deserve a WOW and an atta-boy, IMO.

TRYSTEN HILL DT UCF 5.04/40 10/1/4″H/33 3/8″A 35″V 28 reps/BP
Hill clearly did not hit it off with his new coaches, when Scott Frost left for Nebraska. There is no other way to explain his “one game started” in the 2018 season, after watching him prance around the Indy field, holding his own in the most talented position group for the next Draft. That may also explain why he declared for the Draft. This guy deserves an early Day 3 Draft selection, based on talent and size.

GARY JOHNSON IB TEXAS 5’117/226 4.43/40 10 1/4″H/31 1/4″A 33.5″V/10’1″BJ
This almost 6-footer led Texas in tackles last season. His 4.43/40 was the 3rd fastest in the LB group, trailing on the DEVIN Duo. His height should not be a huge issue, given his speed and mobility. His Combine work should earn him 4th Round consideration. Before the Combine, he wasn’t even in my Top 300 list.

BOBBY OKEREKE LB STANFORD 6’013/239 4.58/40 10 1/8″H/341/2″A 33 1/2″V/10’2″BJ
OKEREKE has been a productive member of that stout Stanford Defense his entire career in Palo Alto. His length (arms), and pursuit speed, combined with overall athleticism shown in field drills, have certainly gotten my attention. I knew of this guy, but clearly not enough.

IOSUA OPETA OG WEBER STATE 6’042/301 5.02/40 9 7/8″H/331/4″A 33″V
39 BP Reps
OPETA was a guy that I was totally unfamiliar with until I saw what he did with the Bench Press, then the numbers kept rolling in and they were all impressive. He also displayed good flexibility and mobility. He’s a strong kid with pro potential on the interior OL. I will be finding a spot for him in my Top 250 prospects next week.

KAHALE WARRING TE SAN DIEGO STATE 6’051/252 4.67/40 9 3/4″H/32 3/4″A
I had no idea who this guy was when I saw the Combine list. I could not have told you where he played his college ball. I know him now and I was impressed by his workout numbers. I also thought he looked fluid and natural in on-field drills. He catches well with those big hands, and if he played for Rocky Long’s Aztecs, you know he can block. I think he got buried in a small role on a run-oriented team, without a big time QB to catch balls from. He should get some serious additional attention from pro scouts at his Pro Day. He looked draftable in Indy last weekend.

ZEDRICK WOODS S OLE MISS 5’11/205 4.29/40 91/8″H/31 5/8″A 34.5″V
Meet the man with the fastest 40-time at this year’s Combine. He’s fast and fluid. His only major drawback may be his lack of elite ball skills. He has NOT had a Pick in the last two seasons, but I can guarantee you his speed alone will have pro scouts calling game tape and entice a major turnout at his Pro Day.

That’s my initial list of surprises from Indy. I can guarantee that most of these guys were likely, specifically, requested for inclusion in the Combine, based on curiosity to see more live, of what some attentive personnel people felt they saw on tape.

I’ll have more Combine conversation for you in the next couple of weeks.

Cheers

Pigskin

Couple more fast times among the safeties as Darius West of Kentucky posts a 4.40, while Zeldrick Woods of Ole Miss gets in in 4.37. Also of note Johnathan Abram improves his second run down to a very competitive 4.45.

Great runs by Maryland’s Darnell Savage who gets under 4.40 and Juan Thornhill of Virginia who posts a 4.43 40 time. Both guys are rising prospects and those numbers aren’t going to hurt. Hasn’t been real fast among the safeties, but players who have impressed in the 4o include Sheldrick Redwine of Miami and Will Harris of BC both of whom post 4.45 40s while Florida’s Chauncey Gardner-Johnson was there with a 4.48 clocking. Interesting that both Redwine and Harris run significantly faster than their more heralded teammates Jaquan Johnson (4.69) and Lukas Denis (4.65)

Good time of 4.50 for Johnathan Abram who has a chance to be the first safety of the board this spring.

Official numbers are in for the CBs, maybe the group most dependent on the 40 times. Of the top guys at the position, LSU’s Greedy Williams was credited with a quick 4.37 significantly, while Washington’s Byron Murphy had a slower 4.55, Georgia’s Deandre Baker had a 4.52 and Temple’s Rock Ya-sin had a 4.51. Other times of note, Central Michigan’s posted a 4.42 clocking, while Isaiah Johnson had a 4.40 and Clemson’s Mark Fields, who also looked great in the drills, recorded a 4.37. And FTR Jamel Dean was the fastest CB at a blistering 4.30.

Safeties ready to run starting with Johnathan Abram of Mississippi State.

In many ways they saved the best for last in the CB sprints. And LSU’s Greedy Williams didn’t disappoint with a fast 4.38 clocking which should keep him very much in the top ten debate heading toward April’s draft. On the other hand, pro scouts had to be a little disappointed in both the 4.59 time for Temple’s Rock Ya-sin who was being viewed as an early second round candidate with some late first round potential. Same for the 4.65 time for Baylor’s Joejuan Williams who many saw as a potential rising star at the position.

Byron Murphy of Washington, generally considered to be the #2 CB this year with at least some top ten potential clocks a 4.55 40 which is right on the back edge of the acceptable range for most teams. It will be interesting to see if that impacts his final grade, but its hard to see it moving him up. Meanwhile, Trayvon Mullen of Clemson clocks a solid sneaky quick 4.46 which should keep him in the early to mid second day mix.

Good times for a couple of other long corners as Justin Layne of Michigan State clocks a 4.51, while Lonnie Johnson of Kentucky posts a 4.52.

Really interesting time by Houston’s Isaiah Johnson, a big CB who may have been the most imposing physical specimen at the position at the weigh-in, as he runs a 4.40. We’ll see how he does in the agility drills but that’s checking off boxes.

Not a ton of speed so far in the CB sprints, but unheralded Jamel Dean of Auburn set down a marker with a blistering 4.31 clocking, while Clemson’s Mark Fields posted a quick 4.37. On the other hand a very disappointing 4.69 time for Northwestern’s Montre Hartage.

CBs in the blocks with UGA’s Deandre Baker leading off. FTR Baker runs an okay 4.53. Decent time also for rising Washburn CB Corey Ballantyne.

FTR little better second run for Josh Allen of 4.64.

Over to you. LSU’s Devin White also able to turn on the jets racing to a top 10 like 4.42 40 clocking. Indeed, the LBs have been fast this afternoon in addition to the Whites and Bushes. Gary Johnson of Texas, for example, opened some eyes with a 4.43 clocking, while Ty Summers of TCU recorded a 4.52.

Hello!! Great run by Michigan’s Devin Bush who cocked an unofficial 4.44 40. Also good times by Washington’s Ben Burr-Kirven (4.57), Unheralded Blake Cashman of Minnesota (4.52), Utah’s Cody Barton (4.67) and Ryan Connolly of Wisconsin (4.67).

Decent 40 time for Kentucky’s Josh Allen of 4.70. For an edge rusher to be considered to be a top 2-3 prospect you’d probably like to see him a tenth faster. Time will tell.

Its hard to figure out who’s doing well and who’s not in many of the positional drills at the combine, but one DE/ER who appears to be having a really good day is Chase Winovich of Michigan. He was always productive in college, but was generally considered to be an overachiever who got it down with smarts, instincts and effort while lacking elite athletic skills. However, Winovich may have put to rest many of those doubts after he ran a very fast 4.60 40 while he has looked very fluid in the drills.

Every day at the combine has had its WOW moment. In fact we had a couple today including Alabama’s Q Williams who ran in the 4.85 range at over 300 pounds. Among the mDE/ERs, Montez Sweat had everyone checking their watches as he was timed unofficially in 4.42 seconds for the 40 with a 1.55 split. FTR only one other ER broke 1.70 for their split. FTR (2) the other guy under 1.70 seconds for the 10-yard split was Michigan’s Chase Winovich, an overachiever who may have made some money for himself after running a 4.60 40 with a 1.57 split. At the same time, though, there were a couple of somewhat disappointing times in the later stages of the DE/ER runs. Jachai Polite of Florida, who people figured be up their with the likes of Sweat and Burns, posted a slow time of just 4.84 seconds, while Charles Omenihu struggled to crack the 5-flat barrier with a 4.97 time. Intersteing run by 6-7 Anthony Nelson of Iowa whose full 40-time wasn’t all that great at 4.83, but his 1.67 split was very good for a long tall guy like that.

Rashan Gary runs an unofficial 4.61 40 at 277 pounds. Ain’t gonna hurt!

Not necessarily a great run for by Nick Bosa with an unofficial hand time of 4.84. For the record, that’s actually two-tenths faster than brother Joey now starring with the Chargers. Same for Boston College’s Zach Allen who only managed a 4.95. Much better times though by FSU ER Brian Burns (4.56) and TCU’s Ben Banogu (4.58).

DE/ERs set to go

Neglected to mention the first tie around that Clemson DT Christian Wilkins also ran well with 40 clockings of 5.05 and 5.10. And just for the record, Q Williams actually upped his 40 time as he stopped the clock in 4.84 in his second round with a 1.67 split. Very impressive.

NFL.com has confirmed that Clemson DT Dexter Lawrence is done for the day with a quad injury. Tough break for Lawrence who has been having a great combine including that 5.05 40 running at 342 pounds.

What scouts want to see at the combine is the top prospects rise to the occasion. And it looks like Alabama’s Quinnen Williams did just that when he clocked a 4.87 40 with a 1.69 split, the fastest times for the DTs. That’s the kind of stuff that’s going to keep Williams very much in the debate for the top 2-3 picks.

Remarkable consistency from the DTs in their 40 runs this morning. We are basically through the group on their first runs and no one has been over 5.20. Great runs by Clemson’s Dexter Lawrence who clocked a 5.05 running at 342 pounds. Lawrence’s day may be done though as he tweaked something during his heat. Notre Dame’s Jerry Tillery also continued what has been for him a good combine as he clocked a 4.94. FTR Kingsley Keke of Texas A&M who had that great Senior Bowl also clocked in at under 5 seconds with a 4.95 time.

Frst up for the DL are the DTs.  Interesting that for the first time the DL has been broken down by DTs and DE/ERs, something we have been calling for for several years. FTR Houston’s Ed Oliver has chosen not to run today.

Wow!! Ole Miss’ DK Metcalf runs an unofficial 4.33 40 time, incredible for a guy that size and could very well put him in the top ten conversation on April 25th. Little bit disappointing time of 4.61 for Georgia’s Riley Ridley.

Hard to put a lot of stock in how the QBs throw at the combine as its really hard to get into a rhythym. However, it appeared that Dwayne Haskins didn’t do anything to hurt his stock throwing with the first group of passers this afternoon; he looked like he may have aimed a couple of throws, but the ball really pops out of his hand, he’s got an easy delivery and generally puts the ball on the money. NC State’s Ryan Finley also looked very smooth; indeed, he may have been the complete passer among the first group. He’s got a really easy delivery, seems to anticipate routes well, and is very accurate. Also thought West Virginia’s Will Grier had a solid day throwing the ball. He appeared to have a little more zip than people were expecting to go along with the superior anticipation, quick release and overall accuracy. One could also see the arm strength for Missouri’s Drew Lock, but the ball tends to come out at odd angles and he was a little inconsistent with the placement. On the other hand, it appeared that Duke’s Daniel Jones really needed to wind up and step into throws to get them downfield.

Something of a track meet did break out in the first 40 runs for the WRs led by Ohio State. Former Buckeye Parris Campbell blitzed and unofficial 4.32 clocking, that after posting an explosive 40-inch vertical, whiel former teammate Johnnie Dixon clocked a 4.41. Emanual Hall of Missouri also had a 4.40 time, while Mecole Hardman zipped to a 4.36. At the same time, several of the bigger receivers also posted good times for guys their size including Hakeem Butler of Iowa State (4.49), Miles Boykin of Notre Dame (4.47), Jamal Custis of Syracuse (4.51) and Jazz Ferguson of Northwestern State. On the other hand, Kelvin Harmon of NC State had to be a little disappointed with a 4.61 clocking, while Texas’ L’il Jordan Humphrey had to be really disappointed with a sundial clocking of almost 4.80. And NFL people will have to chew on times of 4.57 for Ole Miss’ A J Brown and 4.59 by N’Keal Harry of Arizona State. Both are biggish physical receivers who don’t necessarily win with speed, but those are slowish times.

First group of QBs have run their 40s and while it wasn’t quite like a track meet broke out, but there were some quick times even for QBs. Indeed, both 6-7 Tyree Jackson of Buffalo and Penn State’s Trace Mcsorley had unofficial times under 4.6, while Mississippi State’s Nick Fitzgerald posted a 4.65 and Missouri’s Drew Lock ran well posting a 4.70 clocking. Meanwhile, West Virginia’s Will Grier posted a 4.84 which was a little slower than people were expecting. On the other hand, there is going to be a little discussion about Dwayne Haskins who ran two 40s in the 5.05 range. Nobody expected Haskins to be fast, but that’s slow even by QB standards.

UCLA H-back type Caleb Wilson looks like he may have gotten under 4.6 which is an excellent time for him; on the other hand, disappointing time in the mid-4.9 range for Stanford’s Kaden Smith.

Nice time of 4.64 for Alabama’s Irv Smith, the only guy with a chance to break the Iowa hold on the position, although he doesn’t look all that big.

Bit of a surprise that Foster Moreau runs in the mid-4.6 range. same for Josh Oliver. Disappointing time in the low 4.9s though for Georgia’s Ike Nauta who many thought could be a second-day sleeper.

Okay time for Iowa’s TJ Hockenson of 4.71. There are people around the league talking about him as a possible top 15 guy and may have been looking for something closer to 4.6.

Iowa’s Noah Fant lays down a marker for the TEs with an unofficial 4.51 40 clocking.

First up on the 40 track this morning are the TEs including the two guys from Iowa.

That’s a little better. Normally nobody runs a significantly better 2nd 4o than their first, but Memphis RB Darrell Henderson did as he runs a blistering 4.36 second 40 after posting a pedestrian 4.53 the first time out. For the record, that’s the fastest time for a back so far.

Back to the OL for a moment; thought the three interior guys: Connor McGovern of Penn State, A&M’s Erik McCoy and Boston College’s Chris Lindstrom all looked great in the positional drills after running well in the physical testing.

Kind of disappointing runs for both Devin Singletary who only clocked a 4.66 40, while David Montgomery wasn’t much faster at 4.64, while Kentucky’s Benny Smith was evener slower at a very disappointing 4.70. True the rep is that both guys are more quick than fast, but those are not great times.

Finally get a quick time from a RB as Okie State’s Justice Hill clocks an unofficial 4.40; Temple’s Ryquel Armstead also got under 4.50 at 4.46, but other early RBs were kind of meh! including a 4.60 by Myles Gaskins and a 4.58 by Damien Harris, while times by Michigan’s Karan Higdon (4.50), Darrell Henderson of Memphis (4.53) were okay for their styles of play.