All eyes in the NFL are on Indianapolis right now. There will be some news that will trickle out about free agency or the franchise tag options for each team, but everything right now is centered around The NFL Scouting Combine.
Today, we got to witness the specialists, offensive lineman, and runnings backs participate in the on-field workouts. Yes, the 40-yard dash is riveting and there were certainly some standout performances, but the on-field drills also had their value as we attempt to sort and sift through what each of these prospects bring to the table.
The purpose of this article here is to provide you with the key takeaways from Friday’s on-field workouts. If you weren’t able to watch the event, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered here at FantasyPros.
Key Takeaways
Mekhi Becton (OT – Louisville) can flat out move.
Mekhi Becton is 6’7″ and 364 pounds. In case you’re not aware, that’s a very large human being. The thing is…it’s not bad weight. Becton ran a ridiculous 5.10 40-yard dash at 364 pounds with a 1.77 10-yard split. While long-speed is not important for offensive lineman, the 10-yard split is important. This time also shows that Becton carries his weight well and is agile for that size. Becton solidified himself as a top-10 selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. Potentially even top-5.
6'7" and 364 lbs… OL Mekhi Becton just ran a 5.11u 40-yard dash! 👀
Becton is the No. 5 overall prospect. (via @MoveTheSticks) @UofLFootball
📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: https://t.co/vDFxxNddNZ pic.twitter.com/5OOdrZAncl— NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2020
Tristan Wirfs (OT – Iowa) has elite athleticism.
Tristan Wirfs stands at 6’5/320 and we found out on Friday night just how freakish of an athlete he is at that size. Wirfs ran a 4.85 official time in the 40-yard dash, jumped 36.5 inches in the vertical jump, and soared 121 inches in the broad jump. Those are ridiculous numbers for his size! Wirfs was a top-tier prospect in the draft, but he solidified his stock as a Top-15 pick. With those numbers, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him off the board by pick eight.
A.J. Dillon (RB – Boston College) shows off lower body explosiveness.
Coming into the Combine, there were legitimate questions regarding A.J. Dillon and what his numbers were going to be. On tape, he looks like a lumbering running back that has good top-end speed when he’s given room to pick up momentum. However, Dillon showed up at 247 pounds and put up some crazy numbers! Dillon ran a 4.53 40-yard dash, jumped 131 inches in the broad jump, and jumped 41 inches in the vertical jump. Those numbers demonstrate that Dillon is an elite athlete and teams are going to be going back to the tape on Dillon after this weekend. While he struggled in the on-field drills with change of direction, he still showed enough here today to cause some team to take a chance on him in the later rounds.
At 247 lbs, RB AJ Dillon (@BCFootball) runs a 4.53u 40-yard dash. @ajdillon7
📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: https://t.co/vDFxxNddNZ pic.twitter.com/LwNCaPNjes— NFL (@NFL) February 29, 2020
Jonathan Taylor (RB – Wisconsin) shows off his track speed.
Coming into the Combine, everyone expected Jonathan Taylor to show off his long speed in the 40-yard dash. Turns out, he’s very, very fast. At 226 pounds, Taylor ran a 4.39 40-yard dash. With those numbers, Taylor inserts himself into the first round RB conversation. Absolutely incredible.
D’Andre Swift (RB – Georgia) is faster than we expected.
D’Andre Swift is a complete RB prospect and one that I have ranked very highly. While he excels between the tackles, has great contact balance, power, and lateral agility, his long speed was something that was in question. If Swift could come out and run at least in the 4.6’s, his draft stock would most likely remain about the same. Instead, Swift came out and ran a beautiful 4.48 40-yard dash. That’s a beautiful time for a player that we had questions about his long speed with…right now, I have no questions about Swift’s game and that’s a beautiful place to be with a running back prospect.
.@DAndreSwift takes on fellow @GeorgiaFootball RBs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel in the 40-yard dash simulcam! @NIckChubb21 @Flyguy2stackz
📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: https://t.co/vDFxxNddNZ pic.twitter.com/vQTsgjR8q7— NFL (@NFL) February 29, 2020
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB – LSU) runs well enough to maintain his stock.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire didn’t have great long speed on tape, but that’s not how he’s going to routinely win. CEH wins with power, phenomenal contact balance, and great change of direction. However, in order to maintain his draft stock, CEH needed to run faster than a 4.7 40-yard dash. He came out and did much better than that with a 4.60 official 40-yard dash. For context, David Montgomery and Josh Jacobs both ran in the mid 4.6’s last year. Side note, he also jumped 39.5 inches in the vertical jump too. Edwards-Helaire will be drafted somewhere on day two.
Other Combine Notes
- Danny Pinter (OL – Ball State) runs a 4.91 40-yard dash.
- Jedrick Wills Jr. (OT – Alabama) runs a 5.05 40-yard dash.
- Austin Jackson (OT – USC) runs a 5.07 40-yard dash.
- Cesar Ruiz (iOL – Michigan) runs a 5.08 40-yard dash.
- Andrew Thomas (OT – Georgia) runs a 5.22 40-yard dash.
- Jedrick Wills Jr. (OT – Alabama) jumps 34.5 inches in the vertical jump.
- Cesar Ruiz (iOL – Michigan) jumps 33 inches in the vertical jump.
- Salvon Ahmed (RB – Washington) runs a terrible 4.62 40-yard dash.
- Darrynton Evans (RB – App State) runs a 4.41 40-yard dash.
- Raymond Calais (RB – UL Lafayette) runs a 4.42 40-yard dash.
- Anthony McFarland (RB – Maryland) runs a 4.44 40-yard dash.
- Cam Akers (RB – Florida State) runs a 4.47 40-yard dash and looked fluid and sharp in the on-field drills.
- Ke’Shawn Vaughn (RB – Vanderbilt) runs a 4.51 40-yard dash.
- Benny LeMay runs a 4.74 40-yard dash.
- J.J. Taylor runs a 4.61 40-yard dash.
- Lamical Perine runs a 4.62 40-yard dash.
