The largest publicly performed job interview in America just concluded Sunday evening with the wrap up of the 2020 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. The 2020 NFL Combine was highlighted by impressive performances from every position. Let’s take the time to dive into the most impressive ones as we construct my All-Combine Team. To make the All-Combine Team the player had to jump off the screen with their results or catch me way off guard with the impressive numbers and performances in on-field drills by outperforming what I predicted based off my film study. Each player will have a quick reaction of their week as well as some of their best testing results. First up, quarterback.
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Quarterback
- 6’1″ 222 pounds 9 ¾” hands
- 40 Time: 4.59 seconds (Second among QBs)
- Vertical Jump: 35″ (Fourth among QBs)
- Broad Jump: 10’5″ (Best among QBs)
Where I was most impressed was how good he looked in passing drills. On film, his biggest weakness was consistency with accuracy. You can tell he has been training hard because even with unfamiliar receivers Hurts was dealing out accurate pass after accurate pass. He looked like a much better QB than during the season. Even right down to his improved mechanics. Hurts has set himself up to rise up draft boards quite a bit.
Running Back
- 5’10” 226 pounds
- 40 Time: 4.39 seconds (Best among RBs)
- Three Cone Drill: 7.01 seconds (Fourth among RBs)
- 20 Yard Shuttle: 4.24 seconds (Sixth among RBs)
Taylor’s biggest win was during the testing portion of his on-field workouts. During this draft process, it has somehow come about that Taylor might not be very athletic overall. He completely blew those misconceptions out of the water by dominating the tests overall. Taylor finished second in the SPARQ scores that help put a number on how athletic a player is based on their size.
Only RBs to weigh 225+ and hit a combine 40 under 4.45 since 2014:
Jonathan Taylor – 4.41 (2020)
Saquon Barkley – 4.40 (2018)
pic.twitter.com/FilbShYYcy— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) February 29, 2020
- 5’10” 217 pounds
- 40 Time: 4.47 seconds (Fifth among RBs)
Cam Akers had a great combine workout. His athletic tests matched what I roughly suspected from his film study. Where I felt Akers really thrived was positional drills. His footwork was highlighted in the bag drills where he flew over the bags and made sharp cuts throughout every drill. He also proved that he would be a very reliable receiver out of the backfield. Akers looked just as natural catching the ball as he did flying over the bags and making cuts around the coaches.
More of Cam Akers at the NFL Combine, via the NFL Network pic.twitter.com/8TiJa4ePXf
— Noles247.com (@Noles247) February 29, 2020
Wide Receiver
- 6’3″ 207 pounds
- 40 Time: 4.38 (Third among WRs)
- Broad Jump: 10′ (Fourth among WRs)
- Three Cone Drill: 6.66 seconds (Best Among WRs)
Mims owned the field on Thursday evening as the receivers, quarterbacks, and tight ends took the field. He dominated the testing drills by running a much faster than anticipated 40-yard dash and a three-cone drill that was among the elite times since 2003. Mims is skyrocketing upwards right now on the back of his performance in his timed drills as well as his solid positional drills.
Baylor’s Denzel Mims 40-yard dash NFL Combine #SicEm https://t.co/P1wIQ5h1OX pic.twitter.com/0DcBlducak
— BaylorFans.com (@BaylorFansCom) February 28, 2020
- 6’4″ 238 pounds
- 40 Time: 4.42 seconds (Seventh among WR)
- Bench: 19 reps (Fifth among WR)
- Vertical Jump: 40.5″ (Fourth among WR)
Claypool entered the combine with murmurs surrounding him that maybe he should switch to more of a tight end. It appeared he was embracing that when he checked in with a weight of 238 pounds; a roughly nine-pound increase since the Senior Bowl. Then he shocked everyone by testing as one of the top receivers in almost every area. Claypool proved that even at his massive size he can be a real threat as a receiver or tight end. He has definitely increased his value this week and was one of the best performers of the whole week.
.@NDFootball WR @ChaseClaypool‘s impressive workout at Combine!
📺: 2020 #NFLCombine continues at 4 pm ET on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/45caaNKgIo
— NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2020
Tight End
- 6’2″ 242 pounds
- 40 Time: 4.72 seconds (Sixth among TEs)
- Bench: 25 reps (Best among TEs)
- Three Cone Drill: 7.15 seconds (Fifth among TEs)
Deguara tested very well in almost every drill after coming in as a sleeper. I have been a fan of him for a while as I believe he can be a complete tight end and his testing proved that to the public. He tested out as one of the top five-seven tight ends in several areas. He also looked really comfortable during on the field drills as a blocker and receiver. He should start rising up.
Among all TEs at the #NFLCombine:
⬇️ @JosiahD5 ⬇️
#1 – bench press (25 reps)
#4 – vertical jump (35.5 inches)
#6 – 40 yard dash (4.72 seconds)
Putting on a show#Bearcats📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/ZFZNgsSV26
— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) February 28, 2020
Offensive Line
- 6’7″ 364 pounds
- 40 Time: 5.11 (13th among OL)
Just looking at the straight numbers they aren’t that impressive, but it goes way beyond that. Becton, at his size, was one of the best overall athletes on display this past week. To see that much size move as fast and as fluid as he was was one of the most impressive things I have seen during a combine workout. He is firmly in the OT1 conversation. Specimen.
6’7″. 364 lbs. 17% body fat. 5.11 40-yard dash.
Louisville’s Mekhi Becton might be the beast of the NFL Combine. pic.twitter.com/eyWHrqZzn8
— Tyler Greever (@Tyler__Greever) February 28, 2020
- 6’5″ 320 pounds
- 40 Time: 4.85 seconds (Best among OL)
- Vertical Jump: 36.5″ (Best among OL)
- Broad Jump: 10’1″ (Best among OL)
Speaking of a specimen, Tristan Wirfs destroyed all the testing and field drills. Of the linemen, he was far and away the smoothest athlete on display. He posted the fastest 40 time for a man of his size and on the field he moved with the fluidity of a running back or receiver. He put his athletic traits, that were all over his film, on full display and lived up to and beyond his hype coming in.
- 6’4″ 312 pounds
- 40 Time: 5.05 seconds (Seventh among OL)
- Vertical Jump: 34.5″ (Second among OL)
Wills Jr. owned the positional drills. He wasn’t going to blow away the testing, but I couldn’t wait to see him move on the field. I wasn’t disappointed. Wills is so smooth and looks so comfortable in his stance. He is a complete technician and put that out there for everyone to see. After his workout, I am more confident than ever that he is the OT1.
- 6’3″ 307 pounds
- 40 Time: 5.08 seconds (10th among OL)
- Bench: 28 reps (Seventh among OL)
- Vertical Jump: 33″ (Sixth among OL)
Cesar Ruiz surprised me. Based on his film I thought he was decent in short area athleticism, but he came out and showed that he moves in space much better than expected. That was illustrated both in timed and positional drills. Along with that, he displayed impressive body control throughout his workout. Overall, Ruiz is a better athlete than expected and was one of the best interior linemen on the field Thursday evening.
- 6’4″ 307 pounds
- Three Cone Drill: 7.45 seconds (Second among OL)
- 20 Yard Shuttle: 4.60 seconds (Second among OL)
Hennessy was a big winner for me among the OL. Of all the interior offensive linemen he had the best workout. He was so consistently athletic and smooth throughout. He demonstrated that he is a reliable athlete on the interior of the line and can be counted on to have a big role for a team at the next level.
Defensive Line
- 6’4″ 320 pounds
- Bench: 33 reps (First among DL)
- 40 Time: 5.14 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 29.5″
Hamilton’s numbers overall aren’t the top of the charts, but when he hit the field for positional drills he was one of a few players who separated themselves. Even at 320 pounds he changed direction quickly and showed good bend, hand use, and flexibility throughout his day. He made himself some money on his testing day.
- 6’3″ 293 pounds
- 40 Time: 4.83 seconds (11th among DL)
- Bench: 31 reps (Fourth among DL)
- Three Cone Drill: 7.37 seconds (11th among DL)
Madubuike was the best interior defensive lineman when it comes to being a pure athlete in drills. His change of direction would have been up there with some edge and linebackers. It was very impressive. His on-field drills show that he should be a consistent gap disruptor at the next level. Offensive linemen are going to have a hard time mirroring him if his positional drills translate to the next level.
- 6’3″ 290 pounds
- 40 Time: 4.90 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 29″
Blacklock displayed the athleticism that has made him into the late first-round prospect that he is. The combine is so useful to help show who are the players that are comfortable in space, able to bend, and are able to change direction quickly. Blacklock checked off all those boxes in his workout and has firmly planted himself among the best at his position.
Edge
- 6’3″ 264 pounds
- 40 Time: 4.69 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 35.5″
- Three Cone Drill: 7.32 seconds
Alton Robinson was another player who surprised me with his performance. He was head and shoulders above the player that I thought he was. He showed fluidity and bend as well as putting up some of the best numbers at his position. He made money with his performance.
- 6’3″ 248 pounds
- 40 Time: 4.7 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 33″
- Broad Jump: 10’5″
Alex Highsmith came in as an under the radar mid-round target for teams that needed an edge rusher, but maybe it isn’t their top need. Thanks to several of the top edge defenders not working out this week Highsmith was able to bust onto the scene and take the spotlight. He showed that he will be able to rush the edge at the next level thanks to the bend that he showed in drills as well as the overall athleticism that he displayed.
Linebacker
- 6’4″ 238 pounds
- 40 Time: 4.39 seconds (First among LB)
- Broad Jump: 11′ (Second among LB)
- Vertical Jump: 39″ (Fourth among LB)
This article could be titled Isaiah Simmons and Friends. You won’t find a better natural athlete than him. He tested off the charts for the LBs and proved that he doesn’t really have a specific position. He just needs to be on the field making plays with his rare abilities when the defense is out there. Simmons put on one of the best overall combines ever.
- 6’1″ 243 pounds
- 40 Time: 4.46 (Second among LB)
- Bench: 21 reps (Tied for fifth among LB)
- Vertical Jump: 39.5″ (Second among LB)
Gay Jr. is built for today’s NFL and proved that at the combine. He is so athletically gifted. He pairs great athleticism with an impressive ability to remain smooth in his movements thanks to good flexibility. He put up more of a fight with Simmons than I expected for who the best LB was. Simmons won the battle, but Gay might have made the most money from where he came into the week at.
Another defender turning heads out of @HailStateFB.
LB Willie Gay Jr.’s best Combine moments!
📺: 2020 #NFLCombine continues 2pm ET on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/S9myL9fK9G
— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2020
Cornerback
- 6’1″ 204 pounds
- 40 Time: 4.39 seconds (Tied for second among CB)
- Bench: 20 reps (Tied for third among CB)
- Vertical Jump: 37.5″ (Tied for third among CB)
Henderson went out onto the field and displayed exactly why he is one of the best corners in the 2020 NFL Draft. He demonstrated strength, speed, range, and athleticism that will all but guarantee he is a first-round lock. He even weighed in heavier than many predicted, which was a concern for him throughout the season.
- 6’1″ 205 pounds
- Vertical Jump: 41″ (Tied for best among CB)
- Broad Jump: 11’3″ (Best among CB)
Okudah only did about half the testing drills, but it was more than he needed to do. He confirmed that he is one of the most athletic corners available and then when it came time to do on field drills he proved that he is one of the best corner prospects of the last ten years minimum. You would be hard-pressed to create a better corner. His technique is the best I have ever seen go through the drills.
Safety
Jeremy Chinn (Southern Illinois)
- 40 Time: 4.45 seconds (Third best among safeties)
- Vertical Jump: 41″ (Second best among safeties)
- Broad Jump: 11’6″ (Best among safeties)
Jeremy Chinn has been a consistent riser as of late, but he really busted onto the scene Sunday when he broke out a 4.45 40-yard dash and jumped out of the gym showing off some of the best explosiveness at the position. Chinn was a big-time performer and showed that even though he is coming from a lower level he has the traits to play with the big boys.
- 40 Time: 4.49 (Sixth among safeties)
- Vertical Jump: 42″ (Best among safeties)
- Broad Jump: 11’2″ (Second best among safeties)
Just like Chinn, Dugger proved he belongs and can be a force at the next level. He checked off all of the boxes for a great athletic profile and proved that he belongs with the safeties after facing some questions during the season that maybe he needs to switch to linebacker. Instead, Dugger showed on the field and in the tests that he is a true safety.
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Mark Johnson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mark, check out his archive and follow him @MJ_NFLDraft.
