NFL Combine Day 3: Winners & Losers from Weigh-ins, Measurements | DL, LB, Edge
The NFL Scouting Combine is underway and with each position group's measurements finally being known, I am highlighting the biggest winners as losers.
We've hit on the offensive side of the ball. Now, it's time to focus on defensive line and linebackers.
Defensive Line
Winner: Derrick Brown, Auburn
Brown is the best prospect at this position, and he answered a big question about his length. With 34-2/8-inch arms and a wingspan of 80-7/8 inches.
Loser: Khalil Davis, Nebraska
Length matters on the defensive line and 32-inch arms are typically the minimum thresholds. Davis checked in just under with 31.5-inch arms.
Winner: Darrion Daniels, Nebraska
Daniels is flying a bit under the radar but the length he put on display is going to get some attention. The 33-3/4-inch arms and a wingspan of 81-3/4 inches are what teams are looking for.
Loser: James Lynch, Baylor
Lynch checked in under the threshold with 31-7/8-inch arms and only a 76-7/8-inch wingspan.
Winner: Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina
Kinlaw is one of the better prospects in the class, and he checked out medically with his knee. On top of that, he has a good weight of 324 pounds that he carries very well, and plenty of length with 34-7/8-inch arms.
Loser: Malcolm Roach, Texas
Roach missed the threshold for arm length with only 31-7/8-inch arms, and for wingspan with only a 77-1/2-inch wingspan.
Winner: Rashard Lawrence, LSU
Lawrence is a good run defender and he uses his 34-1/8-inch arms very well to help him win. That will translate to the NFL in a sub role at the very least.
Loser: Carlos Davis, Nebraska
The other Davis brother is also a loser from the fay but just making the 32-inch arm threshold, but missing the wingspan with only a 76.5-inch wingspan.
Winner: Leki Fotu, Utah
Fotu is not short and stubby, and has plenty of length with 34-1/4-inch arms. A tremendous length that will work with his play style.
Loser: Ross Blacklock, TCU
For interior defensive linemen, the threshold for arm length is 32 inches, and a wingspan of 80 and Blacklock barely got the arm threshold with 32-3/8 inches, but missed the wingspan with 78-6/8 inches.
Winner: Davon Hamilton, Ohio State
320 pounds is the ideal weight for Hamilton, and he pairs that with good length with 33-inch arms.
Loser: Josiah Coatney, Ole Miss
Coatney was barely over the arm threshold with 32-6/8 inches, but he lacks wingspan with 76-7/8 inches, which is below the wingspan teams want for interior defenders.
Off-Ball Linebacker
Winner: Daniel Bituli, Tennesse
One of the longer defenders from the day, Bituli measured with 34-3/8-inch arms.
Loser: Shaquille Quarterman, Miami
Length matters at linebacker in the NFL and there is a correspondence with a lack of length and tackling issues, which is easy to understand. Quarterman with 31/5/8-inch arms is in that lack of length category.
Winner: Josh Uche, Michigan
Probably one of the bigger winners of the day. Uche looked good in every measurement and has the body of an NFL defender.
Loser: De’Jon “Scoota” Harris, Arkansas
I don’t know much about Harris as I haven’t scouted him yet, but the word I got from sources was his 31-3/8-inch arms answer a lot of questions just in a bad way.
Winner: Cameron Brown, Penn State
With Brown, it comes down to his 233-pound weigh-in, but also the 34-inch arms. Teams want to see if he can move as smoothly as he does on tape at that weight. The length is awesome, though.
Loser: Clay Johnston, Baylor
A lot of defenders on this list, at any position, is because a lack of length and Johnston is no different. His 30.5-inch arms are a major concern for NFL teams.
Winner: Kamal Martin, Minnesota
It was questioned as to if Martin would have the length for the NFL and with 34-inch arms, he does. Now he just needs to learn how to use that length.
Loser: Jordan Mack, Virginia
There is a major lack of length with Mack with 31-1/4-inch arms.
Winner: Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
Basically the measurements just confirmed that Simmons is a freak of nature. Every measurement was good/great numbers for the versatile defender.
Loser: Evan Weaver, California
Athletically limited, but also lacking length. The 31-5/8-inch arms are not going to help Weaver and his stock.
Winner: Nick Coe, Auburn
There is a lot of length with Coe, which is how he won a lot in college. The 33-6/8-inch arms are going to help at the NFL level.
Loser: David Woodward, Utah State
Woodward with 31-5/8-inch arms didn’t meet the majority of teams' minimum threshold for linebacker arm length.
Edge
Winner: A.J. Epenesa, Iowa
Length was never a question, but Epenesa showed he has length and then some. With 34.5-inch arms and 82-1/4-inch wingspan, Epenesa helped himself just but standing there.
Loser: Kendall Coleman, Syracuse
There is good athleticism, but Coleman fails with blockers get their hands on him. His 31-6/8-inch arms are not going to help him at the NFL game.
Winner: Julian Okwara, Notre Dame
Athletically gifted, Okwara also brings plenty of length to the NFL. His 34-3/8-inch arms and 81-6/8-inch wingspan are ideal for the NFL.
Loser: Derrek Tuszka, North Dakota State
There is a major lack of length and the 31-3/8-inch arms are not cutting it for NFL teams.
Winner: Darrell Taylor, Tennessee
Length was a concern with Taylor, but he met the threshold teams have for edge with 33-inch arms.
Loser: Kenny Willekes, Michigan State
While he doesn’t have the shortest of arms, he is down there with 31-2/8 inches, which is below what teams want.
Winner: Terrell Lewis, Alabama
Medically, there is a concern with Lewis, but he has the length for the NFL with 33-7/8-inch arms and a wingspan of 83-3/8 inches.
Loser: Khaleke Hudson, Notre Dame
An edge rusher with sub-30-inch arms is not a good thing. Hudson with 29-3/8-inch arms is well below what teams want.
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