NFL Combine Stock Report: Defensive Line/Linebackers
Over the years, thanks to great marketing and the public’s interest in building a roster, the NFL Combine has become its unique event. New York Giants fans can keep track of the players they are interested in the team adding.
Players help their stock by winning this event and they can hurt their stock with a poor performance. Day 1 of this year’s combine has the defensive line and linebackers taking the field to perform.
Let's take a look at players on opposite ends of the spectrum in each group (defensive line, edge/outside linebackers, and inside linebackers) whose combine testing helped or hurt their stocks.
Defensive Line
Stock Up: T’Vonde Sweat, Texas
A man that size (6-4.5, 366 lbs.) should not be able to move the way Sweat does. His numbers will not jump off the page when you read them. However, when you consider Sweat's size, the fact that he can run a 5.27 40-yard dash with a 1.8-second 10-yard split and look fluid while doing it is crazy.
His performance looked similar to that of the current Buccaneers' defensive tackle Vita Vea. Yes, guys like fellow Texas teammate Byron Murphy II and Florida State DT Braden Fiske lit up the track, but watching this big man roll was truly impressive.
Stock Down: Leonard Taylor III, Miami
After exploding on the scene as a freshman, Taylor looked like the next in a long line of dominant Hurricane defensive tackles. His next two seasons were not as productive, but he still flashed elite athleticism. The combine was his opportunity to remind evaluators that he was an elite athletic talent.
Unfortunately, his numbers only read as a good athlete. He did not run sub-5.00 in the forty as many predicted. His 10-yard split was not elite; his vert was only 30 inches, and his broad jump was barely over nine feet. The explosive elements did not jump out during the testing for a player who looks the part.
Edge/Outside Linebackers
Stock Up: Edge Dallas Turner, Alabama
Turner’s calling card as a pass rusher for Alabama was an elite initial burst off the line that quickly ate up the offensive tackle’s cushion. On Day 1 of on-field drills, he looked like the most explosive first-level defender in the draft.
Turner recorded a 4.46 in the forty, a 1.54 10-yard split, a 40.5-inch vertical jump, and a 10’7” broad jump. He was the star of stars at the position. Giants fans could imagine Turner chasing down NFC East quarterbacks for years.
Stock Down: DE Darius Robinson DE, Missouri
Robinson is a massive end who many thought could be an edge rush option at the pro level. A lot of that would probably depend on his explosive numbers. He looks like a physical specimen at 6’5” and 285 lbs, but he did not record the testing numbers that would equate to some of the elite edge rushers in the NFL.
His 4.95 forty was the slowest in the defensive ends and edge rushers group. His 1.7-second 10-yard split was also subpar. It will make evaluators return to the film and decide where he might be most effective along the defensive front.
Inside Linebackers
Stock Up: Kalen Deloach, Florida State
Deloach is a smart, tough, disciplined linebacker who has been applauded for his leadership. His size and athleticism were the questions he had to answer at the combine, and while he will still have questions about his 5’11.5” and 210 lbs frame, there will be no more doubts about his athleticism.
Deloach ran a 4.47 forty and recorded a 1.59-second 10-yard split. Those are both elite numbers for the position. His character would be enough to warrant a spot on a roster, but his speed and explosiveness speak to someone who could contribute to a team in many roles.
Stock Down: Maema Njongmeta, Wisconsin
Njongmeta is an old-school linebacker with a new-school size. The problem is that he needed to show the new-age linebacker athleticism, which did not happen. He ran a 4.91 forty, the slowest among all the linebackers who tested.
At 6’ and 220 lbs, he needs to be run much faster to make NFL GMs believe he can survive in a league where they exploit every weakness a player has, and lack of speed for a linebacker can be detrimental to defensive success.
The defensive backs and tight ends are up next in the combined testing. Keep it here for more stock reports.
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