When the 200+ NFL Draft prospects get their invites for the NFL Scouting Combine, they know the opportunity that lies ahead. They have the chance to showcase their athleticism and football IQ in front of all 32 teams.
The best part of the combine is seeing the prospects that use this opportunity to boost their draft stocks and earn some money on draft day.
On Thursday, the defensive linemen and the linebackers took center stage in Indianapolis and put on a show for the coaches and scouts in attendance. Some players separated themselves from the rest of the pack with their testing results. We give them their flowers in this exercise.
North Carolina State LB Payton Wilson
The fan-favorite every year for the Combine is the 40-yard dash. So, the fastest time will be recognized every time. It just so happens that in this instance, the fastest time corresponds with a great overall showing.
NC State’s Payton Wilson has been in the debate for the top linebacker in this season’s draft cycle. Wilson put his case for the title by giving a performance for the ages with his 4.44 unofficial 40-yard dash. He rounded out the day with a solid 34.5″ vertical jump and a 9’11” broad jump.
Payton Wilson had a memorable interview and tested incredibly well so far. That’s how you handle this biggest interview of your life! pic.twitter.com/xSYtt511w6
— Full-Time Dame 💰 (@DP_NFL) March 1, 2024
Alabama OLB Dallas Turner
Speaking of insane showings, Alabama’s Dallas Turner made his case to be the top edge-rusher in this draft. Before Wilson ran his 4.44, Turner dazzled the Combine with a scorching 4.47 unofficial 40-yard dash. Turner wasn’t done there, he ended the day with an absurd 40.5″ vertical jump and 10’7″ broad jump.
.@AlabamaFTBL ED Dallas Turner
Wingspan: 83” (89th percentile)
40: 4.47 (98th percentile)
Vert: 40.5 (97th percentile)
Broad: 10’7” (93rd percentile)Insane stuff
pic.twitter.com/ilIBnH13Vb— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) March 1, 2024
Texas DT T'Vondre Sweat
At 6’4″, 366 pounds, Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat was the most intimidating figure on the field. Nobody expected him to be as fleet-footed as he was, especially in the on-field drills.
His 5.27 40-yard dash at his size was impressive, but his ability to move as fluently as he did in the four-bag drill, even took Saints’ edge rusher Cameron Jordan by surprise.
Listen to Cameron Jordan react to T'Vondre Sweat in the 4 Bag Drill pic.twitter.com/uH3oDIzjKs
— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) February 29, 2024
Penn State DE Chop Robinson
Penn State’s Chop Robinson was slated to be one of the top performers, and he did not disappoint. Robinson ended up blazing the track in Indy for an unofficial 4.49 40-yard dash with an unprecedented 1.54 10-yard split. Outside of that, Robinson, at 6’2″, 254 pounds, ran an elite 4.21 three-cone shuttle, tallied a 34.5″ vertical and broad jumped 10’8″.
Chop Robinson runs a 4.49 on his first attempt👀
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 29, 2024
Florida State DT Braden Fiske
If you want to see elite movement skills on a large human being, look no further than Florida State’s Braden Fiske. Fiske impressed everyone in the building with his speed and agility on the day. At 6’4″, 292 pounds, Fiske ran a 4.78 unofficial 40-yard dash, a blazing 4.37 three-cone shuttle, an explosive 33.5″ vertical and broad jumped 9’9″.
He then brought that elite explosiveness to the on-field drills, where he shared a striking resemblance to a Bullet Bill in Mario Kart.
Braden Fiske had this one coach shook 🤣
🎥: @StaceyDales pic.twitter.com/3WXHRbWCcC https://t.co/3BBkEavW3x
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) March 1, 2024
Texas DT Byron Murphy II
When Murphy II arrived in Indianapolis, the expectations were at an all-time high for the 6’0″, 297-pound tackle. Murphy’s explosion was on full display as he ran a sub 4.9 unofficial 40-yard dash, along with a 33″ vertical and 9’3″ broad jump.
His explosion and fluid movement skills were the highlight of the on-field drills for the defensive tackles. Murphy made himself some money as pundits across the industry worry that they may have underestimated the already-first-round talent.
Byron Murphy might go top 10 after the combine 😳 pic.twitter.com/CtjLl1kJ17
— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) February 29, 2024
