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glenn erby

7 takeaways from the top DL, edge rusher, LB performances at NFL Combine

Thursday marked the first day of on-field events and second day of prospect press conferences at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. Defensive linemen and linebackers worked out, while defensive backs stepped up to the podiums. Here are the biggest things we learned from the day’s events.

Defensive linemen and linebackers worked out, while defensive backs met the media.

Former Penn State pass rusher Chop Robinson put the league on notice. At the same time, Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper could allow Baltimore to quickly replace Patrick Queen in the first or second round.

With Day 2 scheduled for Friday, here are the top takeaways from the performance of the defensive linemen, edge rushers, and linebackers.

Edgerrin Cooper is dynamic

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (LB08) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Cooper may not be a first round pick, but if’s he’s on the board, the Ravens should pounce on the athletic linebacker.

Cooper earned CBS Sports All-American honors 2023 after racking up a team-high 17 tackles for a loss and eight sacks for Texas A&M.

Cooper was one of just two SEC off-ball linebackers to finish with at least eight sacks this year. He also tied for second in the conference with two forced fumbles and his two pass breakups ranked third among linebackers, and he’d take the Ravens defense to another level paired with Roquan Smith.

FSU DT is a rising prospect

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske (DL07) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Braden Fiske just was added to Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 players list and the former FSU defensive tackle could move into the first round after an elite performance on Day 1.

Fiske ran the fastest 40-yard dash of Group 1, which primarily consists of defensive tackles.

The 6-foot-4, 292-pound Fiske also posted the highest vertical leap (33.5 inches) and longest broad jump (9-foot-9) of the defensive tackle group.

2024 Linebacker class can fly

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson (LB30) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

We highlighted Edgerrin Cooper, but just about every inside and weakside linebacker impressed with their 40-yard dash times.

Dallas Turner

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner (LB26) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Former Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner ran an official 4.46-second 40-yard dash at 2024 combine, better than Derrick Henry and Jalen Hurts during their respective years.

Elite athleticism from pass rushers

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida State defensive lineman Jared Verse (DL51) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Along with Chop Robinson (Penn State) and Jared Verse (FSU), the pass rusher group at the combine again up the ante regarding elite speed and athleticism.

Darius Robinson

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson (DL46) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions fan and Missouri defensive end ran a respectable 4.95 40-yard dash, while weighing close to 300 pounds.

Chop Robinson won the day

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State defensive lineman Chop Robinson (DL45) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Chop Robinson made himself millions on Friday after blistering through the 40-yard dash.

Penn State’s 6-2 7/8, 254-pound pass rusher recorded an official 40-yard dash time of 4.48 seconds, the best among the defensive line group.

Robinson opted not to run a second 40.

Robinson also displayed his athleticims with a respectable number in the vertical jump (34 1/2 inches) and a strong number in the broad jump — 10-foot-8, which tied for the top DL number with Houston Christian edge rusher Jalyx Hunt.

Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 29: T’Vondre Sweat #DL25 of Texas participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat measured in at 6-foot-4 1/2 and 366 pounds on Thursday, making him one of the heavier prospects in recent combine history.

The Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year played at 365 pounds last season for the Longhorns.

Sweat didn’t match Jordan Davis’s 4.78-second 40-yard dash at 341 pounds from two years ago, but it was impressive.

Athletic defensive tackles

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (DL13) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

This is one of the more athletic defensive tackle groups in some time.

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