The defensive backs hit the field at the NFL combine on Friday and there were some eye-popping performances, particularly by the cornerbacks. The Rams are in search of both corner and safety help this year so the combine is an important step in the process as they evaluate the incoming class.
Here’s a look at nine DBs who stood out on Friday and could be targets for Los Angeles in the draft.
1
CB Julius Brents, Kansas State
Brents’ 40 time of 4.53 was a little bit surprising, but considering he’s 6-foot-3 and 198 pounds, it’s not a bad time. He also has 34-inch arms, which help him make plays on the ball, and his broad jump of 11 feet, 6 inches show the type of explosiveness he has. His 41.5-inch vertical was also impressive, so it was an all-around great day for him. He could be a third- or fourth-round target for the Rams.
One of the reasons #RAS exists is so we can look at performances like the one Julius Brents put up and recognize it for the elite athletic performance it was, without dwelling on a pedestrian 40 time.https://t.co/DYGZxA7Xa6 #RAS pic.twitter.com/fePhpDUTBB
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 4, 2023
2
CB Deonte Banks, Maryland
Banks blew it out of the water on Friday. He ran a 4.35 in the 40, jumped 11-4 in the broad, posted a 42-inch vertical and had a very good 10-yard split of 1.49 seconds. He could get drafted on Day 1 but if he slips to the Rams at No. 36 overall, there will be few better options than him. He’s a terrific athlete, which showed up on tape at Maryland.
2023 CB Athleticism Score Leaderboard 📋
The official 40 times are in. Pending shuttle numbers, @TerpsFootball teammates Deonte Banks (98) and Jakorian Bennett (97) currently sit atop the NGS athleticism score rankings.
Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/MYafLCNOzs
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 3, 2023
3
CB Jakorian Bennett, Maryland
Banks wasn’t the only former Terp to show out at the combine. Bennett also had himself a day. His 1.48-second 10-yard split is the third-best of any player so far this year and his 4.3 in the 40 is the second-fastest through two days of workouts. Bennett doesn’t have the size-length combination that Banks does, but he’s not far off at 5-foot-11 with 31 7/8-inch arms.
Jakorian Bennett can SCOOT
4.31🔥
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 3, 2023
4
CB D.J. Turner, Michigan
Turner ran the fasted time of any player at the combine so far, posting a 4.26 on Friday. Unsurprisingly, his 1.47-second 10-yard split is also the best of anyone, with his 38.5-inch vertical being better than average, too. He has the skill set to be a nickel defender in the NFL and the Rams should have him on their radar on Day 2 or early on Day 3.
4.27u 😳😳😳@UMichFootball DB DJ Turner II is turning heads.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/qm1YCrVoWX— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2023
5
CB Tyrique Stevenson, Miami
Stevenson looked very comfortable in on-field drills, perfecting the gauntlet drill like not many defensive backs do. His 4.45 in the 40 was very good for a player 198 pounds, and his arm length of 32 3/8 inches also check another box. Stevenson could be a Round 2 or 3 target for Los Angeles in its search for a cornerback – even if Jalen Ramsey stays.
#Canes Football DB Tyrique Stevenson clocks an unofficial 4.46, 40-yard dash on his first attempt.@lifewalletsport pic.twitter.com/Qy29vOlINA
— Geo Milian (@GeoMilian) March 3, 2023
6
CB Darius Rush, South Carolina
Rush is 6-foot-2, 198 pounds with 33 3/8-inch arms, yet he still ran a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash. He had a very good day on Friday and will have scouts going back to the tape to see if his athleticism matches up with production on the field. The only disappointing parts of his testing were his vertical (35 inches) and broad jump (10 feet, 1 inch).
Darius Rush RAS so far.https://t.co/EjToL7AEmA #RAS pic.twitter.com/iHlksobB1s
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 3, 2023
7
S Sydney Brown, Illinois
The safety class as a whole didn’t open many eyes in Indianapolis, but Brown is one of the few who stood out with some solid testing. He ran a very good 4.47 in the 40-yard dash with a 40.5-inch vertical and 10-10 in the broad, also putting up 23 reps on the bench press. He’s not the biggest safety, standing just 5-foot-10, but he’s a fluid mover who can also pack a punch.
Sydney Brown RAS so far.https://t.co/l3F2i0jAiI #RAS pic.twitter.com/b5mKHiZkZx
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 3, 2023
8
S Daniel Scott, Cal
Scott is an older prospect, being 24 years old already, but his experience at Cal and athleticism should at least earn him a spot as a backup. He ran a 4.45 at 6-1 and 208 pounds, jumping 39.5 inches in the vert with a 10-foot-8 broad jump. That speed helps him as a centerfield safety, giving him the necessary range to go sideline to sideline.
2023 Safety Athleticism Score Leaderboard 📋
With the official 40 times in, Daniel Scott (@CalFootball) and Jason Taylor II (@CowboyFB), currently sit atop the NGS athleticism score rankings pending shuttle drills. pic.twitter.com/cWUvUhxB9A
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 4, 2023
9
S Jartavius Martin, Illinois
Martin currently has the best vertical jump of anyone at the combine this year, leaping 44 inches. That’s just 1 inch off the combine record and ties the best ever by a safety. Pair that with 4.46 speed and it’s hard not to like his measurables as a safety prospect. He also has some experience at cornerback, making him an intriguing player for the Rams to target on Day 2 or 3.
4.46 40 time to pair with a 44" vertical 😤@IlliniFootball DB Jartavius Martin is showing out today
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/Rv97vclV3L
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 3, 2023
