The entire NFL world has its eyes on Indianapolis as the draft prospects pour in to test and try to help their draft stock. Thursday was a particular day of importance for the Cleveland Browns who need plenty of help on the defensive line. There is plenty of talent in this year’s edge rusher class both as stand-up rushers and players that can set the edge in the run game.
Though you can’t put a bunch of weight into athletic testing if the film isn’t good it can still validate some issues or some strengths you think you see on the tape. Let’s take a look at some edge rushers that helped and some that hurt their stock in Indy.
Stock Up: Nolan Smith, Georgia
Nolan Smith’s final season was cut short due to injury but you wouldn’t know it with the way he tested at the combine. He showed up mostly healthy and proved that those suggesting he might fall in the draft were off base.
Checking in at 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds he ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash for defensive linemen since 2003 with a 4.39. Think about that it’s wide receiver speed from a pass rusher and added a 41.5-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-8 broad jump. These are insane numbers and should firmly slot Smith as a first-round pick.
Stock Down: Andre Carter II, Army
After an up-and-down Senior Bowl where he didn’t do much in run defense Army’s Andre Carter didn’t have a good showing at the combine. Some suggested that he had put on size and that it was limiting some of his explosion and athleticism and it showed a bit.
Carter posted a 30-inch vertical (16th percentile) to go with a 9-foot-1 broad jump which is only in the (26th percentile). Cater had received some late first-round buzz but with the Senior Bowl, the combine, and the drop in production in 2022 he is currently sliding down boards.
Stock Up: Derick Hall, Auburn
A player that I like for the Browns a lot is Auburn’s Derick Hall who expectantly tested very well in Indy. Coming in a 6-foot-2 and 254 pounds he ran an impressive 4.57 40-yard dash to show his speed and explosion off the line of scrimmage.
His vertical jump was closer to average at 33.5 inches but he had an impressive 10′ 7″ broad jump. In terms of Relative Athletic Score, he had an impressive 9.24 out of 10 with his testing at the combine.
Stock Down: Brenton Cox Jr, Florida
There are major character concerns with Brenton Cox who was dismissed from two programs during his college football career. However, going into this season there was some first-round buzz because of the tools he has to work with. He needed to have a good combine after missing so much time and that just didn’t happen.
His Relative Athletic Score ended up only being a 6.81 out of 10 after a 4.82-second 40-yard dash and a 33 vertical jump to go with a 9-foot-7 broad jump. This is a player that is firmly going to be a day-three pick in the draft.
Stock Up: Byron Young, Tennessee
It was a great day for Byron Young, who has been steadily climbing draft boards the last few weeks. A 4.43-second 40-yard dash at 250 pounds to go with his 38-inch vertical and 11-foot broad jump is some impressive stuff. He showed quick feet to change direction and just looked like a top-notch athlete testing in Indy and earning a Relative Athletic Score of 9.25 out of 10.
