.png){kind=small}
Day one of the 2024 NFL Combine has concluded and we are recapping the top performances by position group on the day.
Check back at the end of each day as I will continue to recap every position group from the drill work at the 2024 NFL Combine.
Overview of Today's Analysis
Below, we provide a breakdown of the top players ranked within their respective position groups. This analysis is based on the drill work and how it correlates with each prospect's initial scouting report from the Football Scout 365 NFL Draft Big Board, available on our website.
Grading If the Film Matches the NFL Combine Data
The aim of today's analysis is to assess each prospect's NFL Combine drill performance. We consider all aspects of the workouts, from the 40-yard dash to the on-field exercises, to determine if a prospect's previous film analysis and scouting report align with their performance during the NFL Combine's on-field drills. Learn about the grading here.
Today, I separated the top performances in the NFL Combine by position group; I separated the interior defensive lineman, the edge rushers, and the linebackers. The primary goal of this analysis is to match the Football Scout 365 scouting report to the data from the NFL Combine to solidify the initial analysis.
Top Graded Interior Defensive Line
(1). Braden Fiske, IDL Florida State (6’ 4’’, 292lbs)
Combine Data & Ranking Within His Position Group
40-Yard Dash: 4.78 seconds (1st)
10-Yard Split: 1.68 seconds (3rd)
Vertical Jump: 33.5" (1st)
Broad Jump: 9' 9" (1st)
Summary: Fiske was excellent in the drill work at the 2024 NFL Combine, especially in speed and power metrics, placing him favorably among his peers. While there are gaps in his testing data (agility drills, bench press), he displayed explosiveness, good agility, and a high motor, as detailed in his NFL Draft scouting report.
Grade Assignment: Given Fiske's performance in combine drills and alignment with his scouting report's emphasis on explosiveness and high motor, his grade would be Exceptional (9). His combine results confirm and exceed the expectations set by his scouting report, marking him as a top performer in his position group.
(2). Byron Murphy II, IDL, Texas (6' 0 1/2", 297lbs)
Combine Data & Ranking Within His Position Group:
40-Yard Dash: 4.87 seconds (3rd)
10-Yard Split: 1.69 seconds (4th)
Vertical Jump: 33" (2nd)
Broad Jump: 9' 3" (6th)
Summary: Murphy stood out within the defensive tackle group, placing 3rd in the 40-yard dash and 2nd in the vertical jump. His NFL Combine numbers align with his scouting report, underscoring his explosive power and agility.
Grade Assignment: Considering Murphy's solid combine performance, particularly in speed and explosiveness, which aligns with his scouting report, his grade would be Very Good to Outstanding (7-8). His performance supports his scouting report's claims of explosiveness and agility, making him a standout player among his peers.
(3). Kris Jenkins, IDL, Michigan (6’ 3’’, 299)
Combine Data & Ranking Within His Position Group:
40-Yard Dash: 4.91 seconds (5th)
10-Yard Split: 1.70 seconds (6th)
Vertical Jump: 30" (11th)
Broad Jump: 9' 7" (4th)
Summary: Jenkins showcased his freakish athletic ability at the 2024 NFL Combine, aligning well with his scouting report's remarks on strength and motor skills. His 5th place in the 40-yard dash and 4th in the broad jump reflect good athleticism and explosiveness for his position.
Grade Assignment: Jenkins' combine results, particularly his notable placements in the speed and broad jump categories, reflect the strengths mentioned in his scouting report. Therefore, his grade would be Above Average to Good (6-7). His performance was good but not top-tier, reflecting his scouting report's emphasis on strength and motor skills while indicating areas for improvement.
Top Graded Edge Rushers
(1). Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama (6' 3'', 247lbs)
Combine Data & Ranking Within His Position Group:
40-Yard Dash: 4.47 seconds (1st)
10-Yard Split: 1.54 (*1st)
Vertical Jump: 40.5'' (1st)
Broad Jump: 10' 7'' (*2nd)
Summary: Dallas Turner's combine performance solidifies his prospect grade, reflecting his dynamic edge-rushing capabilities with standout metrics like a 40.5-inch vertical and a 10' 7'' broad jump, epitomizing his explosive athleticism. His physical attributes and athletic traits are very comparable to Nolan Smith and Haason Reddick. Turner's ability to adapt between 4-3 and 3-4 schemes is a reason he worked out with the linebacker group and it further highlights his overall versatility.
Grade Assignment: Considering Turner's combine performance aligns perfectly with his scouting report, emphasizing his dynamic edge-rushing capabilities and explosive athleticism, his grade would be Exceptional (9).
(2). Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State (6’ 3’’, 254lbs)
Combine Data & Ranking Within His Position Group:
40-Yard Dash: 4.49 seconds (1st)
10-Yard Split: 1.54 seconds (*1st)
Vertical Jump: 34.5'' (12th)
Broad Jump: 10' 8'' (Tied for 1st)
Summary: Robinson's performance at the 2024 NFL Combine, leading in the 40-yard dash and 10-yard split, underscores his exceptional speed and initial quickness, essential for an EDGE rusher. Although his vertical jump ranked 12th, suggesting room for improvement in lower-body explosiveness, his 40-yard dash and 10-yard split demonstrate his ability to close in on quarterbacks and ball carriers rapidly. His broad jump, tied for first, further highlights his lateral explosiveness and agility.
Grade Assignment: Since Robinson's performance was dominant in speed but showed room for improvement in explosiveness, his grade is Very Good to Outstanding (7-8). His exceptional speed and agility are evident, aligning with his scouting report.
(3). Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State (6' 4'', 254lbs)
Combine Data & Ranking Within His Position Group:
40-Yard Dash: 4.58 seconds (3rd)
10-Yard Split: 1.60 seconds (4th)
Vertical Jump: 35'' (7th)
Broad Jump: 10' 7'' (*2nd)
Scouting Report Connection: Verse's combine performance, particularly with his size at 6' 4'' and 254lbs, underscores his physical and athletic prowess, positioning him favorably among EDGE prospects. His 3rd place in the 40-yard dash and 4th in both the 10-yard split and broad jump highlights his exceptional speed and agility, which are crucial for edge-rushing roles. His vertical leap at 35 inches, ranked 7th, further confirms his lower body strength and explosiveness, essential for overcoming offensive linemen and making plays in the backfield.
Grade Assignment: Given that Verse's combine performance confirms the physical and athletic prowess expected from his scouting report, his grade would be Above Average to Good (6-7). He does not lead the pack and demonstrates significant potential and aligns with scouting expectations.
(4). Myles Cole, DE, Texas Tech (6' 6'', 278lbs)
Combine Data & Ranking Within His Position Group:
40-Yard Dash: 4.67 seconds (9th)
10-Yard Split: 1.65 seconds (11th)
Vertical Jump: 35'' (7th)
Broad Jump: 10' 0'' (9th)
Summary: Myles Cole, with his towering height of 6' 6'' and weight of 278 lbs, coupled with his remarkable arm length, showcased potential at the 2024 NFL Combine, particularly in athleticism, as evidenced by his above-average vertical jump and broad jump results. Despite a lower production score, his physical attributes and combine performance suggest a player with raw, moldable traits. His lack of instinctiveness and issues against the run are areas for improvement, but his combine metrics indicate an underlying athleticism that could be refined with added mass and strength.
Grade Assignment: Considering Cole's raw physical attributes and the potential shown in his combine performance, despite not being top-tier, his grade would be Above Average to Good (6-7). His metrics suggest a player with the potential for growth, aligning with parts of his scouting report but also highlighting areas needing improvement.
(5). Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri (6' 5'', 285lbs)
Combine Data & Ranking Within His Position Group:
40-Yard Dash: 4.95 seconds (19th)
10-Yard Split: 1.73 seconds (19th)
Vertical Jump: 35'' (7th)
Broad Jump: 9' 3'' (19th)
Summary: Robinson's physical stature at 6' 5'' and 285lbs combined with his top production score underscores his dominance on the field, particularly against the run. Despite lower athleticism scores indicated by his combine speed and agility rankings, his excellent vertical jump showcases his lower-body power and potential for disruption. As a powerhouse on Missouri's defensive line, Robinson's skills align with his potential as a plus starter in the NFL, particularly in a 3-4 scheme where his ability to stack and shed becomes invaluable.
Grade Assignment: Robinson's combine results were mixed, with less impressive speed and agility but good strength. His performance would be graded as Average (5) since he meets basic expectations for his prototype but does not excel in athletic metrics.
Top Graded Linebackers
(1). Payton Wilson, LB, N.C. State (6' 4'', 233lbs)
Combine Data & Ranking Within His Position Group:
40-Yard Dash: 4.44 seconds (1st among linebackers)
10-Yard Split: 1.54 seconds (Tied for 1st among linebackers)
Vertical Jump: 34.5'' (9th among linebackers)
Broad Jump: 9' 11'' (6th among linebackers)
Scouting Report Connection: Payton Wilson's combine performance underscores his potential, with standout speeds in the 40-yard dash and 10-yard split, highlighting his excellent sideline-to-sideline capabilities. Ranked high in both production and athleticism among linebackers, Wilson's physical and competitive attributes make him well-suited for a role in an aggressive defensive scheme where his speed, instincts, and energy can be fully utilized. His broad and vertical jump results further confirm his athleticism.
Grade Assignment: Given that Wilson's combine performance aligns with the scouting report and shows excellent speed and good athletic ability, his grade is Very Good to Outstanding (7-8). His results support the scouting narrative of high-speed, instinctual play, and well-rounded athleticism.
(2). Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M (6' 2'', 230lbs)
Combine Data & Ranking Within His Position Group:
40-Yard Dash: 4.51 seconds (3rd among linebackers)
10-Yard Split: 1.54 seconds (Tied for 1st among linebackers)
Vertical Jump: 34.5'' (6th among linebackers)
Broad Jump: 9' 10'' (10th among linebackers)
Scouting Report Connection: Edgerrin Cooper's combine showing reinforces his scouting outlook as a future average starter, with a strong performance in speed and agility tests reflective of his playmaking ability on the field. Ranked 4th in production and 7th in athleticism among linebackers, Cooper's metrics highlight his quickness and range, including a notable 40-yard dash time and a competitive 10-yard split. His vertical and broad jump scores further depict his physical attributes and ability to effectively engage in coverage and run support. His overall performance at the combine and his physical dimensions suggest he possesses the requisite skills and potential to develop into a reliable starter in an NFL defensive scheme, leveraging his sideline-to-sideline speed and tackling prowess.
Grade Assignment: Cooper's combine performance, reflecting his scouting report as a player with good quickness and range, would merit a grade of Above Average to Good (6-7). He shows the potential to develop into a reliable NFL starter, with strong sideline-to-sideline abilities.
(3). Jordan Magee, LB, Temple (6' 1'', 228lbs)
Combine Data & Ranking Within His Position Group:
40-Yard Dash: 4.55 seconds (5th among linebackers)
10-Yard Split: 1.54 seconds (Tied for 1st among linebackers)
Vertical Jump: 35.5'' (5th among linebackers)
Broad Jump: 10' 4'' (4th among linebackers)
Scouting Report Connection: Jordan Magee's combine performance reflects his promising athletic foundation, particularly highlighted by his vertical and broad jump results, which rank him notably high among his linebacker peers. These results, alongside his competitive 40-yard dash time, validate the scouting perspective that he possesses the traits or talent to become an above-average backup or low-level starter. Magee's impressive athleticism, as shown by his top-tier results in speed and agility tests, coupled with his potential as outlined by his prospect grade, indicates he could be a valuable addition to NFL teams looking for dynamic defensive talent.
Grade Assignment: Magee's combine results, which align with the expectations set by his scouting report for athleticism and potential, would result in a grade of Above Average to Good (6-7). His metrics suggest he could serve effectively as an above-average backup or even develop into a starter.
(4). Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina (6' 1 1/2'', 234lbs)
Combine Data & Ranking Within His Position Group:
40-Yard Dash: 4.64 seconds (11th among linebackers)
10-Yard Split: 1.59 seconds (Tied for 9th among linebackers)
Vertical Jump: 35.5'' (Tied for 5th among linebackers)
Broad Jump: 10' 0'' (6th among linebackers)
Scouting Report Connection: Cedric Gray's combine performance solidifies his scouting report's assertion of possessing traits or talent to be an above-average backup, potentially more. Though his athleticism score and combine speed metrics place him lower compared to peers, his impressive vertical and broad jump results display his explosive power and agility, critical attributes for modern NFL linebackers. Gray's overall combine outcomes, combined with his high production level at North Carolina, suggest he has the foundational skills and potential required to excel in the NFL, particularly in schemes that value intelligent, versatile linebackers.
Grade Assignment: Considering Gray's solid combine performance, especially in the jumps, and his potential as described in his scouting report, his grade would be Above Average (5-6). While his speed metrics are not top-tier, his jump results and productivity indicate significant potential and utility in the NFL.