Day 6 of the Combine made the jaws drop as numerous players displayed great speed and agility for their weights. This year’s defensive linemen and linebackers could prove to be one of the most versatile as many displayed skills that can be utilized at several positions.
Dontari Poe – DT – Memphis
Poe confirmed expectations that he would be a monster on the defensive line. The 6-foot, 4-inch, 346-pound Poe benched 44 reps at the combine, the most out of any other player. What was even more impressive was the fact that he ran a 4.98 40 at 345 lbs. Many scouts thought that Poe would just be huge presence in the middle, however with his displayed agile quickness, he can essentially be moved all across the line.
Melvin Ingram – DL – South Carolina
Ingram ran a 4.66 40 at 264 pounds and put up 28 reps on the bench press. He also looked very smooth and nimble in stand up drills that indicates he can play in both a 3-4 and a 4-3 defense.
Luke Kuechly - LB – Boston College
Kuechly was the talk of the Combine after running an incredible 4.5 40 coupled with a 38 inch vertical. Kuechly is highly considered to be the best linebacker in this year’s class and today’s performance earned him an early-mid first round selection.
Zach Brown – LB – North Carolina
Brown raised some eyebrows after turning in a 4.50 40 even with a stumble, second to Cal linebacker Mychal Kendricks’ fastest time of 4.47. This shows that Brown has enough speed to cover any receiver on the field; a great skill to have considering how tight ends and wide receivers play at a much faster pace these days. Brown should see himself drafted by the end of the first round.
Nick Perry – DE – USC
Perry was projected by many to be not strong enough to handle the rigors of a 4-3 defensive lineman. He put those thoughts to rest today as he ran a 4.64 40 and benched an impressive 35 reps. Perry did very well in agility drills and showed his critics that he can play in any defensive scheme.
Speed and agility was the theme of the day for the defensive linemen and linebackers. Many showed they can be put in any defensive situation and succeed, indicating a possibility that there may be run on defensive players during the first 3 rounds of the draft as many teams are looking for this versatility. Tomorrow’s combine focuses on speed and agility again as DBs are put through drills.
