NFL Scouting Combine on-field workouts officially began Friday morning as special teamers, offensive lineman and running backs took center stage in Indianapolis.
Interior offensive lineman had a great day, while a number of players, who did not even touch the field had a phenomenal showing as well. So, without further ado, lets take a look at who stole the show on Friday at the NFL Combine.
Interior offensive lineman had a tremendous showing
It all started on Thursday when NC State center Garrett Bradbury put up 34 reps on the bench press. Then, the former Wolfpack star ran a 4.92 in the 40-yard dash, which was one of the fastest times among lineman.
Just a few runs later, former Texas A&M center Erik McCoy ran a 4.89, which was the fastest time of any lineman at the Combine. Both Bradbury and McCoy showcased their talents just over a month ago in Mobile at the Senior Bowl and they did it again on Friday in Indy.
6-foot-4, 315 lbs.@AggieFootball OL @Erik_McCoy_73 runs a 4.90u 40, the fastest of the day so far.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/DUqblrTwkv
— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2019
Not only did both players — possibly — ensure their status as top-50 picks, but Bradbury might have played himself into the first round. Whether it is the Minnesota Vikings at pick No. 18 or the Tennessee Titans with the pick right after, Bradbury could easily be a top-20 selection after the show he put on in Mobile and at the combine.
Another interior lineman who had a great day was former Boston College guard Chris Lindstrom. It all started at Senior Bowl week with Lindstrom as he performed well and followed it up with a sub-five second 40-yard dash on Friday (4.91). Only Bradbury, McCoy, Lindstrom and Andre Dillard ran 40s under five seconds at the combine.
Andre Dillard and Jonah Willams solidified themselves as top tackles in this year’s class, while local product Dalton Risner continues to push them
We touched on Dillard slightly, but the former Washington State product followed up a tremendous Senior Bowl with an even better Combine. Not only did Dillard post the best 40 time (4.96) by any tackle, but he also posted the best broad jump (9’10”) among all lineman. Dillard showed off an explosiveness that he displayed on tape throughout his collegiate career, and it could easily make him a top-35 selection come next month’s draft.
Andre Dillard had a 94.0 pass-blocking grade this season, which was best among offensive tackles (min. 300 pass-blocking snaps). He just ran a 4.99 40-yard dash. 😤
(Via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/8iWu5XznxP
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 1, 2019
For Williams, this was his first chance to show teams what he can do since his performance in the National Championship game. Williams’ biggest question coming into the week was his arm length, which ended up coming in at a solid 33 5/8”. That should be good enough for some teams to consider Williams as an NFL-caliber tackle, but some teams may want to move him to guard when it is all said and done.
With Florida tackle and potential top-10 pick Jawaan Taylor hampered due to a hamstring injury, it allowed Williams to possibly solidly himself as the draft’s best tackle. Yodny Cajuste out of West Virginia could also challenge Williams for that spot, but so could Dalton Risner out of Kansas State.
Risner — who is a Wiggins, Colo. native — turned in a solid performance on Friday with a 40-yard dash time of 5.3 and a solid three-cone time of 7.69. What Risner could provide teams at the next level is flexibility because of his ability to not just play tackle, but guard and center as well. That seems to be the case for most lineman in this draft class as every player mentioned above has the ability to play more than one position. They certainly all showcased with their combined performance on Friday.
D.K. Metcalf and N’Keal Harry set up what should be an exciting Saturday for wide receivers
We already knew this coming into the combine, but Metcalf has only confirmed this week just how athletic he truly is. After coming in at 6’3” and 228 pounds on Thursday — with a 82 7/8” wingspan — Metcalf followed that up with 27 bench press reps, which was the highest until Harry grabbed the bar. The former Arizona State star put up 27 reps as well, which creates even more competition as to who the best receiver at the combine really is.
Top official bench press for wide receivers 💪 at #NFLCombine:
1. N'Keal Harry, @ASUFootball, 27
1. D.K. Metcalf, @OleMissFB, 27
3. Jalen Hurd, @BUFootball, 23
4. Felton Davis, @MSU_Football, 21
5. Gary Jennings, @WVUfootball, 20— NFL Draft (@NFLDraft) March 1, 2019
Quarterbacks, receivers, and tight ends will take center stage on Saturday and even though most eyes will be on the players throwing the ball, you might want to pay attention to who is receiving it as well. Both Metcalf and Harry project to be top-50 picks in this years draft, with Metcalf potentially being a top-10 pick. That is, if he is healthy. After having his season cut short due to a neck injury, this will be the first time scouts and teams have seen him play since the beginning of last season.
If Metcalf is able to go out there and play like the numbers he put up on the bench, he might just secure his spot as the drafts best receiver. Other wideouts to watch on Saturday are Harry, Metcalf’s Ole Miss teammate A.J. Brown, and Hakeem Butler out of Iowa State. Butler has also had a tremendous few days at the combine as he tested in as the tallest receiver (6’5”), posts the longest arms (35 1/4”), and has the greatest wingspan (83 7/8”)of any receiver at the combine.