The 2016 NFL Draft is right around the corner and the latest stop at the annual scouting combine allowed this year’s class of players to get the opportunity to showcase their skills and climb up big boards . NFL scouts and executives continue to search for the perfect balance between production on the field and workout measurable when it comes to their evaluations, and there were a number of players that really improved their overall stock over the past couple of weeks. Here is a look at the five biggest winners from the NFL scouting combine on the defensive side of the football.
Myles Jack, UCLA Bruins
Linebacker
Jack is still recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him for most of last season so he needed a strong combine performance to show that he has fully recovered and is ready to contribute right away next season. Jack didn’t show any negative effects from the knee injury even though he did hold off on some of the drills with the intent on waiting until UCLA’s Pro Day on March 13th. Jack passed his physical and took significant snaps as a slot cornerback where his ability to drop back in coverage was on display. The fact that Jack can do it all as somewhat of a hybrid between a linebacker and safety really impressed the scouts. If he can follow it up with a strong Pro Day then he could be a lock as a top-10 pick at the NFL Draft.
Shaq Lawson, Clemson Tigers
Defensive End
Lawson has been talked about a lot as one of the top pass rushers available in this year’s NFL Draft and he certainly solidified his position with a strong combine. He was the most explosive player in a solid defense core including in the short shuttle where he posted a 4.21 time. There was a lot of speculation that Lawson would need to have a strong combine in order to cement his status as one of the top players available at his position and he certainly did. When you take a look at the mock drafts nowadays, he’s being consistently projected as a player going in the top 10.
Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State Cowboys
Defensive End
Ogbah is considered too “straight-linish” by some, but an outstanding combine performance combined for a strong need for pass rushers around the NFL could be enough to elevate him in to a first or second round pick. Ogbah ran an outstanding 4.63 40-yard dash with a 35.5-inch vertical and a 10.1 broad jump. Those measurable can match up with some wide receivers that took part in the combine and the elite combination of size, athleticism and burst could be enough to really boost his stock. The league needs pass rushers these days and Ogbah showed well.
Andrew Billings, Baylor Bears
Defensive Tackle
There were legitimate concerns about Billings’ lack of size at just 6’1’’ and 311 pounds, but he showed off his impressive speed and quickness at the combine to really boost his stock. Billings ran a 5.05 40-yard dash and really tested well at the positional drills that measure agility, balance and power. Billings will likely have to add some bulk in order to excel at the next level, but he has rare speed and quickness for a player at his position and NFL scouts have certainly taken note.
Darron Lee, Ohio State Buckeyes
Linebacker
The focus on linebacker/safety tweeners that can contribute both on defense and special teams has changed the way scouts look at players like Lee and a strong combine performance really helped elevate his draft stock. Lee ran a 4.47 40-yard dash and his 35.5-inch vertical jump matched Ogbah’s. Lee is still a little bit undersized at 6’2’’ and 235 pounds, but his size, speed, agility, power and intelligence all graded out well with some experts saying that nobody was better than him at the combine. An explosive, versatile playmaker that can run down opponents from sideline to sideline, Lee could very well have solidified his status as a first round pick.
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