In this class, edge rusher Nolan Smith was projected earlier than the mix to land on the finish of the primary spherical. However, Smith will doubtless skyrocket up the draft board after his exercise. The Georgia product ran an official 4.39-second 40-yard sprint with a 41.5-inch vertical for an unofficial relative athletic rating of 9.2 out of ten. On movie, Smith’s explosiveness is obvious with a wonderful first step to check the sting as a pass-rusher and fireplace into gaps to make performs behind the road of scrimmage in opposition to the run. Smith’s dimension at 6-2, 238 kilos tasks as a standup exterior linebacker in New England’s system reasonably than a hand-in-the-dirt defensive finish in an excellent entrance. But his athleticism being off the charts suggests he might simply deal with these duties. Depending on how free company goes, a possible first-round goal at 14.
2. Arkansas’s Drew Sanders Doesn’t Test at Combine, So Who Stood Out at Linebacker?
Our high linebacker did not take part in athletic testing, however Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders went by means of on-field drills and appeared very easy throughout drills that simulated him dropping into protection. Some evaluators thought Sanders was a little bit stiff on movie, however he handed the attention check for us as soon as once more in that regard. Other than Sanders, consensus high linebacker Trenton Simpson was anticipated to check nicely and did with a 4.43-second 40-yard sprint at 235 kilos. His 2021 movie was higher at Clemson, however Simpson switched positions as a junior and wasn’t as fast to react to issues this previous fall. As for Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell, our LB3, as a result of his wonderful instincts, lateral quickness, and recognition in protection, he had excessive marks within the jumps with a 37.5-inch vertical, 6.73 three-cone, and ran an official 4.65-second 40-yard sprint at 249 kilos; that’ll do for a day-two linebacker goal. Lastly, Shrine Bowl star Anfernee Orji continues to impress. He has proved that he can cowl higher than the narrative suggests to associate with a thumping downhill model in opposition to the run. Orji ran a 4.53-second 40-yard sprint at 230 kilos, projecting as a stable day three choice.
3. Auburn EDGE Derick Hall is an Intriguing Second Round Prospect
One participant who instantly caught the attention in movie research earlier than the mix was Auburn edge defender Derick Hall. Hall’s tape exhibits an especially highly effective, twitchy edge-setter with wonderful lower-body power to anchor, post-up, shed blocks with sturdy arms, and compress the pocket. Although Hall is not overly flexible to show a decent nook, he is versatile in his decrease half to play with nice pad stage, and now his athletic testing backs up his protection reps, which had been plentiful. Hall is a linear athlete who in all probability should not be trusted with high-stress protection assignments as a result of some stiffness in area however has all of the makings of a stout edge setter in Bill Belichick’s protection that stresses setting the sting.
On Thursday night time, Hall posted a relative athletic rating of 9.24 out of ten at 6-2, 254 kilos and an arm size of 34.5 inches. This is an extended, technically sound, explosive athlete with savvy in approaching engagements on the finish of the road. Check, examine, and examine.
