INDIANAPOLIS – It's the final day of the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine and what a week it's been! The offensive line and running back workouts were the grand finale. Here is a recap from my final day in Indianapolis:
If any team in the NFC East is looking to draft an offensive lineman or a running back, Sunday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium was the place to be.
Offensive linemen worked out first. The Eagles' very own Jeff Stoutland led the prospects through one of the on-field drills. He treated the players as his own, and to no surprise, was still coaching with as much passion as we see every day in Philadelphia.
The first group consisted of 27 offensive linemen, and here is my list for the standout performances: Matthew Bergeron (Syracuse), Earl Bostick Jr. (Kansas), Anthony Bradford (LSU), Emil Ekiyor Jr. (Alabama), Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio State).
Johnson, who started 23 consecutive games dating back to the beginning of the 2021 season at Ohio State, brings versatility to the NFL as he's started both at right guard and right tackle. During his Combine workout, he overcame a slow start to string together a beautiful performance. He showed great burst and fast lateral movements. I saw violent hands that packed a punch when making contact. He was overall very clean and crisp.
The next group consisted of 24 players, many of which had strong performances, including Darnell Wright (Tennessee), Tashawn Manning (Kentucky), Cody Mauch (North Dakota State), Sidy Sow (Eastern Michigan), Tyler Steen (Alabama), and Luke Wypler (Ohio State).
Sow had a standout performance. More of an underrated player coming into the Draft due to where he played college football, Sow was full of power on Sunday. You could see how much fire he plays with in every drill – he was sharp, displayed excellent foot quickness, and made the most of his opportunity in Indianapolis.
Lastly, the running backs closed out the Combine. It was a special group loaded with talent, led by Bijan Robinson (Texas) and Kenny McIntosh (Georgia).
There were high expectations from analysts for Robinson before Sunday afternoon. He measured at 5-foot-11, 215 pounds and ran unofficial 40 times of 4.47 and 4.48 seconds, which for his size is impressive. He was extremely fluid with a big burst. His sharp cuts at high speed were one of his more remarkable traits. He had strong finishes, ran smooth routes, and was a playmaker when catching the football.
From a testing standpoint, Illinois running back Chase Brown put himself on the map. His 40" vertical jump and 10'7" broad jump were the best among all running backs. His 40-yard dash time of 4.43 was faster than Christian McCaffrey, Nick Chubb, and Dalvin Cook.
He is the brother of Illinois defensive back and fellow draft prospect Sydney Brown who had a solid Combine workout on Friday night. Sydney was in the stands seated a section over from me, supporting his brother. Both players spoke this week about how special it is to experience this together and they simply want the best for one another.
That'll do it for my coverage from the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. The countdown to the NFL Draft starts now. Be sure to tune in to the Journey to the Draft Podcast. We will keep you updated on all you need to know as the Eagles search for their newest players. Goodbye from Indianapolis!
