The combine got a little defensive on Monday as defensive ends, defensive tackles and linebackers took the field. Several of the most anticipated workouts of the entire combine were completed by big-name prospects and most of them did not disappoint. Here's a look at the top 10 performances of the day.
Barkevious Mingo/LSU: NFL teams were disappointed in Mingo's play last season yet his combine workout ranked as the "wow" moment of the week. His results, which included 4.58 seconds in the forty, a 37-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 10-feet, 8-inches, rated with the best of the defensive linemen. Mingo was run through a battery of linebacker drills and he was flawless. All over draft boards the past two months, Mingo put in a performance at the combine that could cement him as a top-eight selection.
Dion Jordan/Oregon: Jordan rolled the dice by choosing the put off pending shoulder surgery until after his combine workout and he came out on the other end as one of the week's big winners. His 40-yard dash time of 4.60 seconds and broad jump, which measured 10-feet, 2-inches, were top-five marks at the defensive line position. He practiced fast and looked incredibly athletic in all the drills. If the shoulder injury does not red-flag Jordan, today's results will push him into the draft's initial 10 selections.
Ezekiel Ansah/BYU: Ansah started the day quickly by clocking 4.63 seconds in the 40-yard dash, which included a very swift 10-yard spilt of 1.64 seconds. He looked just as quick and fast during position drills as Ansah easily changed direction then sped off in any direction of the field. He's proving himself worthy of a top 15 pick in the draft.
Shariff Floyd/Florida: Floyd, who measured 6-3, 297, looked more like an athletic tight end this morning rather than a defensive tackle. A Philadelphia product, Floyd showed exceptional movement skills on the field and his forty time of 4.92 seconds also impressed scouts. Floyd has stated his case to be the first defensive tackle off the board.
Sheldon Richardson/Missouri: Richardson is another who looked incredibly athletic for a big man. The 294-pound defensive tackle timed 5.02 seconds in the 40-yard dash then displayed amazing explosion and power throughout the position drills. Richardson has been ascending up draft boards since September and now projects as a legitimate top-12 selection.
Zaviar Gooden/Missouri: Gooden scorched the field with his quickness, posting an official time of 4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash, the fastest time of all linebackers. During drills. he was smooth changing direction and his ability to quickly transition from his reverse backpedal to a straight-line burst was impressive. He's a classic three-down weakside prospect who should be effective pursuing the run or covering the pass.
Gerald Hodges/Penn State: Hodges had a slow start to his workout and timed just 4.78 seconds in the forty. But Hodges turned it up later in the workout and was possibly the best of all the linebackers in coverage drills. He's another three-down, weakside linebacker with starting potential at the next level.
Sylvester Williams/North Carolina: Williams proved himself to be the best nose tackle prospect at the Scouting Combine and impressed NFL teams with his versatility. Williams' size and athleticism will secure his place in the early part of round two.
Jon Bostic/Florida: Bostic left the combine as the top performing middle linebacker prospect. He was fast in the forty, swift in both pass-rushing and coverage exercises and scraped laterally at the same pace he moved in a straight line. Bostic has ascended into the middle rounds of the draft.
Sio Moore/Connecticut: Add Moore to the list of fast, athletic linebackers who performed well at the combine today. He timed 4.65 seconds in the forty and was exceptionally quick in drills. Moore showed terrific balance throughout the workout and displayed a tremendous burst of speed.
