The first official day of NFL combine testing is here. Day one will be the testing for Defensive Linemen and Linebackers. Both are positions of need for the Green Bay Packers, in my opinion. This draft class seems to be leaning more toward offensive talent, which only increases the value of the combine when comparing defensive prospects. With all that in mind, here is a list of the biggest winners on the defensive line from last Thursday at the combine.
Five Defensive Lineman that Should be on the Green Bay Packers List
#5 Kris Jenkins
Being the son of a former NFL star who plays the same position as you gives Kris Jenkins a leg up on the competition. Even if his dad wasn’t a two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection, his college career and combine performance speaks volumes to his potential. At 6’3″ and one pound shy of 300 pounds, Kris Jenkins achieved the 6th highest athleticism score in a competitive defensive tackle group. He’s on track to be just like his father with some time and coaching.
Combine Results :
- 40-Yard Dash – 4.91 Seconds
- 10-Yard Split – 1.7 Seconds
- Vertical – 30″
- Broad Jump – 9’7″
- Three Cone – DNP
- 20-Yard Shuttle – 4.78 Seconds
- Bench – 29 Reps
- Athleticism Score – 83 (6th in DT group)
- Total Combine Score – 75 (5th in DT group)
#4) Byron Murphy II
PFF graded Byron as the second-best defensive tackle in college football last season. That was all while he played next to another hot name, T’Vondre Sweat, who also made a big splash at the combine. Byron finished the combine with the number one total score.
Combine Results :
- 40-Yard Dash – 4.87
- 10-Yard Split – 1.69
- Vertical – 33″
- Broad Jump – 9’3″
- Three Cone – DNP
- 20-Yard Shuttle – DNP
- Bench – 28 Reps
- Athleticism Score – 85 (4th in DT group)
- Total Combine Score – 83 (1st in DT group)
#3) Jared Verse
Jared Verse is primed and ready to be a force in the NFL. He was compared to two players at the combine, LaMarr Woodley and Will Anderson. Verse was one of the handful of players who completed every test at the combine, which, in my opinion, shows grit. For a guy who is already considered one of the top-edge players in this draft, he didn’t have much to gain by doing every drill, but he did anyway. To me, that shows confidence. Confidence is essential at the next level if your goal is to be great.
Combine Results :
- 40-Yard Dash – 4.58
- 10-Yard Split – 1.6
- Vertical – 35″
- Broad Jump – 10’7″
- Three Cone – 7.31 Seconds
- 20-Yard Shuttle – 4.44 Seconds
- Bench – 31 Reps (Best in Edge Group)
- Athleticism Score – 79 (8th in Edge group)
- Total Combine Score – 84 (2nd in Edge group)
#2) Braden Fiske
Braden Fiske did everything he needed to on Thursday and Friday to bolster his draft stock. He finished with the fastest 40-yard time in the defensive tackle group and fifth best all-time in the 40-yard dash behind Devonte Wyatt, who ran a 4.77 just two combine ago. Any time you achieve the best time and distance in four different drills in your draft class, you should get excited about that player.
Combine Results :
- 40-Yard Dash – 4.78 Seconds (Best in DT Group)
- 10-Yard Split – 1.68 Seconds
- Vertical – 33.5″ (Best in DT Group)
- Broad Jump – 9’9″ (Best in Dt Group)
- Three Cone – DNP
- 20-Yard Shuttle – 4.37 Seconds (Tied for Best in DT Group)
- Bench – 26 reps
- Athleticism Score – 87 (1st in DT Group)
- Total Combine Score – 82 (3rd in DT Group)
Honorable Mention
- Dallas Turner – Fastest 40 time for edge players and the 6th best all time. (Turner is looking like a top-ten pick and more than likely out of play for Green Bay)
- Mohamed Kamara – Third best 40 time at Edge position. (4.57) Second-best 10-yard Split time. (1.58)
- Myles Cole – Best Athleticism score for DE at the combine.
#1) Chop Robinson
I know what you’re probably thinking. Dallas Turner should be in this spot. You’re probably right. Dallas checks all the boxes, but he might not be a reasonable player the Packers will be able to call on draft day. So, unless the Packers are willing to trade up a long way, Dallas Turner might be out of the question. The same could be true for my number one pick, Chop Robinson. He may have propelled himself out of range for the Packers to consider drafting. He should be a little more within reach and, therefore, someone the Packers should keep their eye on moving forward.
Chop crushed the combine. He recorded the second-fastest 40 time for edge players this year and the eighth-best time ever for an edge defender. He also recorded the best ten-yard split and the second-best broad jump.
Combine Results :
- 40-Yard Dash – 4.48 Seconds
- 10-Yard Split – 1.54 Seconds (Tied for Best)
- Vertical – 34.5″
- Broad Jump – 10’8″ (Tied for Best)
- Three Cone – DNP
- 20 Yard Shuttle – 4.25 Seconds
- Bench – DNP
- Athleticism Score – 84 (3rd in Edge Group)
- Total Combine Score – 83 (3rd in Edge Group)
Top Five Linebackers from the NFL Combine
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