The first official day of NFL combine testing is here. Day one will be the testing for Defensive linemen and Linebackers. Both are, in my opinion, positions of need. This draft class seems to be leaning more toward offensive talent. Which only increases the value of the combined when comparing defensive prospects.
The difference between Payton Wilson and Edgerrin Cooper might come down to how they perform at the combine. The Green Bay Packers have a significant need at linebacker, and a few at the combine stuck out.
With all that in mind, here is a list of the biggest winners from the Linebacker group from Thursday at the combine.
Five Linebackers that Should be on the Green Bay Packers List
#5) Trevin Wallace
Some think the 40-yard dash isn’t as important as it once was. I would disagree. NFL scouts and GMs value athleticism. Wallace managed to be the number one ranked athlete at the combine in the linebacker group this year. He showed that he has the tools to be a playmaker in the NFL if he can get the proper coaching.
Combine Results :
- 40 Yard Dash – 4.51 Seconds
- 10-Yard Split – 1.62 Seconds
- Vertical – 37.5″
- Broad Jump – 10’7″
- Three Cone – DNP
- 20 Yard Shuttle – DNP
- Bench – DNP
- Athleticism Score / LB rank – 86 (1st)
- Total Combine Score / Rank – 76 (8th)
#4 Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Jeremiah Trotter didn’t participate in every drill at the combine, and the drills he did participate in didn’t exactly blow out of the water. However, most teams will turn on the film and see his potential. He had the second-best production score coming into the combine with an 86. Even without big combine numbers, he ranked 6th best in the class, scoring 76.
Combine Results :
- 40 Yard Dash – DNP
- 10 Yard Split – DNP
- Vertical – DNP
- Broad Jump – DNP
- Three Cone – 7.13 Seconds
- 20 Yard Shuttle – 4.4 Seconds
- Bench – 21 Reps
- Athleticism Score / LB rank – 63 (21st)
- Total Combine Score / Rank – 76 (6th)
#3 Edgerrin Cooper
Edgerrin Cooper is The only player with a real player to be considered number one over Payton Wilson. He has checked all the boxes going into the draft. In college, he was highly productive and backed it up with a good combine. He was the number one-ranked linebacker with a total score of 82.
Combine Results :
- 40 Yard Dash – 4.51 Seconds (Tied for 3rd in LB group)
- 10 Yard Split – 1.54 Seconds (Tied for 1st in LB group)
- Vertical – 34.5″
- Broad Jump – 9’10”
- Three Cone – DNP
- 20 Yard Shuttle – DNP
- Bench – DNP
- Athleticism Score / LB rank – 80 (8th)
- Total Combine Score / Rank – 82 (1st)
#2) Jordan Magee
I almost put Magee at the number one spot but settled for number two. This combine performance is tremendous for a guy rated as the 18th-best Linebacker prospect by PFF and the 256th-ranked prospect overall. He finished in the top five of every day one drill. He also tied for the top 10-yard split time with three other prospects.
Combine Results :
- 40 Yard Dash – 4.55
- 10 Yard Split – 1.54 (Tied for 1st in LB Group)
- Vertical – 35.5″
- Broad Jump – 10’4″
- Three Cone – DNP
- 20 Yard Shuttle – DNP
- Bench – DNP
- Athleticism Score / LB rank – 82 (4th)
- Total Combine Score / Rank – 76 (7th)
Honorable Mention
- Kalen DeLoach – Recorded the second fastest 40-yard time for Linebackers with a 4.47.
- Edefuan Ulofoshio – 5th Highest Athleticism Score for Linebackers. He recorded the best Vertical Jump (39.50″) and Broad Jump (10’8″) for linebackers.
- Tyrice Knight – Tied for the Fastest 10-yard split time. Tied for most reps (21) on the bench for linebackers and participated in every combine drill.
- Curtis Jacobs – 7th ranked athleticism score for linebackers.
#1) Payton Wilson
Payton was already PFF’s top-rated Linebacker out of college, but he may have cemented his fate as the first linebacker to be drafted in 2024. He recorded the 7th fastest 40-yard dash time in recorded combine history. He also managed the 4th best 10-yard split time in this linebacker class. When pairing last season’s PFF grade of 89.9 and his performance at the combine, it’s hard not to want this guy as a linebacker for the Green Bay Packers.
Combine Results :
- 40 Yard Dash – 4.43 seconds (Best in LB Group)
- 10 Yard Split – 1.54 seconds (Tied for 1st in LB Group)
- Vertical – 34.5″
- Broad Jump – 9’11”
- Three Cone – DNP
- 20 Yard Shuttle – DNP
- Bench – DNP
- Athleticism Score / LB rank – 81 (6th)
- Total Combine Score / Rank – 81 (2nd)
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