The NFL Scouting Combine is both a useful tool for evaluating prospects, but also a chance to get overly excited to drills and numbers that can have little impact on how well a player will actually perform on the field at the next level.
While all combine performances should be taken with a grain of salt (or a brick, in some cases), here are 10 talented athletes who should impress at this year’s event.
Henry Ruggs III | WR | Alabama
Listed at 6-0, 190 pounds, Ruggs might possess the best pure speed in the entire 2020 class. Ruggs is a receiver with acceleration that’s truly rare. Most collegiate cornerbacks simply could not match his steps. In fact, he recently put that speed on tape when he absolutely destroyed some of his Alabama teammates in a 4×100 relay.
Ruggs reportedly ran a 4.25 as a junior at Alabama, and is the favorite to be the fastest player in this year’s 40 yard dash. The only question that remains is whether or not he could break John Ross’ record of 4.22 seconds. We’re excited to find out.
Isaiah Simmons | LB | Clemson
One of the most dynamic athletes in the entire class is a player that may be best classified as one with no true position. There is absolutely nothing Simmons can’t do on the defensive side of the ball. On any given snap, Simmons lined up at linebacker, safety, cornerback and even on the defensive line.
It takes rare ability to do what Simmons does, and make no mistake, he’s a rare talent. Simmons combines elite size, explosiveness and length with the football I.Q. necessary to play the game at a high level. He’s truly a terrific prospect and athlete that should shine throughout all of the drills at the 2020 Scouting Combine.
Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State
We can’t forget about Chase Young who many peg to be the best pure talent available in the 2020 draft regardless of position. A ridiculous athlete with a massive frame (6-5, 265 pounds), Young should have defensive line coaches across the league begging their general managers to trade up in order to draft him.
Young is a powerful, tough edge rusher that has every trait in the book to become the face of his franchise at the next level. He is just as good (if not better) of a prospect as Myles Garrett was. Young’s rare ability will be on display in Indianapolis.
Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama
Jeudy’s explosive ability was on display all throughout the 2019 season. Jeudy possesses the type of long-speed that allowed him to get behind the secondary on what felt like a weekly basis. This year’s receiver class is fascinating, and Jeudy may be the cream of the crop.
Much of the attention has shifted elsewhere, but we should be reminded of just how talented Jeudy is at the combine where he should show off his ridiculous combination of athleticism, balance and explosiveness.
Derrick Brown | DT | Auburn
We can’t forget about the big boys. That’s right, one of the most exciting athletes in this class is Auburn’s Derrick Brown who’s listed at a whopping 6-5, 318 pounds. Brown is a powerful defensive line prospect who’s motor is always running hot.
His quick first step was routinely on display throughout the 2019 season. The NFL Scouting Combine tends to showcase the smaller, more dynamic athletes, but we expect Brown to move incredibly well for his size.
Mekhi Becton | OT | Louisville
From one big boy to another. Becton should check in around 6-7, 360 pounds. Truly a mammoth of a man, Becton moves astoundingly well for a man of his size and stature. We can’t wait to see what the length of his arms officially checks in at as Becton possesses the sort of length an offensive line coach dreams of.
Becton is not all about size and length however, he’s incredibly smooth as he gets out of his stance and into his pass set. Becton should really shine in a number of drills, but we’re especially excited to see him during the on-field portion.
Noah Igbinoghene | CB | Auburn
One of many talented corners in this year’s deep class, Igbinoghene isn’t currently getting enough attention. We anticipate that changing after the combine because Igbinoghene is a terrific athlete. While he may not break John Ross’ record, Igbinoghene comes from a family of track stars and should perform incredibly well in the 40 yard dash.
There’s more to his game than just speed however. Igbinoghene was excellent in coverage throughout 2019. The sky is the limit for him, and we expect people to realize that sooner rather than later.
K’Lavon Chaisson | EDGE | LSU
One of the most dynamic athletes in the entire class, Chaisson was at times held back by a knee injury that cost him most of his 2018 season, and kept him from playing his best until late into his 2019 campaign.
Now at full strength, he should put his rare athleticism on full display during the combine, impressing scouts with his length, explosiveness and speed every time he touches the turf.
CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma
We’ve already featured the Alabama duo of Ruggs and Jeudy, but another challenger is waiting in the wings and ready to emerge to join the former Crimson Tide stars in this year’s top tier of pass-catching prospects.
Lamb is a natural play-maker in the open field where his acceleration and creativity routinely left wold-be tacklers in the dust. Lamb also possesses elite ball skills, something that should really shine during the on-field portion of the Scouting Combine.
Patrick Queen | LB | LSU
Watching Queen fly around the football field, you’d never guess this athletic defender was just 20 years old. One of the most intriguing prospects in the entire class, Queen is a natural athlete who possesses the sideline-to-sideline speed NFL defenses are searching for in today’s linebacker class.
Queen has enormous upside, and the combine is the perfect opportunity for him to put his versatility on full display, winning over NFL decision-makers in the process. Don’t be shocked if he’s in the top-20 conversation after he wows in Indy.
