The biggest, strangest job interview in professional sports has concluded, as the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up earlier this week in Indianapolis.
While some prospects fell short of expectations and failed to take full advantage of their chance to impress NFL decision-makers, others made the most of their opportunity to shine.
Here are my picks for the best combine performers at every position from this year’s event:
Tyree Jackson | QB | Buffalo
The second tier of quarterbacks in this year’s draft was waiting for someone to separate themselves, and that’s exactly what Jackson did at the combine. After measuring in at a massive 6-7, 249 pounds, Jackson showed off his impressive athleticism with strong testing results, including a 4.59 40-yard dash. He also put his elite arm strength on full display during positional drills, and showed some improvement in the accuracy department.
| QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | Edge | DL | LB | CB | S | Top |
Miles Sanders | RB | Penn State
There’s no Saquon Barkley in this draft, but his replacement in Happy Valley might have solidified himself as a top-five back in the class. A solid all-around performer in Indy, Sanders showed off a complete skill set at the combine, running a 4.49 40-yard dash and looking smooth in all his on-field drills. With a strong frame at 5-11, 211 pounds, and without a heavy college workload to wear him down, Sanders should be a Day 2 lock after his workout.
Justice Hill | RB | Oklahoma State
An undersized but explosive back, Hill proved why he was such a big-play threat for the Pokes by running the fastest 40-yard dash (4.40) of any running back at this year’s combine. Despite weighing in at 5-10 and just 198 pounds, Hill also showed off his strength by putting up 21 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. In a loaded running back class, Hill did enough in Indy to prove he should come off the board sooner than later.
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D.K. Metcalf | WR | Ole Miss
Metcalf had almost unreasonable expectations heading into this year’s combine, but he lived up to the hype. After measuring in at 6-3, 228 pounds, Metcalf lit up the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium with a ridiculous 4.33 40-yard dash. He also put that rock-solid frame to good use on the bench press, putting up 27 reps of 225 pounds. Metcalf’s shuttle times were less impressive, but he still proved himself as one of the most explosive athletes in this draft.
Parris Campbell | WR | Ohio State
Anyone who watched the Buckeyes over the last few years wouldn’t be surprised by Campbell’s impressive day at the combine. Even for a player who was expected to run fast in Indy, Campbell’s 4.31 40-yard dash was head-turning. While he struggled at times with consistency catching the ball, Campbell was nearly flawless in the gauntlet drill, showing improved technique and concentration.
Miles Boykin | WR | Notre Dame
One of the most pleasant surprises of the entire event, Boykin turned in one of the most complete and dominant workouts of any prospect in attendance. After measuring in at 6-4, 220 pounds, Boykin ran a 4.42 40-yard dash, topped all receivers in the three-cone drill (6.77 seconds), tied the best vertical jump by a receiver (43.5 inches), and posted the second-best broad jump of any receiver (140 inches). This performance will definitely have Boykin moving up the draft board.
| QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | Edge | DL | LB | CB | S | Top |
Noah Fant | TE | Iowa
Fant came into the combine as arguably the top prospect at his position, and everything he did in Indy further confirmed that. He led the group with a 4.50 40-yard dash, 39.5-inch vertical jump, 127-inch broad jump and 6.81-second three-cone drill, showing off the same athleticism that was obvious on tape. If there was any doubt before, Fant should be a first-round lock moving forward.
Foster Moreau | TE | LSU
While Moreau didn’t have the dominant performance Fant turned in, he still posted one of the most well-rounded workouts of any tight end in attendance. The former Bayou Bengal was a top-five finisher among his position group in the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical jump and broad jump, and led all tight ends with a 4.11-second 20-yard shuttle. His athleticism wasn’t maximized in LSU’s offense, but his combine performance proves NFL coaches shouldn’t make the same mistake.
| QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | Edge | DL | LB | CB | S | Top |
Andre Dillard | OT | Washington State
Dillard came into the combine widely regarded as one of the top pass-blocking tackle prospects in this year’s class, and he absolutely looked the part in Indy. Dillard’s smooth footwork, impressive athleticism and ideal combination of size and length stood out all day long, making him look like the top prospect in his position group from start to finish. Once considered a Day 2 prospect by most, Dillard may have locked himself into first-round consideration.
Kaleb McGary | OT | Washington
While some of the top names in this year’s loaded tackle class failed to move the needle much in Indy, McGary took advantage by turning in a solid all-around workout. He looked smooth and comfortable in positional drills, showing good balance, agility and physicality, and he finished in the top 10 at his position in multiple timed tests. In a deep class, McGary separated himself from the pack with his workout.
Garrett Bradbury | OL | North Carolina State
Many considered Bradbury to be this year’s top interior offensive line prospect, and he lived up to the hype with his combine performance. Bradbury was locked in all day long, showing focus and control as much as athleticism and technique throughout his positional drills, as well as some impressive testing numbers. If the team fit is right, he could easily sneak into the back end of the first round after checking every box in Indy.
Chris Lindstrom | OL | Boston College
Much like Bradbury, Lindstrom’s performance at the combine simply confirmed what most believed about his abilities heading into the event. Lindstrom looked like a complete prospect in every drill and test, finishing top-10 among all offensive lineman in four different categories, including No. 2 finishes in the 40-yard dash (4.91) and broad jump (117 inches). While he may not crack the first round, Lindstrom shouldn’t have to wait long to hear his name called on Day 2.
Erik McCoy | OL | Texas A&M
It’s a great year to need a center early in the draft, is one of multiple prospects ready to step in and be a quality starter from Day 1. At the combine, McCoy’s top-level athleticism and agility were on full display during positional drills, and he led all offensive lineman with a 4.89 40-yard dash. McCoy looked like a complete player on film, and he confirmed that with a well-rounded performance in Indy.
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Montez Sweat | EDGE | Mississippi State
People who are 6-6 and 260 pounds aren’t supposed to run a 4.41 40-yard dash, and yet here Sweat stands. A massive, versatile edge defender who sharpened his tools against top competition in the SEC, Sweat put on a show in Indy, showing impressive athleticism and explosiveness for his size. Sweat had a top-five finish among his position group in the three-cone drill, broad jump, proving himself as one of the most athletic pass rushers in this year’s deep class.
Maxx Crosby | EDGE | Eastern Michigan
There may be bigger names who turned in solid combine performances, but Crosby earns his spot on this list by being an under-the-radar player from a smaller program who proved he belongs among this year’s top talents at the position. Crosby’s complete performance at the combine (leading his position group in the three-cone drills, broad jump and 20-yard shuttle) backed up his impressive film and production, and while this year’s EDGE class is loaded at the top, Crosby may be able to take advantage of a second tier that’s begging for a few prospects to set themselves apart.
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Rashan Gary | DL | Michigan
Another elite athlete who had lofty expectations heading into the combine, Gary lived up to the hype with an impressive performance. After measuring in at 6-4, 277 pounds, Gary led his position group with a ridiculous 4.58 40-yard dash and 38-inch vertical jump, and finished second with a ten-foot broad jump. While he played somewhat out of position at Michigan, and NFL coaching staff who knows how to maximize Gary’s rare talents should reap huge benefits.
Trysten Hill | DL | UCF
Hill will leave Indy as one of the most intriguing prospects in this year’s class. After being a productive starter under coach Scott Frost, Hill made just one start last season for the Knights under new coach Josh Heupel. While he may have some questions to answer, he proved his on-field talent with a strong workout, showing impressive athleticism for his size. If he did as well in the team interviews as he did on the field at the combine, Hill will be going much higher in the draft that originally anticipated.
| QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | Edge | DL | LB | CB | S | Top |
Devin White | LB | LSU
White came into combine week as the clear-cut top linebacker prospect in this year’s draft, and everything he did in Indy only confirmed that. White led his position group with a blazing 4.42 40-yard dash, despite weighing in at 237 pounds. White’s fluidity and athleticism were on full display in the positional drills, where he again looked like the best player in his group. White’s workout should have him locked in as a top-10 pick.
Devin Bush | LB | Michigan
It was a banner day for linebackers named Devin at this year’s combine. Bush came up just shy of White’s 40-yard dash mark at 4.43 (at 234 pounds), and led the linebacker group with a 40.5-inch vertical jump, and had a top-three finish at his position in two other events. Bush is a rare athlete who can make plays all over the field, and he showed off that ability in the positional drills. He should be a first-round lock after this performance.
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Jamel Dean | CB | Auburn
While most of the big names in the corner group failed to run impressive times, Dean seized the moment and paced his position group with a 4.30 40-yard dash, well ahead of the second-best time (4.37). Dean also had the third-highest vertical jump (41 inches), and landed just outside the top five corners in the broad jump. Dean’s athleticism was particularly impressive given his size (6-1, 206 pounds), and he’ll have teams going back to the film to see if they should be moving him up the draft board.
Isaiah Johnson | CB | Houston
Another big, physical corner who impressed combine viewers with his athleticism and versatility, Johnson ran a 4.40 40-yard dash at 6-2, 208 pounds. He finished third-best among corners in the broad jump (133 inches), and finished top-five at the position in the three-cone drill (6.81 seconds), as well as second-best in the group in the 20-yard shuttle (4.06 seconds). This showing should solidify Johnson as a Day 2 prospect for teams who love size, length and athleticism in their corners.
| QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | Edge | DL | LB | CB | S | Top |
Juan Thornhill | S | Virginia
This year’s vertical jump champion, Thornhill’s 44-inch leap was just one inch short of the combine record. The 6-0, 205-pounder also finished fifth among safeties in the 40-yard dash (4.42 seconds), second in the bench press (21 reps of 225 pounds), and led the entire group with a 141-inch broad jump. This year’s draft is loaded at the top with big-name prospects at safety, but Thornhill’s workout should have him throwing his hat into the ring among this year’s top players at the position.
Zedrick Woods | S | Ole Miss
When you run the fastest 40-yard dash (4.29) of any player at the combine, you make the All-Combine team. Woods wasn’t a big name coming into the event, but he sent NFL decision-makers home with plenty to think about as they go back to the tape. They’ll want to find out of the elite speed they saw in Indy translates to the field when the pads go on. If they find that to be the case, Woods could end up going much earlier than originally expected.
