After the interior defensive linemen showed off their skills at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, next came the edge rushers. There are plenty of talented players at the position, but today gave NFL teams an idea of their pure athleticism to see if everything seen on the tape matched.
Here are the winners and losers from the EDGE group on Sunday.
WINNERS
Montez Sweat | Mississippi State
Sweat ran the best 40-yard dash of this year’s combine, officially clocking a ridiculous 4.41 seconds at 260 pounds. It was the single best 40 time for a defensive lineman since 2003. It was no surprise to see, as Sweat is well-known for his get off and ability to eat up a lot of space within the first few steps.
He continued to help his top-15 case the rest of the day off either, showing light footwork in the on-field drills and good power and core flexibility turning corners.
Brian Burns | Florida State
Burns was fantastic on Sunday, posting some of the best times at his position across the board. A 4.59 40-yard dash, 7.01 3-cone, and 10-foot-9 broad jump highlighted his explosiveness and quick feet.
Burns was solid through on-field drills, showing great change of direction and the ability to turn the corner, as he’s one of the best at doing so on film. He looked like a natural out in space and tracking the ball, illustrating the capability to drop back into coverage.
Burns already had some of the best tape of any prospect in the draft, so this combine performance should lock him into the draft’s top 20 selections.
Anthony Nelson | Iowa
Nelson was somewhat of a surprise in this group, as his tape did not necessarily display the athletic traits compared to the other players in the group.
But the 6-foot-7 and 271 pound defensive lineman proved many wrong in that regard with his testing by posting a 4.83 40-yard dash, 6.95 three-cone drill, 35.5-inch vertical jump and 4.23 short shuttle.
In the on-field drills, Nelson illustrated body control and smooth hips to redirect when he was out in space.
The former Hawkeye has the makings of a safe and solid pick in the third round of the draft.
LOSERS
Jachai Polite | Florida
Polite’s day was short lived after he ran a 4.84 40 on his first try after sustaining a hamstring injury and had to call it a day.
It was disappointing to not be able to compare him to the other potential first-rounders in terms of pure athleticism after being listed as a top-5 player at his position.
Polite will look to give it another go at Florida’s Pro Day. He is a very good player, but he’s probably locked into the 15-32 range as a guy who can thrive as a 3-4 edge rusher.
CeCe Jefferson | Florida
Jefferson didn’t get much attention like his former teammates Jachai Polite and Jabari Zuniga along the defensive line. In hopes to make a name for himself, Jefferson failed to do so.
After posting a poor 5.02 second 40-yard, he didn’t help his case when it came to the on-field drills. The former Florida product looked slow, off balance and stiff in the hips.
From what could’ve been a Day 3 depth player, Jefferson may not even hear his name called in April.
