While some consider this to be a down year for linebackers, there were plenty on display on Sunday that showed they could shine in the various drills. Some helped their draft stocks, while others might’ve had NFL decision-makers second-guessing them.
Here are my winners and losers from the linebacker group at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine:
WINNERS
Devin White | LSU
White showed why he’s been the top linebacker in the class, following up a position-best 4.42 40-yard dash by looking smooth through every drill.
During the on-field drills, White displayed his athletic traits, speed, and fluidity. He moved with purpose all the way until the end of the drill, which speaks to his ability to finish plays.
With the performance, White solidified himself as a top-15 selection in April’s draft.
Devin Bush | Michigan
Bush made people pay attention Sunday that might’ve been knocking him for his lack of size (5-foot-11 and 234 pounds).
Bush started his drills by recording the top vertical leap with 40.5 inches among linebackers and tied for the second-fastest 40-yard dash at 4.43 seconds behind White (4.42), illustrating how he is able to move so well from sideline-to-sideline. He then jumped a 10-foot-4 broad jump.
With his day, the former Michigan product likely cemented his first round status, likely not getting past the top-20 at this point, as the tape matched the testing.
Drue Tranquill | Notre Dame
It’s been quite the journey for Tranquill as he’s dealt with a series of injuries throughout his collegiate career. Although his tape didn’t show an athletic player, he had many going back and watching to see if they might’ve been missing something after Saturday.
Tranquill held the No. 1 spot on the bench press among linebackers (31 reps), the fifth-highest vertical jump (37.5 inches), the fifth-fastest 20-yard shuttle time (4.14 seconds), the sixth-fastest three-cone drill (6.94 seconds), the seventh-fasted 40-yard dash (4.57 seconds), and the ninth-longest broad jump (122 inches).
In a weak linebacker class, Tranquill has shown that he can be a solid mid-round option.
LOSERS
Joe Giles-Harris | Duke
Giles-Harris needed to show some athleticism to avoid falling deeper in this weak class, and the Duke linebacker was unable to prove. A 4.75 40 wasn’t terrible, but he struggled mightily in all areas of the combine, posting a 29.5-inch vertical and a 9-foot-5 broad jump.
A very productive college player Giles-Harris will bring it, but he’s probably just a thumper with limited upside at the next level that should be found on Day 3.
