The defensive linemen and linebackers took the field at the NFL combine in Indianapolis on Saturday night, running the 40-yard dash and going through other positional drills. Both are positions of need for the Rams in the draft, especially with Dante Fowler Jr., Cory Littleton and Michael Brockers hitting free agency.
So how did some of the Rams’ potential targets perform? A bunch of prospects didn’t participate in certain drills like the 40-yard dash and three-cone drill, either due to injury or personal preference – including Akeem Davis-Gaither, Troy Dye, Anfernee Jennings and Josh Uche – but there were some standouts.
Here’s how those players did on Saturday at the NFL combine.
DE A.J. Epenesa, Iowa
Epenesa came to the combine as a tweener between edge rusher and defensive lineman, but after his workout, it’s safe to say he should stick at the latter. He ran a 5.04 40-yard dash at 275 pounds and only put up 17 reps on the bench press, with a 32.5-inch vertical and 7.34-second three-cone drill. He’d fit nicely for the Rams at defensive end if his stock slides enough and he adds some weight.
DE Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M
Madabuike ran an impressive 4.83 in the 40 and benched 225 pounds 31 times. His three-cone drill at 7.37 seconds was also solid for a man his size (6-3, 293 pounds), making him an intriguing prospect at defensive end for the Rams.
DE Raekwon Davis, Alabama
There’s a pretty good chance Davis comes off the board before the Rams can have a chance to draft him, but he should be high on L.A.’s list if a slide occurs. At 311 pounds, he ran a 5.12 40-yard dash and had 24 reps on the bench – neither of which are overly impressive. His agility scores in the three-cone and 20-yard shuttle left plenty to be desired, too. But his 111-inch broad showed good explosiveness and he has excellent length.
NT Leki Fotu, Utah
Fotu is a hulking nose tackle at 330 pounds and he ran a 5.15 40-yard dash with 21 reps on the bench press. He didn’t do any other testing but his size and power alone could get him drafted on Day 2.
LB Shaun Bradley, Temple
Bradley flew in the 40, running a 4.51 at 235 pounds – a really good combination of size and speed. He only had 14 reps in the bench but he jumped 121 inches in the broad and posted a nice time in the three-cone (7.07 seconds). He’d fit perfectly at inside linebacker in the Rams’ scheme.
LB Malik Harrison, Ohio State
Harrison is a thumper at 247 pounds and ran 4.66 in the 40-yard dash, which is by no means slow. His 122-inch broad jump was also among the best, while his 6.83-second in the three-cone drill was the fastest among all players Saturday. That combination of size and quickness will push him up draft boards.
LB Patrick Queen, LSU
Queen’s 4.50 40-yard dash matches what you see on film, making him a very intriguing linebacker prospect who could go on Day 1. His 35-inch vertical was par for the course, but his 125-inch broad put him among the best in the group. Unfortunately, he pulled up with a hamstring injury in the 40-yard dash. He may not fall to the Rams, but if he did, he’d be a steal in Round 2.
EDGE/LB Zack Baun, Wisconsin
Baun can play off-ball linebacker or rush the passer, showing the versatility to do both. He ran a 4.65 40-yard dash and looked more comfortable in edge-rushing drills than he did dropping back and catching the ball. He did the three-cone drill in 7.0 seconds (6th-best) and the short shuttle in 4.31 seconds (10th), posting good times in both.
EDGE Bradlee Anae, Utah
Anae will certainly need to improve his speed numbers at his pro day after running a 4.93 in the 40 at 257 pounds. He showed good strength with 25 bench-press reps, but his agility times (7.44 in three-cone and 4.43 in short shuttle) weren’t anything to write home about. Still, he remains an option at No. 52.
EDGE James Smith-Williams, North Carolina
Smith-Williams stood out with a 4.6 40-yard dash at 265 pounds. He benched 225 pounds 28 times and had a broad jump of 123 inches, showing excellent speed, explosiveness and upper-body strength. The Rams should have their eye on him as a mid-round option.
