The NFL Combine is one of the key events of the evaluation process leading up to the draft, and in this year in Indianapolis, several prospects improved their stock.
Players like former Ole Miss wide receiver D.K. Metcalf and Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary lit up the combine, proving they were the elite athletes many believed them to be.
However, there were also some from the dark that surprised, forcing many NFL decision makers to go back and reevaluate their tape or check them out if they hadn’t already.
With that, here are our fastest risers from the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.
Kaleb McGary | OT | Washington
Standing as one of the tallest among the group at 6-foot-7 and weighing in at 317 pounds, McGary looked like an NFL-ready offensive tackle. He was superior in the testing, placing top-10 in the 40-yard dash (5.05), vertical jump (33.5), broad jump (9’3″), shuttle (4.58), 3-cone (7.66) and bench press (23).
When it came to the on-field drills, McGary demonstrated great feet and change of direction in the mirror drill. It replicated exactly what was shown on the film, as he is a flexible mover and would always stay balanced during his pass sets.
The former Washington product could hear his name called as early as the middle to end of the second round. He would then step in right away as a starter at the right tackle position.
Foster Moreau | TE | LSU
Moreau hauled in only 22 receptions for 272 yards and two touchdowns at LSU in 2018 as he was forced to block more due to offensive line troubles. But he started showing that he was more than just a blocker at the Senior Bowl, as he was catching everything thrown his way.
Moreau ran a 4.66-second 40-yard dash and did 22 bench press reps. He then followed that up with a 36.5-inch vertical jump, 121-inch broad jump, 7.16 second three-cone drill, and 4.11 second 20-yard shuttle.
The 6-foot-4 and 253 pound TE showcased the speed and explosiveness needed to flourish at the next level. As he continues to climb up boards in this deep class at the position, Moreau has a strong chance of being a very productive and versatile weapon for an offense.
Parris Campbell | WR | Ohio State
Campbell was a big winner, after measuring in a shade under 6-feet and at solid 205 pounds. Campbell tied for the fastest 40-yard dash time among receivers at 4.31 seconds, then jumped out of the gym with a 40-inch vertical and 11-foot-3 broad jump.
He then capped off the day with a position-leading 4.03-second time in the short shuttle, though he did not run the cone drill. He looked fluid in drills and showed some downfield tracking ability with an impressive over the shoulder grab.
The former Ohio State product came in as a likely Day 2 pick, but those results could put him in the conversation for the end of the first round as the league has gravitated more towards speed.
Miles Sanders | RB | Penn State
Sanders, a running back hidden in the dark as Saquon Barkley got the spotlight, finally got his chance to shine during the 2018 season and combine.
Sanders posted a blazing 40 time Friday, finishing in 4.45 seconds, followed by the best 3-cone drill (6.89). The other impressive numbers for Sanders included a 36-inch vertical jump, a 10-4 broad jump and 20 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.
The former Penn State product impressed even beyond the measurables. His burst and cuts were clean, and he hardly dropped a pass during on-field drills.
Seen as a Day 3 pick coming into the event, Sanders likely cemented himself as a third round option now.
Tyree Jackson | QB | Buffalo
Jackson is entering this year’s draft as the biggest quarterback, standing at a whopping 6-foot-7 and 249 pounds. But the size does not reflect the athleticism because it’s quite uncommon to see a player of his stature move the way he does on film.
The former Buffalo product took it to Indy, where all of his movements were all tested to see if it would translate. Jackson posted the second-best 40-yard dash time by clocking in at 4.59 seconds. He also had the top vertical jump among quarterbacks at 34 1/2 inches and tied with Duke’s Daniel Jones for the longest broad jump at 10-0.
Although the tape shows a player with a gifted right arm, Jackson will that need a lot of refinement to his game in order to untap his potential. Nonetheless, Jackson will likely be the most athletic quarterback next to Kyler Murray, and should get attention on Day 2.
Ben Banogu | EDGE | TCU
Banogu was the top overall tester among edge players. At 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, he posted a 40 inch vertical, 11-foot-2 broad jump, 4.62 second 40-yard dash 4.27 shuttle and 7.02 three-cone drill.
This year’s film was a bit underwhelming as opposed to the three seasons prior to where he was a productive player over the course of his freshman through junior season, totaling 22 sacks and 49 tackles for loss.
Because of that, he entered this past week receiving less hype than his former teammate defensive lineman LJ Collier, but firmly became an ascending prospect after his testing, and likely finding his way in mid-round consideration.
Blake Cashman | LB | Minnesota
A relative unknown, Cashman gave NFL decision makers who might have thought of him as a special teams contributor at the next level something more to think about.
Cashman posted an 124-inch broad jump, 4.12 second short shuttle, 4.50 second 40-yard dash and a 37.5-inch vertical jump. All of these measurements were among the top-7 at his position. The numbers were excellent, but his solid tape should only help his stock skyrocket.
The former Minnesota product served as a special teamer and backup for the first three seasons as a Gopher, but he emerged as one of the top linebackers in the Big 10 in 2018. Cashman posted 104 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and five passes defensed in his senior season.
Trysten Hill | DT | UCF
Standing at 6-foot-3 and 308 pounds, Hill was hidden in this deep defensive tackle class until this past weekend where he shined among his peers.
Hill ran a solid 40-yard dash at 5.05 seconds. He added that to his 28 reps on the bench press, a 35-inch vertical jump and 115-inch broad jump, all of which were among the top-10 for defensive linemen.
Hill looked very fluid and gave a lot of effort during the on-field drills, setting himself apart from the other guys participating in Indy. With this performance, Hill went from a late Day 3 selection to likely an early Day 3 sleeper selection come April.
Isaiah Johnson | CB | Houston
Johnson went into Indianapolis to show that he’s capable of being among the top players at his position, despite having only 22 games under his belt since transferring from wide receiver.
Johnson showed off his speed by running the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.40 seconds. Johnson also posted an 11-1 broad jump, which was third-best among cornerback. His 4.06 short shuttle ranked second. His three-cone drill time of 6.81 seconds was fifth. And he jumped an outstanding 36.5-inch vertical leap.
Although he’s raw as he’s still learning the nuances of the position, Johnson has the tools and upside to be a lethal press cornerback at the next level. Projected as a fourth rounder, the 6-foot-2 and 208 pound CB could be selected as early as the second round.
Zedrick Woods | S | Ole Miss
Woods entered this week on the border between a late Day 3 selection and undrafted free agent. But he might have run his way into the draft with a blazing 4.29 in the 40-yard dash.
His time was the fastest time at the combine at any position since 2017 and the fastest by a safety since at least 2005.
Woods’ tape didn’t show anything that really popped other than a player that was a physical box safety against the run. How fast he played wouldn’t have suggested the time he ran.
Woods was a three-year starter for the Rebels, where he had 79 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles as a senior.
Rest of the Best
Renell Wren | DT | Arizona State
Anthony Nelson | EDGE | Iowa
Jordan Brown | CB | South Dakota State
Ben Burr-Kirven | LB | Washington
Drue Tranquill | LB | Notre Dame
Miles Boykin | WR | Notre Dame
Kahale Warring | TE | San Diego State
Iosua Opeta | OL | Weber State
