Two really fascinating groups took the field for Day 2 of drills during the NFL Combine. The offensive line and the running backs each have a lot of depth so it was going to take a lot to set yourself apart. Some of the expected names did just that and there were also some who we may not have necessarily seen coming. Overall it was a good day and a lot of nice performances overall. To steal one of the cliches from the combine, who made some money today?
Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs
Already considered a top prospect for the offensive line, Wirfs made a serious case to be the first offensive lineman off the board. He officially measured out at 6-5 and 320 pounds and while the 40-yard dash isn’t that imperative for the trench players, he came out on top with a time of 4.85 seconds. He was one of only three OL to run a sub-five-second time in the event.
His 10-yard split, which is much more important for OL, came in at 1.69 seconds. He also finished first in the vertical jump and the broad jump. His vertical of 36.5 inches is the best of any linemen since 2006 and his broad jump of 121 inches is tied with Las Vegas Raiders OT Kolton Miller for the best since 2006. He continued to impress in the on-field drills as he looked so fluid and comfortable going through each one. There are a lot of good tackles that will go in the first and Wirfs will be one of the earliest.
Michigan IOL Cesar Ruiz
This is a kid who played center in college but he could play guard if a team wanted to move him there. Center is, of course, one of the most important positions on the football field. Ruiz tested well throughout the day, finished toward the top in every single event including the vertical jump, broad jump and bench press. He also looked solid when he stepped on the field for workouts, so it was a really good outing for the former Wolverine. With the depth of the linemen, not just tackles but OL in general, Ruiz rose toward the top.
Alabama OT Jedrick Wills
Wills is another top prospect who maintained, if not improved, his valuable stock. Wills tested well, taking the second-best broad jump score. And really the same can be said for his on-field workouts. The coaches were not taking it easy on these guys during the drills but Wills was one of the best throughout. I can’t remember a group like these offensive tackles that are so impressive and so deep. That makes the ones sitting on top even more impressive. Willis keeps adding to his resume so we’ll see who gets to claim the top OT spot come draft night.
Wisconsin HB Jonathan Taylor
The epitome of production in college with over 6,100 yards, 55 total touchdowns, and averaged over six yards-per-carry every year in Madison, Wisconsin. He rushed for over 2,000 yards in 2018 and 2019, but the nearly 1,000 touches in three years might scare some away. He can add size and speed to the impressive tally as he measured at 5-10 and 226 pounds. With that size in mind, he ran the fastest 40-yard dash of any running back with a 4.39-second run. Most are split between Taylor and Georgia back D’Andre Swift as the top dog and both had really good days. Either one has a case to be the first running back gone in the 2020 NFL draft.
Boston College HB AJ Dillon
A really big back who was used heavily for Boston College throughout his career. Three straight 1,000 yard seasons with over 1,500 in 2017 and 2019. He had at least 10 rushing touchdowns in each collegiate year as well. Sort of like Taylor, he has a lot of miles showing on the dashboard. He officially measured at 6-foot and weighed in at 247 pounds. His numbers are almost identical to the 2019 sensation Derrick Henry. Dillon is three inches shorter but their combine weights are identical.
When it comes to measurable events, Dillon and Henry are eerily similar. Dillon ran a 4.53 40-yard dash, put up 23 reps on the bench press, jumped 41 inches in the vert and 131 inches in the broad, then ran the 3-cone drill in 7.19 seconds. Derrick Henry ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds, put up 22 reps on the bench press, jumped 37 inches in the vert and 130 inches in the broad, then he ran the 3-cone drill in 7.20 seconds. If a team misses out on signing Henry in free agency, they should just go draft AJ Dillon.
Florida State HB Cam Akers
Akers is becoming my “Vontae Mack” of the 2020 NFL Draft. Akers showed out in Indianapolis, and probably no longer is much of a secret. He likely wasn’t inside of NFL front offices anyway. Akers was a really highly-touted recruit out of high school and landed at Florida State. He never really made the splash everyone expected out of him but the state of the Seminole football program was the true scapegoat there.
Despite the lack of offensive line talent in front of him, Akers has an impressive highlight reel. Akers put up good numbers which were highlighted with a 4.47 40-yard dash. He exceeded expectations when he went through the drills and even made a great catch early in the workouts. He is a complete back if the Chiefs are going to take a running back, I am pounding the table for Akers. The problem is, if he isn’t the Chiefs’ selection at 32, he most likely won’t last to their next pick.
