After a week of hoopla and doubt as to whether or not the players would actually work out at the 2022 NFL Combine, the defensive line and linebackers will be featured today. Here’s a brief preview of how NFL Draft prospects could perform during the NFL Combine workouts and who could be the surprise of the day.
2022 NFL Combine Preview: Defensive line
Which defensive line players will be featured today at the 2022 NFL Combine?
Defensive tackles
Haskell Garrett, Ohio State: Garrett has been running fast times in training — very fast. He could get under 4.9 seconds, and at the very least, I expect no worse than 4.95 seconds in the 40-yard dash with a quick 10 split.
Logan Hall, Houston: Hall is quietly making a strong move up draft boards, and I expect that to continue through the Combine. He measures a tick under 6’6″ and 280 pounds and is expected to run in the low 4.7s area with a vertical jump at or near 34″. Teams love his position versatility as Hall projects as a 3-technique tackle in some schemes and a 3-4 defensive end for other teams.
Travis Jones, UConn: Dominant during three days of Senior Bowl practice, much of the same is expected from Jones here at the Combine. I’m told he’s expected to be in the very low 5.00-second mark in the 40 and could even get into the high 4.9s — pretty extraordinary for a 325-pound defensive tackle. As far as his bench press, look for 35-40 reps.
Edge rushers
Travon Walker, Georgia: Walker looks athletic on film and will prove he is during Combine testing. I’m told his 40 time will be in the 4.6 area. As a minimum, Walker expects to be in the top five in each testing event for the defensive linemen.
Amaré Barno, Virginia Tech: Barno has consistently been running in the mid 4.4s in training, so expect a time under 4.48 seconds, which is almost two-tenths faster than scouts had him pegged. Though listed as an OLB on my board, Barno will be working with the defensive linemen at the Combine. I fully expect him to be part of the D-line group that goes through a battery of linebacker drills at the end of the workout.
2022 NFL Combine Preview: Linebackers
Nakobe Dean, Georgia: Dean suffered an ankle injury during the College Football Playoff and will hold off on working out until Georgia’s Pro Day.
Brian Asamoah, Oklahoma: Look for strong all-around marks from Asamoah, who could break into the upper 4.5s in the 40-yard dash, the mid-20s in the bench press, and turn in good numbers in both the vertical and long jumps.
Chad Muma, Wyoming: Muma turned in a solid week of practice at the Senior Bowl last month and the expectations are he’ll perform well at the Combine. He was listed by scouts as a 4.80-second 40 guy before the season, but I’m told Muma will run in the 4.6s during workouts. He’s also expected to put up 25 reps on the bench press.
Troy Andersen, Montana State: Andersen had a sensational week at the Senior Bowl and people are excited about his Combine workout. I’m told his marks are likely to include a 40 time in the 4.5s and a vertical jump which could hit 39″.
