The first day of the NFL Scouting Combine has wrapped up, leaving us with plenty to talk about. The linebackers and defensive linemen took center stage in Indianapolis, showcasing their athleticism in front of NFL scouts, coaches, and executives. Some players exceeded expectations with historic performances, while others raised concerns with underwhelming results. Let's break down ten of the biggest storylines from an exciting opening day at the combine.
Shemar Stewart Delivers a Historic Performance
One of the biggest winners of the day was Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart. Just a month ago, Stewart weighed in at 281 pounds during the Senior Bowl. Yesterday, he showed up leaner at 267 pounds and put on an absolute show. His 40-inch vertical, 10’11’’ broad jump, 4.59 forty-yard dash, and 1.58 ten-yard split all rank in at least the 90th percentile among defensive ends. That level of explosiveness is rare, and it helped him secure the highest Relative Athletic Score (RAS) among 1,802 defensive ends since 1987. With this kind of performance, Stewart has all but guaranteed himself a spot as one of the first names called in the upcoming draft.
James Pearce Lights Up the Forty-Yard Dash
James Pearce's day didn’t start off as planned—he forgot his workout shirt at the hotel and had to complete his drills in a hoodie. That didn’t stop the Tennessee pass rusher from making headlines. He torched the forty-yard dash with a blistering 4.47-second run, the fastest time of any defensive lineman. At 245 pounds, Pearce was expected to move well, but this was a statement. Interestingly, he only managed a 31-inch vertical, one of the lowest at his position. Still, his raw speed makes him a highly coveted prospect heading into draft night.
Landon Jackson Puts on a Show
Shemar Stewart may have grabbed most of the headlines, but Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson had the highest vertical of the day at 40.5 inches. On top of that, he posted a 99th percentile broad jump and an 89th percentile forty-yard dash time. Jackson, who stands at 6’6”, displayed rare athleticism for his size, catching the attention of several teams. After a disappointing Senior Bowl week, he needed a strong showing—and he delivered. This performance could propel him up draft boards as teams reassess his potential.
Donovan Ezeiruaku Dominates the Agility Testing
Speed and explosiveness aren’t the only ways to measure athleticism, and Donovan Ezeiruaku made sure everyone knew that. The Boston College pass rusher skipped the forty-yard dash but showcased his elite quickness with the fastest times in both the three-cone drill and the twenty-yard shuttle. Combine that with his 34-inch arms and a lightning-quick first step, and Ezeiruaku looks like an ideal speed rusher in today’s NFL. He’s now in the conversation for a late first-round selection.
Derrick Harmon Proves He’s an NFL Athlete
Heading into the combine, there were questions about Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon's athletic ability. He answered some of those concerns by running a 4.95 forty-yard dash with a solid 1.74 ten-yard split. While he didn’t complete additional testing, Harmon moved well during on-field drills, displaying the smoothness and balance necessary for an interior lineman. While he may not be the most explosive athlete, he proved he has the movement skills to compete at the next level.
Jihaad Campbell Confirms His Top-Tier Traits
Jihaad Campbell's film already showcased his athleticism, but his combine numbers cemented his status as a high-end prospect. The Alabama linebacker, standing 6'3” and weighing 235 pounds, ranked in at least the 96th percentile in all three of his completed tests. He also looked comfortable in positional drills and even joined the pass-rushing drills after the other linebackers had finished for the day. His all-around athleticism and versatility make him an intriguing prospect for teams in need of linebacker help.
Mason Graham Skips Athletic Testing
Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham was one of the few notable players who opted out of athletic testing. There were whispers that teams weren’t expecting him to test particularly well, so he chose to let his tape do the talking. He weighed in at 296 pounds—down from his listed 320—but his arm length measured in the 13th percentile, raising concerns about his ability to keep blockers off his pads. His stock has been trending downward, but he is still expected to be a top-10 selection.
Arm Length Concerns for Notable Edge Rushers
Arm length is an important trait for defensive linemen, and two highly regarded edge rushers, Marshall’s Mike Green and Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer, came in with surprisingly short measurements. Both measured in the 5th percentile or lower for arm length. Green’s absence due to hamstring tightness makes it harder to evaluate him, but Sawyer's case is more concerning. Already facing questions about his athleticism, he chose to skip testing, leaving scouts with even more doubts. His pro day will be crucial in determining his draft stock.
Can Jalon Walker be a Full-Time Edge?
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker measured in at 6’1” and 243 pounds—significantly smaller than the prototypical edge rusher. While there have been successful edge rushers of similar size (think James Harrison), many teams have strict size thresholds. Walker’s size could push him off some teams’ draft boards entirely. If he transitions to an off-ball linebacker role, he’ll need to improve his tape at the position, which has been inconsistent so far. His draft position remains a mystery as teams debate where he fits best.
Cause for Concern with Ole Miss LB Chris Paul Jr
Coming into the combine, scouts already had concerns about Chris Paul Jr’s size, and his testing results didn’t do much to alleviate those worries. At just 222 pounds, he was one of the smallest linebackers in attendance. On top of that, his arm length ranked as the fourth shortest among off-ball linebackers since 2011. While his athletic testing was above average, he failed to stand out during on-field drills. These shortcomings might make it tough for teams to justify taking him early in the draft.
Final Thoughts
The first day of the combine brought plenty of excitement, with elite performances, surprising results, and a few question marks. Shemar Stewart solidified himself as a top prospect, James Pearce showed off ridiculous speed, and Landon Jackson made a statement with his explosiveness. On the flip side, players like Jack Sawyer and Chris Paul Jr. left more questions than answers. With more testing and pro days ahead, the NFL Draft picture is still evolving, but one thing is certain—teams now have plenty to consider as they evaluate this year’s defensive prospects.
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