2018 NFL Scouting Combine: Recap of OL and RB

by Christian Page

Photo: Jeff Yoder, allhawkeyes.com

Offensive linemen and running backs headlined the first day of full-on workouts for the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday.

Stay up to date with news and notes from the first two days of the scouting combine.

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  • Oklahoma left tackle Orlando Brown continues to be of emphasis during the first three days of the event. After posting a poor 14 reps on the bench press on Thursday, Brown continued to spiral downward in his on field and timed drills on Friday. Not that a 40-yard dash time is a difference maker in the offensive tackle evaluation but when the time is the second worst all time (5.85) it is easy to get steered away. His 19.5-inch vertical will be the worst mark of any player ever drafted and his 82-inch broad jump will also carry that same blemish. He displayed slow feet and a high-hipped stature in the mirror and change of direction drills.
  • First round hopeful Kolton Miller of UCLA posted an incredible broad jump number at 10’1” setting the best score for an offensive lineman in combine history. Miller currently checks in at No. 4 on Optimum Scouting’s offensive tackle position rankings.
  • A quiet day based on media attention, Auburn offensive guard prospect Braden Smith proved to be one of the top-tier interior linemen in a strong class. Smith looked fluid in the on-field drills with clean and quick feet during the mirror drills. His cut frame was on display yesterday as the All-SEC player threw up 35 reps on the bench press and then posted a 33.5-inch vertical, which topped 12 running backs.
  • Iowa prospect James Daniels showcased the best fluid movement skills out of all offensive line participants on Friday. His rapid foot movement in the mirror drills was unmatched as he plays with a wide low to the ground base maintaining balance and control.
  • Like Brown, Saquon Barkley of Penn State has been a familiar name in Indianapolis so far and will be throughout the rest of the weekend. Barkley ran an official 4.40 40-yard dash and displayed natural pass-catching ability. If his stock had the ability to rise entering this week, there’s no question it did.
  • Sony Michel ran a somewhat surprising 4.54 in the dash compared to the time of his teammate, the presumed slower back, Nick Chubb who finished with a time of 4.52. 

Photo: Casey Sykes

  • Top running back 40 times (official):

            - Nyheim Hines, NCST: 4.38

            - Saquon Barkley, PSU: 4.40

            - Kalen Ballage, ASU: 4.46

            - Rashaad Penny, SDSU: 4.46

            - Derrius Guice, LSU: 4.49

            - Nick Chubb, UGA: 4.52

            - Justin Jackson, NW: 4.52

            - Bo Scarbrough, ALA: 4.52

            - Sony Michel, UGA: 4.54

            - Royce Freeman, ORE: 4.54

Injury update

  • Ronald Jones pulled up lame (hamstring) in his first and only 40-yard dash attempt and did not continue for the rest of the day. He still managed to run a 4.66.
  • Though participating in every on-field drill, Quenton Nelson did not run his 40-yard dash after tweaking his hamstring while warming up. 
  • Though being reported yesterday as possibly not being a serious injury, Billy Price suffered an incomplete tear of his pectoral muscle. According to Price, he is “definitely happy it is something minor.” (Adam Schefter, ESPN)
  • According to Ben Fawkes of ESPN, North Dakota State tight end Dallas Goedert will not run his 40-yard dash on Saturday. He is recovering from a hamstring injury suffered during Senior Bowl week.