NFL Combine Observations: Defensive Line & RB's

By Jeff Cavanaugh | @JC1053

Some notes about some big name guys that either worked out or talked today.

- Myles Jack is my favorite player in this draft. He dominated his media session, says at his Pro Day he'll put to rest any questions about his knee. Said he hopes to run in the 4.5s on his 40, and that he was a 4.4 guy before the injury.  Limited amount of time to prepare is the reason for him expecting a discrepancy there. Said that NFL teams have talked to him about playing 4 or 5 different positions in the NFL.  He told me if it's 4th and 1 he'd be willing to carry the ball for me.  And we bonded over our affection for Jack in the Box tacos. I want him to be a Dallas Cowboy.  He's 6'1, 245, runs like the wind, hits like a freight train and covers like a defensive back. Mentioned that he could be an effective pass rusher as well, he just wasn't asked to do that much in college.

- DeForest Buckner (DE - Oregon) has hands that are only a quarter inch away from being an entire foot from pinky to thumb. Biggest hand here, and bigger than any prospect last year. I typed that just so you know.  He has a really big hand.  Also said he's talked to teams about playing a 3-4 and 4-3. He specifically mentioned that the Dallas Cowboys were a team he has met with here in Indy. He'd be an interesting fit because the place where he'd probably fit best in their defense would be as a 3tech DT. That's where Tyrone Crawford just got paid to play that position. I suppose you could move him around.  He has the skills to play some LDE, some 3 technique and maybe slide to 1 technique on pass rushing downs. Something to think about.

- Ezekiel Elliott did about what I expected, he ran a 40 yard dash in less than 4.5. Guy is 225 and can really move. He didn't run 3 cone drill but his lateral ability on tape is very good.

- Derrick Henry had a great combine as far as straight line speed and explosion.  Jumps were great, 40 time was good.  However, he ran a 7.20 three cone drill time.  And a 4.38 short shuttle.  These aren't good times for a RB. That's the concern with him. Doesn't mean he won't be a good NFL player, but his start and stop and lateral quickness is the weakest point to his game. It was verified with a stopwatch today. Needs to be on a team that doesn't allow a lot of penetration in the backfield on run plays.  A team like......well the Cowboys. I know I haven't been his biggest proponent through this process, but behind a line like the Cowboys he'd have the chance for his positives to shine, and his weakness would be minimized.

- Noah Spence (DE/OLB Eastern Kentucky) I thought had a good session with the media. He answered all the questions about his problems that got him banned from the Big 12 (multiple failed drug tests, ecstasy addiction or habit, whichever you want to call it). He said he's been being drug tested every week. Admits that he used to be a party guy and he liked ecstasy when he was partying. He seemed to me to be mature up on the podium, and I'd be pretty comfortable with the risk level of taking him in the first round. He's the best pass rusher in this draft.

- Andrew Billings (DT Baylor) said he thinks it's definitely possible that he breaks the combine's bench press record tomorrow. The record is 225 pounds going up 49 times. Said 50 he believes is in his range. He also mentioned that the Cowboys are the only team he has officially met with out here so far. He'd be a great fit as the 1tech DT (the man lining up between the OG and C). Said he thinks of himself as a Vince Wilfork with better lateral ability. Would be a great pick at #34 if available.

- Someone said Jarran Reed's (Alabama DT) first name was interesting and asked him where it came from. He said "my mom."  I just wanted to type that, because it happened.

- Jaylon Smith (LB ND) had a confusing media session that would worry me about his health. He's not that far removed from knee surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL so he was walking gingerly.  But reports are out there that he also suffered nerve damage. Initially he said "no" when asked if there was nerve damage. Then he was asked why he was wearing a certain device on his foot/ankle area a while back and answered "to help the nerve heal." Now that everyone was sufficiently confused the follow up was "so there was nerve damage?" and he said "the never wasn't stretched." Someone's going to pick him fairly early and if he recovers 100% he's going to be a heck of a football player, but that session was worrisome.

- Laremy Tunsil is outstanding at everything he does. His media session, his on field position drills, his game tape. Guy should be the #1 pick.

- My guy who won't be a sleeper for long had a nice day of measurements (if that's a thing). Ronald Blair (DE App State) came in at 6'2 and 282 pounds, with 34 inch arms. That's long. Will be good to see him on the field tomorrow, but that tape is outstanding on him.

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