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Speed, Speed, and More Speed at The WR Position
Leading up to the 2022 NFL combine, I promised not to overreact to the results. Well, as they say, promises are meant to be broken. The 2022 NFL combine delivered what felt like unrealistic results until the corrections in the 40-yard dash. Among the WR's, 18 players recorded a 4.4 or better, 8 with a 4.3 or better, and one with a 4.28 (Baylor's Tyquan Thornton).
Chris Olave Is Fast and Elite, Garrett Wilson Solidified His Instant Impact Status
I almost fainted when Olave ran an unofficial 4.26, but the official time came out as 4.39. I was still very impressed. Olave is a smooth route runner who confirmed he has the elite speed to go with those route-running chops. Garrett Wilson's 4.38 40 was also impressive. Wilson, like Olave, is considered at worst a top 20 overall prospect.
David Bell Had a Meh Combine
I expected Bell to run a 4.6 40, and he ran an official 4.65, so that was fine. But his vertical and broad jump was just meh. I expected a bit more athleticism from Bell. You cannot deny his on-field ability. He is a heady player and an elite-level route runner that I believe will be a day one NFL starter with Instant Impact potential.
David Bell Remains In My Top 5 Overall At The WR Position
David Bell remains among my top 5 WR's and is the 20th overall prospect on our board. I am reluctant to move Bell back because he possesses that immeasurable "it" factor. But When evaluating Chris Olave, Jameson Williams, and Garrett Wilson, they too have the immeasurable "it" factor about their game. But Bell's "it" is different; he played with mediocre QB's at Purdue and still flourished in the Big Ten. I am re-evaluating the situation, but regardless we are higher than almost every NFL Draft pundit on David Bell.
NDSU WR Christian Watson Is A Dude
Watson posted an insane 4.36 40, a 38.5inch vertical, and the combines top broad jump among the receivers at 11'4''. At 6-4 208lbs, Watson is an excellent athlete, and his 2022 NFL Combine numbers match his tape. He is on the rise and garnering 2nd round interest.
Kenneth Walker and Breece Hall Solidified Their Status As The Two Best RB's
The RB position provided some speed as well. Michigan State RB Kenneth Walker III recorded a 4.38, which is elite, and a tick faster than the 4.39 Jonathon Taylor recorded a few years ago at the NFL Combine. Walker is the top RB on the Football Scout 365 NFL Draft Big Board, followed by Iowa State RB Breece Hall, who ran a 4.39 while also posting a 40'' vertical, indicating how explosive Breece Hall is. South Dakota State RB Pierre Strong recorded the fastest 40 among the RB's with a 4.37; he tied Rutgers RB Isiah Pacheco for the fastest 40 among the RB's.
Georgia RB's Zamir White And James Cook Looked Good
Two other players that shined at the RB position through their 40-yard dash and on-field drill work, Georgia RB's Zamir White and James Cook. White ran a 4.4, and surprisingly, he was a few ticks faster than his speedy teammate James Cook who posted a 4.42. Both players shined during on-field drills, displaying excellent footwork and pass-catching ability.
Arizona State RB Rachaad White Shows of His Athleticism
I love White's game, he popped on his film, and I immediately could see how his game translates to the NFL. He solidified my belief at the 2022 NFL Combine by posting a better 40 than I projected (4.48) and a 38in vertical. His vertical and broad jump shows that he is explosive, and for those who are meh about White, He is a player we are extremely high on and believe possesses the necessary player traits to be a dude in the NFL.
The DL Group Is Deep and Talented And Led By Two Georgia Players
The 6-6, 341 lb Jordan Davis got a lot of praise and buzz after posting a 4.78 40, and rightfully so, considering he is a mountain with arms and legs. I have poured over his game, and I was critical of his limited snaps at Georgia, and I believed his limited snaps could hinder him at the NFL level, but I am no longer buying into that narrative. Davis is reportedly the fastest player at or above 330 lbs since 2006, and he also recorded a 10'3'' broad jump, another NFL Combine record for a 330+lb player. His 10 yard split of 1.68 is elite for a player his size.
Georgia IDL Devonte Wyatt shined at the 2022 NFL Combine. Like Jordan Davis, he recorded a 4.77 40, a tick faster than Davis. Wyatt is not as big as Davis, standing at 6-3, 304lbs, but is equally impressive. His 10 yard split of 1.66 is an elite number for an IDL. By comparison, Joey Bosa, an Edge rusher, ran a 1.65 10 yard split.
Aidan Hutchinson Shined and Remains Our Top Prospect, But He Has More Competition Entering The Number One Overall Discussion
Aidan Hitchinson solidified his number one status, but he now has more competition entering the number one pick discussion. Hutchinson recorded a 4.74 40, a 36in vertical, 117in broad, 6.73 3-cone, and 4.15 20-yard shuttle. Hutchinson recorded a 1.62 10 yard split.
Here Comes Travon Walker
Georgia Edge rusher Travon Walker at 6-5, 272 lbs, recorded a blistering 4.51 40 yards dash, a 35.5in vertical, 123in broad jump, a 6.89sec 3-cone, and a 4.32 shuttle. The upside here is unimaginable, and his tape matches the 2022 NFL Combine numbers. Walker is in the discussion as a top ten pick; and can challenge the likes of Aidan Hutchinson, Evan Neal, Iken Ekwonu, and Kayvon Thibodeaux for the first or second overall pick.
Some Edge Rusher Numbers From Past Combines To Use As A Comparison
By comparison, TJ Watt recorded a 4.69 40 and a 1.59 10 yard split, Myles Garrett recorded a 4.63 40 and a 1.63 10 yard split, Nick Bosa ran a 4.79 40 and a 1.55 10 yard split.
Kyle Hamilton Is a freak Athlete, But He Didn't wow With His 40. He Remains A Top Ten Overall Prospect.
Kyle Hamilton did not run a blazingly fast 40 (4.59), but his size and range at the safety position are undeniable. He did post a 38in vertical and a 10'11'' broad Jump. Both numbers were good for second at his position.
Georgia Safety Lewis Cine Added his Name To The Best Safety Debate.
Lewis Cine ran a 4.37 40, posted a 36.5in vertical, and an 11'1''broad jump. Cine is a player who can play near the line of scrimmage, but his 40 and athleticism is a sign that he has the upside to do more.
Baylor's Kaylon Barns, Sam Houston State's Zyon McCollum, and UTSA's Tariq Woolen Post Blazingly fast 40's
Kaylon Barns posted a combine best 4.23 40, while UTSA CB Tariq Woolen, at 6-4 205lbs posted a 4.26. Sam Houston's Zyon Mccollum posted a 4.33.
Ahmad Gardner Solidified His Top CB Status On Our Board
Gardner ran a 4.4 40, displayed his athleticism during on-field drills, and did nothing to hurt his status.