Top Defensive Linemen performances at NFL Combine
By Matt Green
Sunday was the defensive linemen and linebackers’ turn at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
The SEC is known for being the top conference in college football, but the defensive line is where the conference truly separates itself.
Out of 58 defensive linemen in action at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, 17 are from the Southeastern Conference.
Here’s what the top d-linemen did on Sunday:
Top Performers
Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Garret stole the show. Many people already were calling the Texas A&M-product the top pick in April’s NFL Draft, and on Sunday he may have solidified that.
The 6-foot-4, 272-pound defensive end ran a 4.64 40-yard dash, the fifth best time among d-linemen. He led all d-linemen with a ridiculous 41-inch vertical. He also ranked second with 33 reps on the 225-pound bench press and a 10-feet, 8-inch broad jump.
Lawson was the top-ranked defensive end in the country coming out of high school, but battled injuries in his at Auburn. But he did everything he needed to do at the NFL Combine to show what kind of ability he possesses.
Lawson measured at 6-foot-2, 251 pounds, which isn’t ideal size, but big enough to be a pass-rusher in a 3-4 scheme. His 35 reps on the bench press were the most among all the defensive linemen. He ran a 4.67 in the 40-yard dash and registered the top time of 4.19 in the 20-yard shuttle.
Williams might not have helped his draft stock when he admitted to failing multiple drug tests in his time at Alabama. There were already off-the-field concerns about Williams, who was arrested back in September for carrying a gun without a permit.
But on Sunday he helped himself out. He measured at 6-foot-3, 244 pounds. He’s got the build and the production of future NFL pass rusher. He ran a 4.68 in the 40-yard dash. His 33.5-inch vertical and 10-feet, 4-inch broad jump were both in the top 10 among defensive linemen.
