Jordan Davis, Georgia's 341-pound nose tackle, stole the show at the NFL Combine on Saturday with jaw-dropping times and test results. (NFL.com)
At the Combine: Pass rushers’ strong showing might trump receiver on Browns’ draft board
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Defensive line always was considered one of the strongest position groups in the 2022 draft. But after jaws dropped inside Lucas Oil Stadium over one big guy’s 40 time after another on Saturday, the class is being called “legendary.”
How much influence the eye-popping testing results at the NFL Combine will have on the Browns is uncertain. It’s conceivable, though, that defensive end – perhaps even defensive tackle -- could nudge in front of wide receiver on the Browns’ draft board with their first pick, No. 13 overall.
Even before the Saturday workouts, Pat Kirwan, a former NFL scout and team executive who is now an analyst with Sirius XM and NFL.com, said the Browns’ best strategy would be to go defensive end first and receiver second.
“I would always take the pass rusher first in the world we’re in because there’s so many good receivers and I think the real quality depth is better than at the quality depth at defensive end,” Kirwan said on Road to the Draft on 850 ESPN Cleveland.
“At 13, there might have been a run of pass rushers already and you might see the top four gone. By the time you go, you can be looking at defensive end No. 5 but receiver No. 2.
“It makes it an easier choice for me to take the defensive end because the list is running off faster. If the receiver list is holding a little bit, now I’m thinking there’ll be one in the second round. Where, if I pass that end now and three more go later in the first round, I can be looking at pass rusher No. 11 or 12. Maybe I do a little maneuvering … where I can move into the bottom of the first round and take [the receiver].”
Fast times at defensive line
Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis didn’t have the fastest 40 time, but he stole the show. The 341-pound nose tackle posted a 4.78-second 40-yard dash. It reportedly was the fastest time by any player over 310 pounds since 2003. He is just the third player over 330 pounds to run the 40 under 5.0 seconds.
Now, 40 time isn’t everything, of course. The other 330-plus players under 5.0 were Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson, who busted out with the Rams and ended up playing two years with the Browns, and Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe, who did have a solid, nine-year career with four NFL teams.
Davis’ other athletic highlights included a 10.3 broad jump and a 32-inch vertical leap – freakish numbers for a man his size.
Davis’ Georgia teammate, tackle Devonte Wyatt, had a 4.77 40.
The fastest times were turned in by the lighter defensive ends.
1. Amare Barno, Virginia Tech: 4.36.
2. Sam Williams, Ole Miss: 4.46.
3. Travon Walker, Georgia: 4.51.
4. Boya Mafe, Minnesota: 4.53.
5. Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma: 4.54.
6. David Ojabo, Michigan: 4.55.
7. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon: 4.58.
7. Jermaine Johnson, Florida State: 4.58.
9. Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati: 4.67.
Again, 40 times are just one indicator of athleticism and should not override a player’s resume on game tape.
At the 2014 Combine, end Jadeveon Clowney ran a faster 40 (4.53) than receiver Davante Adams (4.56) despite outweighing him by 54 pounds. Clowney was drafted first overall and Adams was 53rd overall in the second round. Clowney’s been selected All-Pro one time and made the Pro Bowl three times: Adams is a two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler.
In their words
Before the Combine, draft analyst Dane Brugler of the Athletic, ranked the defensive ends this way:
1. Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan.
2. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon.
3. Travon Walker, Georgia.
4. David Ojabo, Michigan.
5. Jermaine Johnson, Florida State.
6. George Karlafatis, Purdue.
7. Logan Hall, Houston.
Here’s what they were saying in Combine interviews:
Walker (6-5 and 272 pounds)
“I'm a great person, I'm a great leader, as well, on and off the field. I'm one of those guys that [a team] can rely on.
“I do study Myles Garrett, and me personally, I think Myles Garrett is a great edge rusher. He's a big guy. His body type is just like me. He's a little taller. He's one of those guys, a hard-nosed worker and willing to get the job done.
“[I’m] someone who can do it all -- athlete, whatever the coach needs. If I didn't know myself or if I ever seen me play for the first time, I’d have to say he’s a tremendous athlete, he can do anything on the field.”
Johnson (6-5 and 254)
“The only question mark on me is I’ve had this one year of really good production. So that’s a question mark, but I think if I had the same snaps before, I would’ve done the same thing. So if I’d done it two years consecutively, I don’ think it’d be a question.
“I think I’m the best edge rusher in this draft. Because I do everything exceptionally well. I play the run as well as I play the pass. Nobody in this class does that like I do.
“Myles Garrett and Khalil Mack [are my favorites]. I like Aaron Donald as well. Just mindset, purposes. People fear them. And that’s what I want to be at the next level. I want to be feared.
“People fear [Garrett]. That’s a guy, they’re going to put 95 on the board and say, ‘OK, this is how we’re going to try to attack him this weekend.’ That’s how much of a problem I want to be for offenses, if not more.”
Karlafatis (6-4 and 266)
“Relentless. That’s how I approach life, how I approach the game, in terms of my technique, in terms of how I play, my motor, my effort. Everything about it’s relentless.
“Stepping on to the next level, my game is going to have to reach a whole new peak. You’re not going to get away with doing the same things in college as you are in the league. Just taking my game to a whole new level in terms of how I rush the passer, how I stop the run, my approach, being a pro on and off the field. Everything in between.
“I pride myself on being as good as I am in the run as I am in the pass. That’s something I’ve worked on a lot. I still have a ways to go. But if you look at 2019 tape, 2020 tape and 2021 tape there’s some big differences and big strides in the way I play the run, set the edge and make plays in the run.”
