The 2019 NFL Scouting Combine is underway in Indianapolis. Prospects are undergoing medicals, interviews, and on field drills by their position group. Up first in the on field drill portion is the running backs and offensive linemen as well as the special teams. I’ll be posting these in the order that the position groups go. Everyone can use this as an open thread of sorts when the festivities kick off at 9 AM EST on NFL Network Friday.
RB
1. Myles Gaskin 5’9 205 Washington
- Gaskin has been a mainstay for the Huskies’ running game for four years now. He is the only running back in conference history to rush for 1000+ yards every year. Undersized runner that excels catching passes out of the backfield. Football IQ is above average. Knows how to work angles and cutback lanes to his benefit. Tree trunk legs. Plus speed and lateral agility. He’s coming in a bit heavier than his listed weight so that’s a plus. Put up 24 reps on the bench press. Predicted 40: 4.5
2. Darrell Henderson 5’8 208 Memphis
- Henderson exploded onto the scene as a sophomore but he skyrocketed as a junior with 1,909 yards and 22 touchdowns on 8.9 ypc. He’s a dynamic athlete that can play bigger than his size indicates. One of the best running backs that no one talks about but should get drafted early. He’s a home run threat on every carry. He should test well in Indy. 22 reps on the bench press. Predicted 40: 4.44
3. Karan Higdon 5’9 206 Michigan
- One of the more underrated running back prospects in the nation. Had a decent senior year thus far. He’s a solid threat to score from anywhere on the field but prefers to grind away on tough carries. Not the most experienced as a senior. Teams will question his infamous guarantee before the Ohio State game. He had a good Senior Bowl week and will look to carry it over to the Combine. 21 reps on bench press. Predicted 40: 4.52
4. Justice Hill 5’9 198 Oklahoma State
- Hill is a good back that declared for the draft somewhat unexpectedly. Lateral agility is a plus. Vision is up there with the best. He was a mainstay for the Cowboys’ offense for a couple of years before his departure. Lost an inch in height and added some weight. 21 reps on bench. Predicted 40: 4.56
5. Elijah Holyfield 5’10 217 Georgia
- Elijah is the son of the boxing great Evander Holyfield. He bided his time behind the vast array of Georgia star backs until he broke out as a junior himself posting 159 carries for 1,018 yards and seven touchdowns. Surprisingly declared as a junior. A powerful force inside the tackles. 26 reps on bench press. Predicted 40: 4.58
6. David Montgomery 5’10 222 Iowa State
- Can make defenders miss with regularity. Not afraid to mix it up and run through defenses to get those extra yards. One cut and go. Lateral agility is a major plus. Speed is a question as he doesn’t really run away from defenders. Decent route runner. Production was similar to 2017 so consistency is there. 15 reps on the bench. Predicted 40: 4.59
7. Devin Singletary 5’7 203 Florida Atlantic
- The best running back that no one is talking about. He had a monstrous 2017 with 1,918 yards and 32 touchdowns. Really blew up as a sophomore under Lane Kiffin’s guidance. The 2018 season hasn’t been as productive but he’s still a solid back. He’s the all time leader in rushing touchdowns by a player who attended a FBS school in the state of Florida. 15 reps on bench. Predicted 40: 4.42
8. Dexter Williams 5’11 212 Notre Dame
- Williams has a very strong case that he was the most impressive running back at the Senior Bowl. He showed very good explosion and finished every rep all the way through to the other side of the field. Showed great feet and vision. Rarely lost a rep in one on one running drills. Looked a bit lost in pass pro, however. He will look to carry over the good efforts this week. 17 bench press reps. Predicted 40: 4.37
9. Trayveon Williams 5’8 206 Texas A&M
- Williams is an experienced SEC back that can catch out of the backfield with the best of them. He has the athleticism and an improved vision to see the angles and holes opening up. Has picked up injuries here and there on a consistent basis. Williams posted 1,760 yards and 18 touchdowns on 271 carries. Also had 27 receptions and 278 yards. 19 bench press reps. Predicted 40: 4.53
OL
1. Beau Benzschawel 6’6 309 G Wisconsin
- A typical Wisky type of offensive lineman in that he has a bunch of power but is slow of foot. One of the best guards on the best (on paper) offensive lines in college football. He had a good week at Senior Bowl practices as expected. Put up 20 reps on the bench press.
2. Garrett Bradbury 6’2 306 C NC State
- Bradbury was the offensive lineman who helped his stock the most in Mobile. He was a force of nature, rarely losing a rep at all. He was serving out pancakes like he was IHOP. Has a bright future in the NFL if that week was any indication. Has been gathering some momentum as a potential first round pick ever since. Arguably the best center prospect in the class. Led the offensive linemen with an astounding 34 reps on the bench press.
3. Michael Deiter 6’5 316 OL Wisconsin
- A versatile lineman that has played throughout the line in his Sconnie career. The versatility alone should get him drafted high. He reportedly had a good week in Mobile so a good day of on field workouts should be in his future in Indy. Can play guard, tackle and some center. Put up 21 reps on bench press.
4. Lamont Gaillard 6’2 305 C Georgia
- The most underrated center prospect that most people aren’t talking about. The leader of the Georgia offensive line. He’s really talented and should have a chance to vault himself into the early rounds with a good week. He was an East-West Shrine Game participant.
5. Martez Ivey 6’5 315 OL Florida
- Ivey is a former five star recruit that lived up to that billing even if his offensive teammates were less than ideal for a struggling Florida offense. He projects as a guard at the NFL level. East-West Shrine Game participant.
6. Chris Lindstrom 6’3 308 G Boston College
- Lindstrom was the star of the interior offensive linemen in Mobile. He was great throughout that week. He won about 90% of the reps that I watched him on. Was downright scary good during the actual game as well. He handled every assignment with ease. Fast riser up the boards. He should carry over an impressive effort today. It can be argued that he is the best guard prospect overall in the class. 25 reps on the bench press
7. Erik McCoy 6’3 303 C Texas A&M
- McCoy had a winning week in Mobile as well. He was very good in one on ones, winning most of his reps quite handily. The center to QB exchanges were very good (which can be an issue given the newness of each party). He showed a lot of promise and increased his stock. He has been steadily rising up the boards as the offseason has progressed. Should test well today. Has a case for best center in the nation. 29 reps on the bench press.
8. Yodny Cajuste 6’4 312 OT West Virginia
- One of the more underrated offensive tackle prospects due to the system he plays in. Football IQ is a plus. Technician. Fundamentally sound. Experienced as a senior. Could be drafted in the middle rounds and be a steal. Had a solid week in Mobile from all accounts and will look to carry over that effort. I really like him as a tackle. 32 reps on the bench press.
9. Andre Dillard 6’5 315 OT Washington State
- There’s a case to be argued that Dillard was the most dominant offensive tackle during the Senior Bowl week. He was great in one on ones and largely held his own during the team portion. I rewatched some Wazzu tape over the past month and he was great there too. 24 reps on the bench press.
10. Chuma Edoga 6’3 308 OT USC
- Edoga was a force to be reckoned with in Mobile. He showed a ton of great footwork to go along with a fierce punch to wall off pass rushers. He mirrored the defender very well. He had a critical block downfield on a touchdown in the game as well. A fast riser up the boards. Won the Player of the Week award over some high quality talent at Senior Bowl. The tape lied to me somewhat as he was inconsistent before that week. It made me go back and watch it again but I still got the same results. 21 reps on the bench press.
11. Greg Little 6’5 310 OT Ole Miss
- Little was once hyped to be the best offensive tackle in the class but that is no longer the case. He’s still talented though. Needs a big week in Indy to cement a top 3 tackle spot.
12. Kaleb McGary 6’7 317 OT Washington
- Started at left tackle to begin the 2018 season when Trey Adams was out with injury. Did well in the interim before moving back to right tackle. Arguably the most talked about tackle prospect in the scouting community. Has risen up the boards really fast after a great Senior Bowl week. 23 reps on the bench press.
13. Isaiah Prince 6’6 305 OT Ohio State
- Prince needs a big week in Indy to recover some stock after a middling 2018 season. The tackle class is really deep compared to years past so he has a tough task on his hands. I’m looking forward to how he tests. 23 reps on the bench press.
14. Jawaan Taylor 6’5 312 OT Florida
- Taylor has been skyrocketing up scout’s board during the offseason and with good reason. He’s a legit first round candidate after an impressive 2018 season. I like him as a OT3 type of talent. 24 reps on the bench press.
15. Jonah Williams 6’4 302 OT Alabama
- Williams is what he is at this point. A really talented OT1 candidate. The latest offensive lineman out of the Crimson Tide factory. He should test well but there’s talk about his short arms not being able to project at the next level. He’s a talented football player. As long as the physical measurements check out, I have no issue with him being a top 15 pick. 23 reps on the bench press.
16. Dalton Risner 6’4 312 OT Kansas State
- There was talk entering the Senior Bowl week that he would have to move to guard to have pro success but leaving it, he was THE tackle of the entire event. Just how dominant was he? Risner didn’t lose a single rep at all. He’s been flying up the boards during the process. Has a legit case for OT1 as well as G1. Should test well. 23 reps on the bench press.
17. Mitch Hyatt 6’5 303 OT Clemson
- The former five star recruit elected to stay for a senior season and that has cost him some money as a result. He had a mediocre 2018 season and didn’t live up to the hype for the most part. Needs a great week to prove otherwise. 28 reps on the bench press.
18. Nate Davis 6’3 316 OL Charlotte
- Davis proved that he belonged on the field despite his small school status at the Senior Bowl. He had a great week there. Has been moving up the boards as a result. I’m interested to see how he tests in Indy. Is a guard at the next level. 23 reps on the bench press.
19. Ben Powers 6’4 307 G Oklahoma
- One of the best interior offensive linemen in the nation. Can play both guard and center. Limited athleticism. Football IQ is a major plus. Knows how to use his hands to keep the rushers at bay. Footwork is somewhat decent but slow nonetheless. He had a good week in Mobile but it wasn’t the best, either. Needs to test well in Indy. 21 reps on the bench press.
20. Cody Ford 6’3 329 OL Oklahoma
- The case can be made that Ford is the best Oklahoma offensive lineman in this year’s class out of the quartet in Indy. He’s a solid talent. 19 reps on the bench press.
21. Bobby Evans 6’4 307 OT Oklahoma
- One of the better tackles in the country. Athleticism is a plus. Footwork is solid. Could project as a guard at the next level. He has gained some weight after being listed at 299 by OU for most of the 2018 season. 22 reps.
22. Elgton Jenkins 6’4 310 C Mississippi State
- Jenkins had a solid week of practices at the Senior Bowl, winning several reps in dominating fashion. He’s a hoss to deal with. The second best center in Mobile. Should have a good week in Indy. 29 reps on the bench press.