NFL Combine Risers and Fallers: Defense

Offense | Defense

Risers:

DL Margus Hunt, SMU-

-Hunt had a huge Combine showing the potential he brings to the table at the next level. He excelled in pretty much every drill and displayed elite athleticism. He’s still raw as a prospect, but teams will feel more comfortable taking him early.

DL Ziggy Ansah, BYU-

-Another raw prospect, Ansah lit up the Combine and flashed the top notch athletic ability that we would see take over for stretches in games. He really solidified a first round pick for himself and is definitely trending up draft boards.

DL Dion Jordan, Oregon-

-Jordan is one of the most athletic players in this draft class, and he showed that in spades throughout the Combine. He looks like he can cause nightmares for opposing offensive linemen, and should easily hear his name called in the top 20 picks.

DL Devin Taylor, South Carolina-

-Taylor is a later round prospect who had questions about his motor coming in. By shining in all the drills it helps to show that he’s been focused and working on being a better player. He has the frame to bulk up to a 5 technique, but could intrigue teams as an edge rusher as well.

DL Shariff Floyd, Florida-

-Had probably the best all-around day for defensive tackles. Showed some good athleticism and really helped his case to be picked in the top 20 of the first round.

LB Sio Moore, Uconn-

-Really loved the burst and acceleration that Moore displayed, really looks the part of a starting OLB (preferably as a rush LB) at the next level. Add this with a big East/West Shrine Game week, and his stock is very much rising.

LB Zavier Gooden, Missouri-

-Gooden showed great tools in the Combine and while it wasn’t always clear in games he flashed that ability previously. Teams should now feel more confident in believing they can make him a starting backer and he could work his way into the late 3rd-early 4th range.

LB Cornelius Washington, Georgia-

-Had one of the best all-around Combine’s, and the fact that he worked out as a LB makes him quite interesting for a 3-4 team in need of a pass rusher. He didn’t do much in college, but the potential is there.

CB Dee Milliner, Alabama-

-Milliner solidified his spot atop the corner board and should be a lock for a top 10 pick. He did drop a couple of balls, but that really shouldn’t be a knock on him.

CB Darius Slay, Mississippi-

-Slay outperformed his college teammate Jonathan Banks, by showcasing really nice speed and good quickness.

CB Robert Alford, SE Louisiana-

-Small school guy who really rose up draft boards after a big Senior Bowl, really looked good at the Combine and looks to be moving fast up draft boards.

S Matt Elam, Florida-

-Elam had a great all-around day at the Combine, which is exactly what he needed. He showed the athletic ability to play either safety spot, and should be a lock for a top 40 pick.

S Shamarko Thomas, Syracuse-

-Thomas is a shorter safety who hasn’t been on a lot of people’s radar, but with a good East/West week and now Combine he’s had to have opened some eyes. He won’t go too high in the draft, but he’s probably looking to be in the 4th round range now.

Fallers:

DL Demontre Moore, Texas A&M-

-Moore was one of the top pass rushers entering the Combine, but some questions were raised with his slow 40 time. This could cause teams to go back and watch his tape and perhaps focus more on the games where he disappeared. His certainty as a top 10 selection is very much in doubt and he could fall to lower in the first round.

DL Jordan Hill, Penn State-

-There is a lot to like with Jordan Hill but he put up a pedestrian 40 time and really looked bad in the bench press. He didn’t look that great in drills either leaving some question about his impact early on.

LB Chase Thomas, Stanford-

-Chase Thomas figured to get some 2nd day interest given his ability as a pass rusher, but a poor combine after a rough Senior Bowl could force him to fall to the third day. He didn’t show the burst you like to see in starting caliber pass rushers, and his lack of coverage ability could make him a liability.

CB Marc Anthony, Cal-

-Anthony had one of the worst 40 times among corners, and while he had good game tape to watch, that time could plummet him down draft boards.

S Zeke Motta, Notre Dame-

-Motta really didn’t have a good Combine, but most troubling is not his 40 time, but rather his bench press numbers. He’s supposed to be a big physical safety, but he didn’t show that on the bench.