INDIANAPOLIS — Defensive linemen, linebackers and edge rushers took the field today at Lucas Oil Stadium for the first day of the 2024 NFL Combine’s on-field drills. The day was filled with both impressive and underwhelming performances, some more expected than others. Let’s take a look at today’s best and worst performances and what they mean for draft boards across the league.
DAY 1 MVP: DT Braden Fiske, Florida State, 6-3 5/8, 292 lbs
I’m sure I’ll catch some flack for not putting Dallas Turner here, but Fiske led the defensive tackle group in every drill he took part in—what more can you expect? The Florida State product knew he ran a good 40, saying “oh yeah” into the camera as he crossed the finish line after a 4.78 time that was 0.07 seconds faster than the next-fastest DT.
Fiske’s measurements weren’t the greatest—292 pounds is a bit light for an interior lineman in some schemes, and his 31-inch arms are a bit shorter than teams may hope for at the position. But he more than made up for it with a 33.5-inch vertical and a 9-foot-9 broad jump, and showed great hustle in his field drills.
HONORABLE MENTION: EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama, 6-2 3/4, 247
There’s no other way to put it: Turner had himself a day. He posted the second-fastest 40 time of the day at 4.46, the best vertical at an insane 40.5 inches and tied for the second-best broad jump with 10-foot-7.
It’s hard to say Turner’s stock “rose” today—he was already considered the best EDGE in his class by many before stepping onto the field in Indianapolis. But among some disappointing performances from other top pass rushers, Turner seized the opportunity to confirm he is the athlete he has been talked up to be, making him a strong candidate to be the first defender off the board come April.
BIGGEST RISER: Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson, 6-2 7/8, 254
Chop Robinson is an extremely fun prospect to watch on film—he’s an explosive player with a wicked get-off who can rush the pass while staying honest in the run game. But that athleticism didn’t transfer to the stat sheet, as Robinson only recorded four sacks last season at Penn State. Sure, he had some injury issues and only played in seven games—but nonetheless, you’d expect a bit more production out of a player with his traits.
For this reason, the Combine was extremely important to Robinson’s draft stock, and an opportunity he certainly made the most of. His 4.48-second 40-yard dash was second among EDGE rushers and fourth overall on the day, and his 10-foot-8 vertical tied with Jalyx Hunt and Edefuan Ulofoshio for the longest of day one.
Robinson also looked extremely fluid in field drills, turning quickly around the bags and showing solid body control to stop and change directions. Questions about his production may linger, but NFL scouts today confirmed Chop is every bit the athlete they see on film, likely making teams for whom his numbers were a concern more willing to spend a first-round pick on the former Nittany Lion.
MOST UNDERWHELMING: Washington EDGE Bralen Trice, 6-3 1/2, 245
Trice’s 4.72-second 40-yard dash was rather unimpressive compared to other top pass rushers in his class, especially considering it was the only drill he recorded. That time puts him firmly below other top EDGE prospects like Turner, Robinson, Jared Verse (4.58) and Chris Braswell (4.60).
Add that to the fact that Trice was listed at 274 pounds for Washington last year...yet only weighed in at 245. You’d like to expect more speed from him at that weight, and the two numbers combined will likely bring pause to teams looking at Trice as a first or second-round EDGE.
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
N.C. State LB Payton Wilson (6-4, 233) clocked the fastest 40 of the day at 4.43, and tied for the fastest 10-yard split at 1.54.
Texas DT Byron Murphy II (6-0 1/2, 297) solidified his place as a first-round prospect with a 4.87-second 40 and looked smooth for his size in field drills.
Florida State LB Kalen DeLoach (5-11 1/2, 210) impressed with a 4.47-second 40, the second-fastest of the position group. His 30.5-inch vertical, however, was the second-worst among all linebackers, and his measurables are certainly quite small for an NFL box linebacker.