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Santiago Leon – @sleon
Jeff Gignac – @JeffGignac
2022 NFL Scouting Combine winners and losers, Day 1: Chris Olave (WR, Ohio State), Malik Willis (QB, LU) impress
Chris Olave was the best receiver in Thursday’s second group of wide receivers. He’s been called a smooth mover since he arrived at Ohio State, and he did nothing to alter that reputation at the combine. Olave caught nearly everything thrown his way, grabbing several throws well away from his frame whether deep or short. His 4.39 40 impressed more than his 32-inch vertical and 10-4 broad jump. Regardless, Olave planted his flag as one of the top two receivers in the draft.
Malik Willis
Willis consistently made things look easy on Thursday night, showing excellent arc on his deep throws. While he did overthrow a couple of shorter targets, his slants got into the receiver’s hands in a hurry. The moment wasn’t too big for him, and he was encouraging his fellow combine participants during their reps. He chose not to run a 40-yard dash in Indianapolis, but he already has plenty of tape that displays what he can do with the ball in his hands.
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2022 NFL Scouting Combine winners and losers, Day 2: Ickey Ekwonu (OT, NC State), Kenny Walker III shine
Ickey Ekwonu (OT, NC State)
With Alabama’s Evan Neal not working out during the combine, there was an informal competition between the other top-rated offensive linemen, Ekonwu and Mississippi State’s Charles Cross. Both ran sub-5.0-second 40-yard dashes, but the former member of the Wolfpack gets the slight edge, staying low out of his stance and looking smooth and quick during the various pulling and pass protection drills. Ekwonu showed a strong punch and exhibited very good lateral agility in mirror drills and also flashed redirect skills when required. Measuring exactly 6-foot-4 might not meet the standards some teams have for the tackle position, but Tristan Wirfs and Rashawn Slater have shown that it is not smart to overlook outside linemen with average height.
Kenny Walker III (Michigan State – RB)
Walker staked his claim to the No. 1 spot at running back on Friday night. His 4.38 40-yard-dash time at 211 pounds matches what he showed while earning the 2021 Doak Walker Award as college football’s top back. Walker’s 34-inch vertical and 10-foot-2 broad jump were solid, if not spectacular. His quick feet in agility drills were noteworthy, however, and he caught the ball well for a back who made just 19 grabs in three years at Wake Forest and Michigan State. Combining his 2021 tape with his confirmed speed might land him an early spot on Day 2 of the draft, and he might not have to wait for Breece Hall to come off the board first.
2022 NFL Scouting Combine winners and losers, Day 3: Georgia’s Jordan Davis, Travon Walker, Devonte Wyatt turn heads
Jordan Davis (Georgia DT) Davis wowed with a 4.78-second 40-yard dash, 32-inch vertical and 10-foot-3 broad jump at 341 pounds, amazing results for a player his size. He did not disappoint during drills, either, as he showed quick hands and excellent bend turning the corner for a guy likely to line up between the tackles. Davis’ lateral agility was exceptional, and even his ability to backpedal and transition forward was much better than that of the other interior linemen. Going through the drills did not seem to wear him down, either, which is another good sign that his conditioning is NFL-caliber. The performance should go a long way toward proving he’s not just a two-down player.
Travon Walker (Georgia – DE)
The combine was an excellent opportunity for Walker to show skills he did not get to show during his college career. At Georgia, he played inside while a slew of talented edge rushers got after the quarterback. During on-field drills, however, Walker took advantage of the chance to prove he could have handled that duty, posting a 4.51-second 40-yard dash, a 35 1/2-inch vertical, a 10-foot-3 broad jump and an elite 6.89-second three-cone drill. He displayed good flexibility for a player his size (6-foot-5, 272 pounds), turning the corner and running around hoops in drills to show his bend. Walker also displayed powerful punches and swipes at pads during his workout, portending a bright future as a pass rusher at the next level.
Devonte Wyatt – Georgia, DT
Wyatt played in Davis’ shadow at Georgia, and his teammate grabbed the headlines once again on Saturday with his prodigious size and athleticism. Wyatt deserves his own kudos, though, after showing off exceptional agility and heavy hands at 6-foot-3 and 304 pounds. Wyatt’s 4.77 40-yard dash is one the fastest times among combine defensive tackles since 2003. His low center of gravity and natural bend helped him change directions quickly, whether he was moving around hoops or spinning off tackling dummies in drills. Even with average length (32 5/8-inch arms), Wyatt could fit in any defensive scheme.
2022 NFL Scouting Combine winners and losers, Day 4: Sauce Gardner, Zyon McCollum show out
Sauce Gardner – Cincinnati, CB
Every offensive coordinator in college football knew to stay away from Sauce. Now, NFL teams know he has the athleticism to add flavor to their defense. His 4.41 40-yard dash checked the long speed box. Gardner’s hips and agility were just fine during drills, moving laterally and backpedaling with speed despite measuring over 6-foot-3 with an excellent 79 3/8-inch wingspan. Some teams may not like his lean 190-pound frame, but his length and competitive nature will likely entice someone to pick him early in the first round.
Zyon McCollum – Sam Houston State – CB
McCollum was one of my favorite non-FBS prospects heading into the 2021 season, and his combine performance cemented his status as a late-third or early-fourth round selection. He ran an outstanding 4.33 40 at 6-foot-2, 199 pounds and jumped 39.5 inches vertically. McCollum also displayed speed and agility on the field, flipping his hips adeptly for a corner his size. He missed a couple of catch opportunities but reeled in enough to show he can convert interceptions. McCollum was the only player from his combine group to run the short shuttle (3.94 seconds) and three-cone drill (6.48), and he excelled at both. Cornerback Cobie Durant from South Carolina State (4.38 40) and safety Markquese Bell from Florida A&M (4.41) were two other non-FBS defenders who also ran well and looked fluid in workouts.
NFL Combine 2022: Players who most improved their draft stock
Ikem Ekwonu, OL, NC State
Ekwonu highlighted the fasted offensive line class ever with a spotlighted performance and could be leaving Indianapolis at No. 1 overall on draft boards given his talent level and what was shown at Lucas Oil Stadium. Fluid hips is what you want to see out of a versatile offensive lineman and no player moved as well at the position. At 6-foot-4, 310 pounds, Ekwonu posted the second-fasted 40 time among players at his position and, according to NextGenStats, is one of four offensive linemen since 2003 to enter the draft after a max score of 99 overall at the combine, joining Jake Matthews, Jordan Gross and Lane Johnson.
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
The Liberty quarterback’s random act of kindness with someone outside of Lucas Oil Stadium prior to his on-field appearance at the combine was endearing and his performance as one of this cycle’s top signal callers soon thereafter impressed. There were a couple deep balls in particular he tossed Thursday night that seemed to wow analysts and he showed effortless precision with notable arm talent in the intermediate throw game. Arguably the best runner in this draft at his position, Willis chose not to run the 40-yard dash given what he’s shown on tape. It’s his escapability and natural talent as a passer that puts him No. 1 on most boards at quarterback.
Tyquan Thornton, WR, Baylor
To put Tyquan Thornton’s eye-popping performance in perspective, the Baylor product wasn’t even listed in the top 20 at wide receiver, per CBS Sports’ draft rankings, heading into Indianapolis and leaves with an early-round guarantee after a blazing fast 4.28 official in the 40-yard dash — one of the fastest times ever. His 10-foot-10 broad jump was sixth-best among wide receivers and Thornton’s 36.5-inch vertical leap was in the top half of players at his position. His senior season for the Bears was his breakout year with 62 catches for 948 yards and 10 touchdowns. It’ll be interesting to see where he lands at a deep position this draft cycle.
Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia
One of those workouts you had to see to believe, Georgia’s All-American interior pass rusher turned heads at 341 pounds with a 4.78-second time in the 40-yard dash, 32-inch vertical leap and a 10-foot-3 broad jump — all jaw-dropping numbers given his stature. During individual drills, Davis did not tire and showed impressive mobility and lateral movement for a player who will be expected to handle the opposition’s girth at the line of scrimmage at the next level. Many wondered about his conditioning level entering the combine, but Davis showed he’s in great shape with a notable quickness as one of this cycle’s largest defenders.
Amare Barno, EDGE, Virginia Tech
Barno, slotted as a mid to late-rounder coming into the weekend, brought the speed to the combine Saturday with an official 4.36 time in the 40-yard dash — the fastest for a defensive lineman since 2003. His 10-foot-11 mark in the broad jump was also best at his position. Barno began his collegiate career as a safety at at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas, before he transferred to Virginia Tech and starred along the Hokies’ defensive front after first starting out at linebacker for then-coach Justin Fuente. The move to the defensive line was a roaring success for Barno, who led the team with 6.5 sacks and earned top billing in the ACC with 16 tackles for loss last season.
Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
For those hoping there would be separation at the top of the running back group, Kenneth Walker III and Iowa State’s Breece Hall left many wondering which ballcarrier would be taken first. Walker, who hails from Michigan State and was the Doak Walker winner last season, blazed a 4.38 official in the 40-yard dash, a hair faster than Hall. Walker’s 34-inch vertical ranked in the top-half of the position. Pro Day performances for Walker and Hall may determine which one of this cycle’s top ballcarriers goes first as the top running back off the board. More on Hall’s performance in Indianapolis, later.
Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Pick any Georgia defensive player and you’ll be pleased with their effort at the combine, but Walker was another who cemented first-round status. Along with teammates Davis and Devonte Wyatt, Walker showed why many scouts have a top-15 grade on him after posting a 4.51-second 40-yard dash, a 35.5-inch vertical and a 6.89-second three-cone drill. Only Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson, who could go No. 1 overall, had a better time in the three-cone. Walker was elite in the on-field portion and showed easy mobility laterally with noticeable power through the bags. He’s one of several Georgia defenders who will hear his name called early in a few weeks.
Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
Breece Hall entered the event as the top-rated running back, according to most analysts, and did not disappoint in showing why he rushed for over 3,000 yards the past two seasons at Iowa State. He’s one of only six running backs since 2003 to earn a NextGenStats score of 99 overall, joining Najee Harris, Travis Etienne, Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Reggie Bush. All of those players were first-round picks. Hall posted a sub-4.4 in the 40-yard dash and managed a position-best 40-inch vertical leap. We mentioned previously that franchises no longer place a premium on the running back position, but Hall is one of a few at the top of his group worthy of a closer look early.
Damone Clark, LB, LSU
Clark wasn’t mentioned among the elites at the position alongside Alabama’s Christian Harris and Utah’s Devin Lloyd among others, but LSU’s star tackler showed he is one of the SEC’s top players at the position with a strong showing. Clark caught everything thrown his way during individual interception drills and ranked in the top-tier of fellow linebackers across the board with a 4.57 time in the 40-yard dash, a 36.5-inch vertical and a 10-foot-7 broad jump. Essentially, Clark showed on the field what his film reveals — he’s a tenacious player who measures up athletically. It’s hard to imagine Clark dropping to Day 3 later this year.
Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Olave separated himself from the rest of the second group of wide receivers and showed effortless ability as a pass-catcher in on-field drills with elite hands. Olave’s speed is what kept most analysts talking after his showing in Indianapolis, more than his 32-inch vertical and 10-4 broad jump. Scouts have noted Olave’s crisp ability as a route runner and he displayed numerous route cuts with precision. Olave’s Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson enjoyed a notable performance as well.
Poll Question
What is your favorite cereal?
Frosted Flakes – 0%, Cinnamon Toast Crunch – 66.7%, Lucky Charms – 33.3%, Other 0
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Santiago Leon is the Founder and CEO of the Sports Cast. He covers NFL, NBA, and world soccer. He’s also founder of sleon productions, which he specializes in technology and serves clients with solutions to make their business grow.
