Draft season technically kicks off when the all-star games come around (or when your favorite team is eliminated from playoff contention), but it kicks into high gear with the start of the NFL Scouting Combine. As the week progresses, we will take a look at players who may have made positive or negative impressions on teams by the end of each day. On Sunday, Defensive Backs did agility testing and on-field drills
CORNER BACKS
STOCK UP:
Jeff Okudah, from Ohio State, was already the top corner in the draft. All he had to do was hold his place. His day started with a disappointing 4.48-second 40, but his feet were an absolute blur in drills, his change of direction was fluid, and he demonstrated toughness when he rallied from an ugly fall and apparent neck tweak to post an impressive 41-inch vertical and 11'3" broad jump.
Javelin Guidry, from Utah, didn't do much testing, but he delivered on the fast 40 time he promised earlier in the week. At 4.29 seconds, he paced a fast group of defensive backs.
Florida's CJ Henderson presented the total package to evaluators this week. He measured up well earlier in the week, demonstrated some weight room discipline with 20 reps on the bench, showed off his speed with a 4.39 second 40, and looked smooth and natural in on-field drills while taking the opportunity to display his soft, reliable hands.
STOCK DOWN:
Florida State's Stanford Samuels and Mississippi State's Cameron Dantzler both had the same problem: they ran way too slow for their size. Running a 4.65-second 40 at 187 pounds and a 4.64 40 at 188 pounds had to push Samuels and Dantzler, respectively, down draft boards. No one wants to spend an early pick on a Cornerback with questionable long speed, but at least a heavier prospect could make a case to perform well in a scheme that emphasizes more press technique and run support from the position. While Samuels looked pretty average in drills, Dantzler looked fluid enough to still have a shot to go later in Day 2.
SAFETIES
STOCK UP:
Jeremy Chin, from Southern Illinois, was one of the best-testing safeties at the Combine, and he followed up his 41-inch vertical, 11'6" broad jump, and 4.45-second 40 with tremendous drill work, highlighted by mobile hips and great change of direction.
Minnesota's Antoine Winfield, Jr. had a good 40 (4.45 seconds) for his size, as well as a solid 36-inch vertical jump.
Clemson's Tanner Muse showed a great combination of strength and speed this week, following up his 20-repetition performance on the bench with an impressive 4.41-second 40 yard dash.
STOCK DOWN:
Xavier McKinney had a disappointing day. Although he did okay in the jumps, he ran a disappointing 4.63-second 40 before pulling up with an apparent injury and shutting it down for the day. He will look to perform drills (and hopefully improve on his 40 time) at Alabama's pro day.
Geno Stone, from Iowa, had a rough week that just got worse yesterday. He started his Combine by posting a disappointing 29 1/4-inch arm length, then only posted 12 repetitions on the bench, and he finished up on Sunday with a 4.62-second 40, 33 1/2-inch vertical, and tight hips and awkward change of direction in drills
That wraps up this series on Combine coverage. Thanks for sticking with me through the week!