Buffalo Fanatics’ All-Combine Team

With the NFL Scouting Combine coming to a close, let us take a look at some of the players who really caught the eyes of the scouts and of us here at Buffalo Fanatics.

Quarterback: Tyree Jackson, Buffalo

Okay, I may be a little biased on this one, but Jackson really outdid himself this weekend. Jackson ran a 4.59 second forty, second among quarterbacks behind Penn State’s Trace McSorley. He had the top vertical jump at 34 1/2 inches and tied with Duke’s Daniel Jones for the top broad jump at 10 feet. Right now, Jackson is still looked at as a developmental-style quarterback, but after this performance, scouts may have a different opinion of him.

Second Team: Drew Lock, Missouri

Running back: Justice Hill, Oklahoma State

Justice Hill is a prospect who really surprised many of the scouts this weekend. A three-year starter for Mike Gundy and the Pokes, his blazing 4.4 40 time really turned the heads of scouts this weekend. To add on, he also had a 130″ broad jump, a 40″ vertical, and 22 reps of 225 on the becnh.

Second Team: Alex Barnes, Kansas State

Wide receiver: D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss

Is this even a question? Metcalf absolutely balled out this weekend had NFL scouts going absolutely bananas over him, even the Bills gave him some love on instagram. Metcalf ran a blistering 4.33 40-Yard dash which had scouts drooling over his speed for his size. He also showed his pure strength on the bench press, producing 27 reps of 225 lbs, which is tied for with ex-Arizona State Sun Devil N’Keal Harry and tied for the record at the position with Bobby Foster.

Second Team: Myles Boykin, Notre Dame

Tight End: Noah Fant, Iowa

You might be wondering why we did not put his ex-teammate and John Mackey Award winner T.J. Hockenson for this role. Although he was not too far behind, Noah Fant stole the show and blew the minds out of scouts this weekend. He finished in the top-5 in six of the seven workouts for his position this weekend, leading in five of them. The most surprising was his 4.51 40-yard dash. Fant proved that he has the athleticism to be a solid tight end in this league and also is a factor for giving his alma-matter the rightful title of “Tight End University”.

Second Team: T.J. Hockenson, Iowa

Tackle: Andre Dillard, Washington State

Andre Dillard had a strong outing on Friday, running a 4.99 official 40, which was the fastest among offensive tackles. He put up 24 reps on the bench press, 29.0 inches on his vertical, a broad jump of 118.0 inches (first among offensive lineman), and 4.4-second 20-yard shuttle (first among offensive lineman).

Second Team: Jawaan Taylor, Florida

Guard: Iosua Opeta, Weber State

Coming from FBS school Weber State, Iosua Opeta (pronounced oh-pet-ah) really took advantage of his combine invitation. He took home the trophy for most reps on bench press with 39 reps, beating out Clemson defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence (36). Opeta also ran a 40-yard dash in 5.02 seconds, which was the fifth-best among offensive lineman.

Second Team: Chris Lindstrom, Boston College

Center: Garrett Bradbury, N.C. State

This was a toss-up between him and Texas A&M Center Eric McCoy, but I had to give this one to Bradbury. Following Opeta, Bradbury repped 225 pounds 34 times, second among offensive lineman and fourth overall. Bradbury also ran an unofficial 4.92-second 40-yard dash, which was third among offensive lineman. He also finished top 5 in the three-cone drill (7.41) and short shuttle (4.52).

Second Team: Eric McCoy, Texas A&M

Defensive Tackle: Quinnen Williams, Alabama

This is no debate, Williams put on a show this weekend. For starters, he ran a 4.83 40-yard dash at 303 pounds. Yup, you read that right. He ran faster than most of the offensive or defensive lineman in this class and is arguably the fastest 300-pounder to ever compete in the combine. The two other drills Williams competed in, vertical jump (30.5 in) and broad jump (112.0 in), he did very well. According to NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein, Williams has the caliber to be a pro-bowl caliber player.

Second Team: Dexter Lawrence, Clemson

EDGE: Montez Sweat, Mississippi State

Sweat was a clear winner of the weekend. At his size, Sweat ran a 4.41 40-yard dash, which is an NFL Combine record for a defensive lineman. Sweat also showed his skills in movement, showing how versatile a player like him could be.

Second Team: Rashan Gary, Michigan

Linebacker: Devin Bush, Michigan

It was a surprise to most that Bush declared this year, but he proved that he was ready for the NFL during the combine. Standing at 5’11”, Bush ran a 4.43 40-yard dash (second among linebackers), a 40 1/2-inch vertical jump (first among linebackers), and a 10’4″ broad jump (tied for third among linebackers). Right now, Bush proved how he could be a top-20 pick in this year’s draft.

Second Team: Drue Tranquill, Notre Dame

Cornerback: Jamel Dean, Auburn

Jamel Dean managed to run the second fastest 40-yard dash this weekend with a blazing speed of 4.30. The speed shows how Dean may be able to keep up with other speedy receivers in the NFL today, which bumps his draft stock up from a Day 3 to a Day 2 pick.

Second Team: Byron Murphy, Washington

Safety: Zedrick Woods, Ole Miss

The theme of “speed” among the players on this team does not change with Zedirck Woods. In fact, he was faster than anyone on this team. Hell, he was faster than anyone else at the Combine. Woods turned on the jets and ran a 4.29 40-yard dash, the fastest at this year’s combine. Woods now falls in the discussion for fastest 40-yard times with names like Chris Johnson, John Ross, Donte Jackson, and Denzel Ward.

Second Team: Juan Thornhill, Virginia