The 2023 NFL Combine is now in the books. So many of those questions about this draft class we’ve been hinging evaluations on for the past few months have, for the most part, been answered.
Coming away from the event, the projected draft boards are now as clear as they’ve been at any point in the process. That comes with plenty of movement – some significant – from the results over the weekend..
Over the past few years, the Patriots have trended more towards taking elite Combine testers in the draft. Last year alone, they drafted both the running back (Pierre Strong) and wide receiver (Tyquan Thornton) with the best 40-yard dash times in their class.
Which players – focusing mostly on potential Patriots targets – helped their stock the most in Indianapolis? Here’s a position-by-position look…
Quarterbacks
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 04: Quarterback Anthony Richardson of Florida participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 04, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Of course, the story of the quarterbacks and maybe of the entire Combine was Florida’s Anthony Richardson. Richardson blew evaluators away with both his record-setting testing – a 4.43 40 and 40.5-inch vertical at 6-foot-4, 244 pounds – and his on-field work. Projections for Richardson had been split coming into the event given his inconsistent play this fall, but it’s hard to see him falling outside of the top 10 now, and he has a real chance to go in the top 5. It certainly seemed as though he passed Kentucky’s Will Levis, who had been the QB3 behind Bryce Young of Alabama and C.J. Stroud of Ohio State.
It’s also worth bringing up a quarterback who didn’t even test this weekend. Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker was well on track to be a first-round pick back in November, but tore his ACL late in the season. The fact he may not be ready to play in 2023, combined with the fact that he’ll be a 25-year-old rookie, had most experts projecting him to go at some point on Day 2.
However, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday that Hooker “received positive medical reports” at the Combine and is “on track to be ready for the season opener.” If teams feel confident that his knee is in good shape, he could realistically re-enter the first-round conversation. For Patriots fans hoping to see the team take a quarterback in Day 2, this would take one option off the board in a QB class that already lacks depth beyond the first round (currently Stanford’s Tanner McKee is the only other quarterback projected to go on Day 2).
Running backs
Mar 5, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs (RB09) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Ever since the Patriots hired Bill O’Brien from Alabama to be their offensive coordinator, it’s been a popular ‘hot’ draft take that the team might consider taking Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the second round – perhaps even trading up to do so. The concept of the Patriots taking a running back that high, given their other needs, doesn’t make a ton of sense but Gibbs thrived in O’Brien’s offense and could help limit Rhamondre Stevenson’s workload.
Those still hoping to see that now will have to hope the team gets very aggressive to make it happen. Gibbs had a stellar Combine with a 4.36 40-time (second fastest among running backs), and looked very natural as a pass catcher. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him sneak into the first round based on that performance.
If the Patriots do want to take a running back who can contribute in the passing game, but don’t want to use a top-100 pick, Evan Hull from Northwestern is a name to know. Hull, who caught 55 passes for the Wildcats last year in a passing-down-heavy role, rand a 4.47 second 40 and had a 6.9 second 3-cone, the latter of which was the best of any running back. He also measured in at 5-foot-10, 209 pounds, a good size for a player who projects to be in a role that will require pass blocking.
Wide receivers
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 04: Wide receiver Zay Flowers of Boston College participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 04, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
One of the biggest winners of the entire week in Indy was Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers. Not only did Flowers weight in better than expected (5-foot-9, 182 pounds) run a 4.42 second 40, and record a 35.5-inch vertical while looking incredibly smooth during the on-field drills, the other top wide receivers he’s competing with for the WR1 spot didn’t have as strong of showings.
USC’s Jordan Addison’s 4.49 40 was slower than expected, and his measurable’s weren’t favorable either. Quentin Johnston of TCU and Jaxson Smith-Njigba of Ohio State both elected not to run the 40, despite questions about play speed for both. Overall, Flowers may very well walk away from the event as the consensus top receiver in the draft, although Smith-Njigba excelled at the agility drills with a 6.57 3-cone and 3.93 20-yard shuttle – both positional bests.
The real standout from the position though was West Virginia’s Bryce Ford-Wheaton, who was on the Patriots’ Shrine Bowl team. Wheaton checked in at 6-foot-4, 221 pounds, which is already impressive in its own regard. But that was just the beginning as he ran a 4.38 40 (4th-fastest among WRs), had a 41-inch vertical (1st), 6.97 second 3-cone (7th), and 4.15 second short shuttle (3rd).
That combination of speed, agility, and explosiveness is rare. In fact, he is just the third player since 2003 at least 6-foot-3, to run a sub-4.4 and have a 40+-inch vertical, joining D.K. Metcalf and Tariq Woolen. Given his previous experience with the Patriots, and their favoring Combine numbers in recent years, he could have made his way onto their board.
There also were some projected Day 3 slot receivers who stood out, in particular because of their 40 times. Demario Douglas from Liberty, another Shrine Bowl West Team player, ran a 4.44 and looked smooth in on-field drills. Rakim Jarrett from Maryland and Charlie Jones from Purdue ran a 4.44 and 4.43 respectively, both times better than expected. Douglas also came in second in the broad jump at 11-foot-2.
Tight ends
Mar 4, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia tight end Darnell Washington (TE17) participates in drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The tight end class lived up to the hype at this year’s Combine. It’s a good year to need a tight end, but at the same time the class is incredibility deep so there’s no need to rush to grab one in the top 50.
Coming into the event, no player at the position faced more questions than Darnell Washington of Georgia. Most of those questions regarded his athleticism and if he’d be able to play at the size he played at for the Bulldogs and be an effective pass catcher in the NFL.
After his workout, it looks like he should be able to do just that. At 6-foot-7, 264 pounds he ran a4.64 40, which ranked sixth among a fast tight end class and was much better than expected. On the bench he put up 21 reps, which ranked fourth.He also shined on the on-field drills, toying with the blocking sled and then capping the day with a one-handed catch.
Another player who answered a lot of questions is Old Dominion’s Zack Kuntz. Even as far as draft prospects go, Kuntz is a relative unknown. He spent his first three seasons at Penn State barely playing, went to ODU in 2021, then missed all but three games in 2022 due to a previously undisclosed injury. This winter, rumors circulated that he was crushing his workouts.
It turns out, there is substance to the hype. At 6-foot-7, 255 pounds, Kuntz was .01 seconds off the fastest tight end 40, at 4.55. He also led the position with a 40-inch vertical – making him the tallest player since NFL Network began tracking in 2003 to record a 40+-inch vertical. On top of that, he tied for the most bench reps by a tight end with 23. He uncertainty around his injury was cleared up as well with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reporting that he had surgery to repair a dislocated kneecap last year, but has since been fully cleared.
Offensive linemen
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 05: Broderick Jones of Georgia participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 05, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
For the most part, the top of this highly-touted tackle class showed out. Broderick Jones from Georgia and Anton Harrison from Oklahoma both ran sub 5.0 40s, with Jones at 4.97 and Harrison at 4.98. Those were the two fastest 40s by linemen. For players whose evaluations are based on athleticism, that’s a good sign. Both had good 10-yard splits as well, Jones at 1.74 and Harrison at 1.77.
Both players also measured in better than expected. Jones is 6-foot-5, 311 pounds with 34.75-inch arms, and Harrison is 6-foot-4, 315 pounds with 34.1-inch arms. Along with Jones and Harrison, Paris Johnson had a good showing in the on-field drills, which are very important for linemen.
If there was a knock at the top of the class, it involved Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski. Skoronski’s arms measured in at 32.25 inches. In the last 10 years, only two tackles have been drafted in the first round with under 33-inch arms. None have made a Pro Bowl in that span. Now the question becomes will teams bank on his technical skill to overcome his frame and still view him as a tackle, or start projecting him at guard? Skoronski himself said earlier this week that in meetings with teams, he wasn’t asked about playing inside.
In terms of offensive line depth, no player helped their stock more than Blake Freeland of BYU. Freeland’s 1.68 10-yard split was the best among offensive tackles, and he came in with a sub-5.0 40 at 4.98. At 6-foot-8, 302 pounds he looked controlled in the on-field drills. It was good bounce-back for him after a rough Senior Bowl.
On the interior, Anthony Bradford had the second-best 10-second split at 1.74 seconds. At 6-foot-4, 332 pounds he moved well, especially in the open field drills.
Defensive linemen
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 02: Defensive lineman Calijah Kancey of Pittsburgh participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 02, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
On defense, we have to start with Pitt DT Calijah Kancey. He paced all defensive tackles with a 4.67 second 40, .14 seconds faster than the next closest at the position. At 6-foot-1, 281 pounds, Kancey fits the mold as an athletic interior pass rusher, a role that is becoming more and more common across the NFL. With his performance, he may have cemented his spot at the second player to come off the board at that position behind (previously) projected top-five pick Jalen Carter.
Dante Stills of West Virginia fits a similar mold, but doesn’t have the ceiling Kancey does and is expected to go on Day 3. He certainly helped his stock and may have pushed his way into the top 150. His drills, highlighted by a 4.85 40 at 6-foot-3, 286 pounds, saw him come away with the 8th best composite score among defensive linemen, per NFL.com.
Few players had a better Combine overall than Northwestern defensive end Adetomiwa Adebawore. He ranked top five among defensive ends in the 40 (4.49 seconds), vertical (37.5 inches), and bench press (27 reps). A 6-foot-2, 282 pound edge setter, and coming off of a practice player of the week performance at the Senior Bowl, he profiles strongly as a Patriots draft pick.
Linebackers
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 02: Linebacker Anfernee Orji of Vanderbilt participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 02, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Last year, the linebacker class was totally transformed at the Combine with eye-popping performances across the board. That wasn’t the case this year, but there were still standouts.
Vanderbilt middle linebacker Anfernee Orji picked up where he left off after a strong showing at the Shrine Bowl. His explosive measurements were all among the best of the group, from his 1.54 10-yard split which ranked second, and position-leading 38.5-inch vertical. He also had the second-best 3-cone at the position running the drill in seven seconds flat. Those numbers, combined with the fact the Patriots worked with him in Las Vegas, should put him on the radar.
Another linebacker the Patriots worked with at the Shrine Bowl – Florida’s Brenton Cox – also had a good showing. In addition to putting up 24 reps on the bench, he also shined in open field drills.
A couple of other outside linebackers popped as well. Yasir Abdullah from Louisville tested well across the board with a 4.47 40, 36.5-inch vertical jump, and 10-foot-9 broad jump. That backed up the athleticism he showed at the Shrine Bowl.
An under-the-radar-interesting player was Jose Ramirez from Eastern Michigan, who actually worked out with the defensive linemen. Not only did he run an excellent 6.95 second 3-cone, but he seemed to take on a leadership role among the group of players he was working with.
Cornerbacks
Mar 3, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon defensive back Christian Gonzalez (DB14) participates in drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
As a whole, the cornerback position was the most impressive at the Combine this year. The group was viewed as crowded at the top to begin with, and it still feels that way coming away from the event.
If there was one winner in the first group, it was Christian Gonzalez from Oregon. Everything Gonzalez did looked effortless and natural, including his 4.38 40 and 41.5-inch vertical at 6-foot-1, 197 pounds.
Deonte Banks of Maryland also turned in an overall impressive effort. He ran a 4.35 40 and had a 42-inch vertical at 6-foot, 197 pounds. He also looked very comfortable in the open field drills.
South Carolina has become somewhat of a cornerback factory in recent years, and both of the Gamecocks’ top corners had strong showings. Darius Rush built on a strong Senior Bowl, measuring in at 6-foot-2, 198 pounds at the Combine and then running a 4.36-second 40. Cam Smith wasn’t far behind with a 4.43 40 at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, and also had a 38-inch vertical.
Many in the Day 2 group of cornerbacks saw their stocks lifted as well. Michigan’s DJ Turner paced all players at the event, running a 4.26 40. Tyrique Stevenson from Miami ran a 4.45 and was one of the best performers in the open field drills. Julius Brents from Kansas State didn’t wow in the 40, but his 4.53 at 6-foot-3 isn’t a bad number. He also led all corners with an 11-foot-6 broad jump, 6.63-second 3-cone, 4.05 second shuttle, and was second with a 41.5-inch vertical.
Finally, sticking with the theme of players building on strong all-star game performances, Shrine Bowl standout Terell Smith from Minnesota ran better than expected. He recorded a 4.41 40 at 6-foot-1.
Safeties
Mar 3, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois defensive back Sydney Brown (DB42) participates in drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
If South Carolina is the cornerback school this year, then Illinois is the safety school. Both of the Illini’s top safeties, Jartavius Martin and Sydney Brown, tested incredibly well. Martin in particular starred, running a 4.46 40 which ranked third among the group, but leading all safeties in the 10-yard split (1.47 seconds), vertical (44 inches), and broad jump (11-foot-1). Given the connection between the Patriots and Illinois head coach Bret Bielema, who was an assistant with the Patriots in 2018 and 2019, those two and the other Illinois players in this draft are worth knowing.
As for Day 3 safeties, Jordan Howden from Minnesota tested well with a 4.49 second 40. He had a strong week on the Patriots-coached team at the Shrine Bowl last month.
