Teams begin search for next Metcalf
Who will be the DK Metcalf of this year’s NFL scouting combine?
Replicating the marks set by the wide receiver last year might prove impossible, as the Seahawks standout took Indianapolis by storm when he recorded a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, 401⁄2-inch vertical leap and 27 bench press reps. But Metcalf was just the latest prospect to seize significant attention at the combine, and a few other players figure to command the spotlight this year.
Posting gaudy numbers, however, doesn’t always result in an early selection on draft day, as Metcalf was not taken until late in the second round. And while the information gleaned from testing and onfield drills can be entertaining fodder for observers, the information learned from medical evaluations and interviews can be even more important.
With that said, here are some prospects who could create the biggest buzz at this year’s combine:
1. Isaiah Simmons, LB-S, Clemson
No one else has the acrossthe-board athleticism. At 6-4 and 230 pounds, he ran step for step with Clemson running back Travis Etienne when the two raced last year. And his marks for the broad jump and vertical leap could be among the best in Indianapolis. Simmons can set the new standard for what teams seek in their hybrid defenders.
2. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
Maybe the most anticipated individual drill will take place when Ruggs steps to the line to run his 40. His track speed – he set the 7A state record for the 100 meters at 10.58 seconds – also translates to the field, where he repeatedly broke long gains out of slants and screens in addition to hauling in deep passes.
3. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
The 6-6, 227-pound passer already impressed in Senior Bowl practices before earning MVP honors for the game, and the combine’s format accentuates his strengths – pro-ready build, arm strength and mobility – while de-emphasizing questions on his touch and ball placement.
4. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
The four-time New Jersey state champion in the 100 meters and 4x100 relay has breakaway speed. And standing at 510 and 221 pounds with a squat of 605 pounds, he is plenty powerful, too. Taylor has a prime opportunity to highlight impressive attributes that extend beyond his instincts on the field.
5. C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
The 40 and agility drills should provide platforms to show off his first-rate closing speed and quickness. After bulking up to 202, he’s more powerful than one might think, shown by his 545-pound squat and 380-pound bench press.
6. Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
The combine could serve as a national re-emergence for Reagor, whose electric play was inhibited in 2019 by TCU’s erratic passing attack. The 5-11, 195pound big-play threat forces defenses to respect his deep speed and offers significant value as a returner. His on-field work might be even more important given concerns about his drops.
7. Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
Wirfs will earn plenty of attention in the weight room after he broke Iowa’s hang clean record with four reps of 450 pounds last year. At 6-5 and 322 pounds, he also has recorded an astonishing 35-inch vertical leap. The former state wrestling champion is one of the most fluid pass protectors.
8. Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
The 6-5, 315-pound AllAmerican earned rave reviews in just two days of practice at the Senior Bowl. Kinlaw has put himself in the same class as Auburn’s Derrick Brown, who also could turn heads, and could continue to build a case to land in the top 10.
9. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
With a massive 6-9 wingspan and 10-inch hands, Aiyuk has rare measurables for a receiver, particularly one who is a shade under 6-0 and 203 pounds. The real key is fieldstretching acceleration that should shine through in the 40 and agility drills. In a crowded group of receivers, anything Aiyuk can do to distinguish himself will bolster his chances to end up in the first round.