College Football Defensive Tackles Shine at the NFL Combine
There has been very little evidence to support any separation between two of the top defensive tackle prospects in this year’s NFL draft, Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy.
But a show of endurance and strength, or lack thereof, at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis could be a red flag for one player.
Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy completed only 23 bench-press repetitions of 225 pounds Sunday, and that was worrisome for NFL.com draft analyst Mike Mayock, who ranks McCoy as the best DT prospect in the draft, ahead of Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh.
“When you start comparing numbers, which is what this combine is all about, in the weight room yesterday Suh did 32 and McCoy did 23,” Mayock said Monday on the NFL Network. “I was stunned that McCoy only did 23 reps. That tells me he hasn’t been in the weight room the way he should have been over the last three years.”
McCoy was tied for 35th among 50 defensive linemen who took part in the bench press. Suh ranked sixth. The top defensive lineman, Jeff Owens of Georgia, had 44 reps.
Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was so impressive at the NFL scouting combine that he should have placed some distance between himself and Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy as far as who is the highest-rated prospect in the draft.
Unless St. Louis reaches to fill a need position by taking Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, the Rams are expected to select Suh.
“I just like being No. 1 and striving for No. 1,” Suh said. “If I’m to be No. 1, I’d be happy. If I’m not, then get ready for that next team who wants me and make the most of it.”
Suh (6-4, 307) bench-pressed 225 pounds 32 times and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.98 seconds.
Suh’s 35½-inch vertical jump, showed the kind of explosive power he has, and, was one of the best in combine history for a player at his position. He excelled at almost every drill.
Ideally, Suh will play tackle in a 4-3.
“I think I’d be able to adjust to anything,” he said. “I think whatever the team needs me to do I’ll be able to do.”
Suh was so dominant last season that he had 12 sacks, 24 tackles for loss and 26 hurries.
Unlike a lot of other highly rated prospects, Suh and McCoy never considered not working out at the combine for representatives from all 32 teams.
So who is the best?
“Two great players that’ll be great in this league,” Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said. “A couple of different styles, but both their styles are going to work.”
McCoy finished with six sacks and 15½ tackles for loss as a junior last season.
“I have a strong work ethic,” McCoy said. “I try to outwork the opponent that I’m going against.”
We here at Live From Then Press Box.Com vote for Ndamukong Suh!!
3 Future Stars that also Shined in Mondays Workouts;
1. Geno Atkins: DT, Georgia
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 293 pounds
Arm length: 32 in.
40-yard dash time: 4.75 (unofficial)
Bench reps: 34
2. Brandon Graham: DE/OLB, Michigan
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 268 pounds
Arm length: 32.25 in.
40-yard dash time: 4.72
Bench reps: 31
3. Sean Weatherspoon: OLB, Missouri
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 239 pounds
Arm Length: 31.25 in.
40-yard dash time: 4.68
Bench reps: 34