Linemen Own 2014 NFL Combine Thus Far

Feb 22, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Auburn Tigers offensive lineman Greg Robinson runs the 40 yard dash during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

While many were hoping to see the athleticism on display, including yours truly, this year the NFL Scouting Combine has a unique style to it in terms of putting that athleticism on display.

Typically we are thinking of running backs, wide receivers, scrambling quarterbacks, tight ends, etc. when we think of the 40-yard dash. Not this year, however. The linemen put on quite a display this year for scouts.

Of course, let’s start with the obvious…My #3 overall player South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney blazed through the 40 posting two unofficial times of 4.47 and 4.48 walking away with an official 4.53 at 6’5″ 265 pounds. To put that in perspective for you, that’s faster than QB Johnny Manziel, RB’s Terrance West and Andre Williams, o.o3 slower than speedster De’Anthony Thomas, and faster than all but one of this year’s tight ends including TE Eric Ebron who stated that his combination of size and speed should be illegal…I’d say Clowney’s combination should be even more so..

But I can one up you there…Pitt DT Aaron Donald measured in at 6’1″ 285 pounds and ran the 40 in an astronomical 4.65 seconds…officially! He also was able to rep out 225 pounds 35 times along with posting a 7.11 second 7 -cone drill. WOW, WOW, WOW! For a kid that truly has gone under-the-radar, Donald is sure to move up draft boards after that performance similar to how Dontari Poe moved up boards after his impressive combine performance a few years back.

We had 13 defensive ends and 1 defensive tackle post times in the 40 of 4.84 or better. That’s disgusting.

But the defensive linemen are not the only linemen who deserve some spot light here, the offensive linemen also had themselves quite a day just a few days ago. Two players really stood out from the pack, in my opinion.

Auburn left tackle Greg Robinson posted a 4.92 40-yard dash at 6’5″ 332 pounds. Wait, what? That’s real. IT’S DAMN REAL! He moved fluidly through drills and showed pure athleticism and power by putting up 225 pounds 32 times. He clearly is in consideration for the conversation as the #1 overall prospect in this year’s class…and he still is MY #1 prospect.

But the man who may have helped himself out the most is Michigan left tackle Taylor Lewan, who measured in at 6’7″ 309 pounds and put up 225 pounds 29 times. But it was his athleticism that shot him back up draft boards in Indianapolis Saturday. Lewan ran a mind-boggling 4.87 40-yard dash, easily one of the top performances of the weekend. Lewan has been falling due to a poor senior campaign, but he is definitely rising back up boards after his weekend.

Let’s not forget that this year we have a solid group of corners and safeties who possess insane athleticism, therefore we could see some astronomical times posted tomorrow beginning at 9 A.M. EST. That being said, this year the linemen of the 2014 NFL Draft Class have absolutely owned the combine from start to finish.

Did you miss this weekend’s edition of Direct Snap? No worries: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/finsradio/2014/02/23/direct-snap

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