NFL COMBINE REPORT

Day 3
DT / DE / LB
Dr. Donovan- Lead NFL Draft Expert

Day 3 of the combine is probably my favorite day of the week. I am a defensive guy and think these guys are the key to winning championships. The main story on Day 3 included some key injuries unfortunately. I was really disappointed because 2 of the main guys I wanted to see both got hurt after their 40s. Texas DE/LB Brian Orakpo and USC LB Rey Maualuga came up limp and had to sit out the rest of their work-outs.

DT
The DT group is always a short list. Boston College ’s BJ Raji is the guy that most teams wanted to see at the DT position. He is a gap penetrating DT but is big enough to be a gap-filler as well at 334 lbs. He would be a decent 4-3 DT and is very versatile. The biggest riser at the DT position was Fili Moala from USC. This guy can be a gap penetrator but also is quick enough to be moved around to DE if needed which saves a roster spot and helps his draft stock. A couple of other guys who looked good were Raji’s teammate, Ron Brace from BC, and Evander “Ziggy” Hood from Missouri who is another versatile DT.

Donovan’s Elite 5- DT
B.J. Raji- BC
Evander Hood- Missouri
Ron Brace- BC
Peria Jerry- Mississippi
Fili Moala- USC

Donovan’s Morning-Wood Early Risers- DT
1. Fili Moala- USC
2. Evander Hood- Missouri
3. Terrance Taylor- Michigan
4. Myron Pryor- Kentucky
5. Mitch King- Iowa

DE
The DE class isn’t as deep as we’ve seen in the past but it may have some of the best athletes as a whole. There are a ton of players who can play DL and LB in certain schemes and a lot of successful defenses are going towards these types of athletes including juggernauts like the Steelers and Ravens. A couple guys to mention are DE Brian Orakpo from Texas who a lot of people are putting as a linebacker. This guy reminds me of last year’s DE/LB from Ohio State Vernon Gohlston without the “buyer beware” sign. I’m not writing off Gholston yet and think the hiring of Rex Ryan will help his development immensely but he has sick athletic abilities and blew it up at the combine just like Orakpo did this year. Another guy who absolutely killed it at the combine was Georgia Tech DE Michael Johnson who is a Gohlston clone and also is inconsistent and has the knock of taking plays off. He is #6 on my “Elite DEs list” just because of this intangible. A couple guys that helped their stock were Connor Barwin from Cincinnati who probably had the best day out of anybody, but I personally didn’t get to see much of him at the combine. My biggest riser of the day was Aaron Maybin from Penn State who is very versatile and can be a good pass rusher in the right system.

Donovan’s Elite 5- DE
Brian Orakpo- Texas
Everette Brown- Florida State
Robert Ayers- Tennessee
Paul Kruger- Utah
Larry English- N. Illinois


Donovan’s Morning-Wood Early Risers- DE
Aaron Maybin- Penn State
Connor Barwin- Cincinnati
Michael Johnson- Georgia Tech
Brandon Williams- Texas Tech
Tyson Jackson- LSU

LB
I was pretty disappointed that Rey Maualuga couldn’t work out due to an injury in the 40. Mark my words; this guy is gonna be the next great linebacker in the league if he gets to play as a MLB in a 4-3. The linebackers are a very deep class this year with big names including Wake Forest’s Aaron Curry who had a great combine and seems to be “as advertised” as the #1 LB this year. James “What a Rush” Laurinaitis didn’t impress me that much in his workouts or this season. I think he could be a good player but he needed to show me more at this point. The two guys I’m really high on are USC’s Brian Cushing who reminds me of Chad Greenway in his work ethic and professionalism, and, also from USC, Clay Matthews. Now do I think all three of these USC LBs are gonna be all-pros, not exactly but Matthews had probably the best workout along with Cushing. I was also really impressed with South Carolina ’s Jasper Brinkley who reminds me of Lavar Arrington and just looks like a solid athlete with tons of upside. If teams want a good ILB this year they better get them in the first round because these guys will go like hot cakes.

Donovan’s Elite 5- LB
Aaron Curry- Wake Forest
Rey Maualuga-USC
Brian Cushing- USC
James Laurinaitis- Ohio State
Darry Beckwith- LSU

Donovan’s Morning-Wood Early Risers- LB
Clay Matthews- USC
Jasper Brinkley- South Carolina
Darry Beckwith- LSU
Jason Phillips- TCU
Ivy Mortty- West Virginia