1. AARON CURRY, LB, WAKE FOREST- He looked like a beast! Some players just want to keep their stock when already rated pretty high. This guy is motivated to be the first pick of the draft! Great to see, whoever gets him is a lucky team.
2. LAWRENCE SIDBURY, DE, RICHMOND- I noticed his elite athleticism during Senior Bowl drills. He ran the fastest of any d-lineman at the combine. Maybe he could play linebacker some?
3. DONALD WASHINGTON, DB, OHIO STATE- His 45 vertical jump is insane. He didn’t look great in college sometimes but workouts at least show you are a good athlete.
4. LADARIUS WEBB, DB, NICHOLLS STATE- The defensive backs ran slow. Webb though led the group with a solid 4.46 forty time. He definitely got himself in better position draft-wise. Gotta love the small school guys.
5. JASPER BRINKLEY, LB, SOUTH CAROLINA- This is a guy who is a freakish athlete and a solid linebacker. He was injured during his last season and speed has always been an issue. He then ran well and put himself into the middle rounds at least. Nice job.
6. EVERETTE BROWN, DE, FLORIDA STATE- Ran decently and kept himself in first round consideration. Will be a solid 4-3 d end at the next level.
7. CONNOR BARWIN, DE, CINCINNATI- Ran well and even played tight end in college. What a great athlete. Helped his value as a d-lineman with a 4.66 time.
7. BRIAN CUSHING, LB, USC- Simply looked smooth in drills and will definitely be a first round pick at linebacker.
8. CLAY MATTHEWS, LB, USC- Went from walk-on to possible first round pick? What a great story. It helps that he has three relatives that played in the league including his father.
9. CHRIS CLEMONS, S, CLEMSON- Ran a 4.41 forty. Not bad for a guy trying to get out of the shadow of the other Clemson safety named Michael Hamlin.
10. STANLEY ARNOUX, LB, WAKE FOREST- Overshadowed by Mr. Aaron Curry, Stanley ran the second fastest forty besides Curry and obviously helped himself. Those Demon Decons apparently make ‘em fast.
11. GERALD MCGRATH, LB, SOUTHERN MISS- Ran well also. Has decent size at 6′2, 231. Man this team is putting out players as well.
12. C.J. SPILLMAN, S, MARSHALL- Ran a solid 4.50 forty. Also has good size at 6′0, 197. Tall safeties are a plus and he put himself in good position for draft day.
13. DAVID BRUTON, S, NOTRE DAME- This guy is huge at 6′2, 219. He shows up at the combine and runs a solid 4.46. That is impressive. If this guy can play at the next level, he will be fun to watch.
Losers on Defense
1. REY MAUALUGA, LB, USC- He ran really slow in the forty and pulled up injured. He will have to really look good at USC’s pro day to gain back some ground. Other USC linebackers are moving past him on draft boards actually.
2. BRIAN ORAKPO, DE, TEXAS- Scouts wanted to see an athletic guy who could play outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He also got injured and will have to workout well at his pro day to gain back some ground.
3. MALCOLM JENKINS, DB, OHIO STATE- Was generally regarded as the top corner before the combine. He ran much slower than expected and really hurt his stock. Now there is even talk that he will have to move to safety. Not a good chain of events.
4. VONTAE DAVIS, CB, ILLINOIS- He has always been an exceptional athlete. Once again, this time during the combine, he showed off his athleticism while at the same time looking terrible technique-wise. A good secondary coach could get him squared away though. Would have been considered the top corner if he would have performed better since Jenkins ran slow. Doesn’t help that his bother Vernon hasn’t done much after being a top pick for the 49ers.
