2014 NFL Combine Bench Press Analysis: Defensive Backs

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This is the 2014 NFL Combine Bench Press Analysis for the defensive backs. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.


2014 NFL Combine: Bench Press Analysis – Defensive Backs
By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell

  • Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert is in the running to be the first cornerback selected in the 2014 NFL Draft, and he got his Combine off to a great start with 20 reps on the bench press. That was the second-highest total of any cornerback. The 6-foot, 200-pound Gilbert has developed his body well and has the strength to battle receivers. If Gilbert performs well in the field drills and 40-yard dash, he could end up in the top 10.

  • Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard (5-11, 191) produced 15 reps on the bench press. It wasn’t a bad total and won’t present any red flags for Dennard.

  • Louisville safety Calvin Pryor had a quality total of 18 reps on the bench press. That was a respectable showing from the 5-11, 207-pounder. He measued in smaller than expected, so it was good for him to get a positive result out of the bench press.

  • Alabama safety HaHa Clinton-Dix (6-1, 208) had a disappointing total on the bench press with only 11 reps. For a safety above 200 pounds, one would think that Clinton-Dix could have produced a better total.



  • Minnesota defensive back Brock Vereen (6-0, 199) had 25 reps to lead all of the defensive backs. That is an impressive total that fell three short of last year’s top number among defensive backs produced by Steelers safety Shamarko Thomas. Vereen played safety and cornerback in college, so he could help himself a lot if continues to show flexibility at the Combine.

  • The lowest total of any defensive back who participated came from Florida cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy. He had only six reps on the bench press. Purifoy (5-11, 191) also checked in smaller than advertised. He should have returned for his senior year, and his Combine is off to a terrible start.

  • Florida cornerback Marcus Roberson (6-0, 191) had eight reps on the bench press. That’s not as bad as Purifoy, but definitely another poor performance. Roberson is a cover corner, but he could use more strength for defending big receivers.

  • One can’t attribute Roberson and Purifoy’s total to Florida’s strength program because teammate Jaylen Watkins led all the cornerbacks at the Combine with 22 reps on the bench press. Watkins (5-11, 194) is basically the same size as his teammates, but he was far more dedicated in the weight room. Watkins had a good Senior Bowl, and now his Combine is off to an impressive start.



  • Northern Illinois safety Jimmie Ward (5-11, 193) is viewed as a second-day pick. His lack of size is one of the reasons why he isn’t being viewed as a first-rounder. Ward’s nine reps on the bench press show that he could use more strength for the next level.

  • Oregon State cornerback Rashaad Reynolds (5-10, 189) and South Carolina cornerback Victor Hamption (5-9, 197) are smaller, nickel cornerbacks for the NFL, so it was very impressive that they each put up 20 reps on the bench press. Reynolds and Hampton both need to perform well at the Combine to help their cause. Both were able to do so on Monday.

  • Vanderbilt safety Kenny Ladler (6-0, 207) had the second-highest total among defensive backs with 24 reps. Ladler passes the eyeball test and is a tough player, but he needs to show good speed and agility in the field work to help his draft stock.

  • Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby (5-11, 194) produced a good total of 17 reps on the bench press. Roby needs to blow up the Combine in order to overcome the damage done by a poor junior season. He is off to a decent start.

  • There were a number of notable defensive backs who didn’t participate in the bench press. That group included USC safety Dion Bailey, Utah cornerback Keith McGill, Oregon cornerback Terrance Mitchell, Wisconsin safety Dez Southward and TCU cornerback Jason Verrett.



    Back to the 2014 NFL Draft Scouting Combine Page.



    2014 NFL Combine Results - Weigh-Ins and 40 Times:
    QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

    2014 NFL Combine Stock Report:
    QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

    2014 NFL Combine Field Drills Recap:
    QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

    2014 NFL Combine Bench Recap:
    RB | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

    2014 NFL Combine Weigh-In Recap:
    QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

    NFL Combine Rumors by Tony Pauline








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