2015 NFL Combine Field Drills Recap: Defensive Backs

2015 NFL Combine Results - Weigh-Ins and 40 Times:
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2015 NFL Combine Stock Report:
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2015 NFL Combine Field Drills Recap:
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2015 NFL Combine Bench Recap:
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2015 NFL Combine Weigh-In Recap:
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This is the 2015 NFL Combine Field Drills Recap for the Defensive Backs. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.



2015 Combine: Field Workout Defensive Backs

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell

  • Cornerbacks should run faster than wide receivers in general. Here are some of the top 40 times (in seconds) from some of the defensive backs from last year: Justin Gilbert (4.37), Darqueze Dennard (4.51), HaHa Clinton-Dix (4.58), Calvin Pryor (4.58), Jason Verrett (4.38), Bradley Roby (4.40) and Kyle Fuller (4.49).

  • Michigan State’s Trae Waynes did his job to nail down the status as the top cornerback for the 2015 NFL Draft. He surprised many with how fast he was in the 40-yard dash and with his 10-yard split of 1.53 seconds. At 6-feet and 186 pounds, Waynes has the size to be an outside corner with the speed to run with wide receivers down field. He looked good turning and running with fluid hips in the field drills.

  • Like Waynes, Alabama safety Landon Collins had a strong Combine to lock down his spot as the top-rated player at his position. Collins was quick and athletic for a strong safety. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds and moved well in the field drills. He flipped his hips and opened up well for a heavy safety. Collins (6-0, 228) did drop some passes, but overall, he had an effective showing in Indianapolis.

  • The other star of the Combine on Monday didn’t even run in the 40-yard dash. Connecticut cornerback Byron Jones jumped out of the gym. He had the best broad jump ever at 12-foot-3. He also had a superb vertical leap at 44.5 inches. Jones was injured in 2014, so his medical check is important, but clearly he has some explosion. That should help his prospects of being a second-day pick.

  • Florida State cornerback Ronald Darby was a track runner, so he was expected to run well in the 40. Darby burned a fast 40 with a time of 4.38 seconds. In the field drills Darby (5-11, 193) showed his fluid athleticism and could open up his hips well. He also caught passes well in the gauntlet. Darby could be in the mix to go off the board late on Thursday night.



  • A lot of teams and observers were eager to see Washington cornerback Marcus Peters after his season ended early when the Huskies suspended him. Peters (6-0, 197) is a corner with quality size who has man-coverage abilities. Peters ran a little more slowly than expected at 4.53 seconds, but it wasn’t a bad time. He was solid in the field drills and clearly has the skill set of an NFL starter. If it weren’t for Peters’ off-the-field issues, he’d be a first-round pick.

  • Florida State cornerback P.J. Williams wasn’t as impressive as his teammate Darby. Williams (6-0, 194) ran the 40 in 4.57 seconds. It was slower than expected, so he’ll want to improve on that at his pro day.

  • One of the players who really stood out in a positive way was Mississippi State’s Justin Cox. Cox (6-1, 191) has size to him, and he showed surprising speed with a 4.36-second time in the 40-yard dash. Cox was impressive in the field work, so he could cause some teams to re-evaluate where they have him.

  • Ohio State cornerback Doran Grant was another corner who looked impressive. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds while excelling in the field work. Grant was fluid in opening his hips and had quick feet. Grant is a sleeper who could be a good value pick.



  • Prior to the Combine, sources said they heard that LSU’s Jalen Collins would be a star of the workout because of his combination of size and speed. Collins (6-1, 203) has the size and length to be a press-man corner, which is en vogue in the NFL. His 40 time wasn’t as fast as expected, but still a good time at 4.48 seconds. Collins was respectable in the field drills and attacked the ball well while trailing downfield. He did have some drops in the gauntlet, and that illustrates why he is a defensive back rather than a wide receiver.

  • This is a weak safety class, but one player who is rising off of a strong Senior Bowl and a strong Combine is Arizona State’s Damarious Randall. Randall ran extremely quickly for a safety with a time of 4.46 seconds in the 40. His 10-yard split was among the best at 1.56 seconds. He also looked fluid in the field drills as well. In this safety class, Randall could go a lot higher than many expect.

  • Louisville cornerback Charles Gaines had a good day. He put a fast time of 4.44 seconds. Gaines (5-10, 180) also was fluid in the field drills. He attacked the ball and showed nice movement skills.

  • Oregon State cornerback Steven Nelson deserved more attention than he received for his Combine performance. Nelson (5-10, 197) is put together well and ran well at 4.49 seconds. Coming off a good college career and Senior Bowl, he could end up being a really good value pick on the second day of the 2015 NFL Draft.

    Back to the 2015 NFL Draft Scouting Combine Page.



    2015 NFL Combine Results - Weigh-Ins and 40 Times:
    QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

    2015 NFL Combine Stock Report:
    QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

    2015 NFL Combine Field Drills Recap:
    QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

    2015 NFL Combine Bench Recap:
    RB | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

    2015 NFL Combine Weigh-In Recap:
    QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB

    NFL Combine Rumors by Tony Pauline









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