Defensive Linemen

Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio St.: Gholston was already the #2 end on the board behind Chris Long coming into the combine, and while he doesn’t jump Long, he enhanced his draft position by impressing in Indy.

Gholston not only ran one of the best 40 times among the defensive linemen, but he tied Jake Long for most reps in the bench press with 37.

He came into the combine as a likely top-10 pick, but now, he could go as high as #2 to the Rams, and should be on the Dolphins’ radar as well, in terms of their overall options for #1.

Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame: Laws didn’t have the world’s best 40 time, but compard to Kentwan Balmer (5.28), Sedrick Ellis (5.24), and Frank Okam (5.32), Laws’ 5.08 was actually rather decent.

What helped him was his 35 reps in the bench press. Laws (6′1, 304) and Ellis (6′0, 309) aren’t monsters in the middle, but with the strength and quickness that they both have, it’ll make them a tough matchup for any offensive lineman.

Laws looks like a solid second-rounder now, and could very well be the fourth defensive tackle off the board behind Ellis, Glenn Dorsey, and Balmer, if Pat Sims isn’t.

Linebackers

There are several linebackers who greatly improved their stock at the combine.

I’ll start with the more highly-rated prospects and work my way down.

Auburn’s Quentin Groves and Purdue’s Cliff Avril primarily played defensive end in college, but could move to linebacker in the NFL. Groves came in at 259 pounds, but ran one of the top 40s among the defensive end group with a 4.57. Better yet, he did 30 reps in the bench press. He’ll likely be taken somewhere in the mid-to-late first round, and could sneak into the top 15.

Avril looks like a solid second-round prospect after showing off his quickness and agility in the drills, running a 4.51 in the 40 and posting a time of 6.9 seconds in the 3-cone drill while weighing in at 253 pounds.

Two SEC products, Jonathan Goff (Vanderbilt) and Marcus Howard (Georgia), may have worked their way into the first three rounds with excellent showings at the combine. The speedy Howard (4.47 in the 40) could go as high as the second round, and Goff could possibly sneak in there as well.

Another SEC product, Kentucky’s Wesley Woodyard, is also stuck in that ‘what position will he play?’ limbo, as he’s been projected to move from linebacker to strong safety, but by coming in at 227 pounds, he might be trying to ensure he stays at linebacker. Woodyard also may have put himself in the first day by showing off his great speed in Indianapolis.

Georgia Tech’s Gary Guyton and Purdue’s Stanford Keglar came into the combine as late-rounders, but exited with a chance to go early on the second day.

Defensive Backs

Tennessee St.’s Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie looks to not only have cemented a place in the first round, but may have worked his way into a top 20 pick with a standout performance that was highlighted by a time of 4.33 in the 40.

He wasn’t the only small-school corner who saw his stock take a significant rise on Tuesday.

Eastern Kentucky’s Antwaun Molden is likely an early second-day guy now after he had one of the best overall performances of the cornerbacks besides Rodgers-Cromartie.

The two safeties who helped their stock the most were two ASU guys - Arizona State’s Josh Barrett, and Arkansas State’s Tyrell Johnson.

After a huge junior season, Barrett struggled with injuries as a senior, but by running a blistering 4.35 40, the 6′2, 223 pound strong safety goes into his Pro Day with a chance to push himself as high as late in the first day.

As for Johnson, who had 94 tackles and 6 interceptions in a senior season that saw him be named the Sun Belt’s defensive player of the year, showcased his speed (4.43 40) and strength (27 reps in the bench press) to push himself towards early second-day status, at least.

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