Kenneth Grant and Shemar Stewart are among several top draft picks who could solidify their stock with great showings at the NFL Combine.
We’re just under two weeks removed from the Super Bowl and we’re already one week away from the start of the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, where the event is usually held. The NFL really is a year-round sport to follow. In keeping with our work on prospects who could stand out at the combine, today we’ll talk about defense after previously focusing on some notable players on offense.
Let’s get to it!
Will Johnson, Michigan, Cornerback
Johnson had the fastest time this offseason on Michigan’s reactive plyo ladder test at 2.27 seconds. He did the 3-cone drill in 6.57 seconds, showing off his ability to change direction. For comparison, the fastest time among cornerbacks at the last combine was 6.62. Johnson’s 20-yard dash time was 4.05 seconds, which would have been third in the last two years at Indianapolis. Johnson’s broad jump was 10-8 1/2.
Joshua Farmer, Florida State, Defensive Tackle
Farmer gained over 50 pounds during his college career. This offseason, he clocked 19.6 MPH on pads, and also power cleaned nearly 400 pounds, squatted over 600 pounds, and benched over 400. Those numbers and speed could make Farmer a player with the potential to grow on the boards after the Combine.
Jordan Burch, Oregon, Defensive Lineman
Burch gained over 10 pounds last offseason and maintained his athleticism. He improved his vertical jump to 35 inches and hit 20.75 MPH on GPS. Showing the explosiveness and power we saw on tape in drills, he squatted 685 pounds.
Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina, Defensive Back
He is 6-3, 227 and has shown incredible athleticism season after season. The safety had an 11-4 long jump and a 42’ vertical jump, benched 24 reps of 225 lbs and squatted over 500 lbs, and he’s still only 20 years old.
The way he runs the field and changes direction is eye-catching on tape. That should show in his testing results and should solidify him as the No. 2 safety in the class.
Kenneth Grant, Michigan, Defensive Tackle
Year after year, the Wolverines have produced incredibly athletic players. Names like Rashan Gary, Kwity Paye, Aidan Hutchinson and Mazi Smith were all first-round picks. Next on the list seems to be Grant, at 6-3, 350 lbs.
He’s an excellent run stopper and has a lot of potential. However, his numbers at the combine should get him called on Day 1, maybe even sooner than he deserves. He managed to run the 40-yard dash in under 5 seconds while weighing over 360 pounds. His speed is incredible, as seen on tape in Grant’s effort to chase RBs from sideline to sideline.
Abdul Carter, Penn State, Defensive End
Carter could be the top pick in this year’s Draft. It’s no wonder he’s sometimes compared to Micah Parsons, also from PSU. His athletic potential is incredible. Even weighing 254 pounds, after gaining mass last offseason, he recorded a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash, a 4.35 in the short shuttle, a long jump of 10-7 and a vertical of 33.5. His top speed was 22.4 mph.
Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
A 6’5, 280-pound player who stood out in the Senior Bowl. Stewart should consolidate what we saw on tape during the Combine. An incredibly athletic player with great explosiveness, strength, and good agility to change directions. His testing numbers should support the EDGE’s projection. A high ceiling based on that athleticism, but a low floor considering the amount of missed opportunities he’s been.
Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
He’s 6’7 and 340 lbs with a wingspan of over 84” I think he carries a bit of uneven weight distribution. However, the way Walker moves and the speed he has is unnatural. He shouldn’t break any combine records, but he should test very well for someone his height and weight.
Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
Former WR who has been excellent since switching to CB in 2023. He’s a very fast player for someone who’s almost 6’3. He broke the Iowa state record in the 400m in high school (46.99). Rare length (6’24, 33 1/2” arms) and speed (10.6 100-meter dash). Also has four career blocked punts.
Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota, Linebacker
According to Gophers coaches, the 6-3, 240-pounder topped out at 21.46 mph; his short shuttle time was 4.00 — no linebacker has moved that fast at the NFL combine since 2019, when WVU’s David Long did it in 3.97 seconds. Lindenberg long jumped 10-0 and jumped 36 inches vertically. His 10-yard split was 1.51. That agility is on display on the field as Linderberg covers sideline to sideline.
Darius Alexander, Toledo, Defensive Lineman
In practice, he’s clocked 20 mph on his GPS and jumped 30 inches vertically. This explosiveness is Alexander’s strongest point. The frequency with which the DL gets into the opponent’s backfield translates these numbers to the tape. I believe the player from Toledo is a dark horse for good numbers at this Combine. His interception last season shows his speed on the field.
Jordan Phillips, Maryland, Defensive Tackle
The nose tackle has gained notoriety with an excellent and a week of training at the Shrine Bowl. He is very fast, explosive and has excellent change of direction as seen in his speed in short spaces. A former wrestler and standout high school weightlifter, he squatted 665 pounds, power cleaned 365 and overhead pressed 365 pounds for two reps. He is another strong candidate to excel in the tests.
The NFL Combine starts on February 24 and ends on March 3, with positional drills starting Feb. 27 and ending on March 2. You can check the full list of invites in the link below.