The 2024 NFL Combine came to a close with a remarkable display of athleticism from the offensive linemen. These men, weighing over 300 pounds, showcased their impressive skills on the field. The offensive tackle class, in particular, stood out as a force to be reckoned with. Although Alabama’s J.C. Latham did not participate in the 40-yard dash or any jumps, the rest of the top-tier edge-protectors delivered outstanding performances.
One standout offensive lineman was Joe Alt from Notre Dame. Standing close to 6-9 and weighing 321 pounds, Alt exceeded expectations with his test results. His 5.05 in the 40-yard dash, along with a 1.73 10-yard split and a 9-foot-4 broad jump, were remarkable considering his immense size.
Another impressive athlete was Georgia’s Amarius Mims, who unfortunately suffered a minor injury during his second attempt at the 40-yard dash. Prior to that, Mims recorded a time of 5.07 seconds in the 40-yard dash and achieved a 9-3 broad jump. These feats are even more impressive considering Mims’ height of nearly 6-8 and weight of 340 pounds, with arms measuring over 36 inches.
Moving on to other positions, the wide receiver workouts were headlined by Texas’ Xavier Worthy. Worthy broke John Ross’ standing record by running the 40-yard dash in an astonishing 4.21 seconds. He initially clocked in at 4.25 seconds but decided to give it another shot and surpassed all expectations. His teammate, Adonai Mitchell, also made a strong impression with his athletic testing and on-field workouts, making it difficult for teams to overlook his potential in the first round.
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy had a consistent and efficient day, supporting Worthy during his record-breaking run. Although McCarthy’s performance wasn’t extraordinary, his vocal support and camaraderie with other quarterbacks, such as Notre Dame’s Sam Hartman, made him a memorable presence.
Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. stood out among the second group of quarterbacks. With McCarthy’s rise, Penix and Oregon’s Bo Nix become the next best available quarterbacks after the top four. This could potentially lead to a first-round selection for both players.
The running back workouts didn’t have much impact on the draft, for better or worse. The performances on Saturday failed to significantly sway opinions.
In the defensive back and tight end workouts, Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins stole the show with his impressive 40-yard dash time of 4.28 seconds. Unfortunately, he suffered a hip flexor injury during his second run and was unable to continue. Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell also made a strong case for a first-round selection with his 4.33-second 40-yard dash, the second-fastest time of the night. However, Alabama’s Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry were unavailable due to injury.
Texas Tech safety Tyler Owens showcased his exceptional jumping ability before sustaining an injury that ended his day. Owens recorded a 12-foot-2-inch broad jump, the second-best all-time, and a 41-inch vertical jump. He was expected to run a sub 4.3-second 40-yard dash but unfortunately couldn’t complete the run.
Among the tight ends, Kansas State’s Ben Sinnott stood out with a 40-inch vertical jump and a 10-feet-6 broad jump. Sinnott’s solid 4.68-second 40-yard dash further solidified his position as a top performer in this group.
Moving on to the edge rushers, Penn State’s Chop Robinson excelled in all aspects of the combine. Weighing in at 254 pounds and just under 6-foot-3, Robinson impressed with a 40-yard dash time of 4.48 seconds, a 10-foot-8 broad jump, and a 34.5-inch vertical jump. His stock is expected to rise significantly after this performance.
Alabama’s Dallas Turner had a legendary workout, displaying exceptional size, length, and burst. At nearly 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds, Turner recorded a 40.5-inch vertical jump, a 10-7 broad jump, and a blazing 4.46-second 40-yard dash. His performance certainly caught the attention of scouts.
On the other hand, UCLA’s Laiatu Latu failed to impress compared to his competitors, Robinson and Turner. Despite his decent 40-yard dash time of 4.64 seconds, his jumps indicated less explosive traits. With competitors like Robinson and Turner, Latu’s chances of being the first edge rusher off the board seem unlikely.
Among linebackers, Payton Wilson from NC State stole the show. Despite having short arms, Wilson ran an impressive 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash at nearly 6-4 and 233 pounds
