NFL Draft News & Analysis

2024 NFL Scouting Combine: Standouts from defensive line and linebacker drills

• EDGE1 secured: Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner put on a show in Indianapolis, which may have solidified him as the first edge defender off the board come April.

• Braden Fiske puts on a show: The Florida State defensive tackle's 9-foot-9 broad jump, 33.5-inch vertical and 4.780-second 40-yard dash were all best-in-class for the defensive tackle position. 

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Thursday was the first day for on-field drills at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. The players on the field featured defensive line and linebackers. With some really good athletes in the class at each of those positions, here are the top performers from the group.

TOP PERFORMERS

EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama 

The crown of EDGE1 in the 2024 NFL Draft was still up for grabs when the defensive linemen took the field for on-field drills. Though there was no new tape produced from the drills, the athletic testing results (and measurables) from Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner might have solidified him as the top edge player off the board in April. His 4.46-second official 40-yard dash, 40.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-7 broad jump all ranked above the 90th percentile.

DT Braden Fiske, Florida State 

Fiske has been on a tear since December began. He finished the season strong with a great performance in the ACC Championship Game, and the carried that momentum into a great week of practice (and gameplay) in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. That hot streak only got hotter at the combine, as his 9-foot-9 broad jump, 33.5-inch vertical and 4.78-second 40-yard dash were all best-in-class for the defensive tackle position. 

EDGE Chop Robinson, Penn State

Chop Robinson put some lofty combine goals out into the world when he said at his podium that he wanted to run in the 4.4-second range, jump 40 inches in the vertical and 11 feet in the broad. He didn't quite hit those jumps, but did record a 34.5-inch vertical with a 10-foot-8 broad jump. He also ran a 4.48 40-yard dash while weighing 254 pounds. Those kinds of numbers will keep him firmly in the first-round conversation. 

DT Byron Murphy Ii, Texas 

Though Murphy’s day wasn’t as impressive as Fiske’s, he still deserves a shout out. At 6-foot and 297 pounds, Murphy ran a 4.87 40-yard dash with a 33.5-inch vertical and a 9-foot-3 broad jump. All three numbers were very impressive for a player of his size and skillset as a one-gap pass-rusher. 

LB Payton Wilson, N.C. State

Wilson had a ton of momentum going into combine week to earn the LB1 title. Though his injury history is extensive, when he’s healthy, he showcased starting-caliber ability at inside linebacker. His athletic testing results of a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, 9-foot-11 broad jump, and a 34.5-inch vertical are evidence his NFL-caliber athleticism in the middle of the defense. He was PFF’s LB1 going into the week, and that won’t change after seeing his results.

OTHER NOTABLE STANDOUTS

LB Trevin Wallace, Kentucky
  • 4.51-second 40-yard dash, 37.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-7 broad jump.
 LB Edufuan Ulofoshio, Washington
  • 4.56-second 40-yard dash, 39.5-inch vertical, 10-foot-9 broad jump
DT T’Vondre Sweat, Texas
  • 5.27-second 40-yard dash (at 366 pounds).
DT Mekhi Wingo, LSU
  • 1.64-second 10-yard split.
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