NFL Combine 2017 Results: Sunday Highlights, Reaction and Recap

The penultimate day of on-field drills at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine was a big one because it featured defensive linemen and linebackers, a grouping that includes presumptive No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett.

The Cleveland Browns, who own that first pick, had to be ecstatic with what they saw from Garrett. The Texas A&M star clocked a 4.64-second 40-yard dash on his first attempt, and the Browns just so happened to tweet about it:

The NFL compared Garrett's time to those of this year's top quarterbacks:

After showing off his blazing speed, Garrett continued to dazzle NFL scouts and executives with another freakish achievement in the vertical jump:

Dane Brugler of CBS Sports contextualized Garrett's performance by showing how it stacked up to four-time All-Pro DeMarcus Ware's combine outing:

NFL Research broke down how he measured up in four different categories:

Garrett also showed off his upper-body strength with 33 reps on the bench press. If the combine were the NFL's version of a job interview, he would've been hired by the Browns on the spot.

Instead, Garrett will have to wait another seven-and-a-half weeks to land with a team.

Garrett seemed happy with his performance:

"

All glory goes to god 

— Myles Garrett (@MyIesGarrett15) March 5, 2017"

While Garrett's showing was the overwhelming story Sunday, he was not the only one who made an impression. The strength of this year's class is its defenders, particularly those who line up in the front seven, which includes players like Solomon Thomas, Jabrill Peppers and Haason Reddick.

Here's a breakdown of the top performers in the defensive line and linebackers group. Complete results from each combine event are available at NFL.com.

Defensive Line

It would be hard for anyone to match Garrett, but Thomas turned in his own outstanding workout.

The Stanford star showed off his speed in the 40:

That drew the attention of ESPN's Todd McShay, who anointed Thomas as one of the first players who will be taken April 27:

B/R NFL draft guru Matt Miller offered this nugget about Thomas and one of the league's best interior defenders:

After measuring 6'3" and weighing in at 273 pounds, Thomas recorded 30 reps in the bench press and 126 inches in the broad jump, ranking fifth among all defensive linemen in the latter category.

Temple's Reddick likely made himself a lot of money with a 4.52-second 40. That was the best time among all defensive linemen, eking past the 4.53 mark of Kansas State's Jordan Willis.

At the start of the combine, Miller had Reddick as the No. 21 overall prospect in his top 100.

Per NFL.com's Chad Reuter, Reddick might rise up draft boards:

That would just continue the ascent of Reddick, who really came on as a top prospect at the Senior Bowl in January.

NFL.com's Mike Mayock wrote this about Reddick after evaluating him during Senior Bowl practices:

"

At 6-foot-1 and 237 pounds, most see him as a tweener, but I think he showed versatility. I came into the week wondering what he would be at the next level, and at the end of the practice sessions I left thinking he could be an inside linebacker in a 3-4, an inside linebacker in a 4-3, and an occasional edge rusher. Bottom line: He showed he can do a bunch of things and do them well. He might not have to come off the field.

"

Another player who dazzled in the speed department—and others—was UCLA's Takkarist McKinley, per Steelers Depot:

On Feb. 23, B/R's Jason Cole reported McKinley said he would undergo shoulder surgery after the combine that will require at least five months of recovery.

"My agent asked if anything was wrong with me, and I said I had a shoulder that was sometimes bothering me," McKinley said Saturday, via Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. "I had an MRI, and the doctor was pretty much amazed I had played with it. Me, I just told my trainers at UCLA, 'Just tape me up. I'm ready to go.'"

Following his workout, McKinley shared a message on Twitter:

Alabama star Jonathan Allen, who figures to be a top-five pick, had a solid showing that might get lost because of how good some of his fellow linemen were.

Allen posted a time of five seconds flat in the 40 and wasn't particularly impressive in the broad jump, per NFL.com's Chase Goodbread:

But Allen can play end or tackle, and he won the Chuck Bednarik and Bronco Nagurski awards last season, so NFL teams have already seen what he's capable of between the lines.

Linebackers

Michigan star Jabrill Peppers has been one of the most divisive prospects in this class. He was a star in college, finishing fifth in last year's Heisman Trophy voting, but has perplexed NFL scouts with his position at the next level.

Not even Pro Football Focus could come up with a definitive answer to the question:

"

Peppers is one of the most difficult evaluations in this draft class because outside of punt returner, he lacks a natural NFL position. While he graded well against the run each of the past two seasons, much of his success was when attacking the backfield unblocked. While he is clearly one of the elite athletes of this draft class, he was unable to translate to his coverage skills. While he clearly has the speed to play free safety, he has limited experience, and has not displayed the instincts needed to decipher plays quick enough to prevent big catches.

"

Hoping to squash any doubts about his future, Peppers took part in drills as a linebacker and defensive back. He also showed off his speed by posting the best 40 time of any player Sunday:

Peppers also tied Wisconsin linebacker T.J. Watt for the best broad jump (10'8") and finished fourth among linebackers with a 35.5" vertical jump.

In an interesting twist, Brugler reported Peppers could play on the offensive side of the ball in the NFL:

Peppers tried to clear up any concern about his position when he met with the media Saturday.

"The bottom line is I'm a ballplayer, and I'm a hell of a ballplayer," he said, via Goodbread. "I intend to run fast. I intend to look smooth doing whatever it is I'm asked to do."

During that same media session, Peppers said he was a safety. The skills he put on display Sunday were at least indicative of a player whose talent warrants plenty of discussion as a first-round selection.

Shane Alexander of Inside the Pylon offered his take on Peppers' future:

"

There's shouldn't be any discussion about Jabrill Peppers' best/natural position. He's not Deone Bucannon. He's a safety - & that's fine.

— Shane Alexander (@Alexander1Great) March 3, 2017"

Peppers looked like a natural while going through drills:

During an interview with Mayock on NFL Network, Peppers offered his own scouting report about his play at Michigan:

Watt, who has some solid NFL bloodlines in his brother J.J., put together a strong showing. Here's video of his first 40 attempt:

J.J. Watt posted T.J. Watt's results on Twitter:

And T.J. Watt had some pointed comments for NFL teams who aren't yet sold on his NFL potential.

"I'm telling teams I'm only scratching the surface," he said, via Aaron Nagler of Packers News. "I've only been playing defense for 18-20 months."

The NFL had some fun with the Watt family by comparing the 40s of T.J. and J.J.:

It may be unfair to juxtapose the two since T.J. is a linebacker who weighs 47 pounds less than J.J. did in 2011.

Ohio State's Raekwon McMillan had a solid day, and his speed was something to behold, via Ohio State Football:

McMillan's 23 reps on the bench press tied for fifth among all linebackers, and his 10'1" broad jump tied for ninth.

B/R's Ian Wharton was bullish on McMillan's effort during his time at Ohio State and on Sunday:

McMillan (6'2", 240 lbs) has the size to be an NFL linebacker. His perceived ability to play in pass coverage will determine if he moves into the first round or has to wait until the second before his name is called.

Another rising star in the linebacker group was Houston's Tyus Bowser, who continued his impressive predraft showcases.

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein offered his take on Bowser's stock before the Senior Bowl:

Now that the combine is nearly complete, Bowser would be considered an absolute steal if he lasted until the third round. He ranked in the top five among linebackers in the 40 (4.65), vertical jump (37.5") and broad jump (10'7").

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah tweeted enthusiastically while watching Bowser perform:

Bowser has planted his name firmly in the back of every NFL team's mind, and he's still got Houston's pro day March 27 to further prove himself.

Stats and measurements per NFL.com unless otherwise indicated.