2009 NFL Scouting Combine Buzz: Day Three - DT, DE, LB

NFL Draft 101 is providing live coverage in the chat (11-2 pm Feb. 21-24) but we will also recap each day's biggest stories in article format as well. Here is the day three buzz from the defensive tackle, defensive end, and linebacker workouts:

Defensive Tackles:

Winners:

Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State - Gilbert's stock was rising entering the combine. He put up a great workout, as the DT/DE tweener ranked among the top 10 in the 40, vertical, and broad jump. Gilbert displayed the best athleticism of the DT prospects and moved himself into day one consideration.

Evander Hood, Missouri - Has rare height for this year's DT class and showed excellent quickness in the drills. Also, showed power (34 reps) and speed (4.89 unofficial 40).

Myron Pryor, Kentucky - Good all-around effort by Pryor.  Displayed a nice burst and shined in the drills.

Terrence Taylor, Michigan - Entered the combine as a forgotten man after Michigan's tough season. Taylor made his name known early by leading the D-line with 37 bench reps and followed it up with a nice all-around workout. He may not be a day one guy, but at least he is back in the conversation.

BJ Raji, Boston College - Did nothing to hinder his status as the top DT on the board and showed a nice blend of power (33 reps) and short area burst. Solid 40 for a guy weighing 330 lbs.

Losers:

Sen'Derrick Marks, Auburn - Not a terrible day, but he did not display the level of strength or athleticism that was expected.

Vance Walker, Georgia Tech - Did not display the athleticism he needed to bolster his stock. A rather pedestrian effort for a guy known more for speed and quickness than power.

Defensive Ends:

Winners:

Teams Looking for 3-4 Outside Linebackers - Last year was the year of the offensive tackle and this may be the year of the rush linebacker. The defensive end class has several conversion guys and most of them played up to expectations. If there is a concern, it would be that the supply might outweigh the demand.

Connor Barwin, Cincinnati - The workout warrior of the day. Was tops in the vertical (40.5), broad jump (10'8"), three cone, and the 20-yard shuttle, plus he finished second in the 40 and put up 21 reps. Barwin may be a raw DE/OLB prospect, but the tools and work ethic are there. Is drawing comparisons to Mike Vrabel (never a bad thing), and may have worked his way into the second round.

Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech - As expected, Johnson had a tremendous all-around workout, including finishing in the top three in the vertical, broad jump, and 20-yard shuttle, plus fifth in the 40. Physically impressive and was very fluid in the drills. Stood out in conversion drills, which is impressive considering he's 6'7". Of course, we expected him to perform well. How he did in the interviews will likely affect his stock more than his workout. Someone will be tempted by his upside in round one.

Lawrence Sidbury, Richmond - Great workout. Had the top time in the 40 and finished among the leaders in the vertical, broad jump, and 20-yard shuttle. Most importantly, he may have looked the best of all the defensive ends in the conversion drills. He is raw and lacks strength but he has made the most of his postseason opportunities.

Brian Orakpo, Texas - Showed why many consider him the best all-around defensive end in the draft with a tremendous workout in the measureables, including ranking third in the 40 and sixth in the bench press. Missed the conversion drills due to a strained hamstring, but it was not enough to ruin his strong performance.

Losers:

Aaron Maybin, Penn State - Maybin had a solid workout, but he paled in comparison to Orakpo, Everette Brown, Michael Johnson, and others. Was good, not great in the conversion drills (horrible hands). Has put on some weight, but he does not look much like a 4-3 defensive end and was slower than most of the conversion guys. You worry he may be a situational pass rusher. Needs to add strength and fill out his body. Did finish among the leaders in the vertical, broad jump, and 20-yard shuttle and has good short area quickness.

Matt Shaughnessy, Wisconsin - Looked a little robotic and did not show the athleticism that had him ranked as a top DE entering the 2008 season. Did not look comfortable and really struggled to show change of direction ability.

David Veikune, Hawaii - Possesses good size and great measureables, including good 40 and bench press, but looked very stiff in drills. Really struggles to change directions.

Linebackers:

Winners:

Aaron Curry, Wake Forest - Put up the combine's single best performance at any position thus far. He was fast, strong, and fluid while making it look effortless. It is no wonder he is considered the safest pick in the draft.

Gerald McRath, Southern Mississippi - Aside from Curry, McRath was the best athlete among the linebackers. Looked very crisp in the drills. One of the best weakside linebacker prospects in the draft. If only he were a little bigger.

Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina - The USC Trojans had a better football season, but the Gamecocks are having a tremendous combine. Brinkley came in at 252 pounds and followed in Jamon Meredith (OT) and Jared Cook's (TE) footsteps with a tremendous all-around workout. Strong in the drills, plus ran a sub 4.7 40 and put up 26 reps (both top 10 among LBs).

Clay Matthews, USC - A much better athlete than expected and had the best workout of the Trojan linebackers. Does not look as natural in the drills as Brian Cushing, but was impressive nonetheless.

Losers:

Teams Looking for Weakside Linebackers - There is just not the depth of talent at the weakside linebacker position this year. It is every bit as weak as the 3-4 OLB position is strong.

Rey Maualuga, USC - It is hard to say what was worse, pulling his hamstring or putting up a 4.83 40 just before it happened. Maualuga is a tremendous talent and a ferocious hitter, but how much will a slow 40 and perceived athleticism hurt his stock? The question is not whether or not he is a good MLB, but whether you expect a top 10-15 pick to be an elite athlete in addition to the intangibles and instincts.

James Laurinaitis, Ohio State - Did not get out of Paul Posluszney and Dan Connor's second and third round shadows, as he was beaten in the 40 by all of the top middle linebackers aside from Maualuga. Looked good in the drills and the early word is he did well in the interviews.

Clint Sintim, Virginia - Sintim is a good 3-4 rush LB prospect but his workout showed he does not possess the all-around skills for the 4-3.  

Join NFLDraft101.com throughout the weekend for live coverage of the workouts from 11 am - 2 pm Feb 21-24) at the Combine Live Blog.

Chris Maier is Senior Editor for NFLDraft101.com. He can be reached at [e-mail].