Darron Lee: Latest News, Rumors and Buzz Surrounding LB's Draft Stock

Daniel KramerFeb 28, 2016

Former Ohio State Buckeye Darron Lee was undoubtedly the breakout star Sunday among linebackers at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Continue for updates.

Lee Shines at NFL Combine

Sunday, Feb. 28

Lee topped SEC standouts Reggie Ragland and Leonard Floyd in the 40-yard dash (4.47 seconds) and broad jump (11'1") to lead all linebackers in each category.

Here is a look at Lee doing some on-field workouts later in the afternoon, per the NFL:

Lee was one of the nine Ohio State underclassmen who left early for the draft.

Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports said an NFL scout indicated to him he thinks Lee "will be the best NFL player” among the 14 Buckeyes competing at the combine. That list includes fellow linebacker Joey Bosa, who has been ranked as high as No. 1 overall in mock drafts by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay.

Here is a look at Lee’s 40-yard dash, per the NFL Network:

Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller had Lee going at No. 19 to the Buffalo Bills in his latest mock draft released just after Super Bowl 50. However, Lee's stock appears on the rise after he stole the show Sunday, per Miller:

Last year, Lee tallied 66 tackles (11 for loss) with 4.5 sacks and an interception as an outside linebacker. But the former high school quarterback insisted his athleticism and versatility would lend themselves well to playing in the middle at the pro level.

“Absolutely,” Lee said, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “That’s one of the things I’m trying to pick up here through this whole process and you could say this offseason. I’d say the more versatile I am to play inside and outside, the more I can bring to the team.”

Lee checked in at 232 pounds—15 pounds fewer than Ragland, the top projected middle linebacker—but he’s only 22 years old and will get bigger, faster and stronger with NFL training.

But given his age and size, Lee’s forecast is wide-open. He could go anywhere from No. 7 to the San Francisco 49ers to No. 20 to the New York Jets. Teams in between who could use a linebacker of his caliber include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ninth pick), Chicago Bears (11th), New Orleans Saints (12th), Philadelphia Eagles (13th), Detroit Lions (16th) and the Atlanta Falcons (17th).