NFL Scouting Combine: Defensive Tackle, Defensive End and Linebacker Recap

NFL Draft101 is providing a Scouting Combine Live Chat (11 am - 2 pm daily), but we will also recap the day's biggest stories as well.  Here is the buzz from the defensive tackle, defensive end and linebacker workouts.

If there is a trend at the 2011 Scouting Combine, it is participation, as the big names elected to compete rather than wait for their pro days.  The lone exception being Da'Quan Bowers, who is rehabilitating from knee surgery.

The most anticipated workout of the day belonged to DE Robert Quinn, who missed the 2010 season due to an NCAA suspension.  Quinn had a solid day in the physical tests, ranking on the leaderboard in the 40 (4.70), vertical (34") and broad jump (9'8").  Despite the strength of those numbers, many expected a more eye-popping performance.  He excelled in the drills, showing the burst, balance and lateral agility of a premier defensive end. 

If there was a takeaway from his performance, it might be that he projects better as a defensive end than a rush linebacker, although he could likely do either.

At defensive tackle, Marcell Dareus and Nick Fairley both had strong performances.   Fairley won the battle on sheer physical numbers, but Dareus' performance may have been more impressive due to his girth.  Think about it, a 6'3", 319-pound defensive tackle ran a sub 5.0 40 while displaying excellent explosion and agility.  He is the definition of a dancing bear.  By no means is this a slight on Fairley's performance.  He was fluid throughout the workout, displaying his quickness and lateral agility. 

Among linebackers, Von Miller aced the physical tests, showcasing his speed and explosion going 4.53 in the 40 with a 37" vertical and 10'6" broad jump.  Overall, he ranked in the top three in every test except the bench.  In the drills, he showed his tremendous speed and burst, but his technique and footwork were sloppy at times (as if he was going too fast).  

Here is a look at some of the other winners and losers from today's workouts. 

Defensive Tackle:

Winners:

Marvin Austin - Like Quinn, Austin missed his senior season due to an NCAA suspension, giving today's workout added importance, and he did not disappoint.  Working out in a group with Dareus and Fairley, he had a standout performance.  Showed good balance, power and change of direction in the drills.  Aced the physical tests going 4.9 in the 40, 30.5" in the vertical, 9'4" in the broad jump and 38 bench reps.

Phil Taylor - Taylor built on his tremendous Senior Bowl with a strong performance today.  He has remarkable burst and explosion for such a big guy, carrying 334 pounds about as well as it can be carried.  A proto-type nose tackle

Muhammed Wilkerson - Wilkerson lived up to his pre-combine buzz with a strong performance.  He is a fluid athlete who showed he is more than just a five technique.  Displayed balance, a strong base and lateral movement throughout the workout.

Losers:

Kenrick Ellis - A hamstring injury led to a premature exit for the athletic 346-pounder who was poised for a breakout performance.

Corey Luiget - Luiget had a solid performance but looked a little tight and less explosive when compared to the other first and second-round defensive tackles.

Defensive End:

 

Winners:

Sam Acho - The Campbell Trophy winner was one of the day's most pleasant surprises.  Stood out in the physical test ranking third in the 40 (4.68) while ranking among the leaders in the vertical (33.5"), three-cone (6.69 - best), and 20-yard shuttle (4.3).  He followed it up with a standout performance in the drills showing good balance, agility and burst.  Acho also looked comfortable in the conversion drills.

Cameron Jordan - Often pegged as a five technique coming out of a 3-4, Jordan followed up a breakout performance at the Senior Bowl with a tremendous all-around workout today.  He may not project as an elite pass rusher, but he is a fluid and polished defensive end who can play multiple positions.  An underrated athlete and pass rusher who is almost the same size as Nick Fairley (6'4", 287 lb. vs. 6'4", 291 lb.) yet still managed to run sub-4.75 in the 40.

JJ Watt - Among the fastest rising prospects in the draft, Watt lived up to his billing with a strong performance today.  Hard to believe the 6'5", 290-pounder was one of the day's biggest workout warriors, ranking second in the vertical (37"), third in the broad jump (10') and sneaking onto leaderboard in the 40 (4.84 good for 15th).  Also showed his strength with 34 bench reps.  He is a little stiff but has quick feet, a strong base and bends well.  Like Cameron Jordan, he is one of the most versatile defensive linemen in this year's draft.

Chris Carter - Carter is a dynamic athlete who excelled in the physical tests, running the second-fastest 40 (4.62) and ranked fourth in the vertical (36").  Showed excellent burst and lateral agility in the drills.   As a rush linebacker candidate, he looked fluid in the conversion drills. 

Losers:

Jeremy Beal - Coming off a sluggish performance at the Senior Bowl, Beal needed to have a big performance, but instead found himself exposed as a limited athlete.  Too small and not powerful enough for defensive end but lacks the speed (5.0+ 40) and athleticism for rush linebacker. 

Ricky Elmore - Elmore gives great effort, but as an undersized defensive end, he was exposed as a limited athlete during the workout. 

Linebackers

Winners:

Dontay Moch - Yes, Moch worked out with the defensive line, but I am listing Moch as a linebacker for both comparison and likely NFL positions sake.  For all the buzz, Von Miller generated today, consider the following comparisons: 

40: Moch (4.44), Miller (4.53)

Vertical: Moch (42"), Miller (37")

Broad Jump: Moch (10'8"), Miller (10'6")

Now this is not to say Moch is the better prospect (he's not by a long shot), but it does help put how impressive Moch's performance was from a physical perspective.  In the drills, Moch is still raw but remains explosively quick with above-average agility.  In the conversion drills, Moch was a little tight (esp. up top) but showed the potential to play the rush linebacker position.  The question will be how early will someone be willing to take a chance on him.

Martez Wilson - As expected, Wilson excelled in the tests running the fastest 40 among linebackers (4.49) while also ranking among the leaders in the vertical (36"), broad jump (10'4") and bench (23).  He was solid in the drills, showing his burst and explosion, but demonstrated merely average change of direction.  In a weak linebacker class, Wilson's athleticism will move him up.

Colin McCarthy - McCarthy showed off his underrated athleticism ranking among the leaders in the 40 (4.65), vertical (36.5"), broad jump (9'11") and bench (23).  Also showed good balance and agility in the drills.

Douglas Hogue - Hogue is an under the radar prospect who ran well (4.63) and followed it up with a strong performance in the drills displaying fluid hips and good change of direction.

Worthy of mention:

Akeem Ayers - After a disastrous 40 (4.8+), Ayers recovered with a tremendous performance in the drills.  May not be the fastest linebacker, but he has great footwork, fluid hips and looks natural in his drops. 

Losers:

Quan Sturdivant - Sturdivant skipped the 40, and after watching his slow feet in the drills, one has to wonder if he was worried about posting a bad time.  Appeared very tight, was rather upright and almost lumbering in the drills.

Orie Lemon - It was a difficult day for Lemon, as he struggled with balance and footwork throughout the drills. 

Kelvin Sheppard - Looks the part but always leaves me wanting to see more, and today was no different.  Decent athlete but tends to play high and displays only average change of direction.

Chris Maier is Senior Editor for NFLDraft101.com.  He can be reached at [e-mail].  Follow me on Twitter: nfldraft101