NFL Combine Summary

Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Lineman

Aaron Donald – Defensive Tackle – Pittsburgh

Aaron Donald (6’1 – 285) took the momentum he garnered at the Senior Bowl and continued to impress scouts from around the league. He was easily the most impressive defensive lineman at the combine and has cemented his place in the middle of the first round. Donald’s forty yard dash was clocked at 4.68 seconds, which considering his size, is very impressive. Donald reminds me of Dontari Poe two years ago. Comes from a small school but explodes at the combine and becomes a mid-first round pick. Donald wasn’t quite as impressive as Poe was, as I’m sure you all remember, but aside from that, their stories are somewhat similar.

Michael Sam – Defensive End – Mizzou

I think everyone had high hopes for Michael Sam (6’2 – 261) and wanted him to do well, but anyone who paid any attention to Sam before he came out, would know not to expect him to put up incredible numbers at the combine. Sam’s forty time was clocked at 4.91 seconds with an even worse broad and vertical jump. Sam did well in the defensive lineman drills but he also participated in linebacker drills for the scouts and did not do nearly as well in those. Whoever drafts Sam, is going to use him as a situational pass rusher. He will not be a three down player on or off the line but he could still be very valuable. I don’t think Sam showed us anything we didn’t already know and I don’t think it affected his stock at all.