Defensive backs and tight ends took center stage during a training session at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Friday afternoon.
Toledo cornerback Kunyon Mitchell did not disappoint, running an unofficial 4.3 seconds for the 40-yard dash, but Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins beat him at 4.28 seconds. However, a hip flexor injury was reported as a trade-off, and training for the day was called off.
Wiggins’ time is also the best ever at the combine for any position in the 40-yard dash.
1. Nate Wiggins (Clemson CB) — 4.28
2. Kunyon Mitchell (Toledo CB) — 4.33
3. DeCamerion Richardson (Mississippi State CB) — 4.34
4. Nehemiah Pritchett (Auburn CB) — 4.36
5. Jarrian Jones (Florida State CB) — 4.38
As for tight ends, Washington’s Devin Culp leads the way.
1. Devin Culp (Washington TE) — 4.47
2. Theo Johnson (Penn State TE) — 4.57
3. Tanner McLachlan (Arizona State TE) — 4.61
4. Jaheim Bell (Florida State TE) — 4.61
5. Jared Wiley (TCU TE) — 4.62
Here’s the schedule for the rest of the weekend (all broadcast on Eastern time and NFL Network):
Who will grow their stocks? Who will run the fastest 40-yard dash? What will the story be at Lucas Oil Stadium this week? Yahoo Sports will bring you live updates on the ground.
live70 updates
That’s all for Friday’s action in Indianapolis. Saturday will feature a key group of quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers.
Hey, anything goes, right?
Why was Ohio State TE Cade Stover massaging a cow?
Charles Davis: He says he does it to strengthen his hands. He looked me in the eye and said, “I’m massaging the leather.”
Rich Eisen: This is the name of my fantasy team for next year. And I have my avatar. pic.twitter.com/Iq5o3uwEeL
— Terrible announcement (@awfulpayment) March 2, 2024
Darrin Holker isn’t the only TE making one-handed grabs in Indy today.
Oh, that’s one way to complete the training.
We surveyed eight NFL Combine scouts about their favorite prospects at each position in this year’s draft class.
As expected, Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. led the QB and WR picks, but there was only one position that was unanimous – and it wasn’t them.
please read here
University of Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner practices during the NFL Football Scouting Combine on Thursday, February 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Daron Cummings)
It’s a shame.
Georgia tight end Brock Bowers does not participate in vertical or long jump practice, instead appearing on the field in a hoodie and shorts. He doesn’t appear to be participating in the 40-yard dash.
Caleb Williams isn’t pitching heading into the NFL Scouting Combine, but another decision he makes could say more about his future and maybe the entire draft cycle.
Dispatch from Indianapolis
(Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Will the RB market recover soon? When we surveyed combine coaches, executives and agents this week, we found that there is a difference between evaluating the run game and evaluating running back contracts.
Let’s talk about replacement costs: https://t.co/fcrjdk2HDQ
Injure another combine prospect during the 40-yard dash
Texas Tech safety Tyler Owens — who made headlines with his book. Thoughts about planets and space According to NFL Network, he reportedly injured his groin during the 40-yard dash the other day and had to stop.
This comes after Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins suffered a hip flexor injury at Lucas Oil Stadium earlier in the afternoon.
The NFL’s old chain measurement isn’t done away with just yet. However, steady momentum is building to establish the technology for first-down measurement. The NFL has tested optical tracking at the Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium and the New York Giants and Jets’ MetLife Stadium during the 2023 season, league officials confirmed to Yahoo Sports. They explored the technology again at the Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. What should I do then?
One question is how quickly the league can and will equip all stadiums with enough tracking technology. The bigger question is whether decision-makers, rather than technology testers, will approve it. The competition committee will discuss whether to recommend the use of the technology in 2024 and will take it to a vote of team owners at the league meeting in the last week of March.
Another interesting note is that even if optical tracking is introduced to first down measurements in NFL games, human decision-making will still be a factor. Unlike tennis, where ball position is the only relevant factor, NFL officials must determine the position of the ball carrier and defender to determine when a player has gone down through contact. Coaches and league officials still believe the technology improves accuracy and question how standardized each chain itself and its position measurements actually are.
If optical tracking is approved for this use, additional technical tracking is expected to follow soon after.
Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold sent a sweet message to his mother.
touch the heartstrings
Tyler Owens (Texas Tech University) said yesterday that he doesn’t believe in the universe. Today he jumped 12’2, the second longest jump in combine history.
Nabers: “Who was the best DB I played against? Hmm, well, I played against about 6 different opponents per game, so it’s hard to keep track of which one was actually better. .”
Seriously, here’s an excerpt of Nate Theis’ evaluation of the LSU star.
Nabors has no qualms about going over the middle of the field or taking throws off his body, sometimes eating up yards after the catch while adjusting fluidly. His explosiveness and production make him an exciting prospect while still having room to grow.
Top 3 DB 40 yard dash times so far
Here are the three best defensive backs to hit 40 that I’ve ever worked out with:
1. 4.28 — Nate Wiggins, Clemson
2. 4.33 — Kunyon Mitchell, Toledo
3. 4.34 — Decamerion Richardson, Mississippi
No QB in the Steelers draft? GM has ‘full confidence’ in Kenny Pickett
The QBs at the combine will talk today and practice tomorrow, so don’t expect the Steelers to target any of them in the draft. It’s not in a high place anyway.
General manager Omar Khan said he has “full confidence” in Kenny Pickett.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Nate Wiggins’ injury is a hip flexor tear
Based on the initial medical evaluation, it appears to be a hip flexor injury for Nate Wiggins. He’s going to cool it down and reevaluate it. https://t.co/Utf3dqQquP
