Analysis
3/3/23
6 min read
2023 NFL Combine: Biggest Winners and Losers From CB, Safety Workouts
Michigan cornerback DJ Turner II had the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.26 seconds) on Day 2 of the NFL Scouting Combine and tied for the fourth-fastest at the Indianapolis event since 2003. But Turner wasn't the only standout on the day, with many other corners and safeties putting up eye-raising performances.
The 33rd Team Scouting Department provides the best — and most disappointing — showings of Day 2.
What We Learned on Day 2
- Spielman, Tannenbaum: 8 Biggest Takeaways
- NFL Combine Measurements for CB, S
- Samari Rolle: Clear Best Corner in Class
Day 2 Winners
Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 197 | Arm: 31 3/8" | Hand: 9 3/8"
40 Time: 4.35 | Vertical: 42" | Broad: 11-4 | 3-Cone: DNP | Shuttle: DNP
Both Maryland corners, Deonte Banks (scouting report) and Jakorian Bennett (scouting report), had outstanding days on the turf in Indy, but it was Banks whose performance might have vaulted him into the first round. Going into the combine, he had terrific tape with the way he crowded and bullied receivers in press coverage. It was clear he has good size and was a very good athlete, but he tested as an elite athlete on Friday. He was tops among corners with a 42-inch vertical, second with an 11-4 broad jump and then ran the third-fastest 40 (4.35).
4.36u to kick off Day 2?!@TerpsFootball DB Deonte Banks was flying.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/0m0yPLG51S— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2023
Sydney Brown, S, Illinois
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 211 | Arm: 31 1/2" | Hand: 10 1/4"
40 Time: 4.47 | Vertical: 40.5" | Broad: 10-10Â | 3-Cone: DNP | Shuttle: DNP
Sydney Brown (scouting report) continues to check all the boxes in the pre-draft process. He had production and it translated on tape — he was always around the ball. He had a good week at the Senior Bowl, and on Friday he lit up the combine with the second-best broad jump among safeties, the third-highest vertical and a fast 4.48 40. The only real knock on him is that he lacks ideal height, which could lead him to get boxed out by some tight ends at the catch point in the NFL.
Darrell Luter Jr., CB, South Alabama
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 189 | Arm: 32 3/8" | Hand: 10 3/8"
40 Time: 4.46 | Vertical: 40.5 | Broad: 10-3Â | 3-Cone: 6.90 | Shuttle: 4.43
Small-school prospect Darrell Luter Jr. (scouting report) stood out in a group of Power Five prospects. There were many great 40 times, jumps and agility tests in the cornerback group, and Luter Jr. went toe-to-toe with all of them. NFL teams will certainly be taking a second look after that performance. There are not many 6-foot corners with his length who can put up those type of athletic testing numbers.
Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 197 | Arm: 32" | Hand: 9 1/2"
40 Time: 4.38 | Vertical: 41.5" | Broad: 11-1Â | 3-Cone: DNP | Shuttle: DNP
It was an impressive showing by Christian Gonzalez (scouting report). He displayed good explosiveness in his jumps, and he ran well, posting a 4.38 40. He looked very fluid and smooth in drills, especially when asked to change direction. Gonzalez has improved his stock and helped solidify himself as one of the top corners in this draft. It would be a shock if he is not the first or second corner taken in April.
Day 2 Losers
Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 191 | Arm: 29 5/8" | Hand: 8 3/4"
40 Time: 4.59 | Vertical: 33.5" | Broad: 9-8Â | 3-Cone: DNP | Shuttle: DNP
After a solid Senior Bowl week, Jammie Robinson (scouting report) was underwhelming during his on-field drills. He measured in with short arms and had very average testing numbers. He looked rigid when changing directions during drill work, as well. Robinson has some good tape and is a better player than his numbers suggest, but he might see his stock dip due to a pedestrian workout.
Trey Dean III, S, Florida
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200 | Arm: 31 3/4" | Hand: 9 1/4"
40 Time: 4.75 | Vertical: 36.5" | Broad: 10-4 | 3-Cone: DNP | Shuttle: DNP
Trey Dean III has size and length, but he struggled to separate himself from the rest of the safety class on Friday. Dean ran a very poor 40 and looked like a one-speed runner with heavy legs. He jumped well enough, but it is difficult to get past his lack of speed. When watching his tape, scouts had concerns with his speed, but many thought he would run in the mid-4.6 range — not 4.75. He needs to clean this up at his pro day.
Ji'Ayir Brown, S, Penn State
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 203 | Arm: 31 1/4" | Hand: 10 1/8"
40 Time: 4.65 | Vertical: 32.5" | Broad: 9-11 | 3-Cone: DNP | Shuttle: DNP
It was a disappointing day for Ji'Ayir Brown (scouting report). He tested as a below-average athlete and he came in smaller than people thought as well. Size and speed were questions coming in, and he did nothing to alleviate those concerns. Brown is a ballhawk with good hands, accumulating 10 interceptions over the past two seasons at PSU. He will certainly lean on that production and will work to rebound with better testing numbers at his pro day.
Rashad Torrence II, S, Florida
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 193 | Arm: 32" | Hand: 10"
40 Time: 4.72 | Vertical: 33.5" | Broad: 9-11 | 3-Cone: DNP | Shuttle: DNP
Safety Rashad Torrence needed a big week if he was going to make a leap up draft boards. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to show what he needed to during the testing portion. He clocked in as the second-slowest defensive back, and his jumps were in the middle of the pack. This was a disappointing showing for Torrence, who needed to come out and show he could run in the low-to-mid 4.6 range, and he fell well short. He has work to do at his pro day.
The 33rd Team Scouting Department
- T.J. McCreight: Former player personnel executive for the Philadelphia Eagles and former director of college scouting for the Indianapolis Colts
- Justin Casey: Worked for the Arizona Cardinals in football administration and then as the senior player personnel executive for the Montreal Alouettes
- Kevin Cohn: Former scouting assistant for the Jacksonville Jaguars and assistant director of player personnel for the University of Connecticut
- Evan Pritt: Former Eagles scouting assistant and player personnel assistant for the University of Maryland
