2015 NFL Combine: LB Recap

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Draft Stock Falling:

LB Paul Dawson, TCU (6’0 | 235 | 4.93): Surprisingly slow time from Dawson and he looked sluggish in the drills as well. His tape is still excellent, but there aren’t a lot of 3-down LBs who run in the 5 flat range.

DE/LB Lorenzo Mauldin, Louisville (6’4 | 259 | 4.85): Ran slower than expected and also looked stiff in the drills. From what I’ve seen, Mauldin is a better fit at DE which will hurt his draft stock because he is undersized for that position.

LB Denzel Perryman, Miami (5’11 | 236 | 4.78): Another guy with great tape, but a slower than expected 40-time. He’s a thumper inside, but might be limited to 2-downs if he can’t show more speed and agility at his pro day.

DE/LB Hau’oli Kikaha, Washington (6’2 | 253): Didn’t run the 40, but looked stiff and awkward in the drill portion. Kikaha has elite pass rushing skills and may be better off just focusing on being a 4-3 DE.

LB Martrell Spaight, Arkansas (6’0 | 236 | 4.88): For an undersized LB, 4.88 is really slow. All of the Razorback prospects ran slowly this weekend for some reason. Spaight is built like a weakside OLB in a 4-3, but looked too slow for the position.

DE/LB Tony Washington (6’4 | 247 | 4.99): One of my favorite day 3 prospects, but a 5-flat for a guy most teams project as a 3-4 OLB is a terrible time. At under 250 pounds, I expected Washington to be no worse than a 4.75, but his slow time and stiffness in drills will limit Washington to a 3rd down pass rusher and he will be lucky to be drafted.