The NFL Combine is a chance for prospects to impress scouts on and off-the-field ahead of April’s draft, and players from Ole Miss and Mississippi State did just that.
As drills in Indianapolis come to a close, two of the biggest names from the combine were Ole Miss WR D.K. Metcalf and Mississippi State DE Montez Sweat.
Both of them were already thought to be first-round prospects, but they may have boosted their draft stock to new heights after their workouts. Much has been made of Metcalf’s physique after pictures began circulating on social media in recent weeks, but some wondered if his muscle mass would slow him down.
After he weighed in at 228 pounds, he put that worry to rest by posting a 4.33 40-yard dash time, which was good for 3rd among WRs.
At 6’3″ and 228 lbs, D.K. Metcalf put up an INSANE 40-yard dash time 😱
📺: NFL Network pic.twitter.com/tlQ9HOM1LL
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 2, 2019
Before running his 40, Metcalf also put up 27 reps on the Bech press, which was tied for the most among the WRs. While he struggled a bit in agility drills, Metcalf had NFL teams and players buzzing.
4.33…💪🏽💪🏽
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) March 2, 2019
On Sunday, it was time for the defensive linemen to take to the field, and Sweat, already thought to be a top prospect, stole the show. At 4.41, Sweat broke the combine record for DL, and his time was faster than many of the league’s top talents.
Oh my, Montez Sweat!
He ran the fastest time ever for a defensive lineman at the combine 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nwWu6Vnj8W
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) March 3, 2019
Along with his tape from Mississippi State, Sweat’s combine performance will have teams doing everything they can to get him on their defensive line come draft time.
Today was the DBs turn, and the impressive numbers continued. S Johnathan Abram posted a 4.45 and is thought to be a 1st round prospect.
.@HailStateFB DB @JohnathanAbram1 (@BuckyBrooks‘ #1 safety) runs a 4.45u 40-yard dash in his second attempt.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/8eyK9fIObD
— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2019
Ole Miss DB Zedrick Woods may not be drafted high in the draft, but his 40-time will get him some more looks. The former Rebel posted a combine-best 4.29.
Officially the FASTEST 40 of the 2019 #NFLCombine…@OleMissFB DB Zedrick Woods runs a 4.29!!! 🔥 @ZedrickW pic.twitter.com/QJNFkcifSe
— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2019
Other notable names like A.J. Brown and Nick Fitzgerald were among the 17 total players from Ole Miss and MSU invited to the combine.
