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NFL Combine: Five takeaways from DB workouts

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On the final day of the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine, defensive backs took the field for the agility and positional drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Some surprised and other prospects struggled, but there were several notable performances, including a few new records.

Here are five takeaways from Monday’s NFL Combine:

1. Michigan State CB Trae Waynes leads all defensive backs in the 40-yard dash

Entering the 2015 NFL Combine, Waynes was NFLDraftScout.com’s top-ranked cornerback and after running a 4.31 40-yard dash on Monday, he likely cemented himself as the draft’s best defensive back for several teams. Waynes plays fast on tape and confirmed at the Combine that he has the straight-line speed to press and get vertical with receivers at the NFL level.

Waynes tested well in the other drills with 19 reps on the bench press, 38-inch vertical and 7.06 3-cone drill. Although he does have unusually small hands (8 1/4 inches) for his body type, he has the height (6-0), length (31-inch arms) and growth potential to continue and get stronger and add bulk to his frame. Waynes tends to freelance too much on tape, but he has the speed, toughness and confidence to be a lockdown guy on the outside and worthy of a top-15 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

2. Connecticut DB Byron Jones sets combine (and world) record

Although we haven’t seen him on the field since October, Jones set a new NFL Combine record with a 12-feet-3 standing broad jump, an astounding number that also beats the former world record (12-feet-2). To put that mark in perspective, Georgia WR Chris Conley matched the best broad jump number at the Combine since 2000 with an 11-feet-7 jump on Saturday, a full eight inches short of Jones’ new record.

But it wasn’t just the broad jump as Jones finished among the best performers at any position in the vertical jump (44-inches), 3-cone drill (6.78) and short shuttle (3.94). Just three weeks out since he starting running, he didn’t run the 40-yard dash or perform in the positional drills. Jones had left shoulder surgery in October, missing the final few months of his senior season and the Senior Bowl.

Jones has the athleticism for cornerback, but looks and tackles like safety at 6-1 and 199 pounds. He was a senior captain at UConn with impeccable character that has coaches gushing about his intangibles. Factor in the athletic prowess and Jones has created a ton of positive buzz – and he didn’t have to run the 40-yard dash to do so.

3. Rough day for TCU defensive backs

TCU linebacker Paul Dawson ran a disappointing 4.93 in the 40-yard dash on Sunday and unfortunately it didn’t get much better for his Horned Frogs teammates on Monday. Cornerback Kevin White (4.63) and safety Chris Hackett (4.81) both finished among the slowest times at their position, confirming the questions about their speed at the next level.

White impressed at the Senior Bowl with his short area quickness and instincts, but his lack of long speed did show up on a few occasions. He was also burnt several times on tape when the receiver was able to gain a step, not showing the twitchy burst or make-up deep speed. White did okay in the other drills (35.5-inch vertical and 18 reps on the bench), but at his size (5-9, 183) the slower speed is something that will worry NFL teams.

Despite another year of eligibility at TCU, Hackett decided to make the jump to the NFL after seven interceptions in 2014. But his tape shows below average speed and transitional skills as he struggles to recover after initially beat, even by tight ends, and his slower 40-yard dash time in Indianapolis matches what the game film shows. Every safety can be caught guessing, but Hackett is found red-handed a little too often and the below average workout numbers won’t help his draft stock.

4. Corner or safety? Rowe shows the skill set for multiple secondary spots

At 6-1, 205 pounds with long arms, Rowe saw playing time at both safety and cornerback in college with scouts split on where his best position might be at the next level. But instead of limiting him to one or the other, he has the versatility to do both and his workout numbers on Monday only backed that up.

Rowe finished among the best performers in Indianapolis with a 4.45 40-yard dash, 39-inch vertical, 10-feet-5 broad jump, 6.70 3-cone drill, 3.97 short shuttle and 19 reps on the bench. He checked a number of boxes and might have secured his spot as a top-100 prospect in the 2015 class. Some teams still like him best at cornerback while others see him as a safety, but regardless, he has the skill-set to play either and start in the NFL.

5. Don’t sleep on Wake Forest CB Kevin Johnson

It was disappointing to scouts when he was a healthy scratch at the Senior Bowl, but Johnson made a statement with his performance at the combine. His 4.52 40-yard dash was average, but his other numbers were outstanding, including the vertical (41.5-inch), broad jump (10-feet-10), three cone drill (6.79) and short shuttle (3.89).

But the best number Johnson produced over the weekend? Maybe his weight, tipping the scale at 188 pounds, which is 10-15 pounds heavier than what he looked on tape. Johnson has natural cover skills with experience in press and off-man, showing the athleticism, recognition skills and confidence to line up in zone or man coverage. Although somewhat overlooked, possibly because of where he played college football, Johnson is a highly-skilled cover man who projects as a rookie starter and maybe a top-30 pick.

Dane Brugler is a senior analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, owned and distributed by The Sports Xchange in cooperation with CBSSports.com.

Since 1987, the Sports Xchange has been the best source of information and analysis for the top professionals in the sports publishing & information business

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