2023 All Scouting Combine Team
The NFL prospects that shined at the Combine.
The 2023 All Combine Team, presented by Ric Serritella’s NFL Draft Intelligence Newsletter & NFLDB
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The feeling I get when looking back on the NFL Combine is the players that reside on the defensive side of the football outdueled the offensive foes they might face at the next level in the NFL.
Michigan’s DJ Turner left Indianapolis with a ton of free goodies and the title of the ‘Fastest Man at the NFL Combine’ in 2023. No player was able to match or surpass his 4.26 forty, even though six other defensive backs ran in the 4.3s.
Turner wasn’t alone in establishing a premier workout for NFL evaluators. Below is a list of prospects who helped improve their draft stock. The individual results certainly played a factor in the nomination of the players listed.
Let it be none as well that it wasn’t based on the player who simply ran the fastest or jumped the farthest. However, those numbers were taken into consideration with other factors regarding each player’s value prior to and leaving the NFL Combine.
Ric on Turner: Turner is a small but twitchy cornerback with good technique and exciting athletic ability that should make him an asset in man coverage.
All-Defensive NFL Combine Team
Defensive Lineman
Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
Watching Kancey in his stance preparing for his forty, very few watching were expecting this 6-foot-1- and 281-pound defensive lineman to run an amazing 4.67 forty. Immediately afterward, the internet was set on fire with comparisons to another Panthers interior lineman named Aaron Donald. Their similarities are strikingly almost identical. Donald was 6-feet ¾ at 285 pounds and ran a 4.68 during his combine debut. Kancey’s stocky frame needed the boost of a fast forty. An average time would have kept him average in the minds of NFL scouts. That is not the case moving forward.
Game Notes: WVU at Pitt 2022 - Compact frame/Low to the ground/Fast pace/Quick/Like his initial get-off/Reminds me of Ejuan Price a bit.
Defensive Lineman
Bryan Bresee, Clemson
With a jaw dropping 4.86 forty time, Bresee could have sat out the rest of the drills eating a freshly opened bag of Doritos and been hailed one of the biggest benefactors to perform at the NFL Combine. Bresee earned second-team All-ACC selection this past season and measured in at 6-foot-5 and 298 pounds. He proved to easily be one of the most athletic players at the position. His success in the NFL will stem from him remaining healthy. Unfortunately, he has dealt with nagging injuries at Clemson. His workouts at the combine flashed his mechanical prowess, matching his athletic traits. A healthy Bresee in the NFL could be a steal for one lucky NFL team.
Defensive Lineman
Zacch Pickens, South Carolina
Pickens' on-field drills showcased all the positive traits in his toolbox. With great burst, balance and flexibility for his size Pickens did himself a world of good at the combine. To add the icing on top of the cake was his 4.89 forty time at 6-foot-4 and 291 pounds. Overall, he was in the upper echelon amongst the defensive linemen group. He ranked in the top six in every category except the bench press.
Finishing second in the broad jump (9’8”) was his highest finish amongst the drills, but his 4.62 20-yard shuttle (3rd overall) showed how he could distribute his weight effectively and quickly.
EDGE/OLB
Nolan Smith, Georgia
The Bulldogs outside linebacker Smith woke up the football universe with his 4.39 forty after checking in at 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds. His electrifying numbers ranked him tops in nearly every category he performed in, with numbers even the most athletic wideouts at the NFL Combine would be envious to proclaim their own. These numbers were a critical boost for Smith, who has appeared in 27 of the Bulldogs' last 45 games after missing time with injuries. With elite speed coming off the edge, his combine numbers will soften the stance of NFL teams eyeing him in the draft.
Linebacker
Jack Campbell, Iowa
There are so many tweeners and positional unicorns in the league nowadays it’s hard to just find a plug and play three-down linebacker. Campbell’s forty of 4.65 is a very respectable time (faster than two WRs at the combine) at 6-foot-5 and 249 pounds. He led the FBS with 143 tackles, and the combine numbers he posted gave proof of his athleticism scouts notice when watching his tape. He topped all linebackers with a 6.74 three-cone and his 10’8” broad jump was second-best in positional groupings. For any scout that’s going to pound on the table to get Campbell on their roster will love having these combine numbers as ammunition in their argument.
Game Notes: Iowa at Ohio State 2022 - Great size, moves well, displayed good change of direction in the open field, shoots the gap quickly, good self-awareness in field placement
Ric on Jack Campbell: An all-world tackler, Campbell uses length, range, and instincts to impact the game.
Linebacker
Owen Pappoe, Auburn
Heading to Indianapolis, the grades on Pappoe had him hovering near the bottom of day three of the draft and being amongst a handful of priority undrafted free agents at its conclusion. It took 4.39 seconds to change that perspective. Pappoe single-handedly changed his draft stock during his brief time in the Midwest. The two-time team captain ran the fastest forty in the group and his 1.52 10-yard split also was tip top for linebackers. Pappoe was hemorrhaging on being drafted or not and his domination of the combine should have him feeling very comfortable that he’ll hear his name called from the podium.
EDGE
Awesome-Ness is one way to describe Van Ness at the combine. He is a thoroughbred at 6-foot-5 and 272 pounds, Van Ness is a massive and fast individual to work against. The 4.58 forty he posted at his size is impressive. Throughout his collegiate career, Van Ness has flashed moments of brilliance at Iowa. Felt his on field work at the combine correlated nicely with his production with the Hawkeyes. Reminds me a bit of Minnesota Vikings’ Za’Darius Smith in terms of size and ability.
How many teams have you interviewed with?
I've interviewed with about 15 so far, I have another 10 tomorrow.
What separates you from other top pass rushers?
I have the ability to play all over the defensive line. As you know, last year I played defensive tackle. And then this year, I played a little bit more defensive end, but I believe I bring everything to the table in terms of playing the run and playing the pass and I I'll play wherever a coach needs me to play.
Who do you model your game after?
A guy I loved to watch on Sundays was J.J. Watt. Although he's not playing anymore, he was just a guy, I loved turning on the tape every Sunday, watching this game and trying to model myself after him.
Defensive Back
DJ Turner, Michigan
The fastest man at the NFL Combine must be associated with the All-Defensive NFL Combine team. While 4.2 fast might have been a bit of a surprise, there was nothing surprising about the way his play translated to what we saw in Indianapolis. Time and time again, Turner showed his explosive traits as a Wolverine. Standing at 5-foot-11 at 178 pounds, Turner is not a physical force, but mastering of his craft at the college level should provide him early success at the next level. The technical side of his craft is way above average for a rookie entering the league. Now sprinkle in that speed and things get exciting.
Defensive Back
Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
Odds are Gonzalez was in the mix for being considered the top defensive back selected. His 4.38 forty at 6’1 and 197 pounds cements his status to stay amongst the elite of the draft. His combine performance can be the springboard to becoming a top-10 selection in late April in Kansas City. His length and size, combined with a 41.5” vertical (tied for second) and 11’1” broad jump (tied for fourth) in the defensive back groupings, place him in the top tier of elite prospects.
Ric on Gonzalez: An exceptional athlete that has all the movement skills and demeanor of a true shutdown corner. Smoooooooth!!!
Safety
Jartavius Martin, Illinois
Martin had a great week in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, so much so that I made it a point to grab him after practice to learn more about him. Martin mentioned “physicality” and “flying around to make plays on the ball” were some of his biggest assets. It’s fair to add elite athleticism to his resume. He posted a very fast 4.46 at 5-foot-11 and 194 pounds. His 11’1” ranked tied for seventh overall in the broad jump and his 44-inch vertical jump was the best in the show. No one jumped higher. Martin used the off-season all-star circuit to the best of his advantage. Draft stock arrows are pointing up. Way up.
Safety
Jason Taylor II, Oklahoma State
Another prospect walking the tightrope on day three of the NFL Draft. Entering the NFL Combine the concerns were his raw athleticism. Did Taylor II have the goods? These guys come to work out and validate their draft grades via strong numbers and felt he did as well as anyone in terms of improving their draft grade. The 6-foot and 204-pound safety ran a 4.5 flat forty. His 43-inch vertical jump was the second best of the entire combine. His leap of 10’9” ranked this third among the safeties. If Taylor II gets the right coaching staff, that can develop him. He could become a late -round steal.
All-Offensive NFL Combine Team
Quarterback
Bryce Young, Alabama
In my opinion, Young placed himself firmly at the top of the NFL Draft by not participating in a single drill at the combine but showing up at 5-foot-10 1/8 and 204 pounds. The most scrutinized topic about the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner was if he would eclipse 200 pounds when he weighed in. He succeeded like most of the other things revolving around the game of football. According to sources I spoke to at the combine. His above the shoulders brilliance is abundantly impressive and now he has the weight to soften the biggest concern – Size.
Running Back
Devon Achane, Texas A&M
No one questions this pint-sized powerhouse from College Station. He showed countless times with the Aggies his fearless nature carrying the football in between the tackles. Achane is 5-foot-8 1//2 at 188 pounds. These are not exactly the ideal measurements for a running back to attract the NFL’s attention. Their attention now is squarely focused on Achane after his 4.32 40-yard dash. His size was going to limit his interest, but his exceptional timed speed now keeps him relevant on draft day. A gritty make you missed prospect with elite speed.
Tackle
Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
Despite not running the 40, Johnson Jr. demonstrated his athletic ability should exist in the body of an elite linebacker and not his 6-foot-6 and 313-pound frame. Originally playing guard for the Buckeyes in 2021, his move to tackle in 2022 has proved his worth at the next level. Seriously, Johnson Jr. is so fluid and light on his feet. He made a strong case to be the first tackle off the board. His next audition is his Ohio State Pro Day, where he plans on doing the combine drills.
Tackle
Braeden Daniels, Utah
Starting 43 games for the Utes, the question of durability never was in question. The 6-foot-4 and 294-pound All-Pac 12 first-team selection this past season ran an impressive 4.99 forty at the combine. During his time at Utah, Daniels was asked to fill a variety of positions along the offensive line. The sub 5.0 forty validates his speed and quickness to handle zone-blocking schemes. His 1.71 10-yard split ranked second amongst all linemen at the combine. Those numbers should bolster his outlook as one of the more athletic offensive linemen available in the draft.
Guard
Sidy Sow, Eastern Michigan
Sow engulfs his defender at the second level and engages quickly. Those were a few notes on Sow during one of the two games I scouted on him this past season. His 5.07 forty at 6-foot-5 and 323 pounds put this Canadian-born prospect firmly in the good graces of the NFL. His aggressiveness and power are his two biggest assets. His 1.80 10-yard split coveys his short area burst, another accolade to worth mentioning. Oh, one more. His 32.00” vertical jump ranked tied for fifth. The big man possesses some real athletic abilities.
Guard
Jon Gaines II, UCLA
Going into the combine, Gaines II was considered one of the more athletic players in his position. The technical side of his game creates some question marks. However, without solidifying his athleticism with an above-average combine performance, he could have been toast. Gaines II showed up big. He ran a 5.01 forty at 6-foot-4 and 303 pounds, which ranked sixth overall in his grouping. He tied for second in the 10-yard split with an impressive 1.73 and tied for third with a 32.50” vertical jump. Gaines II capitalized on his invite to Indy.
Center
Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas
The winner of the prestigious 2022 SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy (given to the conference’s most outstanding blocker), Stromberg did not allow a sack or quarterback hit during his final season in Fayetteville. The Tulsa, Oklahoma native was measured at 6-foot-3 and 306 pounds at the combine. A modest 5.26 forty wasn’t the talk of the day, but finishing tied for third in the vertical jump (32.5) and tied for sixth in the broad jump (9’3) should help minister his athletic ability in the eyes of NFL teams. Firing off the ball and using his leverage are strong suits. Stromberg quieted any concerns about athleticism with his combine results.
Tight End
Zack Kuntz, Old Dominion
Considered much of a fringe day three type prospect Kuntz is going to have teams digging through their notes and watching more film as he put on one of the top performances at the tight end position. He measured in at a whopping 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds and ran the second fastest forty (4.55) among tight ends. His 10-yard split of 1.57 tied him for third. He was an inch and a half better than all other tight ends with a 40.00” vertical jump, and his 10’8” broad jump also topped the group. Kuntz was the only tight end to come in under a sub 6.9 three-cone time with a 6.87 in the drill. This type of performance should now guarantee he hears his name called on draft day. It was possible he did not hear it all prior to his amazing performance in Indy.
Wide Receiver
Zay Flowers, Boston College
Flowers should be the first players selected who participated in the East West Shrine Bowl. A shifty receiver, his 4.42 was enough to validate his status among the top day two receivers coming off the board. Flowers possesses a smaller frame at 5-foot-9 and 182 pounds. It was significantly important to run in the low 4’s anything higher would have clouded his value in NFL minds. Doubt he sneaks into day one of the NFL Draft but he should be a steal on day two.
Wide Receiver
Trey Palmer, Nebraska
The former LSU Tigers’ wideout recorded the fastest 40 time among all receivers invited to the combine. His blazing 4.33 ranked fourth overall and immediately changed his draft trajectory. Standing at 6-foot-0 and 192 pounds, Palmer is no lightweight. He set the Cornhuskers' single-season record with 237 receiving yards against Purdue, which adds another wrinkle to the potential Palmer can provide at the next level.
Wide Receiver
Ronnie Bell, Michigan
The Wolverines receiver ran a modest 4.54 forty at the combine. His 1.52 10-yard split tied him for sixth in time and 12th overall. Bell’s 38.50” vertical jump also ranked near the top tier of receivers at the combine, tying him for eleventh best in the receiver group. Those are good signs that his recovery after an ACL tear in 2021 is progressing positively. The 6-foot-1- and 191-pound wideout is ultra-competitive and the numbers he posted at the combine will go a long way in advancing his draft stock.
The performance of these players, from defensive linemen Calijah Kancey, Bryan Bresee, Zacch Pickens, edge/outside linebacker Nolan Smith, and linebackers Jack Campbell and Owen Pappoe, has significantly improved their draft stock. Although the numbers from the combine were just one factor considered by scouts, the players listed here showed a combination of athleticism, speed, and technical skills that make them stand out among their peers. It will be exciting to see how they perform in the NFL and how they will contribute to their teams in the future.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers Scout Sports Illustrated
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