NFL Combine 2016: Defensive ZScor

Last week, we published analysis recapping this years’ prospects on the offensive side of the football. Today, we switch our focuses to the defenders and there are some absolute MONSTERS.

There is depth and skill at each position. Every team that needs an upgrade will leave Chicago with the necessary prospects.  Due to the strength in numbers, the analysis will separate the gridlock of talented prospects.

Last Years’ Standout

In last season’s edition of ZScor, Alvin Dupree stood out as a talent for the future. Despite receiving offers from Jacksonville State and University of Kentucky, Dupree’s superb athleticism led to his ascent as one of the SEC’s best linebackers. In last year’s ZScor, he was the highest rated linebacker. After being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dupree started in five of the 16 games, getting four sacks and 26 tackles. His Steelers teammates named later him as their “2015 Rookie of The Year.”

So… Let’s see who replicated Bud Dupree’s 2015 NFL Combine Dominance.

Defensive Ends

Top Three Defensive Ends

1. McCalister, Alex (Florida): (1.426Z) Strengths: Agility (7.01 3 Cone Drill, 4 Shuttle Run), Jumping (128″ Broad Jump)
2. Lawson, Shaq (Clemson): (0.854Z) Strengths: Speed (4.7 40 Yard Dash), Agility (4.21 Shuttle Run), Jumping (120″ Broad Jump)
3. Tapper, Charles (Oklahoma): (0.852Z) Strengths: Speed (4.59 40 Yard Dash), Jumping (119″ Broad Jump)

Bottom Three Defensive Ends

1. Pettway, D.J. (Alabama): (-1.15Z) Weaknesses: Agility (7.74 3 Cone Drill, 4.69 Shuttle Run), Jumping (28″ Vertical Jump, 108″ Broad Jump), Strength (17 Reps, Bench Press),
2. Jackson, Branden (Texas Tech): (-1.03Z) Weaknesses: Speed (5.06 40 Yard Dash), Strength (17 Reps, Bench Press)
3. Bailey, Sterling (Georgia): (-0.96Z) Weaknesses: Speed (5.23 40 Yard Dash), Agility (4.73 Shuttle Run)

Defensive Tackles

Top Three Defensive Tackles

1. Nkemdiche, Robert (Ole Miss): (1.26Z) Strengths: Speed (4.87 40 Yard Dash), Jumping (35″ Vertical Jump), Strength (28 Reps, Bench Press)
2. Wujciak, Connor (Boston College): (1.15Z) Strengths: Agility (7.32 3 Cone Drill, 4.27 Shuttle Run), Jumping (34.5″ Vertical Jump, 117″ Broad Jump)
3. Rankins, Sheldon (Louisville): (0.934Z) Strengths: Agility (7.44 3 Cone Drill), Jumping (34.5″ Vertical Jump, 118″ Broad Jump)

Bottom Three Defensive Tackles

1. Mayes, Chris (Georgia): (-1.01Z) Weaknesses: Speed (5.34 40 Yard Dash), Agility (5.13 Shuttle Run), Jumping (23.5″ Vertical Jump)
2. Washington, Adolphus (Ohio State): (-1.00Z) Weaknesses: Agility (3 Cone Drill), (99″ Broad Jump)
3. Johnson, Austin (Penn State): (-0.887Z) Weaknesses: Speed (5.32 40 Yard Dash), Jumping (26″ Vertical Jump, 99″ Broad Jump)

Inside Linebackers

Top Three Inside Linebackers

1. Perry, Josh (Ohio State): (1.07Z) Strengths: Speed (4.68 40 Yard Dash), Jumping (33.5″ Vertical Jump, 124″ Broad Jump)
2. Vigil, Nick (Utah State): (0.773Z) Strengths: Speed (4.72 40 Yard Dash), Agility (6.73 3 Cone Drill, 4.00 Shuttle Run)
3. Smith, Terrance (Florida State): (0.676Z) Strengths: Jumping (34.5″ Vertical Jump, 120″ Broad Jump)

Bottom Three Inside Linebackers

1. Alexander, Dominique (Alabama): (-1.38Z) Weaknesses: Jumping (28.5″ Vertical Jump, 104″ Broad Jump), Strength (17 Reps, Bench Press)
2. Forrest, Josh (Kentucky): (-0.883Z) Weaknesses: Speed (4.91 40 Yard Dash), Strength (11 Reps, Bench Press)
3. Daniels, Steven (Boston College): (-0.681Z) Weaknesses: Speed (4.86 40 Yard Dash), Agility (7.33 3 Cone Drill, 4.54 Shuttle Run), Strength (16 Reps, Bench Press)

Outside Linebackers

Top Three Outside Linebackers

1. Floyd, Leonard (Georgia): (1.53Z) Strengths: Jumping (39.5″ Vertical Jump, 127″ Broad Jump)
2. Freeney, Travis (Washington): (1.08Z) Strengths: Speed (4.5 40 Yard Dash), Jumping (40″ Vertical Jump, 130″ Broad Jump)
3. Bond, Devante (Oklahoma): (0.531Z) Strengths: Jumping (37.5″ Vertical Jump)

Bottom Three Outside Linebackers

1. Frost, Kris (Auburn): (-1.22Z) Weaknesses: Speed (4.97 40 Yard Dash), Jumping (29″ Vertical Jump)
2. Cravens, Su’a (USC): (-1.17Z) Weaknesses: Jumping (27″ Vertical Jump), Strength (16 Reps, Bench Press)
3. Longa, Steve (Rutgers): (-0.87Z) Weaknesses: Agility (7.5 3 Cone Drill, 4.56 Shuttle Run)

Cornerbacks

Top Three Cornerbacks

1. Ramsey, Jalen (Florida State): (1.008Z) Strengths: Speed (4.41 40 Yard Dash), Jumping (41.5″ Vertical Jump, 135″ Broad Jump)
2. Hargraves III, Vernon (Florida): (0.913Z) Strengths: Agility (3.95 Shuttle Run), Jumping (39″ Vertical Jump, 130″ Broad Jump)
3. Elliott, DeAndre (Colorado): (0.85Z) Strengths: Agility (3.94 Shuttle Run), Jumping (41″ Vertical Jump)

Bottom Three Cornerbacks

1. Miller, Harlan (Southeastern Louisiana): (-1.54Z) Weaknesses: Speed (4.65 40 Yard Dash), Agility (7.44 3 Cone Drill), Strength (6 Reps, Bench Press)
2. Pruitt, Jimmy (San Jose State): (-0.826Z) Weaknesses: Speed (4.73 40 Yard Dash), Jumping (32″ Vertical Jump)
3. Howard, Xavien (Baylor): (-0.595Z) Weaknesses: Agility (7.18 3 Cone Drill), Jumping (33″ Vertical Jump), Strength (11 Reps, Bench Press)

Safeties

Top Three Safeties

1. Davis, Sean (Maryland): (1.25Z) Strengths: Speed (4.46 40 Yard Dash), Agility (6.64 3 Cone Drill, 3.97 Shuttle Run), Jumping (37.5″ Vertical Jump, 126″ Broad Jump), Strength (21 Reps, Bench Press)
2. Simmons, Justin (Boston College): (1.12Z) Strengths: Agility (6.58 3 Cone Drill, 3.85 Shuttle Run), Jumping (40 Reps, Bench Press)
3. Killebrew, Miles (Southern Utah): (0.658Z) Strengths: Agility (6.93 3 Cone Drill), Jumping (38″ Vertical Jump)

Bottom Three Safeties

1. Thompson, Darian (Boise State): (-0.97Z) Weaknesses: Agility (7.26 3 Cone Drill, 4.33 Shuttle Run), Jumping (32.5″ Vertical Jump), Strength (12 Reps, Bench Press)
2. Brutus, LaMarcus (Florida State): (-0.923Z) Weaknesses: Speed (4.76 40 Yard Dash), Agility (4.33 Shuttle Run)
3. Stamps, A.J. (Kentucky): (-0.885Z) Weaknesses: Speed (4.79 40 Yard Dash), Agility (7.17 3 Cone Drill), Jumping (115″ Broad Jump)