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NFL Combine: Biggest winners, losers and questions left unanswered

By Patrick Schmidt

Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State defensive lineman Joey Bosa speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State defensive lineman Joey Bosa speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebackers

The biggest news from the linebackers at the Combine may have been the unfortunately health news about Notre Dame outside linebacker Jaylon Smith whose 2016 season is in jeopardy with nerve issues stemming from his knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl in January.

He’s only a few weeks removed from the injury so his medical re-checks and evaluations from individual NFL teams will be imperative. When healthy, there may not be a better pure football player, but the question is if he’ll ever be able to regain that pre-injury form.

Myles Jack is the top linebacker but he couldn’t do everything at the Combine because he’s recovering from a torn MCL that ended his season at UCLA. His prognosis is much cleaner than Smith’s and should be the first linebacker taken and a top-11 pick.

The best Combine was turned in by Ohio State’s Darron Lee who ran the fastest 40 at 4.47, the best broad jump at 11’1″ and the third fastest 3-cone drill. He should be a top-25 pick.

Another player who helped himself with his workouts was Georgia’s edge rusher Leonard Floyd who flashed during his career in Athens and showed the length, athleticism and speed to be a difference-maker as a 3-4 outside linebacker. I think he’s safely inside the first round.

Next: Defensive Backs

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