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2018 NFL Combine: 13 of the most impactful combine performances

By Justin Dottavio

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Penn State running back Saquon Barkley runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Penn State running back Saquon Barkley runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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2. They needed that, biggest NFL Combine boosts

Some guys need to come to the NFL Combine and just prove that their measurables match their film. The first player that’s come to mind so far is Royce Freeman, the running back from Oregon. Freeman is 5-foot-11 and 233 pounds of knees and elbows.

The Ducks’ feature back the past four seasons has had ups and downs battling injuries and head coaching changes. Freeman was listed as the sixth running back and 69th overall player in the draft by CBS Sports but could climb the charts after this impressive combine. Freeman ran a 4.54 in the 40-yard dash and a 6.9 second 3-cone drill.

He added a 4.16 20-yard shuttle which is insanely impressive since Barkley posted a 4.24. That shows Freeman has the cutback ability NFL scouts drool over. Freeman put up a solid 34 inch vertical jump and 118 inch broad jump.

Sticking to the running back theme for don’t forget me was Sony Michel. The former Georgia Bulldog measured in at 5-foot-11 and 214 pounds with a 4.54 in the 40-yard dash. Michel put up 22 reps on the bench press and a 4.21 20-yard shuttle.

UCF rush end slash linebacker Shaquem Griffin came to the combine looking to prove himself after a late invite. Griffen’s 12 tackles with 3.5 for a loss and 1.5 sacks against the Auburn Tigers sealed his invitation. From there, Griffin did the rest.

He Measuring in at 6-foot-1 and 227 pounds. Griffin put up the 20 bench press reps needed by an edge rusher and a 4.38 40-yard dash that makes him by far the fastest linebacker in the draft. Anyone afraid that Griffin couldn’t transform his All-AAC defensive player of the year honors in 2016 to NFL success will be sadly mistaken.

Griffin could be an edge rusher in the 3-4 or a 4-2-5 hybrid player that can play the flat, blitz, or work in the run game off some scrape exchange. The UCF defensive back turned linebacker is the twin brother of Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin who also ran a 4.38 40-yard dash but at only 195 pounds.

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