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2019 NFL Draft Combine: Top 10 Players to Watch

By John Mitchell

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 10: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners approaches the stands after the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 48-47. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 10: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners approaches the stands after the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Oklahoma State 48-47. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Barring something completely unexpected (an arrest, failed drug test, etc.) Devin White is going to be the No. 1 linebacker off the board in April regardless of what his testing numbers end up looking like.

That won’t matter, however, because the LSU All-American is likely to test off the charts this week in Indianapolis. Don’t be surprised if White’s numbers end up looking more like a defensive back than a linebacker, with a 40-yard-dash time in the 4.4 or 4.5 range. White’s athleticism has long been raved about, and it was on full display over his career in Baton Rouge, culminating in an excellent junior season that saw him win the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker.

Along with his 40-time, his 3-cone shuffle, vertical, broad jump, bench press, etc. should all jump off the page. Adding his impressive athleticism with his already off-the-charts football I.Q. gives White the making of a future NFL star.

White is the evolution of the linebacker position, with his versatility allowing him to still be a run thumper while also holding up in coverage and showing an inability to come off the edge as a pass rusher in certain situations.

He was already a first round lock as the best linebacker in the draft, but White’s combine performance could lead to him being seriously considered in the Top 5 as teams look to potentially build their entire defense around him.

A team like the Raiders at No. 4 could be intrigued with White, particularly if the draft’s top edge rushers – Ohio State’s Nick Bosa and Kentucky’s Josh Allen – are off the board. Jon Gruden could view him as a building block as he looks to build back up Oakland’s roster after coming in and tearing it down last offseason.

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