NFL Combine results, highlights, top performers from 2020 draft workouts

Tadd Haislop
and others
• 20 min read
NFL-Combine-live-022420-FTR

We understand why NFL Combine results are noteworthy to so many despite on-field workouts being among the least important aspects of the annual scouting event in Indianapolis. After all, the annual fixation on NFL Draft prospects running around in tights is why the league moved the 2020 NFL Combine to prime time. The players treat these workouts like a competition, and such a contest of athleticism sells.

The new NFL Combine schedule for 2020, though, might make results consumption more difficult for those whose prime-time viewing commitments in late February are set. (That Friday-night episode of "Hawaii Five-0" isn't going to watch itself.) That's where we come in with a tracker of live updates and highlights, a collection of what you need to know from the workouts at the Combine.

MORE: Explaining the new NFL Combine drills

On-field workouts at the NFL Combine began Thursday with quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends. They continue Friday with running backs, offensive linemen and special teams, then Saturday with defensive linemen and linebackers before they end Sunday with defensive backs.

A handful of notable names like Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa and Chase Young are not participating in drills at the 2020 NFL Combine, but players like Henry Ruggs III will have chances to steal this year's show.

With player measurements, medical evaluations and other aspects of the NFL Combine (mostly) in the books, below is a live tracker of the notable results from on-field workouts Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

MORE: NFL Combine TV schedule for 2020

NFL Combine results & highlights

Sunday, March 1: Defensive backs

5:38 p.m.: Jeff Okudah came back after a tough fall to do the broad jump and high jump. His 41-inch vertical leap was best among CBs.

4:54 p.m.: L'Jarius Sneed from Louisiana Tech runs a 4.38 40 on his first try. Unofficial, that is.

4:48 p.m.: Xavier McKinney comes up lame after running his first 40. Turns out McKinney is cramping and he's done for the day.

4:31 p.m.: Utah DB Javelin Guidry had himself quite a showing on the bench press.

4:28 p.m.: Corners finish out a pretty nondescript session. Safeties are up for drills next. Xavier McKinney benched 225 lbs. 19 times earlier today.

4:10 p.m.: DBs have an opportunity to run the gauntlet drill now. 

2:30 p.m: Javelin Guidry runs a 4.30 40-yard dash — twice. Average their two runs, and he's only one hundredth of a second behind Henry Ruggs III.

Friday, Feb. 29: Defensive linemen and linebackers

9:32 p.m. — Day three of the NFL Combine is coming to a close. Here are the top marks from the defensive linemen:

8:32 p.m. — One of the most consistent comparisons for Isaiah Simmons is All-Pro safety Derwin James of the LA Chargers.

8:32 p.m. — Both Patrick Queen from LSU and Kenneth Murray from Oklahoma have come up holding their hamstrings at the end of their second 40s.

8:22 p.m. — Mike Mayock is impressed with Isaiah Simmons, but with the Combine he's having, Mayock might have to package No. 12 and No. 19 in the first round to go up and get him.

8:18 p.m. — Isaiah Simmons isn't going to run his second 40, which makes sense. The 4.39u he just ran would be the second fastest 40 for a linebacker since 2003, only behind the 4.38 from Shaquem Griffin in 2018.

8:08 p.m. — Isaiah Simmons was asked what position he plays during the media session earlier this week. His response was, "Defense." The Clemson swiss army knife just clocked in at 4.39.

8:06 p.m. — Two potential first-round picks:

Kenneth Murray from Oklahoma: 4.52

Patrick Queen from LSU: 4.56

8 p.m. — A new best time: Mississippi State's Willie Gay Jr. with a 4.46.

7:56 p.m. — The best time so far is from Temple's Shaun Bradley, who clocked in at 4.51.

7:52 p.m. — Some notable numbers so far:

Zach Braun (Wisconsin) - 4.65

Jordyn Brooks (Texas Tech) - 4.55

Nick Coe (Auburn) - 4.89

7:48 p.m. — The linebackers are underway!

7:10 p.m. — Before the linebackers run the 40, here are the top jumpers.

6:54 p.m. — Official numbers are in for the top defensive linemen.

6:24 p.m. — The numbers are in from the vertical:

6:06 p.m. — James Smith-Williams from NC State just ran a 4.62u. By far the best time from a lineman today.

6:05 p.m. — Notable times through the first run:

A.J. Epenesa (Iowa) - 5.10

Raekwon Davis (Alabama) 5.17

James Lynch (Baylor) - 5.01

Kenny Willekes (Mich. St.) - 4.93

5:54 p.m. — A new top 40 time amongst the defensive linemen: 4.70 for Alex Highsmith out of UNC-Charlotte.

5:45 p.m. — The next group of linemen is about to run the 40.

4:50 p.m. — A lot of eyes are on Derrick Brown today. The Auburn defensive tackle could go as high as No. 3 overall.

4:30 p.m. — The defensive linemen have gotten to the third day underway. Some notable 40 times so far:

Neville Gallimore (Oklahoma) - 4.79

Jordan Elliot (Missouri) - 5.03

Ross Blacklock (TCU) - 4.91

Derrick Brown (Auburn) - 5.11

4:22 p.m. — This is pretty sweet.

Friday, Feb. 28: Running backs, offensive linemen and specialists

10 p.m. — The second day of the NFL Combine has wrapped up. The defensive line and linebackers will showcase their skills on Saturday starting at 4 p.m. ET.

9:10 p.m. — The official numbers are in for the running backs.

8:30 p.m. — Georgia has produced some great NFL running backs in recent history. D'Andre Swift could be the next.

8:10 p.m. — Notable 40 times for top running backs:

Clyde Edwards-Helaire (LSU) - 4.61

D'Andre Swift (Georgia) - 4.49

Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin) - 4.41

A.J. Dillon (Boston College) - 4.53

8:05 p.m. — Jonathon Taylor with the fastest time of the day! The Badger hits 4.41u on his first run.

7:50 p.m. — A.J. Dillon 247-pounds, 41-inch vertical, 4.53 40-yard dash.

7:48 p.m. — Best time so far belongs to Raymond Calais of Louisiana Lafayette: 4.42u.

7:43 p.m. — The first group of running backs is underway.

7:20 p.m. — The linebackers have made their way to the bench press.

6:33 p.m. — Tfw you just dominated the combine and made a ton of money by shooting up draft boards.

6:33 p.m. — Wirfs officially clocks in at 4.85, the best time by far of the potential first-rounders.

6:20 p.m. — Notable unofficial 40 times for potential first-round picks:

Jedrick Wills Jr. (Bama) - 5.09

Mekhi Becton (Louisville) - 5.10

Tristan Wirfs (Iowa) - 4.86

Andrew Thomas (Georgia) - 5.22

Josh Jones (Houston) - 5:28

Austin Jackson (USC) - 5.07

Ceaser Ruiz (Michigan) - 5.08

5:57 p.m. — Tristan Wirfs keeps dropping jaws. 4.86u on his first 40.

5:50 p.m. — These defensive linemen pumped a lot of iron.

5:30 p.m. — Tristan Wirfs just set a Combine record for offensive linemen. The Iowa product's 36.5-inch vertical jump is the best ever and his 10-foot, 1-inch broad jump ties Kolton Miller's Combine record from 2018.

5:10 p.m. — Mekhi Becton shot up draft boards in the last few months. Some draft experts believe he could go as high as No. 4 overall. Becton has measured in at 6-foot-7, 364-pounds and just ran the 40 in 5.10-seconds. Tadd Haslaip has more on the physical freak of nature.

4:45 p.m. — The best 40-yard dash of the day has come from Steven Wirtel, a long snapper from Iowa State, who clocked in at 4.72.

Thursday, Feb. 27: Quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends

11:00 p.m. — The first night of the NFL Combine is a wrap. We have the Winners and Losers from the quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends. The running backs, offensive line and special teamers will take the field tomorrow, starting at 7 p.m. ET.

10:45 p.m. — Jordan Love had an incredible 2018 season with 3,567 yards, 32 touchdowns and six interceptions. 2019 was a different story. He had 3,402 yards passing but added only 20 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Teams are hoping to get the 2018 version of Love and Daniel Jeremiah has confidence they will.

10:15 p.m. — Henry Ruggs III impressed, but goes down with an injury, Bill Bender writes.

10:00 p.m — Me: Analytically, the goal line fade is the worst pass play in football. The expected point value of -0.26 per play makes it the least successful option on the goal line. It would be smart to move away from it going forward.

The NFL:

9:40 p.m — Henry Ruggs III came into the NFL combine with HUGE expectations. He did not disappoint.

9:08 p.m — What six one-hundredths of a second looks like.

9:08 p.m — Henry Ruggs III from Alabama runs a 4.28! The fastest of the day by a tenth of a second.

9:00 p.m — New fastest unofficial time! Darnell Mooney from Tulane with a 4.38.

8:55 p.m — Jerry Jeudy 4.46 on his first run. CeeDee Lamb 4.51. The top two receivers on most boards.

8:50 p.m. — Second group of QB's:

Jordan Love: 4.65u

Steven Montez: 4.58u

James Morgan: 4.89u

Shea Patterson: 4.67u

Nate Stanley: 4.65u

8:40 p.m. — The next group of athletes is running the 40 now. QB's up first.

8:20 p.m. — NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah thinks highly of Jalen Hurts.

8:05 p.m. — Not bad company.

7:02 p.m. — Top TE performers in the vertical jump:

6:50 p.m. — Donavon Peoples-Jones got up. The Michigan receiver can jump.

6:35 p.m. — New fastest 40: Devin Duvernay of Texas and Antonio Gibson out of Memphis each clock in at 4.40u.

6:25 p.m. — Chase Claypool out of Notre Dame, who teams asked to work out as a tight end, just ran a 4.45 unofficial. He's listed at 6-foot-4, 238-pounds.

6:20 p.m. — Brandon Aiyuk added to his 40 inch vertical with a 4.50 unofficial.

6:15 p.m. — Notable QB's (unofficially) on their second run:

Hurts: 4.59

Herbert: 4.69

Eason: 4.90

Fromm: 5.04

6:05 p.m. — Quarterbacks are getting going. Jalen Hurts has the best unofficial time so far at 4.64. Justin Herbert goes 4.71. Jacob Eason from Washington goes 4.90 and Jake Fromm from Georgia clocks in at 5.01.

5:50 p.m. — Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is making a strong case to be a first round pick. He was overshadowed last season by 2019 first rounder N'Keal Harry but exploded onto the scene in 2020.

5:45 p.m. — You might get sore just watching this.

5:30 p.m. — Not prospect-related but this is a real thing Jerry Jones said.

4:20 p.m — Missouri tight end Albert Okwuegbunam is making a name for himself.

NFL Combine schedule

The biggest change to the NFL Combine schedule for 2020 comes in the start times for on-field workouts Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Now the action extends into and through prime time.

NFL Network, the exclusive TV channel for all on-field drills at the Combine, is presenting seven straight hours of workout coverage on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the network will show all five hours of the last group's (DB) drills. Host Rich Eisen and analyst/draft expert Daniel Jeremiah anchor NFL Network's Combine coverage with additional commentary from Charles Davis and others.

Below is the complete TV schedule for on-field workouts and drills at the 2020 NFL Combine.

Time Group TV channel
4-11 p.m. ET TE, QB, WR NFL Network
Time Group TV channel
4-11 p.m. ET PK, ST, OL, RB NFL Network
Time Group TV channel
4-11 p.m. ET DL, LB NFL Network
Time Group TV channel
2-7 p.m. ET DB NFL Network

The on-field workouts shown on TV, of course, are just the tip of the iceberg that is an NFL prospect's Combine experience. For many players, the drills are the least relevant portion of the week.

A given prospect's workout at the Combine comes after he has gone through orientation, interviews, measurements, a medical exam, more interviews, media obligations, more medical exams, a position coach interview, psychological testing, an NFLPA meeting, more interviews, the bench press and more psychological testing. This is technically a job interview, after all.

Below is the complete player schedule for all four groups at the 2020 NFL Combine, courtesy of NFLCombine.net.

NFL-Combine-schedule-021920

Contributing: Austin Anderson, Tom Gatto

  • Thursday, Feb. 27: Quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends (All times Eastern)
    • Friday, Feb. 28: Running backs, offensive linemen and special teams
    • Saturday, Feb. 29: Defensive linemen and linebackers
    • Sunday, March 1: Defensive backs
    • Thursday, Feb. 27
    • Friday, Feb. 28
    • Saturday, Feb. 29
    • Sunday, March 1
Author(s)
Tadd Haislop