NFL Combine: Fastest 40-yard dash times by defensive linemen, LB prospects
These days, as thoughts turn from the most recent Philadelphia Eagles season to the NFL Combine, one of the lesser-mentioned stories of the campaign has been how Philly’s coaches and leadership structure dedicated serious resources to elevating the linebacker position. We already knew the Birds prided themselves on strengthening their offensive and defensive line, but ask anyone that loves this team about that first point. You have no idea how huge that statement is.
Heading into 2023’s offseason, Philly stands to lose some talent at the first and second levels of the defense. Brandon Graham, Robert Quinn, Linval Joseph, Ndamukong Suh, Javon Hargrave, and Fletcher Cox are all impending free agents along the defensive line. Two of their best linebackers, T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White, are also scheduled to take a dip in the free agency pool.
Howie Roseman was present for the first day of the NFL Combine’s on-field workouts. Defensive linemen and linebackers were featured. Something tells us at least one of those guys will wind up in an Eagles jersey.
Here are the fastest 40-yard dash times posted by defensive linemen and linebacker/EDGE stars at the 2023 NFL Combine.
Who are we kidding? NFL prospects run all of those drills, and the only thing people remember is what they ran in the 40-yard dash. Here’s where the top five guys at each position clocked.
Interior defensive linemen
Lines have been drawn connecting the Eagles and former Pitt Panthers star Calijah Kancey. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash time.
- Kalijah Cancey, PITT – 4.67 seconds
- Jalen Redmond, Oklahoma – 4.81 seconds
- Dante Sills, WVU – 4.85 seconds
- Bryan Bresee, Clemson – 4.86 seconds
- Gervon Dexter, Florida – 4.88 seconds
Defensive ends/EDGE
No one was shocked by Nolan Smith’s lightning-fast showing. Unfortunately, he wasn’t happy with his time (even though he ran a faster time than Saquon Barkley AND Christian McCaffrey when they ran at their respective NFL Combine events).
- Nolan Smith, Georgia – 4.39 seconds
- Byron Young, Tennessee – 4.43 seconds
- Robert Beal, Georgia – 4.48 seconds
- (TIE) D.J. Johnson (Oregon), Adetomiwa Adebawore (Northwestern) – 4.49 seconds
- YaYa Diaby, Louisville – 4.51 seconds
Linebackers (interior & outside/EDGEs)
The human species has evolved again, and it did so at the NFL Combine. The way these guys can run at their size is uncanny. Check out these official times.
- Owen Pappoe, Auburn – 4.39 seconds
- Trenton Simpson, Clemson – 4.43 seconds
- Yasir Abdullah – 4.47 seconds
- (TIE) D.J. Johnson (Oregon), Dorian Williams (Tulane), Dee Winters (TCU) – 4.49 seconds
- Charlie Thomas, Georgia Tech – 4.52 seconds
We’re back at it tomorrow. The defensive backs and special teams players participate in on-field workouts on Friday.
