5 Winners from the 2023 NFL Combine in Indianapolis
The 2023 NFL Combine is over after four action-packed days in Indianapolis. Here are five of the biggest standouts from this year's events.
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The 2023 NFL Combine is officially over after a fantastic four days filled with the best football players to join the NFL this offseason.
Starting with defensive players and ending with running backs, each group did a variety of drills, including the 40-yard dash, broad jump, vertical jump and many more along the way. Below you’ll find the biggest standouts from the 2023 combine, and who could be rising up the draft boards over the next month.
QB Anthony Richardson – Florida
Best 40-Time: 4.43
10-Yard Split: 1.53
The Florida Gator is arguably the MVP of the 2023 combine, blowing teams away both on and off the field.
Starting with on the field, Richardson was a freak of nature Saturday. His 40-yard dash was the stuff of legends, running a 4.43 40 at 6’4″, 244 pounds. Absurd.
Combine that with a 10’9″ broad jump and 40.5″ vertical (best ever for QBs), Richardson is one of the best athletes at the quarterback position.
His biggest knock has been his throwing ability, struggling with accuracy at times in college. While not every throw was perfect, Richardson’s long ball was a thing of beauty, launching it from the 9-yard-line to the opposing 30 with a flick of the wrist. Also important to note, he did while keeping the wideout in stride.
Off the field he was equally as impressive, coming away as the most talked about QB in interviews. Showing the highest upside in the draft, teams know it will be a work-in-progress at the beginning. But you can’t deny his natural talents, kind of like Josh Allen at Wyoming a few years back.
Those reasons are why teams at the end of the top-10 in the draft are drooling over this guy being the signal-caller of the future for their franchise.
Anthony Richardson PUT ON A SHOW at the Combine #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/47Wr6gMT2z
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 6, 2023
DE Nolan Smith – Georgia
Best 40-Time: 4.39
10-Yard Split: 1.52
Another person could make the argument that Georgia’s Nolan Smith had the best showing at the 2023 NFL Combine. And all it took was one 40-yard sprint.
Georgia DE Nolan Smith ran a 4.44 40 yard dash 🤯
His 1.52 10-yard split would be a record.pic.twitter.com/gyqBQVzYv5
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 2, 2023
Yeah that happened. The official time was even better: 4.39
At 238 pounds, Smith ran one of the fastest 40-times for an edge rusher in combine history Thursday. For comparison, he finished ahead of Davante Adams (4.42) and Stefon Diggs (4.46), who are both wide receivers. His 10-yard split is now the record for defensive ends since 2003. Combine that with a 10’8″ broad jump and a 41.5″ vertical, Smith will be a rare athlete in the NFL amongst edge rushers.
And the funniest part of the whole day: Smith said he wasn’t running full speed. Geez.
Tearing his pectoral during the 2022 season, Smith should be ready to go for the start of training camp, likely securing his selection in the top-15 of next month’s draft.
CB Christian Gonzalez – Oregon
Best 40-Time: 4.38
10-Yard Split: 1.54
Said it on Friday and I’ll it again: Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez is the next elite cornerback coming into the NFL. The dude just has it, both physically and with the film.
Starting with measurements, Gonzalez ran a blistering 4.38 40-time at the combine Friday, along with a 41.5″ vertical and an 11’1″ broad jump. Elite numbers, regardless of the position.
Then you get to the drills and it becomes even more clear why the Oregon product is in the top-10 discussion. So fluid with his movement, Gonzalez makes being a CB look easy. His only area of improvement at the next level with be in run support, but as far as a cover-man, it doesn’t get better than Gonzalez in the 2023 draft class.
Christian Gonzalez looked the part of a first-round pick during the Combine. 🔥@chrisgonzo28 | @OregonFootball
📺: #NFLCombine continues at 1pm ET on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/HiuNb7FCsj— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2023
Gonzalez finished his college career with 128 total tackles, 17 passes defended and four INTs in 30 games.
DL Adetomiwa Adebawore – Northwestern
Best 40-Time: 4.49
10-Yard Split: 1.61
Not many people had Adetomiwa Adebawore on their radars before the combine, but a hell of a lot more do now.
The defensive lineman ran an unreal 4.49 40-time Thursday, the best for a someone 275-plus pounds at the combine since 2003. The kicker: Adebawore weighed in at 282 pounds. Throw in his 1.61 10-yard split and the dude is a going to be a problem at the next level, athletically.
“My biggest winner of
Day 1 was Adetomiwa Adebawore. At 282 pounds— he ran DE, DT, and LB drills, jumped 37.5 inches, and ran a 4.49 40. Guys, that’s insane.”– @PSchrags pic.twitter.com/vKFIlpFMNG
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) March 3, 2023
He was also consistent in his drills, moving his feet well and able to change directions with power and velocity. Seen as a versatile DL, the Northwestern alum could move inside to tackle mostly, able to use his quickness to get around guards and centers as the next level. Regardless of his position, Adebawore may have worked himself into the first round after being left off ESPN’s Big Board previously.
He finished his collegiate career with 97 total tackles, 24.5 TFLs, and 12.5 sacks in four seasons.
OT Blake Freeland – BYU
Best 40-Time: 4.98
10-Yard Split: 1.68
Offensive linemen typically don’t do the best in the 40-yard dash, that’s not surprising. What was surprising was Blake Freeland’s performance Saturday.
The BYU tackle ran an absurd 4.98 40-time at the combine, weighing 302 pounds simultaneously. He also recorded a combine record 37″ vertical for offensive linemen. At 6’8″, Freeland has the makings of a starting-caliber tackle in the NFL just off measurements alone.
OL Blake Freeland has impressed at the #NFLCombine so far today.
• 6’8”
• 302 pounds
• 33 7/8” arms
• 37” vert (Combine record)
• 4.96u 40-yard dash (1.68 10-yd split)
• 10’ broad jump (best among OL)The #BYU product is having himself a day. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/IiyOGIEe0L
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) March 5, 2023
He still has some work to do to reach his potential, particularly with technique. But with rare physical traits, coaches will be excited to add Freeland into the fold long-term. Seen as a third-round pick initially, the BYU man could be rising up the boards as we get closer to April.
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