RB, OL, ST prospects to watch on Day 1 of the NFL Combine

With the 2017 NFL season firmly in our back seat, we begin to look forward through the early stages of draft season starting with a sneak peak at the NFL Combine for the rest of this weekend through Monday. More than 300 draft-eligible prospects were invited to the NFL Combine.

For Friday Day 1, on-field workouts for running backs, offensive lineman, and special teamers begin today. The NFL Network will have live television coverage, and you can live stream that same coverage at NFL.com.

2018 NFL Combine

Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Time: 6:00 AM PT
TV: NFL Network
Online Streaming: NFL.com
Day 1: Running Backs, Offensive Linemen, and Special Teams

There are four critical areas the 49ers and all other NFL teams deem important during the NFL Combine process, which are medical evaluations, one-on-one interviews, verified measurements, and agility tests and drills. For viewing NFL fans, it is the on-field drills and agility tests the NFL Combine highlights, particularly with five on-field measurable drills performed by all prospects choosing to participate. These five drills consists of:

40-yard dash
The marquee event of the combine is all about speed and explosion with the timed 40-yard interval measuring vertical speed over distance and acceleration from a static start. Prospects are also timed at 10 and 20 yard intervals (10-yard split and 20-yard split), where the 10-yard split measures initial quickness and burst, and the 20-yard split measures sustained quickness and burst.

Vertical Jump
The vertical jump is all about lower-body explosion, power, and leaping ability.

Broad Jump
The broad jump is all about lower-body explosion and lower-body strength testing explosion and balance.

3 Cone Drill
The 3 cone drill is all about the prospect’s athletic ability to change direction at a high speed. The drill measures agility, flexibility, and change of direction skills (COD).

Shuttle Run
The short shuttle or 20-yard short shuttle (5-10-5) is all about testing a prospect’s lateral quickness, agility, burst, flexibility, balance, and explosion in short areas.

*Bench Press
Although the bench press (225 pounds) is not part of the five on-field measurable drills performed today (bench press performed the day before), it is a crucial part of measurables testing upper-body strength (not functional strength) and endurance; moreover, it gives insight for NFL clubs on how often the prospect frequented his college weight room for the last 3-5 years.

Running Backs

How the measurable drills translate for running backs:
When looking at the running backs perform their drills today, keep in mind of some minimum measurable targets running backs should be expected to target as a minimum result. For the most part, prospects exceeding these minimal targets tend to find success in the NFL. Minimal targets courtesy of Draft Breakdown.

40-yard dash. - Minimum Target: 4.55
10-yard split - Minimum Target: 1.60
Vertical jump - Minimum Target: 36”
Broad jump - Minimum Target: 9’9”
3 cone drill - Minimum Target: 7.25
20-yard shuttle. - Minimum Target: 4.20
Bench press - Minimum Target: 20
*Flying-20 - Minimum Target: 1.93

(*The flying-20 is the measured last 20 yards of a 40-yard dash measuring separation speed.)

As for the drills themselves in relation to predicting future success, there is not an exact science on which drill equates to NFL success; however, specific drills for each position tend to garnish more importance than other drills. For the running back position, measurable drills aiding future success are: 10-yard split, 40-yard dash, broad jump, and the Flying-20.

A few running back prospects to watch:

RB03 Saquon Barkley, No. 26 - Penn State
Height: 6000 | Weight: 233 | Age: 21
Arm: 31 3/8” | Hand: 9 1/2” | Bench: 29

The Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK

Saquon Barkley is a dynamic runner with an excellent combination of size, speed, strength, and outstanding lateral movement with acceleration. The former high school football, basketball, and track all-star excels running between and outside of the tackles with superb vision, patience, and amazing balance. He runs with great power behind his pads and brings value in all aspects of the passing game (reliable hands and body control). Arguably the best prospect in the draft class.

Round Projection: 1st

RB13 Derrius Guice, No. 5 - LSU
Height: 5104 | Weight: 224 | Age: 20
Arm: 30 3/4” | Hand: 9” | Bench: 15

Derrius Guice is an electrifying prospect who runs with a determined purpose and authority (runs angry a la Marshawn Lynch). He displays the ability to run inside and outside the tackles with great speed rumbling through defenders finishing runs with the mentality to destroy and bruise his opponents. Although not overly elusive, Guice shows nice quickness, terrific vision, and enough wiggle with sound suddenness and lateral movement to bruise through defenders. He is decent in the passing game as a receiver and is solid in pass protection. Guice had recurring injuries during the 2017 season, so medical will need to be addressed.

Round Projection: 1st

RB18 Ronald Jones II, No. 25 - USC
Height: 5110 | Weight: 205 | Age: 20
Arm: 31” | Hand: 8 3/4” | Bench: DNP

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Ronald Jones II is a versatile explosive playmaker with tremendous quickness and speed becoming a dynamic threat in all facets of the game. The former high school track star (also ran track for USC in 2016) displays excellent instincts with sound vision and patience hitting the hole with impressive physicality (added 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason). Jones’ suddenness in traffic is mouth-watering showcasing terrific foot quickness and balance accelerating through his cuts exploding eating up ground quickly. He is a complete running back and is a home run threat whenever he touches the ball displaying great speed (gets to full speed in a hurry and separates), impressive hands as a receiver, and the elusiveness and agility with the added bulk to run with power behind his pads to step-out-of and bounce through tackles consistently. Perfect zone scheme fit.

Round Projection: 2nd

RB20 Sony Michel, No. 1 - Georgia
Height: 5105 | Weight: 214 | Age: 23
Arm: 31 1/4” | Hand: 9 1/8” | Bench: 22

Sony Michel is a slashing running back exploding through holes with decisiveness one-cutting through lanes getting downhill quickly. He displays great vision, good agility (quick feet), runs low and behind his pads, and has the speed to accelerate through his cuts. He shows great ability in the passing game as good receiver with solid clean route running skills, fair hands (inconsistent), and the willingness and sound technique to be effective in pass protection.

Round Projection: 2nd

RB05 Nick Chubb, No. 27 - Georgia
Height: 5107 | Weight: 227 | Age: 22
Arm: 32” | Hand: 9 5/8” | Bench: 29

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Chubb displays an amazing combination of strength, explosion, vision, patience, and suddenness. He makes cuts on a dime and has one of the best “feel” instincts in the game. Chubb is a powerful and violent downhill runner displaying excellent balance and vision rumbling through defenses spinning and shedding off tackles with great power and physicality. He shows solid pad level hitting the hole with power behind his pads, sound ability in making consecutive moves in a short area, and outstanding football IQ and awareness (knows when to be decisive). He knows how to create yards on his own and has shown impressive skills running outside with great quickness and wiggle (terrific feet) flashing suddenness to be elusive in space showcasing agility, flexibility, and tremendous balance. Chubb is a nimble bruiser and scheme diverse, but will have durability concerns with his knee injury during the pre-draft process.

Round Projection: 2nd

RB22 Rashaad Penny, No. 21 - San Diego State
Height: 5110 | Weight: 220 | Age: 22
Arm: 31 1/4” | Hand: 9 1/4” | Bench: 13

Rashaad Penny is an explosive and powerful runner showcasing great speed, short area quickness, vision, body control, and nice balance leaning forward gaining positive yards (needs better pad level consistency). He excels running between the tackles, but also possesses the speed and quickness turning the corner on the outside. He is adept showcasing his decisiveness to cut and turn up the field with impressive foot quickness accelerating through his cuts displaying amazing stop and go suddenness in traffic blazing to top speed quickly separating from defenders. Penny offers the versatility as a receiver out of the backfield and split out wide with natural hands and flexible body control. He is a versatile athlete easily capable of running inside and outside succeeding in both zone and gap schemes, as well as being a dynamic threat in the return game.

Round Projection: 2nd

RB02 Kalen Ballage, No. 7 - Arizona State
Height: 6014 | Weight: 228 | Age: 21?
Arm: 32 3/4” | Hand: 9 1/2” | Bench: 15

Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Kalen Ballage is a dynamic runner with a perfect combination of size, strength, athleticism, and speed. He has a downhill (vertical) running style rumbling between-the-tackles with impressive long-speed (separation speed), vision, and agility. He showcases good suddenness in short areas and when he doesn’t dance around and flashes decisiveness, he displays a great burst behind power accelerating to daylight. Ballage also offers soft hands as a pass catcher with good body control, and boasts an intriguing prospect at the next level with terrific athleticism, speed, and lower-body strength.

Round Projection: 4th

Offensive Linemen

How the measurable drills translate for offensive lineman:
When looking at the offensive lineman perform their drills today, keep in mind of some minimum measurable targets offensive lineman should be expected to target as a minimum result. For the most part, prospects exceeding these minimal targets tend to find success in the NFL.

Offensive Tackle
40-yard dash. - Minimum Target: 5.30
10-yard split - Minimum Target: 1.80
Vertical jump - Minimum Target: 30”
Broad jump - Minimum Target: 8’6”
3 cone drill - Minimum Target: 7.85
20-yard shuttle - Minimum Target: 4.65
Bench press. - Minimum Target: 24

Offensive Guard/Center
40-yard dash - Minimum Target: 5.30
10-yard split - Minimum Target: 1.85
Vertical jump - Minimum Target: 30”
Broad jump - Minimum Target: 8’6”
3 cone drill - Minimum Target: 7.85
20-yard shuttle. - Minimum Target: 4.55
Bench press. - Minimum Target: 26
Flying-20 - Minimum Target: 1.93

As for the drills themselves in relation to predicting future success, there is not an exact science on which drill equates to NFL success; however, specific drills for each position tend to garnish more importance than other drills. For the offensive line position, the tackle position in particular, measurable drills aiding future success are: broad jump, 3 cone drill, and the vertical jump. For the guard and center positions, measurable drills aiding future success are: 20-yard shuttle, 3 cone drill, broad jump, and the vertical jump.

A few offensive lineman prospects to watch:

OL24 Mike McGlinchey, No. 66 - Notre Dame
Height: 6077 | Weight: 309 | Age: 23/24?
Arm: 34” | Hand: 10” | Bench: 24

Mike McGlinchey displays tremendous length (long arms) and impressive althleticism with great athletic ability to adjust in pass protection with nice skills sliding lateral adjusting to movement, as well as the toughness to finish blocks all the way to the whistle. A technical prospect with sound awareness, McGlinchey plays assignment football with nice quickness, explosion, balance, solid and fierce punch at the point of attack, and great footwork. He is is a tough and powerful mauler at both tackle positions excelling in the run game showcasing the toughness and foot speed to drive defenders away (adept at utilizing angles and combo blocks).

Round Projection: 1st

OL47 Connor Williams, No. 55 - Texas
Height: 6051 | Weight: 296 | Age: 20
Arm: 33” | Hand: 10 1/2” | Bench: 26

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Connor Williams is a scheme diverse tackle/guard prospect with a big strong frame and the athletic ability to move around with quickness and fluidity (will pull and reach second level in a hurry). Although he lacks the lateral quickness and foot speed he had in the 2016 season (due to knee injury), Williams is a technician with sound hand technique, a quick first-step, balance, and if he regains pre-injury form - an impressive athletic ability to quick set easily mirroring defenders with suddenness and fluidity adjusting to movement sliding laterally and redirecting with flexible hips dominating in space. He plays with a natural knee bend, functional athleticism, and fluidity, as well as a great ability to anchor in pass protection dropping his weight and hips anchoring to engage power rushers. Medical will need to be addressed.

Round Projection: 1st-2nd

OL26 Quenton Nelson, No. 56 - Notre Dame
Height: 6050 | Weight: 325 | Age: 21/22?
Arm: 33 3/4” | Hand: 10 3/8” | Bench: 35

Quenton Nelson is a premier offensive guard and one of the top prospects in the entire 2018 draft, Quentin Nelson is an athletically gifted mauler with great length (long arms) and agility playing with a nasty and savvy mentality you like seeing in a guard prospect. A force in the run game, Nelson displays light fluid feet, great explosion, and excels pulling and reaching the second level quickly. He has a nice pop at the point of attack with violent hands, and also displays the athletic ability to swing his hips blocking in space when reaching the second level and/or pulling effectively creating clear lanes and is excellent with combo blocks. Nelson showcases great lateral agility adjusting to movement and mirroring well in pass protection maintaining superb balance. Occasionally, will get pushed back and put on skates, but is quick to regather sinking hips rolling power regaining leverage to stonewall defenders with tremendous strength and power (workout warrior). Possesses an excellent work ethic and mental discipline from studying Taekwondo.

Round Projection: 1st

OL33 Billy Price, No. 54 - Ohio State
Height: 6036 | Weight: 305 | Age: 22/23?
Arm: 32” | Hand: 9 3/4” | Bench: DNP

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Billy Price is a highly technically sound center prospect that brings tremendous toughness and versatility to his game. Making the switch from guard to center, Price is a hard-nosed physical player with elite power and excellent durability (has 44 consecutive starts). The former high school track and field athlete displays great power at the point of attack with quick feet and excellent body control (great knee bend), balance, and toughness finishing blocks all the way to the whistle.

Price showcases solid athletic ability in pass protection sliding laterally adjusting to movement staying square while mirroring, as well as providing excellent technique in his hands and fluid feet working in concert with his upper body driving defenders off the ball with aggression (moves well in space). He possesses superb football instincts, premier foot agility (can snap and move with fluidity left and right), and a great ability to anchor the pocket setting the base of the pocket allowing the quarterback to step up in the pocket.

Round Projection: 1st

OL48 Isaiah Wynn, No. 77 - Georgia
Height: 6023 | Weight: 313 | Age: 22
Arm: 33 3/8” | Hand: 8 1/2” | Bench: DNP

Although Isaiah Wynn lacks the ideal measurables at a shade over 6-foot-2-inches and 33 3/8-inch arms, he is a prospect that should not be underestimated. With the versatility to play all offensive linemen positions (displays the physical attributes, athleticism, and strength to dominant at center), Wynn is an ideal athletically gifted guard/center prospect with excellent explosion, power, and quickness. Wynn displays fluid and light quick feet, impressive explosion and excels pulling and reaching the second level quickly. He showcases excellent lateral agility adjusting to movement and mirroring well in pass protection maintaining superb balance (rarely off his feet). Wynn has a nice pop at the point of attack with violent hands, and also displays the athletic ability to swing his hips blocking in space when reaching the second level and/or pulling effectively creating clear lanes.

Wynn has a slender lower half (will need to improve functional strength), but his explosion and impressive athleticism allows him to move swiftly with fluidity, and the mindset to win with technique and leverage. A zone blocking prospect at the next level that would be an ideal fit for the 49ers.

Round Projection: 1st-2nd

OL16 Will Hernandez, No. 76 - UTEP
Height: 6023 | Weight: 327 | Age: 22
Arm: 32” | Hand: 9 7/8” | Bench: 37

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Will Hernandez is a massive big-bodied offensive lineman with good size, strength, athleticism, instincts, and power. A true human road grader with a stocky vending machine build, Hernandez brings tremendous power and a strong base excelling in the run game driving defenders from the action, and the toughness finishing blocks all the way to the whistle. Displays impressive burst at the point of attack and is quick to engage manhandling defenders with brute strength.

The former high school wrestler and track and field athlete, also displays nimble feet (foot agility) for a man his size showing his athletic ability in pass protection sliding laterally adjusting to movement. Hernandez has shown improvement in his game, particularly in pass protection, and will fit best in a power-based run scheme at the next level, but with the 49ers meeting with Hernandez at the Senior Bowl, completely dismissing him due to lack of scheme fit wouldn’t be prudent. Brings durability starting every single game the past three seasons.

Round Projection: 1st-2nd

OL10 James Daniels, No. 78 - Iowa
Height: 6033 | Weight: 306 | Age: 20
Arm: 33 3/4” | Hand: 9 1/2” | Bench: 21

James Daniels is one of the most athletic center prospects in this years’ draft class. The young 20-year old and former high school football and track athlete is a product of Iowa’s zone blocking scheme. Daniels bestows a good combination of size, length, strength, fluidity, foot speed, and athleticism to fit in Kyle Shanahan’s system. A leader on the field with a high football IQ, Daniels displays his smooth athleticism and quickness off the ball with excellent foot agility easily capable of snapping the football and firing off the ball moving laterally fluidly outmaneuvering defenders with speed and sealing with hip flexibility, leverage, and power. He showcases great change of direction skills maintaining balance and blocks terrific in space reaching the second level with tremendous quickness and power behind his pads jolting defenders with heavy hands. In pass protection, he is stout at the point of attack and displays excellent ability to anchor the pocket, setting and maintaining the base of the pocket allowing the quarterback to step up in the pocket away from the trash.

A technically sound prospect, Daniels shows great ability to read defenses and has tremendous football instincts, plays with the toughness and grit finishing all the way to the whistle, and finishes blocks with great technique, power, foot quickness, and top-tier athleticism. Brings versatility capable of playing all interior offensive lineman positions and is a premier zone blocking day one starter at the next level that would be an ideal fit for the 49ers.

Round Projection: 2nd

OL40 Braden Smith, No. 71 - Auburn
Height: 6062 | Weight: 315 | Age: 22 on March 25
Arm: 32 1/4” | Hand: 9 3/8” | Bench: 35

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Braden Smith is a chiseled - workout warrior - prospect with freakish athleticism and strength for his size. The former high school track and field athlete can squat 565 pounds, bench press 495 pounds, has a 33-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot-9-inch broad jump, and can run a 4.95 40-yard dash at 6-foot-6-inch, 315 pounds. The tapered build Smith possesses makes him look like an agile tackle in a zone-blocking scheme; however, he is projected to kick it inside to offensive guard at the next level.

Along with his height, length, and agility, Smith also displays incredible strength, explosiveness, mobility, impressive footwork, speed, great technique, tremendous awareness, and balance. He is quick in reaching the second level with great hip flexibility and smoothness to block in space utilizing sound technique, power, and footwork opening spaces with effective angles. Moreover, when he pulls he showcases his impressive speed and awareness in quickly finding targets and eliminating them. He shows an excellent base when anchoring and solid technique utilizing his very long arms in pass protection with great power and balance at the point of attack. He has a high football IQ to go along with his impressive leadership qualities. A perfect scheme fit for the 49ers, Smith brings versatility to kick it outside and play tackle or as an end of line blocking tight end.

Round Projection: 2nd-3rd

OL35 Frank Ragnow, No. 72 - Arkansas
Height: 6051 | Weight: 312 | Age: 21
Arm: 33 1/8” | Hand: 9 3/8” | Bench: 26

Frank Ragnow is not as athletically gifted as James Daniels, but is a solid athlete in his own right with great smarts, football instincts, size, strength, toughness, and fluid movement skills. The former high school football, basketball, and track athlete is explosive at the point of attack (quick first-step), blocks with leverage and sound technique, a road grader in the run game with a great punch at the point of attack and solid leg push driving defenders. Ragnow displays nice foot agility snapping the football and moving laterally with fluidity, and is able to set quickly in pass protection maintaining a nice wide base. He shows a great ability to anchor the pocket setting a solid base of the pocket with excellent balance and body-control allowing the quarterback to step up. Showcases a great ability to adjust well in space with his quick feet sliding laterally adjusting to movement and the patience and explosive punch to stifle defenders.

Per Pro Football Focus, Ragnow led all FBS offensive linemen with a 93.7 overall grade dominating in the run game with a score of 92.4 and a 88.3 mark in pass protection. Scheme diverse, Ragnow is capable to start and succeed in a power system, but with his quality balance, athleticism, foot speed, and great movement skills he shows an ideal fit in Shanahan’s zone-blocking scheme. Shows the versatility to play guard and center at the next level.

Draft Projection: 3rd

OL07 Mason Cole, No. 52 - Michigan
Height: 6050 | Weight: 305 | Age: 22 on March 28
Arm: 32 1/8” | Hand: 9 5/8” | Bench: 23

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Mason Cole is another technically sound center prospect that brings tremendous toughness and versatility to his game. A true leader and team player (willing to play all over the OL), Cole showcases impressive athleticism with excellent foot agility easily capable of snapping the football and firing off the ball moving laterally smoothly. He displays great change of direction fluidity and is solid blocking in space reaching the second level with quickness and power.

Cole shows great ability to read defenses and has tremendous football instincts (high football IQ). Stout at the point of attack and displays excellent ability to anchor the pocket, setting and maintaining the base of the pocket allowing the quarterback to step up in the pocket away from the trash. Brings versatility capable of playing all offensive linemen positions. Played left tackle for the Wolverines.

Round Projection: 3rd

OL08 Austin Corbett, No. 73 - Nevada
Height: 6043 | Weight: 306 | Age: 22?
Arm: 33 1/8” | Hand: 10 1/2” | Bench: 19

Austin Corbett is another offensive linemen prospect with tremendous versatility. An offensive tackle at Nevada, Corbett has shown the ability at the Senior Bowl to play all offensive linemen positions extremely well. Ideally a guard at the next level, Corbett is a highly technically sound prospect that provides the utility style versatility and reliability (played more than 600 snaps in college) that would benefit the 49ers.

Corbett is a smart hard-nosed physical player with solid strength. The former high school football, basketball, wrestling, and track and field star is a strong broad-shouldered prospect with a tenacious competitive playing style and nice body control (great knee bend), balance, and toughness finishing blocks all the way to the whistle. Although a bit stiff, he displays solid athletic ability to adjust in in pass protection sliding laterally adjusting to movement staying square while mirroring (great awareness). Corbett has good technique in his hands and has fluid feet working extremely well in concert with his upper body driving defenders off the ball.

Round Projection: 3rd-4th

OL04 Alex Cappa, No. 71 - Humboldt State
Height: 6056 | Weight: 30t | Age: 2?
Arm: 32 5/8” | Hand: 9 1/4” | Bench: 24

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Cappa rose from small school prominence to the NFL Draft spotlight by completely dominating the lower level of competition with size, speed, and brute strength. An offensive tackle at Humboldt State, Cappa is destined to mix it up inside at the guard position with the versatility to be a swing tackle. He is a hard nosed player with a nasty demeanor on the field manhandling opponents like rag dolls with a tenacious competitive playing style. He displays good body control with a nice knee bend, decent mobility and the toughness finishing blocks all the way to the whistle. Displays solid athletic ability to adjust in in pass protection sliding laterally adjusting to movement staying square while mirroring, as well as the hip flexibility to swing hips working in space redirecting with power. He showcases decent technique (inconsistent) in his hands (good power jolting defenders) and has fluid feet working well in concert with upper body driving defenders off the ball. Although technique is a work in progress, Cappa showed the capacity to improve throughout the Senior Bowl and will likely be a developmental prospect with starter potential at the next level.

Round Projection: 5th

OL13 Colby Gossesett, No. 70 - Appalachian State
Height: 6046 | Weight: 304 | Age: 22
Arm: 33 7/8” | Hand: 10 7/8” | Bench: 32

Colby Gossett is an athletic quick footed guard prospect showcasing impressive fluid lateral movement and explosion to reach the second level promptly. Adept in a zone blocking scheme, Gossett displays the ideal frame, length, and movement speed using angles well (shows great hip flexibility) finishing blocks all the way to the whistle. He shows impressive lateral agility adjusting to movement and using his hands to stifle and steer defenders. He flashes a good anchor, but has a tendency to lose on leverage with high pad level and will need to improve technique as well as functional strength at the next level. A very smooth athlete with the versatility to play the tackle position.

Gossett is a technically sound prospect with tremendous upside and is a scheme fit in Shannon’s system that could be a Day 3 gem.

Round Projection: 5th-6th