2018 NFL Scouting Combine: Day 2 News & Notes

by Christian Page

After a first day full of quotes and attractive headlines, Day 2 of the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine provided more difference making details starting with the bench press. Some drew question marks as many others proved their highly-touted status.

Optimum Scouting will recap each day of the NFL Scouting Combine.

In case you missed it: Day 1, Wednesday

Orlando Brown, Oklahoma, is the biggest offensive lineman in Indianapolis with an incredible 85 1/8-inch wingspan. However, as it is well documented, the longer arms can prevent a player from posting a comfortable bench press number. That was the case for Brown as he posted an underwhelming 14 bench reps. It may be easy to pardon Brown’s poor number given his length but compared to others that share the same measurables, he still was below the mark.
- Russell Okung (38)
- Tyron Smith (29)
- Lane Johnson (28)
- Jake Long (31)
- Nate Solder (21)
Continuing to impress in every possible way, Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame, threw up 225 pounds 35 times joining fellow highly rated guard prospect Braden Smith, Auburn. Nelson’s teammate on the left side of the line, Mike McGlinchey, posted 27 reps.
To no surprise, as I noted in a previous post earlier this week, Will Hernandez dominated the bench press with an outstanding 37 bench reps. Hernandez had a solid week in Mobile for the Senior Bowl and looks to capitalize off that performance in Indianapolis this weekend.
Before being able to finish his fourth rep on the bench press, Billy Price pulled up with an apparent pectoral injury. The Ohio State center-guard prospect has received a lot of first round love over the past few months but this scare could turn teams off if it turns into a bigger issue. Eric Edholm, Pro Football Weekly, spoke to a source that is “confident nothing too bad happened.”
Penn State running back Saquon Barkley continues to do everything possible to be the top player taken in the draft. He weighed in at 233 pounds yesterday and had an incredible 29 reps on the bench press this afternoon. Georgia running back prospect Nick Chubb also posted 29 reps. Only five offensive linemen posted better numbers than the running back duo. The running back average at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine was 17.
Other notable running back bench press numbers: Sony Michel (22), Josh Adams (18), Mark Walton (18), Royce Freeman (17), Derrius Guice (15), John Kelly (15), Bo Scarbrough (14), Kerryon Johnson (11).
Lamar Jackson checked the box from a size perspective adding a few pounds to his perceived to be slight frame. He measured at a comfortable 6-foot-2 and 216 pounds with a 9.5 hand size.
- Josh Allen: 6-4 7/8, 237, 10 1/8
- Sam Darnold: 6-3 3/8, 221, 9 3/8
- Baker Mayfield: 6-0 5/8, 215, 9 1/4
- Josh Rosen: 6-4, 226, 9 7/8
- Mason Rudolph: 6-4 1/2, 234, 9 1/8

Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey talked with plenty of transparency when addressing the media. Concerning the Browns’ No. 1 overall pick, he is not shying away from trading out of the spot or at least listening to teams’ offers.

"There are a lot of things we can do at No. 1 and not just get a quarterback. If someone wants to come up and make a trade, I'd make a trade, too. Just give me a call and see what's up."

Dorsey’s comments come after Hue Jackson’s remarks yesterday when stating he hopes to not start another rookie at quarterback. Sam Darnold is a popular mock draft pick at No. 1 for Cleveland.

It’s not breaking news that the Minnesota Vikings will be eyeing a quarterback at some point during the offseason. Whether that’s resigning one or two quarterbacks from last year’s roster, drawing in a free agent for a good price or addressing the need in the draft, quarterback is atop the priority list.

"It's important for myself and [general manager] Rick [Spielman] and the organization to pick the right guy that is going to help us continue to move forward. If we don't do that, then I'll probably be fired."

Releasing Doug Martin into free agency and having one of the worst rushing offenses in the league last season (90.6 rushing yards per game), Tampa Bay is definitely in the running to draft a back in the draft. It’s near impossible to imagine a scenario in which Barkley drops to the seventh overall pick, and with the Bucs needing help on the defensive front, look for the Tampa decision makers to heavily covet a running back early in Round 2.

Head coach Dirk Koetter expressed his running back concerns on Thursday.

"We only have two running backs under contract right now and you're probably going to keep four on your team. Of course running back is going to have to be [a priority], but that doesn't mean we don't like Peyton [Barber] and Jacquizz [Rodgers]. We do like them." (Chris Wesseling, Around the NFL)

Tomorrow, on-field drills begin with offensive line and running backs taking the stage first.