Who to watch during RB, OL, ST workouts at the 2020 NFL Combine

The 2020 NFL Combine is upon us, and over 300 football prospects are hoping to boost their stock for the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft. Players will hold Pro Days in March and April, but the Combine brings all 32 teams together to pour over medical records and performances by the various prospects.

Players arrive in positional groups, and it started with quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends arriving on Sunday. They were followed by running backs, offensive linemen, and special teams players. They’ve gone through medical exams, measurements, and are in the process of the team interview scheduling.

Now, they move on to the on-field workouts. This includes running the 40-yard dash, going through the 3-cone drills and shuttle run, doing the vertical leap and broad jump, and going through various position-specific drills.

NFL Combine TV schedule

NFL Network will be airing live coverage from the workouts starting Thursday. The NFL has moved the workouts into prime time, hoping to generate a little more buzz to their television network. They will air from 4-11 p.m. and will be available via live online stream.

Who to watch

Running Backs

D’Andre Swift: Yet another Georgia running back who will make noise in the NFL, Swift earned work his freshman year despite competing with the likes of Sony Michel and Nick Chubb. Nagging injuries did limit his workload at Georgia, but his production remained strong and his traits as a runner and receiver translate well into the NFL. Ball security is a question and he is more of a finesse runner than finisher, but his ability in space and as a receiver should push him into a starting role out of the gate. He’s not known for home run speed but can keep defenders off balance and pick up chunk gains. If he can put up a plus 40 time, a team is going to pick him as the first back off the board and possibly in the first round.

Jonathan Taylor: Taylor posted back-to-back 2,000 rushing yards season and just missed three straight by 23 yards his freshman season. His production is unmatched in the 2020 draft and really for his college career. Garnering over 300 touches in each of his three years in college is quite a bit of wear and tear to bring into the NFL, but his track speed, ease at following blockers and decision making will get him a starting gig in the NFL.

J.K Dobbins: Dobbins doesn’t have quite the fluidity of running style that Swift and Taylor do, but he is a bruiser who will wear a defense down and then run over them. He doesn’t waste energy trying to get cute with a spin move or by breaking off his most expedient path. A one cut runner that will do well in a zone blocking scheme, Dobbins isn’t going to be a first rounder but he will be efficient and get the job done when needed most.

Offensive Linemen

Andrew Thomas: Projected to go in the top half of the first round, Thomas can’t be held accountable for the poor Georgia offense this season. At 6’5, 315 lbs., the tackle from Lithonia, GA brings size, strength, and speed to the position. He also showed versatility in starting at right tackle in the SEC his true freshman season, and then made the switch to left tackle for his last two campaigns. As a unanimous All-American and the winner of the 2019 Jacobs Blocking Trophy, he’s got a bright career in front of him.

Josh Jones: The Houston Cougar looks like a Day 2 pick at offensive tackle, and at 6’5, 311 lbs. he’s got plenty of film showing him as an elite college pass protector. The knock is his footwork for now, but his raw athleticism and high ceiling along with work ethic should make him a dream for an OL coach. A four-year starter at UH, he seemed to the best work as a pass blocker in Dana Holgorsen’s Air Raid system.

Lloyd Cushenberry III: The starting center for the national champion Tigers, the 6’3, 312 lbs., snapper has a huge 84’ wing span. He’s got athleticism that’s more analogous to the tackle position, but also a high football IQ and the ability to block downhill in the run game. If you’re capable of starting 28 consecutive games at center in the SEC, you’re an NFL prospect. If you’ve got the kind of upside and room to get better that Cushenberry has, you project as a quality NFL starter at some point in your career.

List of players