NFL Combine Winners/Losers: Offensive Line
The NFL combine is officially underway, and the prospects that have put their entire lives into creating an NFL career are now showcasing all of their talents over the course of the weekend. Some will thrive, but others will see their draft stock take a dip when the weekend wraps up. Here are the winners and losers among those along the offensive line.
Winners
Zion Johnson
Normally, a 5.18 40 for an offensive lineman would be among the best in the class. This year, there were an absurd amount of sub-five times, but Johnson’s time was still exceptional. The ten-yard split left a bit to be desired, but Johnson displayed his agility in the three-cone as well as the wave drill. Johnson has seemed like the top guard in this class for a while, and this performance only confirms it.
Trevor Penning
The emerging tackle out of UNI was one of four linemen to run sub-4.9 in the 40, but Trevor Penning’s was the most impressive as he did it at a massive 6’7 and 325 pounds. He also put on one of the smoothest performances in the on-field drills. Penning is looking to crack into the top group of tackles as April approaches, and this was one step closer towards doing just that. If nothing else, first round status seems certain.
Zach Tom
Not to be confused with Zach Thomas of San Diego State, Zach Tom put on a show when he took the field in Indy. Tyler Linderbaum did not participate in the combine as he continues recovering from injury, and the center position is very open behind the Iowa star. Tom recorded a sub-five 40 and placed second in both the vertical and broad jumps showcasing his explosiveness. Tom has put his name into the hat of second-tier centers.
Ikem Ekwonu
Evan Neal did not work out at the combine, leaving the door open for Ikem Ekwonu to make a statement on Friday. The NC State tackle did just that. He put together terrific marks, and the on-field drills were performed at a different level than most everyone else at the event. Anyone that has Ekwonu as the No. 1 overall pick has to feel terrific about that choice after today.
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Losers
Kenyon Green
During much of the 2021 season, it seemed like Kenyon Green would be the first guard off the board. Now though, that does not seem to be the case. Zion Johnson left Green in his dust in terms of marks, and there were a few hiccups on the field. Green may be trending more towards a Day Two pick at this point.
Max Mitchell
The Ragin’ Cajun out of Louisiana is a strong tackle prospect for the middle rounds, but he needed to show a little more athleticism in this combine in order to ensure his draft stock. That was not the case on Friday. Mitchell was just about average with his marks, and he struggled a bit through the wave drill. If the Vikings wanted to find some tackle depth in the later rounds, they may look elsewhere instead.
