NFL Draft: Sunday’s NFL Combine open thread

Sunday continues the on-the-field portion of 2018 NFL Combine, starting with live coverage at 9:00 a.m. Eastern. You can view it live on the NFL Network or at NFL.com’s combine hub, starting with the 40-yard dash. Today we’ll see the defensive linemen and linebackers perform. As both are positions of need for the Buffalo Bills, today will be must-see TV for any fan of the team.

This year’s defensive tackle class isn’t so much marked for its top-end talent as its depth. It’s certain that top players Vita Vea and Taven Bryan will have dominant performances, but lesser-known players such as Foley Fatukasi, Deadrin Senat, and Justin Jones could also impress. Former Stanford Cardinal Harrison Phillips stood out in the bench press. Also remember with this group; the 10-yard split time can be more important than the complete 40-yard dash time.

The defensive end class is not nearly as impressive as the tackle class. Bradley Chubb should be competitive in most events and there are rumors that Kentavius Street will surprise, but don’t expect many records to be broken by this group.

Highlighting what may be a top-heavy class of linebackers is Tremaine Edmunds. Edmunds should place in the top five of most events, including the 40-yard dash, where he is rumored to run a 4.5. Former Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson and former Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith are likely to join Edmunds at the top of most events. Throughout the draft season, Josey Jewell has faced questions regarding his athleticism, but if he can stand out in at least a couple of drills he will be a lock for the second round.

Below are the average times from the 2017 combine for today’s relevant positions. Be sure to bear these in mind while watching the individual timed drills: