The 2020 NFL Draft’s defensive class features a strong group of players, mainly in the edge rushing department. How did the defensive linemen and linebackers measure up during the weigh-in portion of their NFL Combine experience? We’ll cover how the top contenders (and a few standouts) from the defensive front seven turned out.
Derrick Brown DT (Auburn)
The top defensive tackle in the draft measured up as an all-around monster. At 6’4 5/8”, 326 lbs, Brown also sports 34 1/4” arms. That size lets him measure up anywhere on the defensive line.
Marlon Davidson DE/DT (Auburn)
Davidson’s transition to defensive tackle seems almost complete at this point. Listed at 278 lbs in college, he weighed 297 lbs at the Senior Bowl, then 303 lbs at the Combine.
Javon Kinlaw DT (South Carolina)
Kinlaw is probably the most physically imposing defensive lineman in this draft, standing 6’5” and 324 lbs with nearly 35” arms. His impressive measurements are a nice boost for his stock, since Kinlaw won’t be able to work out this week as he recovers from an injury.
Chase Young ER (Ohio State)
Young, arguably the best player in the draft, had an excellent weigh-in, even if he didn’t measure up to the standard set by Myles Garrett’s freaky numbers. At 6’5” and 264 lbs, Young has 10” hands and 33 3/4” arms, suitable for a player who should be an outstanding edge rusher in the pros.
A.J. Epenesa ER (Iowa)
Epenesa measured up like a prototypical defensive end, at 6’5” and 275 lbs. With 10 1/8” hands and 34 1/2” arms—if his workout numbers are solid—he should be firmly in the first round conversation.
Jonathan Greenard ER (Florida)
Great results for Greenard, who had nearly 35” arms. At 6’3 3/8” and 263 lbs, Greenard fits the bill of a player who could rush the passer from multiple places.
Yetur Gross-Matos ER (Penn State)
(Sounding like a broken record here) Gross-Matos had excellent results, 6’5” and 266 lbs with nearly 35” arms.
Khalid Kareem ER (Notre Dame)
Wanted to shout out Kareem, who (although he isn’t usually placed in the draft’s top tier of edge rushers) nonetheless looked the part at 6’ 3 3/4” and 268 lbs, with nearly 11” hands(!) and an 84”(!) wingspan.
Alton Robinson ER (Syracuse)
A slight downer for Robinson, whose length was less than ideal. At 6’ 2 3/4” and 268 lbs, he definitely has the requisite bulk for a defensive end, but his arms only measured in at 32 3/8” long.
Zack Baun ER (Wisconsin)
At 6’2 3/8” and 238 lbs, Baun is a bit lightweight to play edge rusher in all defensive schemes, but might be suitable as a Sam linebacker for teams.
K’Lavon Chaisson ER (LSU)
Chaisson’s arms were a bit short, at 32 1/4” in length, but he did show up at 6’3” and 254 lbs. That keeps him in the threshold for a stand-up edge rusher in the NFL.
Kenneth Murray LB (Oklahoma)
Weighing in at 6’2 1/2” and 241 lbs, with an 80” wingspan, Murray measured up as a modern-day linebacker should.
Patrick Queen LB (LSU)
Queen entered the Combine with draft stock en fuego, but his weigh-in probably dampened some of the enthusiasm. He measured in at 6’0” and 229 lbs, with only 31 5/8” arms. That puts his best fit at weakside or nickel linebacker, given his lack of length and mass.
Isaiah Simmons LB (Clemson)
Simmons entered this draft as the class’s “I can do anything” superstar—and his weigh-in supported that argument. He measured 6’ 3 5/8” and 238 lbs, with a nearly 82” wingspan, which shows he’s firmly someone who could play at literally any position from edge rusher to safety.