NFL Draft

Top Performances From The 2023 NFL Combine

By Lawrence Iacona

Posted on March 13, 2023

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Top Performers

With each NFL Combine we get to see the new faces who are about to enter into the National Football League. Personally, I look forward to the combine every year to watch the future stars of the NFL perform and predict who will draft each player and how they will fare in the league. Here we take a look at the top-performing players who took the combine by storm.

C.J. Stroud – QB, Ohio State

Measurements:

Height	Weight	Arm	Hand
6’3”	214 lbs	32 5/8”	10”

Analysis:

Stroud’s throw was clocked at 59 mph. He did not participate in any of the athletic testing which may have been due to risk of injury, or he may be lacking athleticism and does not want to hurt his draft stock. During the first part of the passing drills, Stroud threw the football proficiently and his posture in the pocket was composed. His throwing motion was natural, and he connected with his receivers on almost all of the short and medium passes. Unfortunately, he lacks in two categories, his inability to accurately to the outside on out routes and corner routes and his deep ball is inconsistent. His pro comparison at the combine was Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff.

Grade: A-

Anthony Richardson – QB, Florida

Measurements:

Height	Weight	Arm	Hand
6’4”	244 lbs	32 ¾”	10 1/2”

Combine Results

40-Yard Dash	10-Yard Split	Vertical Jump	Broad Jump	3-Cone Drill	20-Yd Shuttle	Bench Press
4.43 seconds	1.53 seconds	40.5”	10’9”	N/A	N/A	18 Reps

Analysis:

Richardson’s size and speed had the NFL Combine announcers going wild, especially after he ran the 40 yard dash with a 4.43 time. His throws during the short and medium passing drills were accurate, but he could work on his outside passing accuracy. I was impressed by his deep ball accuracy as he threw the ball with ease to his receivers. Richardson will most likely be utilized in the NFL similar to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. His pro comparison at the combine was former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.

Grade: A-

Bijan Robinson – RB, Texas

Measurements:

Height	Weight	Arm	Hand
5’11”	215 lbs	31 1/8”	9 ¾”

Combine Results:

40-Yard Dash	10-Yard Split	Vertical Jump	Broad Jump	3-Cone Drill	20-Yd Shuttle	Bench Press
4.46 seconds	1.52 seconds	37”	10’4”	N/A	N/A	N/A

Analysis:

Robinson was explosive through the line of scrimmage and possessed excellent footwork. He has great balance, agility, and change of direction along with clear vision of defenders. He has natural hands and contains the ability to track down the ball in the open field. His pro comparison at the combine was Hall of Fame running back Edgerin James.

Grade: A

Jahmyr Gibbs – RB, Alabama

Measurements:

Height	Weight	Arm	Hand
5’9”	199 lbs	30 ½”	9 ¼”

Combine Results:

40-Yard Dash	10-Yard Split	Vertical Jump	Broad Jump	3-Cone Drill	20-Yd Shuttle	Bench Press
4.36 seconds	1.52 seconds	33.5″	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Analysis:

First thing I noticed about Gibbs was his excellent foot work and ability to cut the defender. He is an explosive runner that possesses good agility and has good vision. He also has good hands as he can be a receiving threat in the backfield and over the middle. His pro comparison at the combine was former Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles.

Grade: A

Deuce Vaughn – RB, Kansas State

Measurements:

Height	Weight	Arm	Hand
5’5”	179 lbs	27 ¾”	9 ½”

Combine Results:

40-Yard Dash	10-Yard Split	Vertical Jump	Broad Jump	3-Cone Drill	20-Yd Shuttle	Bench Press
N/A	N/A	33.5”	9’8”	N/A	N/A	17 Reps

Analysis:

Vaughn’s greatest strength is receiving the ball as he possesses excellent hands and has a tremendous ability to track down the ball. He has outstanding footwork as he utilizes cuts to beat the defender. His small muscular stature allows him to get underneath and truck the defender while maintaining balance. Unfortunately, he lacks the explosiveness to run through the line of scrimmage in-between the offensive tackles which will hinder the amount of carries he will have, but will be utilized to his strengths as a third-down receiving back. His pro comparison as stated on NFL.com is New England Patriots running back J.J. Taylor.

Grade: B+

Josh Downs – WR, UNC

Measurements:

Height	Weight	Arm	Hand
5’9”	171 lbs	30 3/8”	9 ¼”

Combine Results:

40-Yard Dash	10-Yard Split	Vertical Jump	Broad Jump	3-Cone Drill	20-Yd Shuttle	Bench Press
4.48 seconds	1.49 seconds	38.5”	10’11”	N/A	N/A	17 Reps

Analysis:

Downs had a very impressive combine. He possesses excellent hands and has a tremendous ability to extend and catch the ball. He also showcased his ability to locate the ball down the field. Overall, Downs was one of the best receivers in this year’s combine. His pro comparison at the combine was Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver, Kadarius Toney.

Grade: A

Jaxon Smith-Njigba – WR, Ohio State

Measurements:

Height	Weight	Arm	Hand
6’1”	196 lbs	30 ½”	9”

Combine Results:

40-Yard Dash	10-Yard Split	Vertical Jump	Broad Jump	3-Cone Drill	20-Yd Shuttle	Bench Press
N/A	N/A	35”	10’5”	6.57 seconds	3.93 seconds	N/A

Analysis:

Smith-Njigba ran the gauntlet with ease. His ability to catch the ball wherever it is placed is absolutely magnificent as he possesses great hands and has good vision. His route running is pristine and will operate best in the slot. He was also able to locate the ball down the field during the deep throw drill. His pro comparison at the combine was New Orleans Saints wide receiver, Jarvis Landry.

Grade: A

Darnell Washington – TE, Georgia

Measurements:

Height	Weight	Arm	Hand
6’7”	264 lbs	34 3/8”	11”

Combine Results:

40-Yard Dash	10-Yard Split	Vertical Jump	Broad Jump	3-Cone Drill	20-Yd Shuttle	Bench Press
4.64 seconds	1.57 seconds	31”	10’2”	N/A	4.08 seconds	21 Reps

Analysis:

Washington is regarded as the best tight end in this year’s class and rightfully so. He had a great combine as he performed exceptionally well. He possesses great hands, good route running, locating the ball is easy, caught perhaps the highlight catch of the combine performing a one handed catch to end the day. The only thing he needs to work on is his blocking and his ability to chop his feet was slow and not efficient. His pro comparison at the combine was former Arizona Cardinals tight end Darren Fells.

Grade: A

Darnell Washington one-handed catch 😯

(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/0iDxhelhTO

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 5, 2023

Sam LaPorta – TE, Iowa

Measurements:

Height	Weight	Arm	Hand
6’3”	245 lbs	32 1/8”	10 ¼”

Combine Results:

40-Yard Dash	10-Yard Split	Vertical Jump	Broad Jump	3-Cone Drill	20-Yd Shuttle	Bench Press
4.59 seconds	1.59 seconds	35”	10’2”	6.91 seconds	4.25 seconds	N/A

Analysis:

LaPorta possesses great athleticism as was showcased in the athletic testing. His ability to locate the ball down the field was very impressive. He also has good hands, and his footwork was smooth. He was stated as one of the most pro ready tight ends and will most likely become a starter in his first year as a pro and will be a prominent target in the red zone. He reminds me of Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert.

Grade: A