Now that the 2020 Scouting Combine is officially wrapped up, the Panthers have piles of data and film to comb through over the next two months leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft.
With 337 total participants at last week's event, trying to make sense of all those measurements can be a little overwhelming, so we're here to break down some of the Combine's top performers:
Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor
With all their other needs, the Panthers probably aren't on the market for a running back, but there's no denying how impressive Taylor looked this week in Indianapolis.
Top end speed was a question mark for Taylor entering the Combine, and he quickly proved the doubters wrong. Taylor led the running back group with a 4.39 40-yard dash, as well as posting a 4.24-second 5-10-5 shuttle to rank sixth among his position group. Add on a 10'3" broad jump (t-9th) and a 36-inch vertical (t-11th) and Taylor put together an outstanding showing that helps his case for first-round consideration.
Louisville OT Mekhi Becton
Talk about an absolute unit. Coming in at a hulking 6-foot-7 and 364 pounds, Becton set social media on fire with his blazing fast 5.10 40-yard dash. Not many defenders will want to take on a guy that size barreling downfield on a lead block. With a number of offensive lineman projected as first round picks, this is one way to set yourself apart. This big man can move.
Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs
It's not often you hear of offensive linemen posting times around 4.8 in the 40, but players like Wirfs don't come around every year. At 320 pounds, Wirfs led all offensive linemen with a 4.82 40, and also finished first in the vertical jump and the broad jump. The big guy's 36.5-inch vertical set a new combine record for offensive linemen, and his 10'1" broad jump tied another record. Now, it seems all but guaranteed Wirfs will be off the board within the first 10 picks.
Oregon QB Justin Herbert
Two of the top three quarterbacks in this year's draft didn't participate in the Combine, so that meant all eyes were on Herbert. The Oregon product has good size, at 6'6" and 236 pounds, and his on field measurables were impressive, too – recording a 4.68 40 (t-3rd) and a 35.5-inch vertical (t-2nd).
Herbert's arm was the most impressive, though, particularly on deep throws. His on-field performance garnered praise from a number of media outlets, which has been a recurring theme since the Senior Bowl.
Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III
Ruggs kicked off the week in Indy by proclaiming he would set a new record for the fastest 40 time, hoping to break John Ross's 4.22 set in 2017. He may not have beaten Ross's time, but he came awfully close at 4.27 seconds – the fastest of any player at this year's Combine. The domination didn't stop there, though. Ruggs also posted the second-highest vertical (42 inches) and was fourth in the broad jump (10'11").
After hauling in 98 catches at Alabama and turning 24 of them into touchdowns, everyone already knew Ruggs is dangerous with the ball in his hands, and these numbers only further prove that.
Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb
Lamb's test results may not have been as head-turning as some of the other wideouts, but he more than made up for it with his performance during the on-field drills. One particular catch during a goal line fade drill made its rounds on social media, where Lamb gracefully twisted through the air and got both feet down before somersaulting onto the ground.
LSU WR Justin Jefferson
If there were any questions regarding Jefferson's athleticism entering the Combine, they've since been answered. With a 4.43 40 (t-8th among WRs), 37.5-inch vertical (t-13th) and 10'6" broad jump (t-10th), Jefferson effectively silenced the critics, then kept them quiet with a stellar on-field workout.
After finishing last year first in the NCAA in catches (111), second in touchdowns (18) and third in receiving yards (1,540), there are no questions surrounding Jefferson's productivity. With a successful week in Indy in the books, the LSU product looks closer to making himself a first-round pick.
Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons
Simmons may have had the best outing of any player at the Combine – and he didn't even touch the field during positional work. While he considers his position to simply be "defense," Simmons worked out with the linebackers on Day 3 and it's safe to say he dominated. Simmons lead the way for the linebackers with a blistering 4.39 forty, as well as a 39-inch vertical (t-3rd) and an 11' broad jump (2nd).
At 6'4" and 238 pounds, Simmons is fit to line up anywhere on the defense, from linebacker to safety, and even as an edge rusher in some packages.
Mississippi St. LB Willie Gay, Jr.
The only linebacker to compete with Simmons across the board was Mississippi State's Willie Gay Jr. With a 4.46 forty (2nd), 39.5-inch vertical (2nd) and jaw-dropping 11'4" broad jump (1st), Gay should have definitely earned a spot on every team's draft board. Prior to wowing teams in Indy, Gay was expected to be a Day 3 selection come April, but now his stock seems to be on the rise.
Utah DB Javelin K. Guidry
Not many people knew Guidry's name prior to Sunday at the Combine, but now everyone's talking about him. That's what a blazing 4.29 40-yard dash will do for you. Guidry's time was the best among all defensive backs, and second only to Ruggs. By adding 21 reps on the bench press (t-3rd), Guidry proved he has speed and strength. Before the Combine he was expected to be a late-round pick or maybe even a post-Draft free agent signing, but it's hard to ignore a 4.29.
