With the conclusion of Monday's workouts, the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine is officially complete as the defensive backs hit the field. The New York Giants seem to always get hit with injuries in the secondary making this group a must watch. Let's review the prospects that impressed and who could be sliding down the draft boards.
Winners
Jalen Ramsey: As expected, Ramsey proved himself in being a world class athlete after lighting up the combine on Monday. Ramsey has prototypical size for a DB at 6-foot-1, 209 pounds. He's got the speed with a 40-yard dash of 4.41 seconds and the best jumping ability as he dominated the broad and vertical jumps. Already projected as a top five pick, Ramsey conceivably raised his stock as he could enter the discussion being taken number one overall. The question with Ramsey is whether he will start his career a free safety or a cornerback but there is no doubt that he is a special prospect.
Vernon Hargreaves III: If Ramsey is drafted as a safety, Hargreaves could potentially be the highest taken corner in the draft. Some scouts had issues with his size and physicality on tape and needed a strong combine to boost his stock. Hargreaves passed with flying colors with rave reviews from scouts, including Mike Mayock. Hargreaves had a solid 40-yard dash with an official time of 4.5 seconds. Just like Ramsey, Hargreaves dominated the jumping drills as he placed top five in both the vertical and broad jump out of all defensive backs. Hargreaves looked fluid and swift in the positional drills cementing him as one of the top corners available. Could he be a dark-horse candidate for the Giants at 10th overall?
No 2 CB on @MikeMayock's position rankings:
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 29, 2016
Vernon Hargreaves, @GatorsFB, runs a 4.52u on 1st attempt#NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/gEuFlRR6fh
Florida CB Vernon Hargreaves (5-10, 204) had a great workout...4.5 40. 39" vert.10'10" broad jump. Footwork & transition speed in drills.
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) February 29, 2016
Eli Apple: Apple has skyrocketed among draft boards as the tape shows a prospect with the size and speed that can match up well with the dynamic wide receivers of the game. He only took part in the 40-yard dash in which he posted an impressive 4.40 mark. Apple shined in drills with this gem of a one-handed catch being the highlight.
That's just @EliApple13 from @OhioStAthletics.
— NFL (@NFL) February 29, 2016
Casually making a one-handed catch during drills at the #NFLCombine https://t.co/lXWLKlAY01
William Jackson III: Just like with Apple, Jackson's stock relies on athleticism and a tall build. Standing at 6 feet, Jackson turned heads with an impressed 4.37 40-yard dash which was good for fourth best out of all defensive backs. He weights around 189 lbs so there is room for growth but with cornerbacks always being in high supply, Jackson certainly came out of the Combine a winner.
TJ Green: Green was considered a middle round prospect but he certainly turned heads in a weak safety class this year. Continuing the scouting theme of the year which values height and speed, Green shows an excess of it. He stands tall at 6-2 and also ran a blazing fast 40 time with a 4.34 mark. The Giants have done this before with their safeties when they drafted Cooper Taylor who had remarkable height and speed.
Losers
Darian Thompson: Projected as a top five safety in this class, Thompson disappointed with a pedestrian Combine. If height and speed are indicators of value Thompson's 4.69 40-yard dash can't have helped his stock at all. He fared better in every other workout managing a top 16 placement in jumping and agility drills but scouts are already checking the tape again to see if they missed something.
4.72 / 4.70 means going back to the tape on Darian Thompson. Will be re-watching for range and closing speed specifically.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) February 29, 2016