NFL Combine Results, Risers and Fallers: CB Gareon Conley wins big

The 2017 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books, and we got to see one of the best defensive back groups in recent memory take the field. In a weekend that saw records set, the defensive backs would have their work cut out for them to shine, but they did.

While the New York Giants have assembled a talented and deep secondary, they might yet find themselves drafting one of these defensive backs. With that in mind, let’s see who helped themselves on the last day of the combine.

Big Winner

Gareon Conley (Ohio State)

Conley was considered Ohio State’s “other corner” across from Marshon Lattimore, but he established himself as a player in his own right in his workout. He proved that he has NFL speed, and he hung with the very best corners in the class in positional drills. Conley showed some of the best feet, loosest hips, and best movement skills out there. He is forcing scouts are going to have to go back to the Ohio State tape and concentrate on him, and not Lattimore or Malik Hooker.

Risers

• Damontae Kazee (San Diego State) - Kazee might not be an outside corner at the next level. However, he showed good athleticism, feet, and hips and great ball skills in drills. Kazee looks like a great option as a nickel corner going forward and could be a steal in the mid rounds.
• Jabrill Peppers (Michigan) - Peppers is showing up on the field for the second day in a row. His movement skills should have stood out against linebackers, but his easy and explosive athleticism still looks good even when surrounded by other DBs.
• Obi Melifonwu (UConn) - If Melifonwu was a curiosity before the combine, he is another player who locked down a first round selection with his work in Indy. He dominated the measurable drills and has looked remarkably smooth for such a big player in the positional drills.
• Adoree Jackson (USC) - Jackson does have issues on tape, and will need coaching at the next level. However, whatever coach gets his hands on him will have plenty to work with. Jackson might have been the easiest mover at the combine on top of being a tremendous athlete.
• Shaquill Griffin (Central Florida) - Griffin made himself some money today. Knocked for lacking long speed, but gave scouts something to think about with a 4.38 40-yard dash. He also showed very well in drills with easy movement and loose hips.
• Fabian Moreau (UCLA) - Moreau was called a first round talent by his defenisve coordinator, and the player did his best to make an honest man out of his coach. Moreau threw down one of the best workouts of the DB group and showed excellent movement skills in drills.
• Kevin King (Washington) - There were questions whether or not King would be a corner or a safety at the next level, and he answered them well. Showing up at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, he has excellent size paired with 4.45 speed. His hips weren’t exactly “oily,” but he moves very well for such a long corner.
• Josh Jones (NC State) - Jones is one of the biggest defensive backs in attendance, and while his workout was overshadowed by Melifonwu’s, it was still very impressive. With the lines blurring between linebackers and safeties, and the incoming class of hyper-athletic tight ends, Jones likely made himself some money.

Fallers

• Teez Tabor (Florida) - Tabor had a disappointing workout as far as metrics are concerned. He still showed the quick feet, loose hips, and easy movement on the field that has him among the top of his position group. But, in such a loaded class, timing slowly could give scouts and GMs a reason to not select him as highly.
• Jourdan Lewis (Michigan) - Lewis timed slower than expected and showed some stiff hips in drills. He did show quick feet and aggressive change of direction, so he will likely be a nickel at the next level. This isn’t a big fall, however.
• Jack Tocho (North Carolina State) - Tocho disappointed in metrics but also appeared to labor in drills. He came into the combine a corner, but might now best be considered a safety. If teams have to project a player in such a deep draft, it will likely hurt his stock.
• Marshon Lattimore (Ohio State) - Lattimore put down some really good work on the field and in the metrics. However at some point he suffered a hamstring injury, which is a big deal for a player who had hamstring surgery in 2014 and re-injured it again in 2015.