Top Standouts From NFL Combine Day 1 – DL, EDGE, LB

Georgia EDGE, Nolan Smith

Smith, who has been linked to the Bucs in several mock drafts and had a formal meeting with Tampa Bay this week in Indianapolis, stole the show on Thursday afternoon. He weighed in pretty light, coming in at 238 pounds, but the 6-foot-2 pass rusher put his impressive athleticism on display by running a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, posting a 41.5-inch vertical and recording a 10-foot-8-inch broad jump.

“Smith feels most comfortable trying to convert his speed to power, trying to channel his quickness and naturally lower pad level into an impactful strike as he attempts to work through his opponent,” Pewter Report’s Josh Queipo wrote last weekend.

“He pairs this outside speed threat with a fun wide outside step, quick speed inside counter. Smith rounds out his pass rush arsenal with good use of his hands to prevent blockers from getting him tied up.”

Given his weight and the lack of overall production he had at Georgia – just 11.5 sacks over four years – it was important for Smith to test well. And, well, he did. 

Louisville EDGE, YaYa Diaby

Diaby, who the Bucs held a formal meeting with this week at the NFL Combine, showed off some impressive speed during the 40-yard dash. His get-off was what caught some eyes, as was his 10-yard split given that at 1.56 seconds, he trailed only Nolan Smith’s 10-yard split of 1.52 seconds.

Last week, Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds published a “Todd Bowles’ Ideal Bucs Draft” story, which was a mock that included all defensive picks. In the sixth round, he had Tampa Bay selecting Diaby, a former standout at Louisville who measured in at 6-foot-3, 263 pounds on Thursday.

“Diaby is a good athlete who is a late bloomer,” Reynolds wrote. “After notching 39 tackles, three tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks, Diaby had a breakout season with 37 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and two fumble recoveries in 2022.

That earned him a spot in the Senior Bowl, where he had his moments during the practice week. He fits the athletic profile of a Day 3 pick in this Bucs draft.”

Diaby had the fifth-best 40 time (4.51) and the seventh-best vertical (37 inches). His 10-foot broad jump didn’t impress, but it was a solid performance overall for him.

Auburn EDGE, Derick Hall

Hall may have only tied for the seventh-best 40-yard dash time among defensive ends, but he still clocked in at an impressive 4.55. His 10-yard split of 1.59 was third-best among the group, while his 10-foot-7-inch broad jump was fourth-best. He came in at 6-foot-3, 254 pounds, with an arm length of 34 1/2 inches, which is great for his profile.

The former Auburn Tiger had a formal meeting with the Bucs in Indianapolis. Tampa Bay could very well be in the market for a pass rusher, given it has questions surrounding the health and age of Shaquil Barrett and the inconsistency of soon-to-be third-year pro, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.

Tennessee EDGE, Byron Young

Young, who had an informal meeting with the Bucs at the NFL Combine, had one of the more impressive days of any prospect in Indianapolis. His 4.43-second 40-yard dash ranked second behind only Nolan Smith, while his 38-inch vertical was once again second behind Smith. He bested Smith in the broad jump, tying Iowa State’s Will McDonald IV for the best mark.

His 7.19-second time in the three-cone ranked fourth. The athletic Young stands 6-foot-2 and weighed in at 250 pounds. With that context, his 40 time is even more impressive. To possess 4.4 speed at 250 pounds is exceptional (consider: Smith is just a few ticks faster while being 12 pounds lighter).

Northwestern DL Adetomiwa Adebawore

Adebawore, one of the standouts at the Senior Bowl last month, wowed on Thursday in Indianapolis. He’s a big, physical player at 6-foot-2, 282 pounds. But his athleticism was on full display at the NFL Combine, too. He ran a blazing 4.49-second 40, tying for the fourth-best time among defensive ends. Again, he ran a 4.49 at 282 pounds. 

Adebawore posted a 10-yard split of 1.61 while putting up the third-highest vertical of the group with a 37.5-inch vertical. His 10-foot-5-inch broad jump tied for seventh-best.

Adebawore has likely maxed out his frame and would have to play more inside with Tampa Bay, which may be an awkward fit. Nonetheless, he met with the Bucs informally at the Combine and could still be someone to keep an eye on.

West Virginia DT, Dante Stills

Stills, who was the Bucs’ sixth-round pick in Pewter Report’s initial 2023 mock draft, was one of the top-performing defensive tackles on Thursday. At 6-foot-3.5 and 286 pounds, he ranked third among defensive tackles with a 4.85-second 40-yard dash. He had a 10-yard split of 1.72, a 9-foot-5-inch broad jump (third-best among tackles), and a 7.38-second three-cone (also third-best). His 4.61-second time in the 20-yard shuttle was second-best among his position group.

“Stills will likely need to add an additional 10 pounds to anchor against the run at the NFL level, but he’s an outstanding run defender to begin with,” Scott Reynolds wrote in Pewter Report’s initial mock in January. “He earned a 90.3 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus for the 2022 season due to his high motor and relentless style of physical play.

“Stills adds another athletic defensive lineman in the mold of Logan Hall to Tampa Bay’s D-line room. The Bucs want to increase their sack total in 2023, and Stills’ tenacity as a pass rusher and ability to penetrate can certainly help. Stills will turn 24 in December, which makes him an older defender in this year’s draft. That’s part of the reason he’ll be a Day 3 pick and lands in the sixth round of this Bucs mock draft.”

Stills had an informal meeting with the Bucs at the NFL Combine.

Auburn LB, Owen Pappoe

Among the linebackers who the Bucs have met with in Indianapolis this week, Pappoe had the best performance on Thursday. He ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, the top time among linebackers.

His 1.52-second 10-yard split was just as impressive, plus he turned in a 35.5-inch vertical (fifth among linebackers) and posted a 10-foot-6-inch broad jump (fourth-best). A team captain at Auburn, he will likely be a later-round, developmental-type pick. Pappoe had an informal meeting with Tampa Bay earlier this week.