The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books after prospects dazzled during on-field workouts Thursday (defensive line and linebackers), Friday (defensive backs and specialists), Saturday (quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends) and Sunday (running backs and offensive linemen).
CBS Sports NFL Draft analysts Josh Edwards and Chris Trapasso teamed up to share their top takeaways across multiple categories.
It's not surprising in a league that places so much value on the quarterback position that the biggest storyline from Edwards and Trapasso focused on the position. Edwards noted Bryce Young's height and weight checked out during official measurements, but Young didn't participate in a workout. Anthony Richardson did, however, and turned numerous heads, including Trapasso's. He wrote:
"I was in the vast majority that believed the former Florida quarterback would rock in Indy. Admittedly, I don't think I would've predicted quite as ridiculous of a combine as Richardson ultimately had. For as sensible as Young's decision to sit was, it was clearly an intelligent choice for Richardson to showcase his otherworldly athletic gifts."
Risers: As for which prospects best helped their draft stocks, Edwards and Trapasso picked defensive players.
Edwards noted the showing by Northwestern edge/defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore, who "would have been the most impressive performer had it not been for" Richardson. Adebawore, who tipped the scales at 282 pounds, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds and executed 27 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press.
Trapasso highlighted Maryland cornerback Jakorian Bennett, a teammate of Deonte Banks, who has been projected to the Vikings in multiple mock drafts.
"Banks entered the combine as the marquee corner from Maryland. Bennett leaves as someone with almost identical explosiveness, and he ran 4.30 to Banks' 4.35," Trapasso wrote.
Fallers: Edwards and Trapasso each picked a receiver for their choices of players who hurt their draft stock the most.
Edwards listed LSU's Kayshon Boutte, and Trapasso went with USC's Jordan Addison, with each wanting a little more from their athletic testing.
Sleepers: As for names that are trying to work their way up the board and should be watched over the next several weeks, Edwards went with Kentucky cornerback Carrington Valentine and Maryland edge rusher Durell Nchami.
Edwards liked Valentine's vertical (39) and broad (10 feet, 8 inches) jumps but wants to see how he tests at Kentucky's Pro Day.
Trapasso tabbed another Terrapin that he "loved" on film and added, "while he never rekindled the magic as a pass-rusher from early in his college career, he has burst, bend and pass-rush moves."
View photos from Thursday's NFL Scouting Combine on-field workouts at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Texas defensive lineman Moro Ojomo stretches during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brooke Sutton/NFL)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey stretches during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
Arizona St. defensive lineman Nesta Jade Silvera warms up during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Clemson defensive lineman Bryan Bresee participates int the vertical jump during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brooke Sutton/NFL)
South Carolina defensive lineman Zacch Pickens participates in a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
NFL Network's Rhett Lewis interacts with Bucky Brooks on set during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Wisconsin defensive lineman Keeanu Benton and Coastal Carolina defensive lineman Jerrod Clark warm up before the broad jump during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brooke Sutton/NFL)
Pittsburgh defensive lineman Calijah Kancey and Penn St. defensive lineman PJ Mustipher participate in a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
West Virginia defensive lineman Dante Stills participates in the broad jump during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
South Carolina defensive lineman Zacch Pickens participates in the vertical jump during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
West Virginia defensive lineman Dante Stills participates in a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Kara Durrette/NFL)
NFL Network's Rich Eisen is seen on the field during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Texas defensive lineman Keondre Coburn participates in the vertical jump during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter looks on during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Lauren Bacho/NFL)
NFL Network's Lance Zierlein speaks on set during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Penn St. defensive lineman PJ Mustipher participates in the broad jump during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brooke Sutton/NFL)
Florida defensive lineman Gervon Dexter Sr. participates in the vertical jump during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brooke Sutton/NFL)
Coastal Carolina defensive lineman Jerrod Clark participates in the broad jump during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brooke Sutton/NFL)
Wisconsin defensive lineman Keeanu Benton participates in the broad jump during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brooke Sutton/NFL)
A detailed shot of the NFL Scouting Combine equipment is seen during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
West Virginia defensive lineman Dante Stills takes a moment before the vertical jump during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brooke Sutton/NFL)
Clemson defensive lineman Bryan Bresee looks on during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brooke Sutton/NFL)
Texas defensive lineman Moro Ojomo stretches during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brooke Sutton/NFL)
NFL.com's 2023 All-Combine Team, Defense
There's much more to building a roster than just collecting the best performances by prospects, but NFL.com's Nick Shook opted to create a defense based off performances that impressed him the most.
For interior defensive linemen, Shook picked Clemon's Bryan Bresee and Oklahoma's Jalen Redmond.
Georgia's Nolan Smith, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds, the second-fastest time for a defensive lineman since 2003. His vertical was 41.5 inches.
"The best part about all of it: He's not just a workout warrior; these numbers show up on the tape. Even though he didn't participate in on-field drills Thursday, he'd already done enough to make headlines in Indianapolis," Shook wrote.
Shook also picked Will Anderson, Jr., out of Alabama, and Adebawore.
As for linebackers, Alabama's Henry To'oTo'o, Iowa's Jack Campbell and Tennessee's Jeremy Banks drew selections by Shook.
Deonte Banks was joined at cornerback by Oregon's Christian Gonzalez and Michigan's DJ Turner II.
A third Alabama player, safety Brian Branch, helped round out Shook's team and was joined by Illinois' Sydney Brown.
