Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine testing and drills is officially in the books. Both Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 had a lot of players who managed to help their draft stock, as well as a couple that hurt it.
Now, let's take a look to see which secondary prospects helped or hurt themselves the most on the last and final day.
Winners
Nick Cross, S, Maryland
Leading all safeties with a 4.34s 40-yard dash, Cross' athleticism is incredibly impressive for someone standing just over 6 feet, and 212lbs. He also had top four marks in both the vertical (37 inches) and broad jumps (10 foot, 10 inches). He also performed well in field drills showing solid change of direction. He was already a top five safety in the class, but testing numbers like that can push him ahead of some of the others.
Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA
I wonder if there will be much interest for a corner that measured 6'4" tall, weighs 205lbs, and ran a 4.26s 40-yard dash. Oh, he also added a 42 inch vertical. I'd say his combine performance had many scout salivating at his potential. He looked fast in the field drills as well, highlighting that speed he had on display earlier.
Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
Elam is a prospect that has lost some hype in recent weeks, but for no real reason. That hype will be back on after buzzing with a 4.39s 40-yard dash at 6 foot, and 1.5 inches tall. He looked extremely fluid in field drills which confirms what we saw on tape this past season, and managed to real in the balls thrown his way showing off his ball skills. He shouldn't need his stock built back up, but this performance did just that if people were starting to getting bored.
Kalon Barnes, CB, Baylor
I don't think you can leave people off this list that run a sub 4.3s 40-yard dash. Coming just 0.01s away from the record, Barnes clocked a time of 4.22s and no one is the least bit surprised. He isn't just a straight line speedster, as in the field drills, he exploded out of his breaks with ease and looked as fast as anyone there.
Cam Taylor-Britt, CB, Nebraska
Some people were questioning whether Taylor-Britt would be able to stick at corner in the NFL, and he proved he could by running a 4.38s 40-yard dash. That is a very good time for him that should help him stick as a mid-round prospect hoping to go on day 2 of the draft. He also showed tremendous hip mobility in the field drills changing direction extremely smooth.
Losers
Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati
Bryan is someone that is likely hoping to hear his name called on day 2 of the NFL Draft. However, he only put up an average performance at the combine, which might drop him down a couple boards. He didn't do bad, he tested average and looked fine on the field. But a lot of players at the same position helped themselves which naturally could lower Bryant a bit.
Jermaine Waller, CB, Virginia Tech
When you come into the combine and end up being the lightest member of the secondary (180lbs), it usually isn't a good thing to also have the slowest 40-time of that same group (4.68s). Due to his size, he isn't the most physical player, although he does put the effort in there, so putting up a poor time here is definitely going to knock him down, maybe even undrafted.
Let us know who you think impresses throughout the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, and be sure to check back in for more updates as the rest of the prospects perform!
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