Day 2 NFL Combine Takeaways

There were six offensive linemen with official sub-5.0 40 times in the first group, and six in the second. The previous record was six, and there were 11 sub-4.5 40-yard dashes overall in the last three combines.

Rutgers’ Isiah Pacheco and South Dakota State’s Pierre Strong tied for the fastest running back at the 2022 combine with 40 times of 4.37 seconds.

https://twitter.com/brgridiron/status/1499968529856188416?s=20&t=qqh9-WqPIMlqPs6QOBwK2A

Notre Dame’s Kyren Williams caught flak for his 4.7 40 yard dash time as many expected him to run faster.

https://twitter.com/DP_NFL/status/1500124754837131267?s=20&t=KZeswPrZHw85YSWx0Y-Ahg

However for RB’s there are more important factors and measurables at play than 40 times.

Zion Johnson’s Big Day

Zion Johnson played tackle and guard at Boston College, and then took reps at center during Senior Bowl week. Johnson has showcased his versatility and followed it up with a fantastic combine performance.

Few offensive linemen are as undersized like Johnson at 6-foot-3 and 312 pounds, but few had better combines than Johnson. He ran a 5.18 40-yard dash aced other drills, and looked very smooth and powerful on the field.

Boston College OG Zion Johnson with a 5.25 40 yard dash#NFL #NFLCombine #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/OsoCTM22Sf

— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) March 4, 2022

Johnson needed to show some athleticism to go with his play strength, and he took care of that admirably. He led all lineman with 32 bench press reps and showed off his movement in space with the wave drill

Zion Johnson wave drill pic.twitter.com/pd3BD9rFcL

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) March 4, 2022

The Boston College product was showing an ability to create power without planting during on-field drills.

Johnson is an easy mover, and you can see how he’s able to gain power and efficiency from that. He has separated himself as one of the top interior offensive linemen.

James is Cooking

In today’s league, top running backs threaten defenses on third down with their receiving skills, and NFL teams loved what they saw in James Cook on Friday.

Whether it’s his feet, hands or acceleration, #UGA RB James Cook is so smooth. Put him in a wide/outside zone scheme and let him flourish. He’s an off-tackle runner and receiving threat that can line up anywhere.

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) March 5, 2022

Cook ran a 4.42 40 times and made seamless cuts with the ball in his hands during the on-field drills. He looked natural in space, secured all of his passes and caught the ball with his soft hands like a natural receiver.

Dalvin Cook vs. James Cook 👀 pic.twitter.com/WkfV5vdebB

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) March 5, 2022

At Georgia, Cook only logged 230 carries, so he doesn’t have mileage on him; however, he can project as a featured ball-carrier primed to log 15-plus carries a game.

James Cook is smooth like butter. 🧈@thegreat__4 | @GeorgiaFootball

📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/xxink3Imr5

— NFL (@NFL) March 5, 2022

Furthermore, Cook can become a matchup nightmare on crucial downs either in the slot or on short routes in the middle of the field.

*** This article was originally posted at ATB Network***