On the final day of the NFL Combine, the spotlight fell on the LSU secondary.
Former cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Ron Brooks and former safety Brandon Taylor all completed their final workouts as the week-long pre-draft process came to an end. All three impressed, according to local draft analyst Mike Detillier.
Claiborne ran a 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds, but he followed that up with a 4.12-second time in the 20-yard shuttle and completed the three-cone drill in 7.01 seconds.
“His first run [in the 40-yard dash] was a little disappointing to him, but he came back and made up with it,” Detillier said. “Where he really stands out is in the positional drills. … He did everything to secure himself as a top-5 pick in this draft class. He made it happen today.”
Claiborne impressed many in his positional drills, showing solid change of direction and a keen eye for the ball, Detillier said.
“Today he solidified himself as not only the top defensive back, but the highest-ranked defensive player in this draft class,” Detillier said.
Though he’s rated lower than Claiborne, Brooks showed just how deep the LSU secondary was last season. Brooks ranked No. 2 among cornerbacks with a time of 4.37 in the 40-yard dash and No. 3 with a 38-inch vertical jump.
Detillier projects Brooks to be selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft.
“He caught everybody’s eye today,” Detillier said. “If you didn’t have him on your radar, he certainly put himself on that radar today about what he can do. He’s got a niche in this league.”
Taylor, who measures 5-foot-11 and 209 pounds, had an impressive workout, according to Detillier. Taylor ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds and had a 33.5-inch vertical jump with a time of 7.32 seconds in the three-cone drill.
Detillier called Taylor one of the most underrated players in college football last season and said he could be selected early in the
fourth round.
“His athleticism today really stood out,” Detillier said. “But I didn’t have to see that to see what type of football player he is. He’s a heck of a football player, and I think everybody got to see
that today.”
 
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Contact Hunter Paniagua at [email protected]