Prospects Who Impressed on Day 2 of the NFL Combine

On Friday, the second group of players went through drills and testing on Day 2 of the NFL Scouting Combine. This batch of prospects consisted of tight ends, cornerbacks, and safeties. There were some top NFL Draft prospects not participating from each group, such as Georgia TE Brock Bowers, Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, and Minnesota S Tyler Nubin. But it was a day the New England Patriots were monitoring closely based on players like Hunter Henry and Kyle Dugger headed to free agency.

A look at some of Friday’s top performers.

Tight Ends

Theo Johnson, Penn State

Johnson was the most impressive tight end at the Senior Bowl and followed that up with an impressive showing on Friday. He has gone from a likely Day 3 pick to being a candidate to be the second tight end taken in the NFL Draft. Theo Johnson measured 6-foot-6 and weighed 259 pounds. He has great size already. He finished first in the 20-yard shuttle while coming in second in the vertical jump, broad jump, and 40-yard dash (4.57). With Bowers not performing, Johnson stole the show from this group.

Ben Sinnott, Kansas State

Sinnott measured in at 6-foot-4 while weighing 250 pounds. His 40-yard dash time (4.68) was in the 4.6 range, where everyone other than the top two and bottom two tight ends finished. Ben Sinnott was the only tight end with a 40″ vertical and also had the best broad jump from the group (10’6″). He also showed good footwork, finishing first in the three-cone drill. Sinnott proved himself worthy of a draft selection, likely early on Day 3.

Tip Reiman, Illinois

Reiman looked like an NFL tight end. Even if he is used in a blocking role (think Pharaoh Brown) he should find himself on an NFL roster in the fall. Standing 6-foot-5 and 271 pounds, Tip Reiman looked like the most powerful player in the group. His 4.64 time in the 40 was middle of the pack, but his 10-yard split tied for the best. He showed a good burst. Reiman displayed this on the blocking sleds as well. He was also the top tight end on the weight bench in several years. Reiman, bench-pressed 225 pounds 28 times. For comparison, Rob Gronkowski put up 23 reps back in 2010.

Cornerbacks

Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

In the 2024 NFL Draft Mock 2.0 Mitchell was picked by the Detroit Lions at No. 29. After his combine performance it seems unlikely he will last that long. The Toledo Rocket recorded the second-fastest 40 of the day (4.33). He also put up the most bench press reps at his position (20). This combination of speed and strength will catch the eye of NFL scouts looking for a corner in Round 1.

Max Melton, Rutgers

Like other prospects at the combine (Braden Fiske, Theo Johnson) Max Melton continued his momentum from a strong Senior Bowl week into Indianapolis. He was one of eight cornerbacks to run a sub-4.4 40-yard dash in a blazing-fast group. Melton’s 11’4″ broad jump was the longest of the group. His 40.5″ vertical tied for fourth best. At 5’11” and 187 pounds Melton doesn’t have the size of some other cornerbacks, but he showed he is a competitor and an athlete. Impressive day.

Nate Wiggins, Clemson

The 6-foot-1 Wiggins was potentially the first corner off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft before his combine performance. Although injury cut his day short, it was not until after Wiggins had run his 40-yard dash. He put up the day’s best time, running a 4.28. Although the high marks for these combine performance reviews generally favor players who participate in more drills, Nate Wiggins’ time was so impressive it deserved mentioning. He also just looks the part of an NFL top corner. Assuming the injury was minor, he will have his name called early in Round 1.

Safeties

Cole Bishop, Utah

The order the safeties are selected in the 2024 NFL Draft is very much up for grabs. Cole Bishop’s performance at the combine put his name squarely in the conversation of being one of the first off the board. At 6-foot-2 and 206 pounds he has good size but can still add muscle to his frame. His 4.45 time in the 40-yard dash tied for third among safeties. Bishop also performed well in the vertical (39″) and broad jumps (10’4″).

Tyler Owens, Texas Tech

Tyler Owens is an explosive athlete. At 6-foot-2 and 216 pounds he has good size. He also has incredible athleticism, which he showcased on Friday. His vertical of 41″ was the best of the group. His 12’2″ broad jump was more than a foot further than any other safety. Owens was also expected to put up the best 40 time, but pulled up after less than 10 yards. Like Wiggins, Owens did not put up a large body of work but what he did was extremely impressive. He showed he is an NFL athlete.

Dominique Hampton, Washington

Hampton participated in all drills and measured well. He is 6-foot-2 and weighed in at 215 pounds. His arms measured 33.25″ with 10″ hands. Hampton looked the part. His 4.51 was solid if unspectacular. He finished fifth in the vertical. Hampton was one of only two safeties to be timed in the three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle, though he had the best time in both. He showed a willingness to compete and looked like an NFL safety. He should have secured a place in the NFL Draft with an opportunity to land on an opening day roster.