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2019 NFL Combine: 10 players who bombed

By Joe Romano

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: Defensive lineman Jachai Polite of Florida runs the 40-yard dash during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: Defensive lineman Jachai Polite of Florida runs the 40-yard dash during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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DURHAM, NC – AUGUST 31: Duke Blue Devils linebacker Joe Giles-Harris (44) during the 1st half of Duke Blue Devils Football versus Army Black Knights on August 31, 2018, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, NC. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC – AUGUST 31: Duke Blue Devils linebacker Joe Giles-Harris (44) during the 1st half of Duke Blue Devils Football versus Army Black Knights on August 31, 2018, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, NC. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Joe Giles-Harris, LB, Duke

A lot of these players are examples of testing not matching with tape. Joe Giles-Harris of Duke is an example of tape matching exactly what we saw in testing. Giles-Harris projected as a big middle linebacker who lacks the athleticism to stay on the field all three downs in the NFL. However when he weighed in light, at 234 pounds, people got excited that he may test well. Athletes who know they won’t test well will shave off weight in hopes of getting better testing. That did not happen in this instance.

A 234 pound linebacker should be fast, agile and explosive. Instead Giles-Harris looked slow and lacked explosion. His 4.75 40 yard dash was fifth worse of any linebacker. He posted 17 reps on the bench press, good enough for eighth worse. The broad jump of 111 inches and vertical jump of 29.5 were the worst of any linebacker.

This just proves what was evident on tape. Giles-Harris is not a good athlete and was able to get by being a smart and instinctive linebacker in the ACC. If he expects to translate to the NFL it will be as a special teams player. His stock to fit that role took a big hit with a lack of athletisicm. The NFL will take chances on athletic players who are not as cerebral. Meanwhile they are quick to write off non-athletes like this.

Giles-Harris will likely get drafted towards the end of the draft. Do not be surprised to see him make a team but only if he proves he’s willing to do everything on special teams. He is not the mid-round linebacker that can be a steal as many expected prior to his performance in Indianapolis.

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