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2019 NFL Combine: 10 players who showed out

By Joe Romano

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 03: NFL Network host Rich Eisen runs the 40-yard dash to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 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: NFL Network host Rich Eisen runs the 40-yard dash to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 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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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 03: Virginia safety Juan Thornhill answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on March 03, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 03: Virginia safety Juan Thornhill answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on March 03, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Juan Thornhill, DB, Virginia

Versatility in the NFL is a valuable skill to have. While this isn’t basketball where positions are going out the window, the NFL is transitioning into a matchups league. Having players, especially in the defensive secondary who can do everything, is an advantage. That is the type of player that Virginia safety Juan Thornhill is. After his performance in Indianapolis he’s certainly helped his case to be a top-50 pick.

Thornhill played all over the Cavalier defense throughout his playing career. He was an ultra productive safety who would cover in man and play around the box like a hanging linebacker. Some questioned his athleticism, but after Monday’s performance they will not longer.

At 6-feet tall and 205 pounds, he’s about average size for a defensive back. That made his 221 reps on the bench press even more impressive. That number was second best of any defensive back. Thornhill ran his 40 in 4.42, the fifth fastest of any safety. To be fair, this is the fastest safety class the draft may have ever seen.

Speaking of the best the draft has ever seen, Thornhill set a combine record with a broad jump of 141 inches. His vertical jump of 44 inches was one inch shy of the combine record. In fact, no player that jumped as high or as far as Thornhill matched his reps in the bench press. This was rare company that Thornhill was joining.

He likely helped his case as a day two prospect. Thornhill projects, in my opinion, as a Malcolm Jenkins type safety. He can cover a lot of ground on the back end, possesses great ball skills and can match up one on one with some bigger slot receivers. This is the type of guy that will have a long career given the mix of athleticism, football intelligence and versatility.

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