2020 NFL combine: Day one winners and losers

Albert Okwuegbunam (Missouri)

Albert Okwuegbunam was the biggest winner of the actual tight end group. He looked smooth in the receiving drills, and ran a 4.49 in the 40 yard dash at 6’5, 258 lbs. He did not have the greatest technique in the blocking drills, but that was to be expected from a receiving tight end. He will need to improve in this area to be an every down tight end, but after an uneven 2019 season, Albert O has risen back to the top of some tight end boards. He was in the mix to be one of the first tight ends selected in 2018, and was trending towards being a possible first round selection had he declared. His strong combine put him squarely back in the early day two mix, a place where he belonged all along. Teams will likely go back to watch some more 2018 tape to refresh their memories on how much better he played with an NFL level quarterback in Drew Lock.

Hunter Bryant (Washington)

Hunter Bryant ran a solid, but decidedly average time in the 40 yard dash, but stood out in the three cone drill, and the 20 yard shuttle. He ran a 4.74, but managed a 4.46 in the 20 yard shuttle. To put this number in context, this is the same time as Jalen Reagor, and was quicker than Jerry Jeudy. His 7.08 second three cone drill time was better than the time track star Devin Duvernay posted. Bryant is a good tight end prospect that should hear his name called on day two. He ascended the draft boards of more than a few NFL teams. Bryant is smooth on tape, and looked equally natural as a receiver in the receiving drills. Hunter Bryant had 16 receptions of 20 or more yards in 2019, a number higher than Henry Ruggs’ 14.

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Chase Claypool (Notre Dame)

Chase Claypool is a Canadian wide receiver who had to post his highlights on Facebook to get noticed by American universities, and now could be the biggest winner of day one of the NFL Combine. His film still lends itself to questions as to whether or not he should make the move to tight end, but his explosive combine may have some teams reconsidering if the position switch is necessary. It is important not to overreact to combine performances, but Claypool now projects as one of the top tight end prospects, and as a receiver who has a late third to early fourth round grade. He would probably be best served making the move to tight end, and he has the requisite blocking skills to follow in Darren Waller’s footsteps. If a team that drafts him gives him the D.K. Metcalf treatment, and only asks him to do the things he does well, he can make an impact as an elite blocking receiver. What is certain is that he improved his stock enough to have the draft capital to stick around on an NFL roster. It will be interesting to see when and where he goes on draft weekend.