• Laiatu Latu, UCLA: Latu was one of the most productive players in all of college football, regardless of position, over the last two years. The UCLA product put up a 94.5 pass-rush grade and a 23.1% pass-rush win rate from 2022 to 2023, both of which rank in the 99th percentile at the position.
• Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State: Fuaga’s entire playstyle comes from him being a bully in the trenches. He is the kind of offensive lineman who loves to displace defenders against their will, especially in the run game.
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We’re all suckers for scouting combine testing numbers.
It is always fun to watch some of the best athletes in the world showcase their incredible athletic abilities. But on the other side of that coin, a handful of players might disappoint in their on-field test. This happens every year.
Tape is still king, though. And given that fact, here are five players whose stock shouldn’t fall if they don’t test well at the NFL scouting combine this week.
1. Edge Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Latu was one of the most productive players in all of college football, regardless of position, over the last two years. The UCLA product put up a 94.5 pass-rush grade and a 23.1% pass-rush win rate from 2022 to 2023, both of which rank in the 99th percentile at the position.
His arm-length measurement at the Senior Bowl showed that he had short arms for an NFL pass rusher — despite being listed at 6-foot-5 — and he likely won’t test like an elite athlete, either. But the tape doesn’t lie. His understanding of pass-rush moves and counters is at a pro level and one that should not be overlooked for some potentially lower athletic scores.
Laiatu Latu: Stable metrics and rank since 2024
2. T Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
Fuaga’s entire playstyle comes from him being a bully in the trenches. He is the kind of offensive lineman who loves to displace defenders against their will, especially in the run game.
His stride length is shorter, and because of this, he might not look as smooth or cover as much ground as other offensive linemen in the individual testing drills.
However, those results won’t accurately paint the picture of what he does well and why teams would draft him early in the draft. If his testing numbers are disappointing, don’t let that be a reason to downplay the kind of difference-maker he is with his power and what he can do when he gets his hands on defensive linemen.
3. DI Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
Newton wasn't as productive last season as he was in 2022, but his two-year sample size still yielded an elite run-defense grade (90.5) and an elite pass-rush grade (90.1).
He also has shorter strides, which might mean his 40 times could be on the lower side for a first-round interior defender. But watch his 10-yard split — the more important number to observe for interior defensive linemen and the one that should still be impressive.
4. CB Javon Bullard, Georgia
Bullard is an absolute dog in the secondary. His bread and butter — and why he is a top-60 player on the PFF big board — is because he is a shutdown slot defender who is not afraid to play at the line of scrimmage and get in on run defense.
He posted overall grades above 80.0 in each of the past two seasons, one playing mostly from a box safety spot and the other from a slot corner spot. I believe he’s best suited to play in that slot spot.
He might not be the fastest athlete, and his testing number might reflect that, but I still believe he can be an impactful nickel defender, even if he produces some lower testing scores.
5. WR Jamari Thrash, Louisville
Thrash was one of the most reliable deep-threat receivers in Louisville‘s offense this past season, leading the team with 14 explosive receptions of 15 yards or more. He was able to continue showcasing that deep-threat ability with elite tracking, reliable hands and separation at the Senior Bowl.
I am not sure how much of a blazer he will be in the 40-yard dash, but even with vertical plays being a calling card, I wouldn’t be scared off if the testing numbers weren’t through the roof. It is the subtle abilities to create that separation at the catch point and track passes over the shoulder 20-30 or even 40 yards down the field that make him a reliable player in that area.
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