INDIANAPOLIS -- The final workout of the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine is now complete. More than 50 defensive backs took to the field at Lucas Oil Stadium to perform in front of future employers. There were several solid workouts from those on hand and a few forgettable ones. Here's the final update from this year's combine.
The Top Ten
Dwight Bentley/CB/Louisiana Lafayette: Bentley was rated as a marginal free agent prospect entering the season, yet he continues to move way up draft boards. He topped of a good showing at the Senior Bowl with a terrific combine performance on Tuesday. Bentley's forty times clocked in the mid 4.4-second range and he looked terrific in drills.
Jayron Hosley/CB/Virginia Tech: The junior was one of the faster defensive backs at the combine, posting a forty time which read 4.41 seconds on watches. Hosley showed that speed during drills, displaying a tremendous burst in every direction of the field. Hosley's workout should push him into the middle part of round two.
Morris Claiborne/CB/LSU: The draft's top-rated cornerback looked athletic and smooth in all his movements. He easily flips his hips turning to run and loses no momentum changing direction. Claiborne locked himself up as a top-five pick in Indianapolis.
Stephon Gilmore/CB/South Carolina: Gilmore started the day with a quick forty time that clocked just over 4.4 seconds flat. He looked fluid and smooth in all the drills, displaying the ability to quickly change direction and stay on balance. Gilmore has now set himself up as a potential late first-round pick.
Trenton Robinson/S/Michigan State: Robinson's forty time clocked in the low 4.5-second range, his broad jump measured 12 feet, 5 inches, and he showed cornerback-type skills during drills. He was one of the combine's better safeties.
Jamell Fleming/CB/Oklahoma: Fleming tested well, posting forty times in the mid 4.4's while also completing an impressive 23 reps on the bench. He showed terrific ball skills and the ability to get skyward before grabbing passes in midair.
Justin Bethel/DB/Presbyterian: Bethel is a multi-purpose defensive back who can line up at safety or cornerback. He was smooth back-pedaling off the line and was fundamentally sound throughout the defensive back drills.
Asa Jackson/CB/Cal-Poly: Jackson is another small school defensive back who helped his cause at the combine. He ran a time in the upper 4.4's on his initial forty, then looked terrific during the practice session.
Ron Brooks/CB/LSU: Brooks was not on the scouting radar when the year began as he never started a game until his senior season at LSU. But he displayed enough skill last year to get invited to the combine and showed next-level ability in Indianapolis. Brooks timed 4.35 on his initial forty, posted a vertical jump of 38 inches and continued his impressive performance by showing good ball skills during the drill session.
Josh Robinson/CB/Central Florida: Robinson's testing marks were off the chart. He was the fastest defensive back in attendance, running times that read 4.30 seconds on watches with a vertical jump of 38.5 inches and a broad jump mark of 11 feet, 1 inch. His sheer athleticism may be enough to sneak Robinson into the draft's second day as scouts like his upside potential.
Three Who Disappointed
Sean Cattouse/DB/California: Cattouse struggled to break 4.7 seconds in the forty and showed marginal quickness during drills.
Cliff Harris/CB/Oregon: The slightly built corner struggled to get under 4.6 seconds in the forty then showed poorly in ball drills, looking off balance and stiff.
Philip Thomas/S/Syracuse: The ball-hawking safety barely broke 4.7 seconds in the forty then showed little in the way of balance or body control during workouts.
