From its 1982-inception, when it was known simply as the National Invitational Camp, the NFL Combine’s popularity could never have been foreseen. A large number of fans look forward to catching an intimate glimpse at the next wave of NFL talent. Twitter is overrun with videos of 40-yard dash times, verticals, bench press reps, and broad jumps. The exterior shots of Lucas Oil Stadium are now the perfect filler once the hype of the Super Bowl begins to wane.
The first group of on-field workouts commenced with quarterbacks, tight ends, and wide receivers taking center stage. With probable first overall player Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa not partaking in drills, did any other QBs take the opportunity to propel himself into the first overall conversation? Which tight ends could be the next Travis Kelce? Did any receivers break social media with a blazing 40 time? Let’s take a look at who stood out among the best of the best on the first day of drills in Indianapolis.
Notre Dame TE Cole Kmet
It has become a pretty big trend that a Notre Dame tight end will be drafted. Five tight ends who were former Golden Domers have been selected since 2013. From 2006 to 2014 the Irish had five tight ends taken in round one or two. Cole Kmet might be the best one we have seen yet. While he did not blow anyone away in any single drill, he did put together a nice day altogether. He did not partake in the bench press due to still nursing a shoulder injury, but he ran a 4.70 forty, had a 37.0 vertical jump, and a broad jump of 123 inches. Those numbers were among the best out of his position group and then he built upon those with a nice on-field day. Kmet made a case to be the first tight end taken come draft day.