Winner: A.J. Dillon
Dillon was known as more of a power runner from the film of his days at Boston College. For example, Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network described him as follows: “Love his forward lean and leg drive, if he needs a yard, the odds are pretty good he’s going to get one and a half. Consistently moves the pile and will drag defenders in one on one scenarios. Despite high pads, he’ll drop shoulder and reduce surface area for pending contact.”
On Friday night he displayed more athleticism than many were expecting. His 4.53 40-yard dash (at 6’0” 247) was very solid, and then his vertical of 41” and his broad jump of 10’11” really turned heads. That broad jump mark topped the running back board, as did his vertical leap.
These numbers, along with his film, really point to an ideal scheme fit for Dillon: A gap/power scheme that relies on power and explosiveness with the football in his hands. Teams that rely on such designs, such as the Baltimore Ravens, might find him an enticing option.
Loser: Bradlee Anae
The University of Utah EDGE defender put incredible production on film this past season, even dealing with a multitude of blocking schemes that were slid his way, as he told the media on Thursday. Anae posted 41 total tackles last season for the Utes, including 14 for a loss, to go with his 13 sacks.
Then at the Senior Bowl, Anae had a solid week in front of NFL teams, capping that week off with a great performance in the game itself. Anea notched three sacks and five total pressures, and one of his pressures led to an interception:
Bradlee Anae has been the most impressive prospect in the Senior Bowl so far today. Chop-club to force an off throw from Jalen Hurts for the Malik Harrison INT. pic.twitter.com/t4qNS7xvaZ
— Rob Paul (@RobPaulNFL) January 25, 2020
But the production did not match what Anae turned in during testing in Indianapolis. He ran just a 4.93 in the 40-yard dash, with a 10-yard split of 1.69. His agility and explosive tests were average at best, especially his three-cone time of 7.44 which put him in the middle of the pack.
Anae put incredible production on film this season, and in Mobile. For most scouts, film is more important than what you do during testing, but Anae missed out on an opportunity to continue the momentum he generated down in Mobile.