We’ve reached the point in the NFL where 300 pound defensive linemen are moving at such a rate of speed that collisions are more violent than they’ve ever been. That speed was on display during Monday morning’s NFL Combine session as 30 defensive linemen, many of which are pushing 300 pounds, broke the five-second barrier. Nick Fairley and Marcell Dareus were each flying in the 40-yard dash, running in the low to mid 4.9 second range.
Consider that Fairley and Dareus didn’t even crack the top-15 defensive linemen times in the 40, as well. Dareus, almost 320 pounds, carried his weight well and was motoring down the field at obscene speed for his size. Fairley, who comes in on the lighter side, also put up an impressive time, firing out of the block and clocking one of the fastest 10-yard splits.
It’s clear the defensive linemen class is the deepest position in the 2011 NFL Draft, a good sign for the Seattle Seahawks. Even after Fairley, Dareus and Da’Quan Bowers, there’s plenty of talent on the board, and that talent was on display at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday.
Check out some of the top times clocked by linemen, led by Dontay Moch’s ridiculous 4.44 40 time.
Dontay Moch 4.44
Chris Carter 4.62
Sam Acho 4.68
Brooks Reed 4.68
Jabaal Sheard 4.69
Robert Quinn 4.70
Ugo Chinasa 4.71
Ryan Kerrigan 4.71
Allen Bailey 4.77
Cameron Jordan 4.78
The defensive linemen are off the field and it’s the linebackers turn at the NFL Combine. Washington’s Mason Foster is currently going through the drills in an attempt to boost his already rising draft stock. We’ll be back with more after the workouts are over.
For the latest news and results, check out the rest of our 2011 NFL Combine StoryStream.