Now that the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine has concluded, let’s look at the immediate ramifications it had on the values of the incoming rookie class. This is Defensive Linemen Stock Up/Stock Down (2024 Combine Edition). It is a seven-part series covering the pertinent risers and fallers of the combine. If you want to see how these changes are reflected in our rookie rankings, check out our Rankings Page. This series will not feature offensive linemen since they are not part of the fantasy football landscape. If you want to see the testing numbers for the offensive lineman, they are available at NFL.com.
Stock Up
Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson
Ruke Orhorhoro was a standout at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in what is easily the deepest position in this draft, defensive linemen. Let’s start with his size grades because those were the least impressive of all his testing results. He measured at 6’4″ and 294 lbs while putting up a decent 29 reps on the Bench Press. None of these metrics were particularly impressive, but when combined with his other tests they show an elite skillset. If he is able to muscle up a bit in an NFL weight room, he could easily find himself as an elite defensive tackle for years to come.
The impressive side of his week was his scores as far as explosiveness and speed. For a guy his size to run a 4.89-second 40-yard Dash is massive. He isn’t nearly as fast as some of the other tackles, but his speed paired with elite explosiveness gives him exciting potential. His explosion grade was elite. He crushed the VFertical Jump and Broad Jump and shows he is a force to be reckoned with off the line. He may not find himself in the top-tier of a deep linemen class, but he is someone to be watching for sure.
Braden Fiske, Florida State
Braden Fiske was awesome at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. Even if you knew nothing about defensive players while watching, you would easily be able to pick him out of the group as the most impressive. He was awe-inspiring during the onfield reps and with the exception of average size grades he was elite all-around. His least inspiring grades were size as I mentioned. He weighed in at 6’3 1.2″ and 292 lbs which is average but not elite, his bench press result was also average but not elite.
Where things get interesting is on the speed and explosion side of the ledger. A 4.78 second 40-yard Dash was impressive and when combined with his elite results on the Vertical Jump and Broad Jump it perfectly demonstrates his elite potential as an explosive tackle and disruptive force on the line. He even managed to display an impressive level of agility as he graded as elite in the Shuttle Run, a surprising result to say the least. Fiske is easily in the top tier of linemen in this deep class and is going to see his stock rise very soon.
Stock Down
Xavier Thomas, Clemson
Xavier Thomas was someone in the mid-tier linemen group for me, and now he looks to be nothing more than a later-round dart throw. His size was very poor and disappointing. He checked in at 6’2″ and 244 lbs, incredibly small by defensive linemen standards. His arm and hand size could also give him a limited reach and effectiveness, limiting his upside. He opted not to participate in any of the agility testing which is odd as he should have been rather agile at his size.
His speed and explosiveness were his saving grace and he graded out as great for speed. This is to be expected with a player of limited size but certainly doesn’t make up for his limited frame. He had mixed results on the Vertical Jump and Broad Jump, checking in as good on the vert and elite on the broad. There is definitely a fair amount of speed and explosiveness here, the main problem is his size. He isn’t going to get any taller, but he will need to find a way to beef up while not sacrificing any of his speed and agility if he hopes to be a factor at the next level.
Javon Solomon, Troy
Javon Solomon has the exact same issues as Thomas. A mid-range lineman prospect who is going to see a serious downgrade due to his limitations in size. He’s even smaller than Thomas and weighs in at 6’0″ and 248 lbs which is graded as “very poor” and that’s probably an understatement. He faired well in the Bench Press which illustrates that he possesses some solid strength despite his lack of size. Again, much like Thomas, he opted against the agility testing which is again peculiar for a smaller prospect.
The mirror image of Thomas continues as he too was much better in the explosiveness and speed drills. He was great on both the Vertical Jump and Broad Jump and his 4.72 second 40-yard Dash was one of the more impressive results. Solomon will be another case of will his speed and explosiveness allow him to overcome his limitations in size and agility. This will undoubtedly cause him to plummet down draft boards, and rightfully so.
The RAS Score data is from ras.football and was the result of the hard work of Kent Lee Platte aka Math Bomb.
