Five of the best defensive performers from the NFL Scouting Combine.
Montana defensive end Zach Wagenmann, right, sacks Weber State quarterback Austin Chipoletti, left, in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game in Missoula, Mont., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Albans)
Clemson linebacker Vic Beasley runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Mississippi State defensive back Justin Cox runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Connecticut defensive back Byron Jones runs a drill on the broad jump station at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. Jones soared 12 feet, 3 inches in the broad jump, which was 15 inches farther than the second-best defensive back and 8 inches longer than the best listed in the NFL scouting combine database. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Michigan State defensive back Trae Waynes runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, February 23, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
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> 5 OFFENSIVE STANDOUTS1. CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State
Waynes might be the best cornerback in this year's draft class. He reinforced his standing among the nation's best at the combine over the weekend. Waynes ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash (4.31 seconds) of any player at the combine and finished fourth among cornerbacks with 19 repetitions of 225 pounds on the bench press. NFL.com's Bucky Brooks was impressed with Waynes, writing, "From his outstanding footwork, quickness and agility, to his strong hands and ball skills, Waynes has all of the tools to be an elite playmaker at the next level."
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- CB Byron Jones, Connecticut**
Jones opened eyes with a broad jump that would have set the world record, along with the second-highest vertical jump of any player at the combine. But he's more than just great test numbers. Jones is a big-bodied corner who plays the run just as well as the pass. Analysts believe he is talented enough to start day one in the NFL. Prior to the combine, he was projected as a seventh-round pick.
**> WATCH: JONES BREAKS RECORD**
3. S Justin Cox, Mississippi State
A risk comes with drafting Cox. He was a standout junior college player but didn't perform at the same level when he got to Mississippi State in the SEC. Character issues helped an NFC East scout deem him a "draft reject". But Cox's numbers at the combine may warrant a second look. He ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, the fastest of any safety, along with the longest broad jump of any player at his position. He finished third among safeties in both the 20-yard shuttle and vertical jump. A former corner, Cox is projected to be a seventh-round pick if drafted at all.
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- LB Vic Beasley, Clemson**
There were high expectations for Beasley heading into the combine. Scouts had praised his explosiveness and suggested that he could one of, if not the best pass-rusher in this year's draft class. He proved the critics right at the combine, leading linebackers in the 40-yard dash (4.53-seconds) and bench press (35). Beasley also finished third among his position group in the broad jump and vertical jump.
5. Zack Wagenmann, Montana
Wagenmann was considered a sixth-round pick prior to the combine. That's high regard for a FCS player, whose tape is usually more difficult to judge. He showed explosiveness and quickness at the combine, finishing with the fastest time among defensive ends in the three-cone drill and recording the third-highest vertical jump. There are still question marks, though. He finished with the fewest bench press repetitions (14) among players at his position and is on the smaller size at 247 pounds.
