Key takeaways from Day 3 of NFL combine

Defensive linemen and linebackers took the field Saturday night as the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine continued.

With plenty of high-profile prospects showcasing their talent to NFL evaluators, here are five takeaways from the action.

Is Simmons the draft's top defensive player?

We don't want to overreact from one evening, but Isaiah Simmons' combine performance was absolutely mind-blowing. Call him a linebacker, safety, unicorn, whatever you'd like - Simmons had nearly everyone's jaw on the floor.

The defensive chess piece didn't participate in positional drills but dominated in all athletic tests, displaying his truly unique skill set and elite physical traits. His 4.39 40-yard dash time was the cherry on top, topping a handful of the NFL's premier players regardless of position. His 11-foot broad jump was equally impressive.

These @IsaiahSimmons25 40-yard dash simulcams are incredible.

: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/vwd0XzBUdv

- NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2020

Isaiah Simmons
2020 #NFLCombine

" Taller than DK Metcalf

" Heavier than Roquan Smith

" Faster than Devin Hester

" Jumps higher than Julio Jones

" More explosive than Alvin Kamara@ClemsonFB @isaiahsimmons25 pic.twitter.com/NeotE79Ivg

- NFL Research (@NFLResearch) March 1, 2020

Chase Young is the assumed top defensive prospect in the 2020 class, but it's time to include Simmons in that same tier. The Clemson product simply offers versatility and athletic upside that none of his fellow draft hopefuls possess, and any defensive coordinator would salivate at the opportunity to coach him.

We didn't think Simmons' draft stock could rise much higher considering he'd been locked into the top 10 for months, but it's soaring nonetheless. In a league featuring a plethora of dynamic offensive weapons, the explosive athlete is the ultimate defensive matchup. Simmons is dripping with upside and it wouldn't be shocking to see his name called inside the first four picks come April.

Day 2 DTs make 1st-round case

Derrick Brown and Javon Kinlaw will likely be the first two defensive tackles selected in April's draft, but the next tier of prospects improved their stocks significantly at the combine. Oklahoma's Neville Gallimore, Texas A&M's Justin Madubuike, and TCU's Ross Blacklock were the primary beneficiaries on Saturday.

Gallimore was as explosive as we've ever seen for a 304-pound defensive lineman. The former Sooner ran the 40-yard dash in 4.79 seconds, including a 1.71 10-yard split. During position drills, Gallimore impressed with incredible change-of-direction skills, displaying movement skills similar to tight ends and linebackers.

Madubuike was similarly dominant in testing. The interior rusher wowed with his lower-body twitch on the field, which won't shock many who studied him closely in college. He ran a 4.83 40-yard dash and added 31 reps on the bench press. Blacklock - who had already received some first-round love prior to the week - wasn't far behind his peers with a 4.90 40-yard dash and 1.70 10-yard split.

All three defensive tackle prospects combine collegiate production with athletic upside. At a crucial position in today's game, a number of teams selecting in the latter portion of the first round will strongly consider them. Gallimore, Madubuike, and Blacklock were locked into the top 50 coming into the week, but now boast resumes to be chosen in the top 32.

Epenesa disappoints

A.J. Epenesa had every chance to make himself some money at Lucas Oil Stadium. Unfortunately, his results were mostly disappointing.

The Iowa product is known more for his pass rush technique and powerful hands than his athleticism, but his 5.05 40-yard dash and, more importantly, 1.81 10-yard split didn't quite hit the mark for a first-round defensive end. Most top players at the position hit under 1.7 seconds.

Epenesa avoided complete disaster and scored slightly better on his vertical and broad jumps (32.5 inches and 9-foot-9, respectively) but he failed to stand out in positional drills, struggling to display explosiveness and lateral agility on the field. He also scored a below-average 3-cone time of 7.34 seconds.

With excellent tape and production in college, a strong combine would have skyrocketed the two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection into the top half of the first round. After a disappointing performance, Epenesa may not see his name called on Day 1. He'll need to improve his results at the Hawkeyes' pro day.

Don't forget about Zuniga

Jabari Zuniga was somewhat of an afterthought among 2020 edge rushers after battling injuries during his final season at Florida, but he showcased just how much potential he possesses in Indianapolis.

In an effort to be placed back in the early round conversation, Zuniga aced every test. The edge rusher ranked first in his position group with a 10-foot-7 broad jump while his 4.64 40-yard dash (which included an excellent 1.61-second 10-yard split) ranked second. He also displayed a ton of upper-body power with 29 bench press reps.

#Gators EDGE Jabari Zuniga

33" vert (50th percentile)
10'7" broad (94th percentile)
4.64 40-yard (86th percentile)

At 6-foot-3, 264 pounds

- Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) March 1, 2020

Zuniga's stock is soaring and he'll be a highly sought-after prospect this April. Every team could stand to add pass rush help, so a first-round selection isn't out of the question.

Davis twins provide fun story

It's not often you see a set of twins compete at the combine, let alone perform at the top of their position group.

Khalil and Carlos Davis, a pair of defensive lineman from Nebraska, put on a show Saturday. Khalil ran his 40-yard dash in 4.75 seconds, while Carlos ran a 4.82. The former also ranked second at his position with 32 reps on the bench press. According to Next Gen Stats, the Davis twins produced the top two interior linemen athletic scores on the evening.

Pending the results of the 3-cone & shuttle, the Davis twins from Nebraska - Khalil & Carlos - currently stand as the top 2 defensive tackles by the NGS Athleticism Score.

Khalil Davis would join Aaron Donald and Ed Oliver as the only DTs with a 99 Athleticism Score since 2014. pic.twitter.com/HqVytBpd4d

- Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 1, 2020

Khalil and Carlos weren't high on many draft boards coming into the event, but they helped themselves a great deal in Indianapolis. A number of teams will be forced to rewatch their tape and re-evaluate their upside.

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