Jalen Ramsey led a strong class of defensive backs with an impressive combine performance, highlighting the list of potential first round candidates who performed well today. With Mackensie Alexander sitting out with a hamstring injury, Vernon Hargreaves, Eli Apple, and William Jackson all put themselves firmly in the first round conversation with strong showings as well.

Here are some of my winners and losers from the defensive backs group at the 2016 NFL Combine.

Winners

1. Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida

Hargreaves entered the weekend with a lot to prove during the Combine, and his performance was as good as you could ask for. A 4.5 flat in the 40 showed his long speed was good enough vertically, and a 39-inch vertical and 10’10 broad jump highlighted his explosiveness. Oh, and how about a 3.98 short shuttle? Hargreaves also showed up to the combine weighing 204 pounds of solid muscle, and moved naturally with it during positional drills.

2. William Jackson, CB, Houston

At 6-0 and almost 32-inch arms, Jackson’s tape was already impressive enough, but his sheer athleticism was fully on display in Indy. A 4.37 40 blew away expectations, cementing Jackson as a potential first round pick in April.

3. James Bradberry, DB, Samford

I liked Bradberry at the Senior Bowl, but I didn’t anticipate 4.5 speed, a 36-inch vert, a 10’4 broad, or a 6.91 3-cone. Bradberry is 6-1, 211, and built like a brick house, with ideal agility to play corner or safety at the next level. His technique needs work, but his stock will elevate among teams that like length and physicality in their cornerbacks.

4. Maurice Canady, DB, Virginia

Length is coveted in today’s NFL, and when you combine 6-1 with 4.49 speed, a 38-inch vertical, a 10’4 broad jump, and a 4.09 shuttle, you’re gonna get a lot of teams’ attention. Great day for Canady, who could be moving into the draft’s second day despite some inconsistent tape.

5. Jonathan Jones, CB, Auburn

If you run a 4.33 at the combine, you’re gonna help yourself significantly, especially when you’re only 5-9 and need a trump card. Jones also has legit hops with a 36 vert and 10’3 broad jump. His 3-cone was curiously poor at 7.25 however, so I’ll be curious to see how he improves at his pro day.

6. Eric Murray, CB, Minnesota

I don’t think many people had Murray pegged as a 4.49 guy on tape, or registering a 39.5 vertical. His 4.05 short shuttle was excellent, but he still has too many technique issues for me to warrant taking him before day three.

7. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State

Check out this slate of results: 4.41 40, 41.5 vert, 11’3 broad, 6.94 3-cone, and a 4.18 shuttle. Ramsey murdered the combine like everyone thought he would, establishing himself as a sure-fire top three player in the 2016 class.

8. Tavon Young, CB, Temple

I love Tavon Young’s tape, but his 5-9 size and lack of length likely projects him inside to a nickel role at the next level. Quick feet can be a huge asset there, so Young’s 4.49 40, 6.80 3-cone (!!!), and 3.93 short shuttle (best among the CBs) were all results that should boost his stock significantly.

9. Sean Davis, S, Maryland

Davis’ tape can be rough at times, but a full-time move to safety could help the young defender tremendously. His workout results may have teams interested in developing him at corner however, after Davis posted a 4.46 40, 37.5 vert, 10’6 broad, 6.64 3-cone, and 3.97 shuttle. Those numbers are straight-up incredible for any defensive back, but especially a 6-1, 201-pound physical specimen.

10. T.J. Green, S, Clemson

Most would have predicted Green to be more athletic than teammate Jayron Kearse, but a 4.34 40? For a safety? That’s an incredible time, not to be outdone by his 35.5 vertical and 10’9 broad jump. Would have liked to see Green’s agility times, but like Davis, if he can learn the game mentally, the sky is the limit for the 6-2, 209-pound safety.

11. Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah

Killebrew’s 40 times were initially all over the place, finally settling on an official 4.65. That number was pretty average, but the big safety’s 38-inch vert, 10’7 broad, and 6.93 3-cone were impressive marks. I don’t think I want him on the back end, but he can find a faux linebacker/box safety role and potentially excel at the next level.

12. Justin Simmons, S, Boston College

One of the biggest winners of the entire combine, Simmons blew away the expectations of those who doubted his athleticism, running a 4.61 40 and posting a 40-inch vert, 10’6 broad, 6.58 3-cone, 3.85 short shuttle, and a 10.84 60-yard shuttle. All the agility times were easily the best at his position, putting Simmons firmly in the draft’s second day conversation.

 Losers

1. Harlan Miller, CB, Southeastern Louisiana

Measuring in at 6-feet tall was the highlight of Miller’s week apparently, as the Southeastern Louisiana corner ran a disappointing 4.65 in the 40, before posting poor agility numbers with a 7.44 3-cone and 4.43 shuttle. Really bad numbers for a guy who looks quicker on tape, but against a much lower level of competition. Why the combine is SO important for me in evaluating small school guys.

2. Darian Thompson, S, Boise State

Maybe the most befuddling combine result of any player, Thompson ran a disappointing 4.69, before registering a 32.5 vert, 9’10 broad, 7.26 3-cone, and 4.33 short shuttle. The numbers are awful, but certainly don’t suggest the first round-caliber athlete Thompson appeared to be on tape.

3. AJ Stamps, S, Kentucky

Running a 4.79 isn’t exactly desirable as a safety, and Stamps failed to stand out in the other exercises or in his positional drills. He was probably a mid-late day three pick heading into the combine, so Stamps draft stock could be in jeopardy after a below-average showing in Indy.

4. Kevin Peterson, CB, Oklahoma State

At 5-10, 173 pounds, you better be fast to stick in the NFL, and Peterson’s 4.66 40 fell well short of that mark. His agility times were much better, but I’m not sure many teams will value Peterson before the draft’s third day after his combine performance. Very smart, tough kid however, kind of guy I’d love to have on my team.

5. Taveze Calhoun, CB, Mississippi State

I thought Calhoun really had to show off some athleticism to get teams interested, and I’m not sure a 4.58 40 or a 33.5 vertical was enough. I’m not sure what his reasoning was, but I was disappointed to see him opt out of the agility tests.

6. Jayron Kearse, S, Clemson

While Green’s draft stock elevates, Kearse’s will fall after recording a 4.62 40, 31.5 vert, and a 7.06 3-cone. Those numbers aren’t atrocious, but Kearse’s tape and effort are really bad, and now he doesn’t have the athletic upside many hoped to see. I’d be surprised to see him come off the board before the middle of day three.