How Christian Gonzalez compares to other top-rated CBs following NFL Combine
The NFL Combine is now behind us, which means that draft talk is going to start to really ramp up more than it already had over the next couple of weeks as we speed toward the month of April and, ultimately, the big day.
While we still have a long list of pro days to come at the top schools around the nation, offering players a chance to work out and show prospective NFL teams what they have to offer, the combine gave us a good early look at some of the best players in this year’s draft class.
Unsurprisingly, Oregon Ducks cornerback Christian Gonzalez had a great showing, putting up some of the best numbers of any player at his position and being named one of the biggest winners of the week.
How does he stack up with the rest of the cornerbacks in the class though, and where does his NFL Combine grade fall after all is said and done? That’s a question I wanted to know the answer to. To find out, I took the top 15 CBs in the 2023 class and looked how how they stacked up when it came to 40-time, vertical jump, broad jump, and overall combine grade. Here’s where it all stands in the end.
Devon Witherspoon — Did Not Run
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Due to a hamstring injury, Devon Witherspoon did not participate in drills at the combine. All eyes will be on the Illinois pro day, where Witherspoon is expected to run. At the moment, he is ranked as the No. 1 CB in the 2023 draft class, per Pro Football Focus.
Garrett Williams — Did Not Run
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Syracuse cornerback Garrett Willaims did not go through drills at the combine because of an injury, but he is expected to run at the Syracuse Pro Day this spring. At the moment, he is ranked as the No. 7 CB in the 2023 draft class, per Pro Football Focus.
Eli Ricks — Did Not Run
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Alabama cornerback Eli Ricks did not go through drills at the combine because of an injury, but he is expected to run at Alabama’s Pro Day this spring. At the moment, he is ranked as the No. 9 CB in the 2023 draft class, per Pro Football Focus.
12 — Kyu Blu-Kelly
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40-Yard Dash Time: 4.52 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.49 seconds
Vertical Jump: 36″
Broad Jump: 10′ 11″
Bench Press (Reps of 225 Pounds): N/A
NFL Combine Grade: 5.95 (Average Backup or Special Teamer)
11 — Jaylon Jones
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40-Yard Dash Time: 4.57 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.48 seconds
Vertical Jump: 38″
Broad Jump: 10’2″
Bench Press (Reps of 225 Pounds): 14 reps
NFL Combine Grade: 5.98 (Average Backup or Special Teamer)
10 — Tre'vius Hodges-Tomlinson
40-Yard Dash Time: 4.41 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.50 seconds
Vertical Jump: 39″
Broad Jump: 11’0″
Bench Press (Reps of 225 Pounds): 12 reps
NFL Combine Grade: 6.21 (Will Eventually be an Average Starter)
9 — Tyrique Stevenson
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40-Yard Dash Time: 4.45 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.51 seconds
Vertical Jump: 38.5″
Broad Jump: 10’5″
Bench Press (Reps of 225 Pounds): N/A
NFL Combine Grade: 6.24 (Will Eventually be an Average Starter)
8 — Cam Smith
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
40-Yard Dash Time: 4.43 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.49 seconds
Vertical Jump: 38″
Broad Jump: 11’2″
Bench Press (Reps of 225 Pounds): N/A
NFL Combine Grade: 6.25 (Will Eventually be an Average Starter)
7 — Clark Phillips II
Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
40-Yard Dash Time: 4.51 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.51 seconds
Vertical Jump: 33″
Broad Jump: N/A
Bench Press (Reps of 225 Pounds): 18 reps
NFL Combine Grade: 6.30 (Will Eventually be a Plus Starter)
6 — Deonte Banks
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
40-Yard Dash Time: 4.35 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.49 seconds
Vertical Jump: 42″
Broad Jump: 11’4″
Bench Press (Reps of 225 Pounds): N/A
NFL Combine Grade: 6.30 (Will Eventually be a Plus Starter)
5 — Emmanuel Forbes
Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
40-Yard Dash Time: 4.35 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.48 seconds
Vertical Jump: 37.5″
Broad Jump: 10’11”
Bench Press (Reps of 225 Pounds): N/A
NFL Combine Grade: 6.36 (Will Eventually be a Plus Starter)
4 — Kelee Ringo
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
40-Yard Dash Time: 4.36 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.54 seconds
Vertical Jump: 33.5″
Broad Jump: 10’2″
Bench Press (Reps of 225 Pounds): N/A
NFL Combine Grade: 6.39 (Will Eventually be a Plus Starter)
3 — DJ Turner
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
40-Yard Dash Time: 4.26 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.47 seconds
Vertical Jump: 38.5″
Broad Jump: 10’11”
Bench Press (Reps of 225 Pounds): N/A
NFL Combine Grade: 6.41 (Will Become Good Starter Within Two Years)
2 — Joey Porter
40-Yard Dash Time: 4.46 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.50 seconds
Vertical Jump: 35″
Broad Jump: 10’9″
Bench Press (Reps of 225 Pounds): 17 reps
NFL Combine Grade: 6.43 (Will Become Good Starter Within Two Years)
1 — Christian Gonzalez
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
40-Yard Dash Time: 4.38 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.54 seconds
Vertical Jump: 41.5″
Broad Jump: 11’1″
Bench Press (Reps of 225 Pounds): 14 reps
NFL Combine Grade: 6.70 (Year 1 Starter)
