Quarterbacks, secret ends and receivers launched the NFL Combine 2022 and definitely did not disappoint. We had an amazingly fast group of receivers, a large and athletic group of tight ends and the quarterbacks showed their hands on deep balls to end the evening, which ended just before 22:00 ET.
Below you can find some remarkable things to take home in the evening. We will return with a live broadcast on Friday, starting at 16:00 ET.
The receivers are flying
The receivers ran fast forward 40 yards. From the official 4.28 of Tyquan Thornton to 4.31 to nine of Velus Jones – yes, nine – other wide outs operating below 4.40, this is probably the fastest receiving group in the history of the combine. Christian Watson of North Dakota ran 4.36 with 38.5 inches upright and 11 feet, four inches wide jump, while Alec Pierce of Cincinnati blinded with 6-3 and 211 pounds with 4.33 in 40’s time to be along with a 40-inch vertical and a 10-foot, -9-inch wide jump. Speed and explosiveness, this class of receiver has both at its peak.
The big tight and impressive group
This is a large class within a limited class. And no, not just big compared to normal people. Large compared to the last limited end classes. There were six secret ends at least 6-6 and only three were below 6-4.
Virginia’s 6-7 tight end Gelani Woods took off at 4.61 at 40, while Maryland’s Chigosiem Okonquo - more compact with 6-2 4/8 “and 238 pounds – led the group with 4.52.
Quarterbacks demonstrate the strength of their hands
I don’t accept many of the quarterback’s prospects of throwing against the air in the combine, but the conclusion of the evening was fun. Malik Willis of Liberty, Carson Strong of Nevada, Desmond Reeder of Cincinnati and Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh let him tear up the pitch and dropped a few throws in the bucket 60 yards down the pitch. The fans present liked him. Me too.