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MORSE: Combine Day 2 – Cornerbacks, Safeties and Tight Ends

Combine Day 2: Cornerbacks, Safeties & Tight Ends Deliver Record-Breaking Speed

Mark Morse
Mark Morse on Twitter
February 28, 2026 at 4:30 am ET

MORSE: Combine Day 2 – Cornerbacks, Safeties and Tight Ends
(PHOTO: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
🕑 Read Time: 3 minutes

Combine Day 2

Cornerbacks

No Cornerback ran under 7.00 in the 3-cone which is disappointing.  Only 5 players performed the 3-Cone drill which indicates quickness and change of direction.

Daylen Everette Georgia – 4.38 40 (2) 6’ 1’’ 196 lbs, 31 7/8’’ Arm, and 9 5/8’’ hand.  His tape is mediocre, but you can’t argue with his athleticism.

Chandler Rivers Duke – 4.4 40 (3) – 5’ 9 1/2’’, 185 lbs, 29 3/8’’ Arm 9 1/2’’ hand.  solid DB that can cover.  Height will keep him as a Day 2 pick.

Chris Johnson San Diego State – 4.4 (3) 6’ 0’’, 193 lbs, 30 5/8’’ Arm, 9 7/8’’ Hand – Proved he has the speed

Charles Demmings Stephen F Austin – 4.41 (5), 42” Vert (2), 11’ BJ.  6’ 1’’, 193 lbs, 32’’ Arm, and 10 1/8’’ hand.  Demmings made himself some money with his incredible performance.  His Relative Athletic Score was 9.97 out of 10.  That is the 10th highest of 2779 CBs since 1987.

Deangelo Ponds Indiana – 43.5 Vert (1), Did Not Run 5’ 9’’ 182 lbs  29 3/8’’ Arm, and 9 5/8’’ hand.  He is strictly a slot corner

Tacario Davis Washington –   4.41 (5), 37” Vert, 10’3” BJ.  6’4’’, 194 lbs, 33 3/8’’ Arm, and 9 1/4’’ hand – A big CB that tested extremely well.

Safeties

What a great group of Safeties.  Not a good year for Jaylinn Hawkins to be a Unrestricted Free Agent.  Depending upon his decision to accept another offer from an NFL team or if he comes back to the Patriots, will determine if Safety is a need for the Patriots.  I expect with the depth at this position, the patriots will take a Safety no matter what Hawkins does.

Dillon Thieneman Oregon –  4.35 40(4), 41” Vert (2), 6’ 0’’ 201 lbs, 31 3/8’’ Arm, 9’’ Hand.  He is true ballhawk and had 10 Interceptions in his career.  As a freshman at Fresno State he had 126 tackles.

Lorenzo Styles Ohio State –  he is the brother of Sonny Styles 4.27 40 (1), he had back to back 4.38’s Unofficial times.   6’ 0 1/2’’, 194 lbs, 31 5/8’’ Arm, 9 1/2’’ hand.  He is a converted WR that is still learning the position

Robert Spears-Johnson Oklahoma – 4.32 40 (2), 6’ 2’’, 205 lbs, 32 1/2’’ Arm, 10 3/8’’ hand.  Excellent size / speed ratio and a player the Patriots should be interested in.

Bud Clark TCU – 4.41 40, 38” Vert (4), 10’7” BJ (3), 6’ 1’’, 188 lbs, 31 1/2’’ Arm, and 9’’ hand.  He has that make up speed that is needed at Free Safety.  He is another player the Patriots should be interested in.

Genesis Smith Arizona – Did Not Run, 42,5” Vert (1), 10’8” BJ (2) 6’ 2’’, 202 lbs, 32 1/2’’ Arm, and 8 7/8’’ hand.  He will be a Day 2 pick ad a big Safety.

VJ Payne  Kansas State  – 4.4 40, 35” Vert, 10’7” BJ  6’ 3’’, 206 lbs, 33 3/4’’ Arms, and 9 1/2’’ hands.  A relative unknown put up big numbers in the measurements.  Long arms and a good 40 will force the scouts to go back and look at his videos.

Overall this group of Defensive Prospects are the fastest the league has ever seen at the Combine.

Tight Ends

A definite position of need for the Patriots and I expect the Pats to take two TEs in this draft.  Wow is the only word to describe the speed of this group.

Kenyon Sadiq Oregon – 4.39 40 (1), 43.5 Vert (2), 11’1” BJ (2) 6’ 3’’, 241 lbs, 31 1/2’’ Arms, 10’’ hands.  Definitely a 1st round pick.  He broke the record for the 40 by any TE in the history of the Combine.

Eli Stowers Vanderbilt – 4.5 40 (2), 45.5 Vert (1), 11’ 3” BJ (1), 6’ 4’’, 239 lbs, 32 5/8’’ Arms, and 9 3/4’’ hand.  The former QB turned TE is not an inline blocker but is a nightmare for Defensive Coordinators.  His YAC is incredible, and he is a big target in the Red Zone.   I don’t think he will be available for the Patriots if they don’t take him in the 1st round.

RJ Maryland SMU – 4.51 40 (2) 6’ 4’’, 236 lbs, 32 1/4’’ Arm, and 9’’ Hand.  Another under the radar prospect.  He is the sone of former #1 overall selection Russell Maryland.

Dallen Bentley Utah – 4.62, 6’ 4’’, 253 lbs, 33 1/8’’ Arm, 9 1/4’’, hand.  Very reliable pass catcher and a decent in-line blocker.  He is a player the Pats should consider on Day 3.

Sam Roush Stanford – 4.7 40  38.5’ Vert (3) 7.08 3-Cone Drill, 6’ 6’’, 267 lbs, 30 5/8’’ Arms, 10’’ hands.  He is the best inline blocker in the draft and can provide some help in the pass game.  He has had an issue with drops and that also showed up in the Senior Bowl practices.

Marlin Klein Michigan – 4.61 40 9’9” BJ, 6’6”, 248 lbs., 32 3/8’’ Arm, 9 1/4’’ Hand.  He looked very fluid and at ease in the Gauntlet drill.  Will provide good blocking too.

Tanner Koziol Houston – 4.7 40, 39.5 Vert, 10’ 2 BJ, 6’6.5” 247 lbs., 33 3/4’’ Arms, and 9 3/4’’ Hand.  A big red Zone target who runs smooth routes.

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About Mark Morse

Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.


Tags: Charles Demmings Cornerbacks Dillon Thieneman Eli Stowers Jaylinn Hawkins Kenyon Sadiq Lorenzo Styles New England Patriots NFL Combine NFL Draft Robert Spears-Johnson Safeties Tight Ends
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