NFL Combine 2017: Colts-centered Sunday notebook

Taking a look at the top storylines from Sunday at the NFL Combine, from a Colts’ perspective:

Defensive linemen and linebackers take the field

The most applicable story from a Colts’ perspective on Sunday was what happened on-the-field: the defensive linemen and linebackers took part in the drills. The Colts obviously need a ton of help defensively, and the top need on the entire roster is at linebacker. So the Colts were surely watching today’s action with great interest.

To no one’s surprise, Myles Garrett dominated today’s Combine action, proving once again that he’s a special prospect. As the NFL Research Twitter account put it, Garrett is “taller than Julio Jones, heavier than Rob Gronkowski, quicker than Devonta Freeman, faster than Jarvis Landry.” That’s pretty good. But there’s zero chance Garrett will still be available when the Colts are picking in the draft, and he’ll very likely go first overall. So among the other prospects, Temple linebacker Haason Reddick had a very good day. He ran a 4.52 40 yard dash, had a 36.5 vertical jump, had a 133.0 broad jump, and ran a 7.01 3-cone. He had the longest broad jump by a defensive lineman at the Combine since 2003, and his stock will surely be rising after a very impressive showing at the Combine. He’d likely play inside linebacker in a 3-4 system, which would be a need for the Colts (though really any linebacker spot is a need for them right now).

Another impressive showing was by Derek Barnett, the Tennessee pass rusher, and it wasn’t as much for his performance as it was the fact that he participated in the first place. He was dealing with a virus that kept him out on Saturday, but today he participated - and still ran a 4.88 40 and a 6.96 3-cone. Barnett is a guy that intrigues some Colts fans because of his pass rush ability, and the fact that he competed and had a solid day at the Combine despite his illness should help his stock.

Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas also had a good day, while Wisconsin linebacker T.J. Watt also impressed. It’s also worth pointing out that Michigan defensive back/linebacker/etc. Jabrill Peppers worked out today as a linebacker and will also participate as a defensive back, and he impressed too (running a 4.46 40 yard dash, the best among linebackers).

Head here to view the full Combine results from Sunday.

Colts meeting with prospects

As we’ve mentioned the past several days, the Colts have met with a number of prospects this week at the Combine. They get 60 interviews total, and we’ve heard of a handful of them so far. Today, we can add Florida safety Marcus Maye to the list. To keep up with the latest on who the Colts are meeting with at the Combine, head here.

Bill Belichick pokes some fun at the Colts

Another thing that happened at the Combine today was pretty light-hearted: Patriots coach Bill Belichick joined the NFL Network booth and had a discussion with former Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest. Belichick reminisced about some of McGinest’s finest moments (against the Colts) such as his goal-line stop, and then Belichick also talked about his now infamous 4th and 2 decision and how he now gets a warmer reception in Indy because of it. Sure, it’s the coach of the Colts’ biggest rival, but it’s still pretty funny and a cool moment of lightheartedness from Belichick.