Taylor Lewan: Impressive 40-yard dash at NFL Combine
By Joe Wedra
Nov 9, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines offensive linesman Taylor Lewan (77) walks off the field after the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Michigan Stadium. Nebraska won 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sunday brought many players a chance to impress all 32 NFL teams as the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine kicked off in Indianapolis.
Saturday was the start of the individual drills, allowing the Tight Ends and Offensive Linemen showcase their talents to the NFL’s best talent evaluators. More of the skilled position drills will take place in the next two days, but today was about the big guys up front.
The second group of lineman to workout was a star-studded crew. Possibly the most surprising run in the 40-yard dash of this group was Taylor Lewan, a tackle from Michigan, who ran a 4.87 officially, the highest number of all lineman that ran on Saturday morning.
This number comes as a surprise considering Lewan is a 6’7″, 309 pound tackle. On the field, he plays with passion and aggressiveness, at times drawing flags for unnecessary roughness.
Lewan will be a prime target for many teams, including two in the AFC North, the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both team’s nature would fit Lewan’s style of play.
It would be surprising to see the Michigan tackle fall any further than 17th where the Ravens pick. He’ll probably get snatched up a bit earlier, but he shouldn’t fall out of the top 20. If for some reason he does fall, he won’t last very long. In a class that is full of offensive lineman, Lewan is one of the prime candidates to make an impact right away.
Updates to follow once all times are official…