Now that the NFL Scouting Combine is in the books, we’re quickly moving closer to the draft in April and now looking forward to upcoming pro days.  That said, let’s take a minute to reflect on the action in Indianapolis this past week and look at the five biggest winners at this year’s combine. 

1.  Terron Armstead, Offensive Tackle, Arkansas Pine-Bluff

Unless you’re a hardcore draft junkie, or a fan of the University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff; there’s a good chance you hadn’t heard about Terron Armstead until he broke the 40 yard dash record for offensive lineman with his impressive 4.71 time at the combine this week.  After a strong showing at the East-West Shrine Game and proving he could hold his own against the “big boys” at the Senior Bowl; Armstead’s stock is on the rise.  Armstead’s stellar combine performance catapulted him up draft boards and he’s being discussed as a second round pick at this point. 

2.  Tyrann Mathieu, Cornerback, LSU

After all of his off field issues and missing all of the 2012 season, Mathieu really needed a strong combine performance to help boost his stock.  He did just that, shining in all of the physical test and drills.  Mathieu also did a great job in the press interviews and reportedly was very open and honest with teams in private interviews.  Mathieu has now solidified his status as a third round pick and if it weren’t for the off field issues, he would be valued even higher. 

3.  Dion Jordan, Defensive End, Oregon

Jordan is a stellar athlete and had a great senior season at Oregon.  It seems some “experts” lost sight of Jordan in the deep defensive end/outside linebacker class, but his impressive combine performance (coupled with poor performances by others) has vaulted Jordan into the “top five” talk (where I’ve had him all along). 

4.  Kyle Long, Offensive Tackle, Oregon

Long is an athletic monster at 6’6” and 313 pounds and was the key part of an offensive line that only allowed 19 sacks last season.  Long impressed with his 4.93 40-yard dash time and showed strong footwork and technique in the physical drills.  Long’s strong combine showing has moved him up the board and is now widely considered the fourth or fifth-best tackle available in this year’s draft. 

5.  Lane Johnson, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma

We already knew Johnson was a high first-round prospect going into the combine and was widely considered the third-best tackle available.  Johnson was very impressive in the physical drills, showing tremendous length and footwork and a keen ability to keep his pads low.  With Luke Joeckel not having the best combine, Johnson has moved up big boards everywhere and with a strong pro day; he could end up being considered the best overall tackle in April’s draft.