Under the leadership of GM Brian Gutekunst, the Green Bay Packers are actively seeking top-tier athletes. Here are the notable performers and the significant letdowns from Friday’s activities at the Scouting Combine.
In Green Bay, Wisconsin, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst is likely to depart from the Scouting Combine with at least two notable defensive backs removed from his NFL Draft considerations.
Among cornerbacks, Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw is one such prospect. For safeties, Miami’s Kamren Kinchens falls into this category.
These developments carry significant weight given the Packers’ pressing needs in these positions, particularly at safety. Safety is a crucial role in new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s defensive scheme, and with Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, and Jonathan Owens having played nearly 2,000 snaps last year and heading into free agency, addressing this need is paramount.
Kinchens was among the top contenders to be the first safety chosen. Standing at 5 feet 11 1/4 inches and weighing 203 pounds, Kinchens clocked a 40-yard dash time of 4.65 seconds, which tied for the slowest among the safeties who ran the 40 on Friday. In another drill, the broad jump, Kinchens recorded the lowest distance, reaching only 9 feet 2 inches.
Relative Athletic Score (RAS) amalgamates height, weight, speed, and other testing metrics into a score ranging from 0 to 10. Kinchens received a dismal score of 2.11. However, he will have an opportunity to enhance this score at Miami’s pro day. During this event, he can opt to re-run the 40-yard dash and participate in tests he previously skipped, such as the vertical jump and 20-yard shuttle.
However, similar to Rakestraw’s situation, it seems highly unlikely that Gutekunst would opt for a safety in the first or second round who possesses average height and weight and below-average speed.
Under Gutekunst’s tenure, the lowest Relative Athletic Score (RAS) for a first-round pick was 8.37 (for Savage). Among his selections in the top three rounds, only one had a score below 8.00 (Jayden Reed with 6.74, primarily due to height and weight considerations).
“Just any opportunity, anywhere. It’s always been a dream to play in the NFL,” Kinchens remarked a day earlier. “In my mind, I consider myself more of a rangy type of guy, but when you watch the film, there are numerous instances where my physicality shines through.”
Kinchens showcased his exceptional playmaking abilities at Miami, tallying six interceptions in 2022 and five in 2023. Throughout the 2023 season, he logged 638 defensive snaps, with 379 at free safety, 110 in the box, and 113 in the slot. These statistics undoubtedly would have made him an intriguing prospect for the Packers, who are in search of a versatile playmaker.
“I believe my instincts are a strong suit,” he noted. “I think my aggressiveness is something I’ll need to refine to avoid taking excessive risks. I aim for consistent good-to-average plays, while also striving for those impactful, standout moments.”
However, Kinchens’ performance in the 40-yard dash and his Relative Athletic Score (RAS) might disqualify him from consideration.
Gutekunst has a limited history of drafting safeties. For instance, Savage, selected in the first round in 2019, recorded a swift 4.36 in the 40-yard dash and achieved an RAS of 8.37. In contrast, Anthony Johnson, drafted in the seventh round last year, clocked a 4.62 in the 40-yard dash but excelled in the jumps, earning an 8.13 RAS. Both Ford and Owens, acquired as free agents, boasted RAS scores exceeding 9.0.
In addition to Kinchens, there were five safeties competing to be the first off the board at the Scouting Combine. However, Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin, who is considered a versatile safety with a well-rounded skill set, did not participate in testing due to recovering from surgery, potentially making him the leading candidate.
Jaden Hicks from Washington State, standing at 6 feet 1 and 7/8 inches and weighing 211 pounds, opted out of the 40-yard dash and the 20-yard shuttle. However, he recorded an impressive 37.5-inch vertical jump. With insufficient data available, Hicks does not have a Relative Athletic Score (RAS).
Nonetheless, his size and impressive production, including 155 tackles, three interceptions, and 10 passes defensed over two seasons, render him a compelling prospect. Hicks also brings extensive experience playing deep, in the box, and in the slot positions.
Georgia’s Javon Bullard, standing at 5 feet 10 and 1/2 inches tall and weighing 198 pounds, posted a 4.47-second time in the 40-yard dash, ranking as the sixth-fastest at his position. He opted out of the other tests, resulting in insufficient data for a Relative Athletic Score (RAS). Bullard recorded two interceptions in consecutive seasons and predominantly played in the slot in 2022 and deep in 2023.
Calen Bullock from USC, measuring 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 188 pounds, clocked a 4.48-second time in the 40-yard dash, placing seventh-fastest at the position. Similar to Bullard, he did not participate in the other tests, thus lacking a RAS. Bullock amassed nine interceptions over three seasons, including five in 2022. In 2023, his playing time was distributed relatively evenly among deep, box, and slot positions.
“A day earlier, he expressed, ‘There have always been concerns about my size throughout my career playing this position. I was aware that I was one of the leaner safeties entering the field,'” he recounted. “‘I would say that’s been a driving force throughout my entire life. Being a slender individual playing the safety position, I understood the need to consistently prove myself and demonstrate my capability in this role.'”
“If Gutekunst intends to prioritize selecting a safety early in the draft and then acquiring another later on, the athleticism will be especially captivating among those initially viewed as mid-round prospects before the Combine.”
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson from Texas Tech, standing at 5 feet 10 and 3/8 inches tall and weighing 197 pounds, emerged as the quickest safety with an impressive 4.41-second time in the 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical jump. Over two seasons, he recorded seven interceptions.
Meanwhile, Jaylin Simpson from Auburn, measuring 5 feet 11 and 1/2 inches tall and weighing 179 pounds, ranked as the third-fastest with a time of 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Simpson, who initially started his career at cornerback, achieved a career-high of four interceptions in 2023. He further solidified his athleticism with this performance.
“You’ll witness a versatile defensive back: strong football intelligence, playmaking prowess, relentless pursuit, and adept problem-solving skills,” Simpson remarked. “I’m still in disbelief that I’ve reached this point. It’s something I never imagined.”
Cole Bishop from Utah, standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 206 pounds, matched Simpson’s time for the third-fastest at 4.45 seconds and boasted a 39-inch vertical jump. Over three seasons, he accumulated 21.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, and 12 passes defensed. Bishop highlighted his strengths in covering tight ends and being capable of playing both safety positions.
Georgia’s Tykee Smith, standing at 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 202 pounds, recorded the sixth-fastest time at 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He achieved a career-high of four interceptions in 2023.
Tyler Owens from Texas Tech, measuring 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 216 pounds, excelled in the high jump and broad jump competitions but experienced difficulty during his 40-yard dash attempt. However, his peculiar remarks to reporters may negatively impact his draft status.
“I don’t believe in space,” Owens stated. “I’m deeply religious, so I hold the belief that we’re alone in the universe. I don’t subscribe to the notion of other planets and such.” Regardless of his religious beliefs, the existence of planets is widely accepted and scientifically proven. NASA has conducted missions to explore all planets in the solar system, ranging from Mercury to Neptune.