2018 NFL Draft: Bradley Chubb justifies the hype at Scouting Combine

Bradley Chubb is widely regarded as the best edge defender in the 2018 NFL Draft. He justified the hype at the Scouting Combine.

In recent years, the NFL Draft has been highlighted by an edge defender who possesses otherworldly physical gifts. At least one defensive end has been selected in the top five in every year since 2012, and 2018 should be no exception.

While there’s an absence of hype surrounding the edge defenders in 2018, one player continues to rise above the absent narrative: Bradley Chubb.

Chubb is widely regarded as the best edge defender in the 2018 NFL Draft—and by a considerable margin. He’s received top-five hype, with the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts consistently referenced as teams that could be interested in selecting him.

Following his performance at the 2018 Scouting Combine, that interest should be stronger than ever before.

Chubb is a 6’4″ and 269-pound defensive end with 34″ arms and 9’7/8″ hands. He wasn’t expected to blow anyone away physically, as his film shows a player who gets by more on fundamentals and motor than athleticism.

Chubb quickly changed the conversation when he ran an unofficial 4.66 40-yard dash.

The official time was clocked at 4.65—downright overwhelming speed for a nearly 270-pound man.

Chubb’s 40 time ranked No. 3 amongst defensive linemen, with only Marcus Davenport (4.58) and Ade Aruna (4.60) testing better. Davenport is a top-10 candidate himself, but Chubb’s film separates him from the pack—and he knows it.

According to Jenny Vrentas of Sports Illustrated, Chubb believes that he’s the best player in the 2018 NFL Draft.

"“My confidence level is going to say I’m the best player,” Chubb said. “I feel like I put it on tape in four years. Just putting on tape good film, and I feel like I’m the best player. I’m not going to say one person is better than me."

That’s a fair mentality for a prospect to embrace, especially when their game film, statistics, and Scouting Combine performance supports the claim.

The film shows that Chubb can play, but the Scouting Combine proved that he can hang athletically. It was a vital revelation for his draft stock, as his blazing speed all but confirms that he’ll be able to make the transition from a purely physical perspective.

From there, it will be a matter of work ethic and football IQ—areas in which Chubb has already received rave reviews.

Must Read: Quenton Nelson is worth a top five pick

The 2018 NFL Draft is flush with talent, but Bradley Chubb could be the defensive lineman who changes the culture for an organization.