2018 NFL Draft: Five standout performers from Scouting Combine

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Scott Frost of the UCF Knights celebrates with Shaquem Griffin #18 after defeating the Auburn Tigers 34-27 to win the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Scott Frost of the UCF Knights celebrates with Shaquem Griffin #18 after defeating the Auburn Tigers 34-27 to win the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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It’s as simple as this: The Penn State Nittany Lions dominated the Scouting Combine. Saquon Barkley justified the hype with downright absurd measurements and Troy Apke stunned scouts with a 4.34 40-yard dash and a 41.0″ vertical leap.

One of the other Nittany Lions stars who vastly improved his draft stock was Mike Gesicki, who ranks amongst the most athletically gifted tight ends ever.

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Gesicki ranked No. 1 amongst tight ends in the 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle, 60-yard shuttle, vertical jump, broad jump, and three-cone drill. He ranked second in the bench press, putting up 22 reps to the 23 produced by Dallas Goedert.

By every stretch of the imagination, Gesicki proved to be a generational athlete at the tight end position—and that truth shouldn’t be overlooked.

Between the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Gesicki produced 105 receptions, 1,242 receiving yards, and 14 receiving touchdowns. Beyond the numbers, he proved capable of making catches in traffic and fighting through contact after the catch.

Gesicki is still somewhat raw as a run blocker—and by that I mean he needs to try significantly harder—but there’s genuine All-Pro potential to go with his elite athleticism.