Day 1 of the NFL Combine was the defensive linemen and the linebackers.

The on-field drills were broken down into 3 groups.

Group 1 was the defensive tackles. Group 2 was the defensive ends. Group 3 was the linebackers/edge players.

Overall, it went exactly how most of us thought it would go. The top players at those spots performed well. The on-field drills matched what we all saw on film and during the games this past season.

I’m here to give you the biggest winners and losers from Day 1.

WINNER – Braden Fiske – DT – Florida State.

The 6’4″, 292 lb, Fiske actually started his college career at The University of Western Michigan (19-22) before finishing up at Florida State University.

Fiske ran a 4.78 in the 40, with a 1.68 10-yard split. He put up 26 reps on the bench press, and ran a 4.37 in the 20-yard shuttle.

He looked smooth in all the on-field drills. The 4-Big, The Hoop Drill, Pass Rush, Run and Club. He fell down doing The Wave Drill, but he got up quickly and finished strong.

Fiske has solidified at the very least to be a 2nd Round Pick.

LOSER – T’Vondre Sweat – DT – Texas.

Sweat went up to the podium and talked a whole lot of smack. Talking about how he was going to perform.

The big man from Texas weighted in at a massive 366 pounds.

He ran a 5.28 in the 40 with a 1.8 10-yard split. Which is good for his size.

Once the on-field drills started, he put out one of the worst performances that I’ve ever seen.

Sweat looked slow, and stiff, he had no bend. He couldn’t find a second gear, couldn’t keep his feet together, it was just plain awful. No other way to say it, you can’t sugarcoat it.

Hopefully, he be able to clear some things up at the upcoming Texas Pro Day.

WINNER – Marshawn Kneeland – DE – Western Michigan.

What else can you say other than, HE HAD HIMSELF A DAY!!!

The 6’3″, 267 lb, defensive end out of Western Michigan University (again hearing that name), ran a 4.75 in the 40 with a 1.66 10-yard split.

He ran a 7.02 in the 3-Cone and 4.18 Shuttle Run.

He was smooth and showed quick feet in the on-field drills.

He was projected to be a probable Day 2 pick, there is no way, he falls to Day 3.

Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing him wearing the Orange and Brown at the next level.

LOSER – Tommy Eichenburg – Linebacker – Ohio State.

It’s not a secret that I’m a Buckeye, but I’m capable of taking off my bias hat (unlike Rich Eisen) and can speak the truth.

Eichenberg performed bad at the NFL Combine. There’s no other way to say it.

Neither of the Ohio State linebackers ran the 40.

When it came to the on-field drills, Tommy was stiff. He didn’t show any burst. He had no second gear. His feet were either choppy or heavy.

The good news is that he’ll have a chance to show improvement at the Ohio State Pro Day coming up.

WINNER – Western Michigan University.

The 2 best performances by the defensive lineman both had roots to the Broncos. Head Coach Lance Taylor and Defensive Line Coach David Denham should be proud and should also be using this as a recruiting tool. Fiske and Kneeland put on their best performances when it matter the most. In front of coaches and front office people from all 32 NFL teams.

These are my biggest winners and losers for Day 1.

Coverage for Day 2 of the NFL Combine starts at 3PM EST on NFL Network with the DBs and TEs taking the field.

I am your man for your Cleveland Browns news, here, at WeLikeSportz. Follow me on X (Twitter) @JoeAmerican6771 and @OhioMan1776.

By Sean McKenzie

Photos Courtesy of MSN, elevenwarriors, sportslogo, and the NFL

Stats provided by the NFL