2022 NFL Scouting Combine Day 4 takeaways: Lewis Cine makes claim to be first-round pick, cornerbacks cruise

The cornerbacks put up historic numbers at the combine

The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine came to an end Sunday with the defensive backs and special teams on the field. Attention turns to NFL visits and pro days as the 2022 NFL Draft quickly approaches.

Here are some of our takeaways from Sunday's action:

Cornerback 40-yard dashes turn into a track meet

Baylor's Kalon Barnes (4.23 seconds) and Texas-San Antonio's Tariq Woolen (4.26 seconds) ran the two fastest times ever by a defensive back at the combine. Barnes' time was the second fastest of any position behind John Ross' 4.21 seconds 40-yard dash. Woolen also had a 42 inch vertical jump, which led all defensive backs. 

For a closer look at Barnes' day as well as the fastest 40 time at every combine, click here.

Stingley's absence may have opened door

With LSU's Derek Stingley Jr. opting not to perform, it offered an opportunity for others to assert their claim as the top cornerback eligible for the 2022 NFL Draft. Washington's Trent McDuffie looked fluid during on-field drills. Cincinnati's Ahmad Gardner had his 40-yard dash time adjusted to 4.41 seconds officially, which is fantastic for a prospect who measured in at 6-foot-3. 

Gardner and McDuffie are often the two prospects mentioned as being in the same stratosphere as Stingley. Stingley's absence may have opened the door for some change in the pecking order. 

Cine, other safeties respond to criticism in a big way

Notre Dame's Kyle Hamilton has been regarded as the top safety in the class, but there were concerns about the talent that would be available at that position beyond him. A few prospects responded to that criticism in a big way. Georgia safety Lewis Cine tested off the charts with a 4.38 seconds 40-yard dash, 36.5 inch vertical jump and 11-foot-1-inch broad jump. Michigan's Daxton Hill ran a 4.43 seconds 40-yard dash as well. A former 5-star recruit, Hill adds depth to the top end of this safety class. 

Penn State's Jaquan Brisker performed admirably as well. Odds are good that one of those three players will be the second safety off the board. 

Special teams hold their own in athletic testing

San Diego State punter/kicker Matt Araiza is regarded as a versatile and dynamic prospect. He certainly showed how strong his leg is at the combine. 

Three players -- Georgia punter Jake Camarda, Penn State punter Jordan Stout and Araiza -- ran under a 4.70 seconds 40-yard dash. Camarda led the pack at 4.56 seconds.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 6:56 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Thank you for watching our coverage of the 2022 NFL combine! We will have more analysis coming from the last 4 days in Indianapolis. 

[Mar 6, 2022 at 5:57 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Cine also looking silky smooth through the drills.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 5:44 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

We have probably a half an hour or less in this year's NFL Combine.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 5:28 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

In addition to a 4.26 second 40-yard dash, UTSA cornerback Tariq Woolen also had a 42 inch vertical jump.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 5:27 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Georgia's Lewis Cine with a 4.38u seconds 40-yard dash, 36.5 inch vertical jump and 11-foot-1-inch broad jump.  Stock UP.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 5:15 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Daxton Hill with a 4.43u is very impressive.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 5:06 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Toledo's Tycen Anderson is a lengthy safety that could be an option looking for a Kyle Hamilton-type player on Day 3. Florida A&M DB Markquese Bell's 4.45 speed shows up on tape. He plays a lot in the box.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 4:55 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

We are waiting for the safeties to get rolling here.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 4:43 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Washington's Trent McDuffie is someone that has looked really smooth through drills today. He is often talked about as that third cornerback behind Ahmad Gardner and Derek Stingley Jr. but zone-heavy teams are going to be drawn to him. 

[Mar 6, 2022 at 4:29 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Derion Kendrick, a Clemson transfer that played against the Tigers in the first game of the season. He ends up winning a national championship with the Bulldogs.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 4:28 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

It's been awesome getting DeAngelo Hall's take on these drills. He's done a great job articulating what he is looking for in this drill.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 4:07 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Official 40-yard dash times:

Kalon Barnes (Baylor): 4.23 seconds
Tariq Woolen (UTSA): 4.26 seconds

Those are the fastest times ever by a defensive back but falls short of John Ross' all-time combine record of 4.21.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 3:39 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Notre Dame's Kyle Hamilton broad jumped 10-feet-11-inches, which is nuts. Tied for 30th all-time among safeties.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 3:36 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Daniel Jeremiah making a great point that Roger McCreary plays at his top speed. It is great running the 40-yard dash fast but if that does not translate to the field, then who cares? McCreary is not a burner but he plays like it. 

[Mar 6, 2022 at 3:34 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Really nice rep from Washington's Kyler Gordon. He kept his hips low, opened those hips easily but tight, found the football in the air and completed the play.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 3:22 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Kentucky safety Yusuf Corker led all defensive backs with 23 reps on the bench press. Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker and Oklahoma State safety Kolby Harvell-Peel were the only others to top 20.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 3:17 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Ahmad Gardner is regarded as a possible top 10 pick but it was actually his teammate, Coby Bryant, that won college football's Thorpe Award given to the best defensive back.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 3:10 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Tariq Woolen is the only guy that I thought would challenge Kalon Barnes' time today. His second unofficial attempt was 4.30

[Mar 6, 2022 at 3:01 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

4.55 from Auburn's Roger McCreary. He is not a burner and no one expected him to be. Where he falls short in speed, he makes up for in confidence, competitive toughness, versatility and resilience. He may not be an All-Pro type guy but McCreary is someone that you can draft and feel confident in what you get for a decade. 

[Mar 6, 2022 at 2:54 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Ahmad Gardner improves his time with a 4.47u. It's not a WOW time that is going to force people to go back and re-evaluate his position amongst the top cornerbacks.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 2:45 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Baylor's Kalon Barnes re-takes the crown as fastest of the day with a 4.29.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 2:40 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

4.31 for Tariq Woolen. He was moving. 

[Mar 6, 2022 at 2:33 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

4.41 would be a fantastic time for Alontae Taylor.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 2:26 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

4.57 for Kyler Gordon is disappointing if it holds. I expected him to be in the 4.3s, if not higher.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 2:25 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Strange run from Ahmad Gardner. 4.52 is a solid time but it really looked like he was grinding. Never looked comfortable.

[Mar 6, 2022 at 2:24 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

The CBSSports DB rankings:

LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (2)
Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton (3)
Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner (12)
Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. (14)
Auburn cornerback Roger McCreary (16)
Michigan safety Daxton Hill (24)
Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam (26)
Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie (32)

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospect-rankings/

[Mar 6, 2022 at 2:21 pm ET · Josh Edwards]

Kaiir Elam is considered a bigger corner so 4.47u is a good time for him.