A look at some of the defensive line standouts and sliders from day three of the NFL Scouting Combine:

Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

When you watch McCoy go through position drills, it’s like you’re watching a 230-pound linebacker the way he cleanly changes directions and bursts out of his breaks. Plus, he does a great job remaining balanced and keeping his base down and seems to make everything look smooth and easy. Pair that with his impressive get-off burst and it’s obvious McCoy is at another level from an athletic standpoint compared to most other defensive tackles in the class.

Jerry Hughes, DE, TCU

Pass-rushing specialist Hughes not only showcased impressive straight-line speed with his 4.69 40 time, he was also one of the few defensive linemen who maintained his balance and didn’t need to gear down around the edge. So much is made of pure initial get-off burst for the defensive end position. However, it’s more about a prospect’s ability to retain his speed when trying to flatten out around the corner, and that’s exactly what Hughes was able to exhibit Monday.

Clifton Geathers, DL, South Carolina

One big defensive lineman who really showed well for himself Monday was South Carolina’s Geathers, a 6-7, 299-pound prospect with 37