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2025 NFL combine: Top draft prospects, best workouts, risers

DAY 3: QUARTERBACKS, RUNNING BACKS, WIDE RECEIVERS

Notables who did not work out: Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Ashton Jeanty, Tetairoa McMillan, Emeka Egbuka

What are the biggest takeaways from Saturday's workouts?

 

 

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2025 NFL combine: Top draft prospects, best workouts, risers

  • Multiple Contributors
Mar 1, 2025, 08:05 PM ET
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Drills at the NFL combine continued Saturday in Indianapolis, with the 2025 NFL draft's top quarterback, running back and defensive back prospects showcasing their skills in front of all 32 teams. Defensive linemen and linebackers started things off Thursday, while defensive backs and tight ends took the stage Friday. Workouts conclude Sunday with the offensive linemen at 1 p.m. ET.

Who ran well in the 40-yard dash? Who dominated in the rest of the on-field work? Draft experts Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates will recap all four days of the combine workouts, evaluating the top performances from every position, picking prospects who are rising (or potentially falling) and addressing notable under-the-radar showings.

 
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Let's get into it with a breakdown of all the action at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Jump to a section:
QB/WR/TE: Takeaways | Risers | Top names | Notes
DB/TE: Takeaways | Risers | Top names | Notes
DL/LB: Takeaways | Risers | Top names | Notes

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DAY 3: QUARTERBACKS, RUNNING BACKS, WIDE RECEIVERS

Notables who did not work out: Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Ashton Jeanty, Tetairoa McMillan, Emeka Egbuka

What are the biggest takeaways from Saturday's workouts?

 

Miller: The biggest talking point entering the combine was the search for the QB3 in this class behind Ward and Sanders. The hope was that someone would emerge, and we could plant a flag on their stock. It didn't happen. Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) and Quinn Ewers (Texas) were as expected, having solid throwing sessions. Tyler Shough (Louisville) had a good all-around day but didn't do anything to emerge as a clear-cut option. Other contenders such as Jalen Milroe (Alabama) and Will Howard (Ohio State) were uneven in the throwing session, with Milroe in particular struggling with consistent ball placement.

The combine isn't always a friendly environment for quarterbacks, who are throwing to unfamiliar receivers who are also trying to impress NFL scouts, but this year's group didn't elevate to the moment. Dart and Ewers were the best, but neither did enough to move closer to Sanders on my board.

 

play

1:41
Shedeur Sanders gives reason why he should be drafted at No. 1

An upbeat Shedeur Sanders talks with Laura Rutledge at the NFL combine and says his "work ethic" is why he should be drafted at No. 1.

Reid: With the potential exception of defensive line, running back might be the deepest position in the 2025 class, and that was on full display Saturday. They lived up to the hype, showing that there are starting-caliber backs available on all three days of the draft. It's been eight years (2017) since 30 running backs were picked, but the 2025 class could exceed that number, as I have 33 draftable backs right now.


Who are the biggest risers from Day 3?

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Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford

The combine is a great opportunity for players to answer questions that pop up on film. My biggest question on Ayomanor was his top-end speed. At nearly 6-foot-2 and 206 pounds, Ayomanor ran a very good 4.44 in the 40-yard dash to go along with a 38 ½-inch vertical and a 10-foot-7 broad jump. These numbers ease my concerns. Ayomanor has floated in the second-round range of my rankings, but I think this performance will get him into the top 50. -- Miller

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DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State

Giddens started the day well with a 10-foot-10 broad jump and a 39 ½-inch vertical leap. I had questions about his top-end speed after watching tape, but he alleviated those concerns with a 4.43-second 40-yard dash. The 6-foot, 212-pound Giddens is a scheme-versatile runner who can make defenders miss at the second and third levels while being a mismatch against linebackers and slot defenders. His ability to catch passes out of the backfield is appealing, which showed in on-field drills. He was excellent in the "Duce Staley" drill, which tests lateral agility and hip mobility. Giddens was viewed as an early-to-mid-Day 3 pick, but he shouldn't last past the fourth round after his performance in Indy. -- Reid

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Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State

Higgins built on his standout Senior Bowl performance with a strong effort Saturday. He ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash, exceeding the low-to-mid 4.5 range that was predicted coming in. Higgins also jumped 39 inches in the vertical and 10-foot-8 on the broad jump, showing that he can climb the ladder and catch the ball over defenders. He was expected to be third- or fourth-round option, but I wouldn't be surprised if he goes inside the top-75 picks. -- Reid

Editor's Picks

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Jimmy Horn Jr., WR, Colorado

Horn was one of the day's biggest surprises, as his 4.46-second 40-yard dash is a huge boost to his stock. That acceleration showed on his tape, but scouts I talked to believed he was more quick than fast. His suddenness caught my eye, especially in the route-running portion. He showed smooth moves, an ability to accelerate and decelerate in route stems, and strong hands. Except for one drop in the gauntlet, Horn was flawless. We labeled the 5-foot-8, 174-pounder as a Senior Bowl standout and he continues to raise his stock, going from a borderline draftable prospect entering the all-star circuit to a late-round pick with potential to contribute early. -- Reid

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Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State

Entering the combine, I had Noel in a Round 2 stack of receivers alongside Jayden Higgins and Tre Harris (Ole Miss). I might have to separate Noel a bit after a fantastic performance Saturday. He started off great with a 41 ½-inch vertical and an 11-foot-2 broad jump, then showed his burst and long speed with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash. I'm a sucker for slot receivers with deep speed, and that's exactly with the 5-foot-10, 194-pound Noel. -- Miller

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Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech

I highlighted Tuten as a player who would burn up the track in our combine primer, and he didn't disappoint. He lived up to his reputation as a true sprinter in the 40 with a blistering 4.32-second run, the fastest of any running back. The 5-foot-9, 206-pounder also did well in the jumps with a best-in-class vertical of 40 ½ inches and a very strong broad jump of 10-foot-10, further indicating his explosive ability. Drops and fumbles were a concern from watching his game tape, but Tuten caught the ball well in position drills while looking smooth and powerful as a runner. -- Miller


How did other top prospects look on Day 3?

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Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Burden entered the combine as my top wide receiver (Travis Hunter excluded) and backed that up by running a 4.41 40 at 6-foot, 206 pounds. That was impressive, especially when compared to the 4.39 run by 180-pound Isaiah Bond (Texas), who was rumored to be one of the fastest players in this class. Burden's elite traits weren't featured at Missouri this season, but he's a big play artist who routinely breaks tackles and makes defenders miss. We saw his receiving skills Saturday in the gauntlet drill, where he was super smooth and didn't drop a pass. I maintain that Burden is a top-15 pick. -- Miller

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Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss

Dart didn't run, but I thought he was the best of the first group of passers in throwing drills on Saturday. Scouts have questioned how well he could transition from Lane Kiffin's offense to a more traditional NFL scheme, and Dart showed that he could take snaps under center and throw from that platform. Scouts were watching the 6-foot-2, 223-pounder to see if he could build off his Senior Bowl performance, and the ball came out of Dart's hand cleanly and on time. His projection is still mixed among the scouts I talked to, with some thinking that he could sneak into the back of Round 1 while others see him as more of a Round 2 option. -- Reid

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Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Golden only participated in the 40-yard dash but made it count, running it one time in 4.29 seconds before ending his day. Several scouts texted me after his run surprised by his time, as he was expected to be in the 4.4 range. It was another step in a steady rise for the 5-foot-11, 191-pounder, who quickly turned into the Longhorns' top receiver after transferring from Houston. There are evaluators that have him as the top pure receiver in the 2025 class, ahead of Burden and Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona). Golden is a well-rounded receiver with strong hands and a wide catch radius who can play from the outside or in the slot. Don't be surprised if he's a top-20 pick. -- Reid

What to know for the 2025 NFL draft

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 Mocks: Kiper | Yates | Miller | Reid
 Rankings: Kiper | Miller | Yates | Reid
 QB Board | Pos. ranks | 10 questions
 Pick order | Scouting evals | More

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Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

Hampton was my No. 2-ranked running back entering the combine and wasted little time showing why. The 6-foot, 221-pounder jumped 10-foot-10 in the broad jump and 38 inches in the vertical, then followed with a 4.46 40, which matches what he showed on tape. Hampton is a chiseled runner who excels in contact balance, as defenders frequently bounce off him. His ability to attack defenses in various ways makes him the favorite to be the second running back off the board after Ashton Jeanty. Hampton could go as high as the Broncos at No. 20. -- Reid

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Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State

I've had Judkins as a top-5 running back since he declared for the draft and I'm feeling pretty good about it after watching him Saturday. He measured in at nearly 6-foot and 221 pounds, a size that meshes well with the physical running style he showed on tape. But he's more than a punisher, as he ran a 4.48 40-yard dash -- an awesome time at his size -- while leaping 38 ½ inches in the vertical and 11-foot in the broad jump. I've had him in the early Round 2 range, and the combine confirmed that. -- Miller

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Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

The biggest story about Milroe early was that his hand somehow grew almost one inch from what it was measured at the Senior Bowl, going from 8 ¾ inches to 9 3/8, which gets him over the NFL's 9-inch standard. The 6-foot-2, 217-pounder didn't run the 40 or perform jumps, which was surprising given the explosive ability showed on tape. Milroe was hot and cold in passing drills, echoing what I saw in his film. The team that drafts him must have a plan to rework his throwing mechanics, namely his footwork. He could see early packages as a runner, but he did not help himself as a thrower on Saturday. Milroe currently ranks as a fourth-rounder on my board. -- Miller


More notes, thoughts and things we heard and saw on Day 3

Miller

  • Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson opted not to run the 40, but his positional drills were enough to warrant a mention. The 5-foot-8, 200-pound Sampson is a compact back with great contact balance, but he also has quick feet and elite body control. That showed up in his ability to navigate over and around bags and how well he was able to cut in the famed "Duce Staley Drill," which highlights a player's foot speed and burst. He has solid top-75 value in this class.

  • Jordan noted above just how good this running back class is, which has me wondering if NFL teams will wait and see on drafting a runner early. We know how talented Ashton Jeanty is but with eight runners ranked in my top 64, it feels like a year in which teams could wait until Round 2 to draft an impact back. It will be very interesting to see how early Jeanty is drafted in a class that lacks top-end talent at other positions, and if he starts a run at the position.

Reid

  • Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams continues to improve his stock. He had a strong week of practices at the Senior Bowl, with his varied tempo as a route runner keeping cornerbacks on their heels. There were questions about the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder's true straight-line speed, but he answered those with a 4.4-second 40 on Saturday. Williams is one of my favorite receivers in the second-to-fourth-round range.

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DAY 2: DEFENSIVE BACKS, TIGHT ENDS

Notables who did not work out: Travis Hunter, Will Johnson, Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland, Elijah Arroyo

What are the biggest takeaways from Friday's workouts?

Miller: The top cornerbacks in the class -- Hunter and Johnson -- chose to not work out at the combine, but the group of players earmarked as slot corners put on a show. Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky) ran the fastest 40 of the combine at 4.28 seconds before showing excellent hip flexibility and explosion during position drills. The same can be said for fellow slot candidates Jahdae Barron (Texas), Jacob Parrish (Kansas State) and Quincy Riley (Louisville), who each were strong during on-field work and testing. This isn't a strong cornerback class at the top of Round 1, but this slot corner group could thrive early in their NFL careers.

Reid: While defensive line and running back have been praised as the strength of the 2025 class (and rightfully so), the talent in the safety group is underrated. Malaki Starks (Georgia) and Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina) are the headliners, but there's a lot of depth on Day 2 and Day 3. That depth really shined Friday. Players such as Andrew Mukuba (Texas), Billy Bowman Jr. (Oklahoma) and Jonas Sanker (Virginia) could easily be selected inside the first four rounds. There aren't a lot of surefire safeties at the top of the draft, but I believe that there are future starters who can be found outside of Round 2.

Yates: The absence of the top two tight ends in this year's class -- Warren (Penn State) and Loveland (Michigan) -- was really felt in some of Friday's athletic testing drills. While 40 time is not the only metric that matters, it should be noted that only two TEs, Terrance Ferguson (Oregon) and Joshua Simon (South Carolina), broke 4.7 seconds, down from eight in the 2024 class. That doesn't change my overall view of this class (it's very good and deep), but much like the cornerback drills without Hunter and Johnson, the top absences loomed large.


Who are the biggest risers from Day 2?

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Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss

One of the biggest questions surrounding Amos following a great season with the Rebels was his recovery speed in man coverage. Those questions were answered when Amos ran 4.44 in the 40. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Amos is a fringe first-rounder on my board but has had a fantastic predraft process, starting with a strong Senior Bowl week and culminating with the impressive run. -- Miller

What to know for the NFL offseason

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 Offseason guide (ESPN+) | 32 questions
 Way-Too-Early 2025 Power Rankings
 Ranking the top 50 free agents (ESPN+)
 32 decisions | Predicting deals (ESPN+)
 Draft order | Kiper's new mock (ESPN+)
Coaching hires | Free agency | Draft

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Billy Bowman Jr., S, Oklahoma

Few safeties find the football as frequently and effortlessly as Bowman, who has the body control and overall movement skills to play center field at the NFL level. He checked a lot of physical boxes, too, measuring in at 5-foot-10, 192 pounds while running a 4.42 40. I see the ball-hawking Bowman as someone who could sneak into the back end of Day 2, which he solidified with his performance Friday. -- Yates

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Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon

Many of the tight ends who worked out had disappointing 40 times, but Ferguson wasn't one of them, registering a position-best 4.63 seconds. The 6-foot-5, 247-pounder also jumped 39 inches in the vertical. Ferguson routinely snatched the ball out of the air in multiple drills. I had Ferguson as my No. 6-ranked tight end with an early fourth-round grade, but he helped himself and is squarely in the third-round range due to his speed and ability in the pass game. -- Reid

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Thomas Fidone II, TE, Nebraska

I had Fidone as a Day 3 prospect entering the combine, and he followed up a good Senior Bowl week with a memorable combine performance, standing out in a tight end group that otherwise struggled. Fidone ran a 4.7 40 at 6-foot-5, 243 pounds -- a solid time for an in-line tight end. He had explosive testing numbers, jumping 35½ inches in the vertical and 10-foot-6 in the broad jump. Fidone battled injuries at Nebraska after entering college as a highly regarded recruit, but he's healthy and one of my favorite Day 3 tight end prospects. I'm bumping him up to Round 4 on my board. -- Miller

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Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Hairston was thought to be one of the most athletic corners in the 2025 class and backed that up Friday. He ran a 4.3 40-yard dash on his first attempt, then bettered that with a 4.28 on his second run, producing many "oohs" and "ahhs" from the Lucas Oil Stadium crowd. He also jumped 39½ inches in the vertical leap and 10-foot-9 in the broad jump. And he looked extremely fluid in positional drills, showing his ball skills by plucking it out of the air away from his frame.

I had Hairston as my No. 43 overall player and lumped into the cluster of early second-round corners. But his performance positioned him to be selected in Round 1. Teams in the back end of the first round such as the Commanders or Bills could be a landing spot for Hairston. -- Reid

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Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers

Longerbeam's standout Shrine Bowl week prompted me to review his tape prior to the combine. He continued to catch my eye in Indianapolis by being one of the best testers in the CB group. At 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, he ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash and performed well in the jumping events, leaping 11-foot-2 in the broad jump and 36½ inches in the vertical. Longerbeam was considered a mid-Day 3 prospect entering the combine, but he boosted his grade Friday. Don't be surprised if he's selected early on Day 3. -- Reid

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Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State

Porter might have helped himself more on Friday than any other corner. He measured in at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, then ran a 4.3-second 40. He also starred in the jumps, leaping 10-foot-11 in the broad jump and 36½ inches in the vertical. He started his college career as a wide receiver before moving to corner in 2022 and continues to improve. At 24 years old, Porter is on the older side but is ideal for a team that uses heavy zone coverage. He was considered a Round 3 guy entering the combine but might have risen into Round 2. -- Reid


How did other top prospects look on Day 2?

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Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

The No. 10 player in my rankings, Barron absolutely wowed with his 4.39-second 40-yard dash. He doesn't have elite length, with 29⅝-inch arms, but Barron has NFL size for an outside cornerback at 5-foot-11 and 194 pounds. He opted to not participate in positional drills after the 40. Barron is higher on my board than what I'm hearing from NFL teams but displaying that level of speed shows he can hang with top-tier NFL receivers. He should be a top-20 pick. -- Miller

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Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Emmanwori was hyped as someone who was expected to leave everyone speechless with his testing numbers, and he lived up to that billing. He started by jumping 11-foot-6 in the broad jump, then offered an even more impressive 43-inch vertical leap. Emmanwori capped the day with a 4.38-second 40 at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds. I have him ranked as my No. 2 safety, but there is an argument that he could beat out Malaki Starks as the first safety off the board. Scouts I've spoken with love his physicality and versatility, as Emmanwori can play multiple spots in the secondary. -- Reid

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Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Starks is one of the most difficult evaluations, as his game tape was fantastic in 2023 but showed him struggling with timing and recovery speed this past season. Scouts hoped the combine could help fill in the gaps of those evaluations. The 6-foot-1, 197-pounder ran well (4.5 in the 40) but didn't do great in the vertical jump (33 inches), mirroring the disconnect found on film. I have an early Round 2 grade on Starks, but I can see teams leaning more on his 2023 tape and valuing him higher. The combine neither helped nor hurt his stock. -- Miller

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Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State

Thomas only participated in testing, displaying ability as a true press man corner. He had little wasted motion when redirecting and was able to easily transition and turn. Since he only had two career interceptions, the gauntlet drill was an important one for Thomas. He stepped up, catching each ball cleanly while running full speed and showing that he can catch balls outside his frame. Thomas is firmly in the late first-round mix, but some scouts believe his youth (he won't turn 21 until July) gives him top-20 upside. -- Reid


More notes, thoughts and things we heard and saw on Day 2

Miller

  • Colorado's Travis Hunter opted to not workout at the combine after a Heisman Trophy-winning season, but he did answer the biggest question that evaluators had about him by weighing in at 188 pounds at 6-foot. Rumors persisted among scouts that Hunter might weigh less than 180 pounds -- which would put his desire to play both ways in the NFL into question. Checking in at 188 should comfort evaluators worried about his size.

 

play

1:41
Shedeur Sanders gives reason why he should be drafted at No. 1

An upbeat Shedeur Sanders talks with Laura Rutledge at the NFL combine and says his "work ethic" is why he should be drafted at No. 1.

  • Kansas State's Jacob Parrish is one of my favorite slot corner prospects to watch on tape in the 2025 class thanks to his toughness and willingness to strike ball carriers. His combine workout was equally impactful. The 5-foot-11, 193-pound Parrish had a 10-foot-9 broad jump and hit 37½ inches on his vertical -- two tests which show lower-body explosiveness. He also showcased speed with a 4.35-second 40. I currently have a middle Day 2 grade on Parrish, but he will be sliding up my board and the boards of teams that need inside cornerbacks.

Reid

  • Western Kentucky's Upton Stout is one of my favorite midround cornerbacks in this draft. At 5-foot-9, 181 pounds, he's projected as a nickel corner. He allowed only three catches this season thanks to his movement skills, and what I saw on film was consistent with what he showed Friday. He can keep up with targets vertically but also has the lateral agility to stay attached from the slot. Stout is likely a Round 4 or 5 pick, but he has the upside to become a starter. He reminds me a lot of Lions cornerback Amik Robertson, who was a fourth-round pick in 2020.

  • LSU tight end Mason Taylor had the best on-field drill performance of any player regardless of position Friday. His seemingly effortless movement skills were best seen during the gauntlet drill. He quickly moved through it, catching each ball that came within his vicinity. My No. 4-ranked tight end, Taylor had a mid-Day 2 grade, and now it shouldn't come as a surprise if he's drafted in the top 50.

Yates

  • Jordan already ID'ed Maxwell Hairston as one of his winners of the day, a sentiment I support. Hairston was No. 23 overall in my most recent mock draft, as his excellent ball skills and speed are hallmarks of his game. It turns out Hairston has elite foresight, too. I caught up with Hairston at the Senior Bowl and told him that I thought he would run in the 4.3s at the combine. He responded "4.28." Hairston nailed his time.

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DAY 1: DEFENSIVE LINEMEN, LINEBACKERS

Notables who did not work out: Abdul Carter, Mason Graham, Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams, Mike Green, Walter Nolen, Kenneth Grant

What are the biggest takeaways from Thursday's workouts?

Miller: We've talked about the depth of the defensive line class in the leadup to the combine, and it showed up in workouts. Even without many Round 1 prospects participating, there were some impressive workouts -- which you'll read about below -- from many Round 2 and Round 3 players, along with Day 3 guys who popped during drills and testing. I have 30 defensive tackles with draftable grades, the most in my 15 years of doing this, and that quality was apparent during drills. This defensive line class is truly remarkable.

Yates: The combine is an evolving event, and one of the realities of it these days is that sometimes what isn't taking place on the field is as notable as what is taking place. To that end, there were several notable defensive linemen who did not participate in the on-field work (some of whom were out due to injury). I would have liked to see Michigan defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams could have dominated. Marshall edge rusher Mike Green and Ole Miss tackle Walter Nolen also opted to skip the workouts. Of the first group of defensive linemen -- 40 players in total -- only 18 actually took part in the 40-yard dash.

 

play

0:42
Field Yates not worried about possible surgery for Abdul Carter

Field Yates explains why Abdul Carter will still be a very high draft pick despite his current foot injury.


Who are the biggest risers from Day 1?

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Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo

Alexander, the No. 36 player on my board, certainly lived up to the hype Thursday. He has aced every step of the process, building on a big Senior Bowl week. At nearly 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, he ran a 4.96-second 40-yard dash and carried that explosiveness into positional drills. Alexander's strong hands were apparent in bag drills on the strike. He also showed a flexible lower half and positioned himself to be a top-40 pick. -- Reid

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Alfred Collins, DT, Texas

Collins has a well-put-together frame, measuring 6-foot-5, 332 pounds. He also has the matching physicality, which he showed during a breakout senior season. Scouts wanted to see how well he could move and if he could execute change-of-direction skills as a pass rusher. Collins answered those questions and more, moving quickly through drills and showing plenty of lower-body mobility.

He is an NFL-ready run defender who is stout at the point of attack, and his wide frame makes it difficult for offenses to displace him out of gaps. Collins will primarily serve as an early-down defender but can also play sparingly on late downs. His ability to play immediately as a rookie makes Round 2 Collins' sweet spot. -- Reid

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Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas

A noticeable buzz went through Lucas Oil Stadium when Jackson executed a 40½-inch vertical jump. Doing that at 6-foot-6 and 264 pounds was one of the most impressive feats from Day 1. Jackson followed that up with a 10-foot-9 broad jump before running a smooth 4.69 in the 40. Jackson is a power player on tape, so showing this type of explosive ability and flexibility was key for his draft stock. He's a solid Round 2 player on my board, but Jackson's performance this week could get him picked inside the top 40. -- Miller

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Oluwafemi Oladejo, Edge, UCLA

Oladejo wasn't an edge rusher to begin the 2024 season, starting the year at inside linebacker before eventually taking on a heavier pass rush role. He checked some of physical boxes at Indy, weighing in at 6-foot-3, 259 pounds with a 36½-inch vertical jump before looking sharp in positional drills. Oladejo is an extremely smooth player who is still learning to use his physical traits as a rusher, but teams will have no trouble envisioning a developmental arc that will lead him to a successful NFL career. -- Yates

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Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska

Robinson kick-started his day with a 4.83-second run in the 40-yard dash before a solid all-around performance in position drills. The 6-foot-5, 288-pound Robinson's strengths as a power rusher showed up in bag drills, where he had to chop and punch at simulated blockers. But he also displayed enough agility to easily navigate through and over bags during these drills. I was high on Robinson following the Senior Bowl, and his workout confirmed my Round 2 grade on him. -- Miller

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Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA

Sometimes measurements are the most important aspect of the combine. That was the case for Schwesinger, who checked in at 6-foot-2, 242 pounds. He also jumped 39½ inches in the vertical -- the second-best mark in the linebacker group -- before sitting out drills with a minor hamstring injury. The former walk-on is a fluid mover chasing ball carriers, and concerns about him weighing under 230 pounds in-season have been quieted. Schwesinger has a real shot at Round 1. -- Miller

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CJ West, DT, Indiana

West had a strong showing during Senior Bowl week and continued to ascend at the combine. His 4.95-second 40-yard dash was an excellent number at 6-foot-1, 316 pounds, as was his 33-inch vertical. West was the anchor of the Hoosiers' defense as a stout and durable run defender with some pass-rush juice. He projects as a dependable depth player at the next level who could eventually turn into a starter. Teams that I have talked to view him as a top-100 prospect who could be picked as early as Round 3. -- Reid


How did other top prospects look on Day 1?

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Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

Campbell is an easy-moving, explosive football player on tape with the ability to play inside or outside linebacker. He checked all the boxes during testing on Thursday. Campbell weighed in at nearly 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds and clocked an impressive 4.52-second 40. His 1.53-second split in the first 10 yards highlights just how explosive his first step is. I think Campbell is ultimately a top-25 pick in Round 1. -- Miller

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Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College

Ezeiruaku didn't run the 40, but he performed well in positional drills. He measured in at 6-foot-2, 248 pounds before leaping 35½ inches in the vertical and 9-foot-9 in the broad jump, but his best performance came in the bag and wave drills. Ezeiruaku is a fluid mover with ideal balance and poise on the move and doesn't waste movement while navigating through drills. He's quick on tape, too, which is why I have him as a top-40 player. -- Miller

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Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Harmon was one of Thursday's biggest winners, as running a 4.95-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-5, 322 pounds was impressive. He also dominated the workout portion, with his movement skills and fluidity during the wave drill standing out. This comes after Harmon had the best season of his career in 2024 following a transfer from Michigan State to Oregon. He showed a consistent ability to disrupt offenses by penetrating the first level.

Harmon must learn to play with more control, as he sometimes misses tackles and overruns plays because of his initial aggression. He came into the combine as a late first-round pick, but he could realistically be picked as high as the Bengals at No. 17 overall.-- Reid

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James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

The most important event for Pearce entering Thursday was the weigh-in, and he checked in at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, a good number for the long, lean pass rusher. But his 40-yard dash might have been the most eye-opening occurrence, as he ran it in 4.47 seconds. Pearce's explosive ability on tape was confirmed with his burst and long speed during drills. He did struggle on the vertical jump (31 inches), but scouts got an up-close look at Pearce's first-step quickness and his closing speed, as he had a 1.58-second 10-yard split in the 40. -- Miller

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Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M

Scourton checked in at 6-foot-3, 257 pounds, considerably less than the 285 pounds that he was listed at this season, so scouts will be keeping a close eye on his pro day testing. He opted to participate only in position drills, which provided a glimpse of his skill set as a pass rusher. His hand power and strength were easy to see as he went through multiple drills, though he faced some challenges when he was asked to win by bending around tight corners. Scourton currently has a mixture of second- and third-round grades. -- Reid

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Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M

Regarded as one of the most explosive athletes in the 2025 class, Stewart started his day by jumping 40 inches in the vertical leap and 10-foot-11 in the broad jump. He is a classic "potential over production" prospect, as he recorded only 4.5 sacks during his college career. That has led to mixed reviews from scouts.

Some teams are comfortable trusting the traits and hoping the production eventually catches up to his physical ability, while others question why Stewart didn't finish more. Either way, his movement skills were on full display Thursday, and it's easy to see why he's highly regarded by several teams. Stewart is a polarizing prospect but could be selected as high as the Jets at No. 7 overall. -- Reid


More notes, thoughts and things we heard and saw on Day 1

Miller

  • Ole Miss' Princely Umanmielen is one of my favorite pass rushers in the Day 2 area of this draft class, and the 6-foot-4, 244-pounder had a strong workout. Umanmielen posted a 1.62-second 10-yard split in the 40-yard dash -- a number that backs up the quickness and explosive first step seen on tape. He had strong numbers in the vertical (38 inches) and broad jump (10-foot-6) as well. He's a solid Round 2 prospect on my board.

  • Oladejo and Schwesinger weren't the only UCLA players who starred Thursday, as Kain Medrano is another linebacker to watch. The former rodeo star blazed with a 4.46-second 40 and had a fluid, fast workout in the four-bag agility drill. He was marked as a late-rounder on my board, but I'm going back to the tape to confirm that the athletic tools seen in Indy showed up in the fall.

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Reid

  • Oklahoma's Danny Stutsman running a 4.52-second 40 was the biggest surprise of the linebacker session. He didn't consistently show that type of lateral range on tape, but he ran better Thursday than some of his counterparts who looked faster in game action. In a down linebacker group, Stutsman's workout helped his stock, as he received a mixture of late Day 2 and early Day 3 grades from scouts whom I have talked to.

Yates

  • Oregon edge rusher Jordan Burch didn't generate as many headlines coming into the combine as some of his positional counterparts, but he possesses some of the most unusual physical attributes that we've seen in Indy. Burch checked in at 6-foot-4, 279 pounds, then went on to run a 4.68 40, showing that he can really move. He needs to become more consistent to succeed at the NFL level, but Burch has the tools to make it work.

 

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Posted
1 minute ago, Laxtonto said:

Kelvin Banks 

6051 

315 

10 3/8 hand 

33 1/2 arm 

84 3/8 wing

Saw Cam measured in at 6’6 317. What a body transformation going from nearly 370 when enrolled to that. 

5 minutes ago, ClubWhatever said:

Why would you still run on a bum ankle?

Competitor, not a pussy. 
 

Apparently rolled it in a false start on his first try. 

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Posted

Gentlemen. Question 

outside of injury.  Why are all these players to include the bigger names opting out of everything.  Has the combine become a day that fringe folks workout and “sure fire” folks say fuck it. You got tape on me so use that?  

Posted
16 minutes ago, ClubWhatever said:

Of course.  I forgot that every action should be judged around whether or not someone is a pussy. 

Also the QB who played injured the majority of the season is also pussy.  So it's hard to keep up. 

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Posted
13 hours ago, Da Fino said:

I’m really interested to see the task. Can you post it or pm it?

It was looking up phone numbers and putting them in a spreadsheet.  Probably like 70 total, the fact they couldn’t do that in a timely manner showed that a bigger task they definitely couldn’t handle without billing me for a crazy amount of hours.  

Posted
12 hours ago, immamac said:

So who's getting drafted and why?  

(Back on topic) 

quinn will be drafted higher than he should be based on his absolutely stellar performance throwing darts against the atmosphere.  then when he plays in NFL games and turtles the analysts will all say “where did this come from?” and bemoan the fact that he looks like a bust. 

Posted
17 hours ago, immamac said:

I graduated when I was 19 and spent the majority of my time in Austin while I went to school there. I was initiated at the Texas chapter of a fraternity and my senior year spent more time in west campus than I did in college station. 

I would agree with you that it was a mistake and I didn't understand the culture implications of choosing TAMU when I did. I got the fuck out ASAP. 

If you've ever spent any real time with me at any of the now hundreds of events I've personally sponsored for the community maybe you wouldn't say such deranged shit. 

JJ - he is one of us. If Imma isn't a Longhorn, I don't know what it means to be one because that dude bleeds burnt orange.

 

 

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Posted
Just now, Longhorn94 said:

JJ - he is one of us. If Imma isn't a Longhorn, I don't know what it means to be one because that dude bleeds burnt orange.

Apparently I'm not a Longhorn, though.  (I have no problem with imma's activities on behalf of UT, I literally gigged him (heh) in a driveby in contrast to BO&W or whoever that was.)

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Posted
8 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

Apparently I'm not a Longhorn, though.  (I have no problem with imma's activities on behalf of UT, I literally gigged him (heh) in a driveby in contrast to BO&W or whoever that was.)

Nah - you are too. 

Back on topic - love seeing our Horns kill it at the combine! The rest of college football is fucked! Texas has more money and is developing players better? Get fucked everyone else! 

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Posted
19 hours ago, Codaxx said:

Believe Babers had like 12-15 WRs have broken a 4.3 40. Santana Moss is the only one to have a 1,000 yard season in the NFL

Surprised to find out that Tyreek Hill didn't break a 4.3, or did he not run at the combine?

Posted
37 minutes ago, Catdaddyhorn said:

Surprised to find out that Tyreek Hill didn't break a 4.3, or did he not run at the combine?

He was disinvited from the combine due to his domestic violence arrest. He later ran a 4.29 s 40-yard dash at West Alabama’s Pro Day.

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Posted
7 minutes ago, immamac said:

4.84 with that is god damned impressive. The rest of the drills with that puts him as the best overall TE available IMHO

Lulz. There is not a single NFL staffer or reporter that believes that. 

Posted (edited)

Yeah? 4.84 with a severely-sprained ankle is astounding (especially considering healthy TEs like Dalton Kincaid were first rounders and maybe ran a tenth of a second faster on healthy ankles).

Edited by AnotherLawyer
Posted (edited)
50 minutes ago, Getafix said:

 

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continuing to run and work out after injuring himself was a stupid move. literally could only do harm on multiple fronts. how was nobody in his ear telling him to rest up and get ready for UT Pro day?

Edited by Derka
Posted
18 minutes ago, Im_smarter_then_you said:

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This is starting to sound like he is going to be the guy that a team trades in the 30-32 slot to get for that extra year cap control...

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Posted
5 minutes ago, Laxtonto said:

This is starting to sound like he is going to be the guy that a team trades in the 30-32 slot to get for that extra year cap control...

Late 1st would be good for him if it plays out that way. Kinda crazy to see this after hearing about him falling to the 4th-5th after the season. 

Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, Derka said:

continuing to run and work out after injuring himself was a stupid move. literally could only do harm on multiple fronts. how was nobody in his ear telling him to rest up and get ready for UT Pro day?

That's not how Gunnar Fucking Helm is wired. He was probably in his own ear saying man up and fight through it. There will be multiple organizations that will think more highly of him than if he would have pulled himself out of everything.  His tape and skills are too good for this to hold him back in the long run. 

Edited by Dennis Taylor
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Posted
Just now, Dennis Taylor said:

That's not how Gunnar Fucking Helm is wired. He was probably in his own ear saying man up and fight through it. There will be multiple organizations that will think more highly of him than if he would have pulled himself out of everything.  His tape and skills are you good for this to hold him back in tbe long run. 

why risk further injuring yourself before the draft has even happened? you can call it having guts, i call it objectively stupid. it’s one thing to play through the pain, but it’s an entirely different thing to knowingly further injure yourself (while putting up subpar times, no doubt in part due to the injury) as you try and convince nfl teams that they should draft you. what if the sprain turns into a tear after you just ran slow as shit? now you’re flirting with being an UDFA, and for what? that was a dumb move on gunnar’s part. 

Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, Derka said:

how was nobody in his ear telling him to rest up and get ready for UT Pro day?

It says right there that he didn’t tell anyone

Edited by Hank_Hill
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Posted
27 minutes ago, Derka said:

why risk further injuring yourself before the draft has even happened? you can call it having guts, i call it objectively stupid. it’s one thing to play through the pain, but it’s an entirely different thing to knowingly further injure yourself (while putting up subpar times, no doubt in part due to the injury) as you try and convince nfl teams that they should draft you. what if the sprain turns into a tear after you just ran slow as shit? now you’re flirting with being an UDFA, and for what? that was a dumb move on gunnar’s part. 

You already said all that shit, Gunnar obviously handles his business differently than you. This is just a bump in the road for Gunnar 

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Posted (edited)
9 minutes ago, Dennis Taylor said:

You already said all that shit, Gunnar obviously handles his business differently than you. This is just a bump in the road for Gunnar 

lol, it’s funny how you keep trying to make this idiotic decision into some sort of badass show of toughness by gunnar. if “handling his business differently than me” means injuring himself and then performing poorly while further injuring himself before the draft even happens, possibly to the point where he’s still injured at UT’s pro day, then yeah, he and i do business differently. 

i swear to god, a UT football player could shoot himself in the head and if people here criticized it some of you would still be upset about it. he did a dumb thing. its ok to admit that. these are kids who play college football, they are not gods. it’s ok to criticize them when they perform poorly or make bad decisions. this is d’onta foreman buying maseratis and sipping lean before the draft all over again. some of y’all will just blindly defend every UT player no matter what. it’s wild.

Edited by Derka
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Posted
1 minute ago, Derka said:

lol, it’s funny how you keep trying to make this idiotic decision into some sort of badass show of toughness by gunnar. if “handling his business differently than me” means injuring himself and then performing poorly while further injuring himself before the draft even happens, possibly to the point where he’s still injured at UT’s pro day, then yeah, we do business differently. 

i swear to god, a UT football player could shoot himself in the head and if i criticized it some of you would still be upset. he did a dumb thing. its ok to admit that. these are kids who play college football, they are not gods. it’s ok to criticize them when they perform poorly or make bad decisions.

It's Ok bro. Relax. I'm sure Gunnar doesn't really care what your opinion of his decision to keep pushing through an injury in front of the entirety of his potential former employers -while not mentioning it by the way-instead of pulling up lame and quitting.  He is auditioning for a job where toughness is going to come into the equation. He will be fine 

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